New-York tribune., 1842-02-03
From The Southern Literary Messenger.
X +, A r. s..
BYH. 4. TT C ERM A n


\ fEELIxG has gone abroad prcjudicia 10 the
nianincss OF Keats. Such an idea in relation TO
any one who has given undoubicd proof of intel
t-crnal vgor, should never be confidently enter
tanned. Strong sense generally accompanies strong
feeling: and it may be fairly presumed that when
man OF true force of character is chargcabic
with great weakness, ii is usnallv to be ;iscrbcd
more physical and accidental causes tiaan to
aay inlcrcn, and absolute defect. The whole en-
vir"nment OF circumstances must=bc wei Shcd in
The balance with the genuine characteristics of the
individual, before truly pronounce on the
case. Keats was a man of a most aillucnt ina ii
nation, sensitive feelings, and high aims bu, ne
was born at :, livery stable; his constitution was
radically feeble, and his affections grcvouslv dis
appointed. Considering what a world live in,
and the traits ot common nature, this
painful combination. Almos, every young man
chershcs an idea which he confidently expects to
realize. poc,ca! mind unites with such hopes
asingular intensity Of purpose; failure is
dinghy the 81 gnal for despair. Ills not in moral
enterprises in trade. Wien The hopes of the
heart are bankrupt renovation is not easy they are
too ot.en all rl-ke,l upon one adventure, and when
that misc;urics. IRON and ;ln ndomilabc
will are ercguircd to Sandth shock. The cherished
ann Of Keats was doab,ess to retrieve his social
condition by the forge of his genius There was
nothing presumpt1ous in such an anticipation. He
had c'inccd more Of the divinls ;Ilalus than
manv English poets OF good reputation, and his
powers Were BY no means fully rpc. He had an
exuberancc Of fancy truly wondcriul--thc indie
pendencc to choose his own path and an honest
ambition to win the laurel which he felt was with
in his Grasp. EIc published his first volume at the
age Of lwcnty-onc. His political opinions and
those OF his associates, drew upon his literary ct
forts the most Severe viupcraon; and when En-
dymion appeared IN 1919, it was lniously ass;ilcd
by the Great critical authority OF the day. Clifford
declared his intention Of attacking ii, even before
It's appearance. The ioyv birth OF the poet the
character Of his friends, and the humble nature OF
his carly education, were turned into arrows dip
ped IN gall, 10 rnl;lc in his sensitive heart. The
courtesics Of private life were invaded, and the
grosscst calunuics= resor,cd TO- in order to c2rrv
the system Of abuse then prevalent. With
good health, and reasonable prospcc, of conin-
ucd existence, Keats could have faced the storm.
He could have lived down opprobrium, and awcd
Il "ena press by the slEtdow=ot his mature genius.
But feeling that the seeds Of death were already
wirhin INN, and having striven in vain
le nprear
Love, standard on the balticmcnlS o seal",'
he 10 longer hoped To leave his name upon The
harp-strius.n He irl, hat he must pass away
iii' critltiHil ~ WHICH us 'caiil II
commonly ascrbed. was but the last OF Il series ot
painful exPetuace. Il is very unjust to select one
ana ''l't t's least alsmitd' ms trE'- and repre-
s''' ll' s '.,''> ','iW'''n'y Nan4"sllea II was
powered him. II was physical inlrmi,y rather
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l1gSv" "s'ol i.t'' 'e 'i'o'c, 'ie Pos>c>Se" to'
.nae,l 'eacAcy 10 inifu9c hiS sorrows, even upon
l,''.''i'e 'seh4>, tie bore ms iac"t'cS :" meek
''.'' 10 a hlhaiy observer ms >ilc;t srieiS could
1,'a'eisr p.'y, lile!r Is :; strength OF
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