actual conditions, but consummate in its portrayal of the sufferings of the Acadians.
The poem, whose heroine Longfellow first had the intention to call "Gabrielle," was begun in November, 1845. By the following April it was completed. In October, 1846, it was published, and immediately given recognition as one of the master-pieces of American literature. Grounded upon history and limned against an existing background, the incidents created by the poet are easily confused in the mind of the visitor with reality. The well in the field is called "Evangeline's well" though no maiden of that name actually dwelt with her father Benedict Bellefontaine, "on goodly acres," "somewhat apart from the village." No youth called Gabriel lived in the village, son of Basil, the blacksmith. Yet it helps one to better understand the tragedy enacted on this upland to read the poet's graphic "Tale of Love in Acadie."
Distant, secluded . . . the little village of Grand Pré Lay in the fruitful valley
..........
Strongly built were the houses
..........
Thatched were the roofs, with dormer-windows; and gables projecting
Over the basement below protected and shaded the doorway.
..........
Columns of pale blue smoke, like clouds of incense ascending,
Rose from a hundred hearths . . .
Thus dwelt together in love these simple Acadian farmers.
