Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 1915)
TITE SUNDAY : OREGONIAX. PORTLA1VD, MARCH 21, 1915. oW f " ; --r --- -- - fyyh REV. FRANK LANDON HUMPHREYS, AUTHOR OF "WHAT WE OWE TO France: is a business man, SCULPTOR .YACHTSMAN.I NAVAL MILITIAMAN, NATUl ART CONNOISSEUR, FIN AND TRAVI T RtKSt M. SJJEV1LT. THI3 article Is about an ecclesiastic, s muilcian, & composer, a me chanic, an Inventor, tk horsefnan. a yachtoman, a licensed pilot, an au thor, a sculptor, a lecturer, a publicist, a chemist, color photographer, an aeronaut, historian, a business man and a boy who knows how to play. JJo, it Isn't a morality play. Ton might call it a protean play, with Dr. Frank Ltfhdon Humphreys taking all the parts. Recently. In the guise of historian and author, he gave to the public a hook, ""What We Owe Prance." Thoush It ia a historical work. Dr. Humphreys qualified aa ait author also in its prep aration, for it is hot merely a written record of events; it is an artistic and literary, narrative of facts. At the same' time this last book of Dr. Humphreys' wai put on the market he was appear ing at Miami. Fla., lh ttfe role of the boy who knows how to play, the yachtsman and the naturalist and, in cidentally, scaring half to death the friends who visited him on board the Watawga by introducing them to his new pet, a boa constrictor 15 feet Ions". "I once had a kiligr snake five feet long," he wrote to a friend. "That-! kept for two years, hut this pet is much better. He is a boa 13 feet long and has to be fed a chicken once a month." to those who know him Dr. Hum phreys is "the man who gets more out of life than anyone else in the world." "Why do they call you thatr I . asked him. "I suppose it is because I have more contacts with life," said Dr, Kit t ; - IU IT- d I ,;M inn "? X ) :; llfA ., r3 r f the why and Wherefor. I myself be- length, and even may be said to have came first a licensed ilot, then a the kind of personality that all intrl- master. Now I hold a master's license cate machines have in common with for the whole coast. ships. Yet, after all, the horse, like "We have built several boats, each tne ,jogi is" the friend, eomrado and time getting gaeater economy of ad- companion. I had a saddle mule once ministration and greater seaworthiness and sne was a great pet really of an and comfort. The Watawga I consider affectionate disposition it .sounds the last woVd in that line. She is a funny. doesn't it? She and my English houseboat in comfort and a ship in seaworthiness. She carries coal andt water for nearly the whole season, hut she isn't one of those cottages on a raft. We all go over the side every morning for a swim and have launches, slow and fast, and canoes for the day's sports." . The Watawga is a craft of 135 tons Humph- gross registry, is 115 feet long and has reys. "I mean that I do more things a beam of 20 feet and et draft of 8 feet and more different things. And that is perhaps because I have inherited what Bishop Potter once reminded me was a fatal gift versatility. "Coldnel David Humphreys was a no table illustration of this family char acteristic in the Revolutionary days. He was ona of the quartet of Hartford wits Dwlght, Barlow, Trumbull and Humphreys. He was a soldier," poet, statesman, diplomatist and one of th founders of New England manufactor iesand pretty good in all his various callings, notwithstanding Bishop rot ter's estimation that versatility was a She has a speed of 11 knots, is equipped with two Reeves compound engines and shows a pair of squat black funnels. Three lifeboats and a launch are carried In her regular equipment. The Watawga was built eight years ago at Greertport, I I., by the owner, who personally looked after her con struction. She carries a crew Of eight men and can take some half dozen pas sengers, with room to spare. Seen from a distance the Watawga appears suspiciously like a mati-o'-war. Squat funnels, gray steel super- fatal gift, because a mat could not structure, white portholed bull, under aroount to much In so many Ways. shot bow, and last, but by no means "The first thing I set out to master least, two one-pdundera mounted fore was musio. because I had always and aft, the yacht looks like a mem played on something from my boy- ber of some coast guard. Upon a hood. Tot years I was a choir boy. closer approach, however, inspection When I had ohildren of my own I nat- reveals the stained glass windows of bulldog, Cupid, formed such a friend ship and were kissing , each' other so often that I simply had to call her Psyche." , I have said that Dr. Humphreys was an ecclesiastic. He was ordained by Bishop Starkey In 1883 and was for a time rector of Christ Church, in Short Hills, N. J.; later precentor of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City and from 1900 to 1906 canon of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City. His definition of re ligion Is interesting. It is' "sanctified common sense," he saye? His new book, "What the UnitM States Owes to France," Is hy no means ( his only work. He also wrote "The Evolution of Church Music," "Medita tions on the Mystery of the Passion," "Carols and Caroling," "Men of Under Standing," "Clerical Education," "Be loved of Washington" and "Life and Letters of Colonel David Humphreys; A. t. " Recently' he has become interested in color photography, and his friends 1 why not Say a horse, a pleasant road and Something worth thinking out?' " In his spare time Dr. Humphreys- Is active as a member Of the Union in color pnotograpny, una ms xrjonua , , . . i.f .... . t. League Clufe. New YorSt Yacht Club, r ' J - J Arm SrtJ Voir PIhVi nA K. A heard from in this field. Club of New York. He has been the rurally raised them in an atmosphere of musio and taught them to play various Instruments. For 14 years we played together an hour every day. We had twd violins, a 'cello, flute, French Horn and. piano in our little orchestra." Many soloists of international repu tation and singers of note have played or sung with Dr. Humphreys and his children in- the musio-roora of IJyn derfy, His country home in Normandla Park, Morristown, N. J. Dr. Humphreys himself not only plays but writes mu sic and several of bis hymns are fre quently sung. nautics. Dr. Humphreys went up with .1 elT. t . .Z t., ftife general eTjaplain of the Society of the Winter and since then has been en- the saloon, and the first supposition is thusiastic about the aeroplane, making immediately shaken. The class of th vessel is established when It is learned flights whenever it was possible, al-' though he does not yet operate a ma- that the guns are employed for Salut- chine himself. He Is a member of the ihg purposes only. The first evidences of the fad for In dian art that Is th owner's is Aero Club of New York. Just to show that a man With so Cincinnati sine 1S97, is cnapltf.in of the Naval Order of the United States; the Society of 1812, the Naval Reserves and theSoefety of the Sons of the Rev olution. He is historian of the Society of Colonial Wars' id president of the Society of the Cincinnati in New Jer sey, also a member of the Ancient and li." '.JL, ",hJ :fir";, nanlr Tr,ed interests and with So Honorable Artillery. the SDone.slV kept craft. The bow " P'ay W" IncttPawe Dr. Humphreys has a briSf, clear cut ot VePWatawg !T.rr "a as figurehead fj""!? "r ct S most out the bronze head of an Indian in full war bonnet. The spacious saloon and the rooms of the' vessel are decorated with original bronze and hand paint ings, many of them representing In- Sculpture is another art in which he dianS. Two models of Indian busts by Is proficient. the owner himself decorate the mould- ' How . did I come to take up sculp- lng of the main saloon, a saloon which ture?" said Dr. Humphreys in reply to contains a piano, a large library and a a question. "Why, I always used to fireplace, over which are Inscribed the play with the clay when visiting eer- Words: led the movement which resulted in of life. Here If is"! the Morris and Somerset Electric Com- "Do aS fiiuch as you cad to help pany, which bought the public service others- and keep busy. In making oth plant in Morristown Because certain srs happy you make yourself happy, residents were not satisfied with th and worft in some useful channel is service given by the big corporation, necessary to" ail. I agree with the and the Morris and Somerset Electric psychologist Who v said hat. three things wer necessary to human hap piness -TeligioA, lova and work es pecTalty work," tain friends who were sculptors. Then when I built my last boat and gave It ah Indian name I tried to find soma old carver in a shipyard to carve a figure for it. Qui descendant mare in navibus Ipsl viderunt opera Domini." "I am glad to see that some one is starting a nautical boy scout move ment and teaching boys to swim and What Accessories Wilt Do it fi CAN only llv once, and the "As the search ior an old-fashioned sail. The Navy Department has long sittst friends suirsested that I do the the only means of teaching students than 20 years old, but still strong and rapaoie, ana we unaersiana eacn otner thoroughly. I .hope that we shall be friends and comrades for many year before he is retired on a pension to some rich pasture on same sunny Southern farm. "Many men have asserted that their Company IS a flourishing corporation today. . . Notwithstanding Df. Humphrey's love' of the horse, in order to live up to his reputation fof versatility he Was oti4 of the first automobllists in the Country, and, as in all ether things, he learned to rely on himself in this pur suit, thereby qualifying as a mechanic of parts. My Old Irish hunter Erin is mo'rt writes Filson Young, the English too. elist, -and I find upon examination that the passion for accessories is only a expression of a passion" for life. "Not to follow up those engaging byways of temptation Is to miss a great deal of agreeable and accidental information and knowledge of the kind that makes life full and interesting. iti?v-c-' .-'."itc; 1,5 17) ;V " ii1'' ""V""1' ' y jA. ..... . I ; -t - """" v I i ' J j J -" i.Ki - 7 & v . ; - Mrl . y . . in Field II ' ' l VETERAN" I II m r-'T j l ryo " Ut-v : 11 CA&u o the AXrVr3A. work myself. I did it. It was my first under Us care to be what seamem call offense, and although I am now heart- handy."" lly ashamed of it, I still keep it on the With all his love for the water Dr. fcoat. The next step was most natural. Humphreys has none of ' your salt As I was lecturing and writing on the cured seaman's fear of a horse. Indiana, I tried to perpetuate the "In my educational scheme," he said strons characters of some of them tn recently. "I wouldn't forget the horse. lasting bronze. Some of the happiest either. A wise old doctoronce told me problems were solved and many litef- mv li f. ... .ri.n, in th. Tn. .t nntt.'D that fhurir.n va.a ai- arv men and Dublic workers hflva said dlari country of the Southwest with my ways healthier in families where pets that their best work and most telling reloped and remain unenlightened; but boya," were kept. Certainly we had pretty periods were worked out during long Everything that savors of the sea nearly everything in the way of.ani- and solitary walks. I claim hat you appeals to Dr. Humphreys. He Is a mala, down to a king snake, about five can do the same k:nd of planning on chaplain In the Naval Militia of New feet long, which we kept in the con- a horse's back and even better for Jersey and was formerly chaplain of servalory for about two years. you have the quiet, and I may even the United States Naval Academy. "As to horses, when we are home we venture to say.' sympathetic compan- "There's inspiration in the sea." says go out riding every morning. There lonship of your horse without the dan- Br. Humphreys. "There Is nothing is an excellent education for boy and Ber oi interruption as wouia oe me ether things,, such as the rotation of us, for they know that w ar the Ka They bllv that because we have crop, and the working of leather. tion of the future. ThrS will be no never been obliged to. fight a serious "In short, accessories a're the elr -general disarmament after this war, foreign war there is a special provl cumferenee of th circle of which the for, while financial necessity my dence watching ovjsr us to protect us thing itself is the center; they are cause a great reduction In the size of ffom our mistakes. Trusting to this leads and, links which take otf out armaments, the armies and navies that speelat providence, w have negotiated from ourselves (and at our own ex- survive will he more than sufficient t . series of treaties with foreign powers h it I agreed that, in case or spute arising between the con- For th sincere and honest non.re- trading parties, neither shall resort to later W should have nothing but re- arms until after the expiration of a spect. W may not approve of his year. A sort of political moratorium doctrines, but w can at least admire tg provided which under th millennium tha pnimiiitanav of the man who. be- miht h. v.rv effective, but which IF we do not Wish, sooner oy later, Uevlng war to be th greatest of evils, under existing conditions Is hardly to reckon with th alternative of advocates, neace at any price. But n..,i.t Rrrihn.ra. yourself very' much about his heeds; either living shamefully or dying glorl- most of our people are In no sense non- but if you have this interest in ac- ously. we must be prepared to defend reslstera and have the most profound cameTa and snTyour films tobelel Ending l.f. of th. account for bur, a. at present eon- whJ h .nlioht... Krrt WOriO,- if you equip yourself with half its ac cessories, photography will lead you far into the sciences of physics and chemistry. . - , "If you have a horse and someone to look after him you" need not occupy Urges War Preparedness better than the discipline of sea life, man In educating his pony or horse. wit human companion, i know ( cessorles and taa a pleasure in think- ourselves and- Tight for our Nation) belief fat th greatness am th might The members of my family were It gives him physical exercise and de- tn" 1 nay mougnt-oui many or my mg not now im dui now mucn you honor single-handed, for w can expect of ur country. Yet, while they org brought up on- boats and are- almost velops patience and forbearance; as speeches and laid the foundations of can do toward making your horse no- assistance from any other nation on the" expansion of American Industry web-footed. The boys can 'hand reef well as strength of will, to guide and some or my merary worK unaer sucn stame a aina oi sunno h. w.h not omy earth, we must realize mat wnataver and commerce, ana m it support aavo nrt steer.' Naturally we went Into rnmmnnrt. - conditions ot equine teuowsnip. Dring you nearer w mm -uu u nations may say in tiieir nours the thing scientifically and education- "The automobile" he says "is the "While I appreciate Stevenson's 'A you understand him better but it will stress. In their hearts none of them unwilling to mak th necessary sacri ally studied navigation and learned best mean of making trips of any Boat, a Book and the Girl Yo Ijvey mak jrou understand a great many like us. All lear u and are jealous of flo to Insur our country futur. Co-operation. (London Oplnlen.) . Father What! Tu want to marry my daughter? Why. sir, you can't sup. of oate a spirited foreign policy, they ar P" nerl CB", ' 7. T7 . J U 1 lur vumuai vau v " vmij sta togthrT