Snowbound

a Winter Idyl, a poem by Whittier, published in 1865. Our Young Folks was one of the first periodicals for young people in the United States. Its publishers, desirous of obtaining strong writers for the early numbers, made application among the first to John G. Whittier, requesting him to write about his boy life. In response to a second letter from Mr. James T. Fields about the contribution, the poet replied substantially: "Oh, the matter has grown beyond all bounds! Thee wanted twelve stanzas, and three times that are now written, and the story has scarcely begun, and, moreover, I fear thee will not like it." Mr. Fields telegraphed, "Send it along and let me judge for myself." The next morning Mr. Fields thrust the first pages of "Snowbound" into the hand of his colleague remarking: "What do you think of that for a Christmas book? There is a picture in every line," and truly it was so. The sheets were sent back with just eight words attached. "Make it as long as you can. Splendid!" The poem appeared in the Christmas number, and has been a favorite ever since with young and old. It is a picture of New England country life fifty years ago. It is full of beautiful descriptions and noble thoughts. It has been called the "most charming idyl in American poetry," and there is surely no more delightful picture of happy home life.