New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-04-13
GEORGE KEATS.

SEVERAL wears since went to Louisville, Ky,
70 take charge of the Unitarian church Ill that
city. | was told that among those who attended
the church was a brother of the poet Keats, an
English gentleman, who had resided Tor many
years in Louisville as merchant. His appear
ance, and the shape of his head arrested atten-
ton. The heavy bar OF observation over his eyes
Indicated the strong perceptive faculties of bu
sincss man, while the striking hight OF the head,
in the region assigned by phrenoogy TO venera-
ton, was sign of nobility Of sentiment, and the
full development behind marked hrrnncss and
practical energy All these traits were equally
prominent in his character He was one of the most
intellectual men ever knew. never saw him
when his mind wae inactive. never knew HIM
TO acquiesce in the thought of another. 1t was
cessiiy ofhs nature to havehi own thought on cv
cry subject; and when he assented to your opinion,
it was not acqulescence but agreement joined
with this energy OF intellect was profound IN
tellectual modesty. He perceived his deficiency
in the higher reflective faculties, especially that OF
philosophical method. But his keen insight en-
ablcd him fully to appreciate what he did not
himself possess. Though the tendency OF his m
tellect was wholly critical, it was without dogma
,lsm and full of reverence for the creative tacul
ties He was thoroughly versed III English hte-
nature, especially that OF the Ehzabethan period,
a taste for which he had probably imblbed from
his brother and his friends, Leigh Hunt and 9TH
ers. This taste he preserved for years in region
where scarcely another could be found VINO had
SO much as heard the names OF hs iavortc au-
thors The society of such man was lnvaiua-
bic, if only as an intellectual stimulus. 1t was
strange to find, on the banks OF the OHIO one
who had successfully devoted himself TO active
pursuits and who yet retained so fine senSlhlhty
for the rarest and most evancsccnt beauties OF an
cient song.
The intellectual man was that which YOU first
saw in George Keats 1t needed long acquaint-
ance before you could perceive, beneath the vel
of high bred English reserve, that profound sen
timent OF manly honor, that reverence for all
Truth, Lotiness, and Purity, that netiaceahic de-
sire for inward spiritual sympathy, which are the
birthright of all in whose VEINS flows the blood
of a true poet. George Keats was The most
manly and selfpossessed OF men--yct full OF IN
ward aspiration and conscious OF spiritual needs.
There was no hardness IN his strong heart, no
doSmatism in his energetic intellect, no pride in
his self-rehance. Thus he Was essentially a re
hchous man. He shrunk from petism, bat revcrcd
piety.
The incidents of his life bore the mark of his
character. His mind, stronger than circums,an-
eos, gave them It's own stamp, instead OF receiv-
ing theirs. George Keats, with his two Younger
brothers, Thomas and John, were left orphans at
a private boarding school, where the impetuositv
of the young poet frequently brought him into
difficulties, where he needed the brothcrly aid OF
George John was very apt 10 yet into fight
with boys much bigger than himself, and George,
who seldom fought on his own account, very
often got INTO u battle 70 protect his brother
These early adventures helped TO bind their hearts
in very close and lasting affection.
After leaving school, George was taken mic
his guardians counting ROOM where he stayed
little while but let 1t, because he did not choose
10 submit 10 the domiaeerng behavior OF the
younger partner iet he preferred 10 bear the ac.
cusaiion oil beng unreasonable rather than toeN-
PLAIN the cause which might have made diihcul-
~. He lived at home, keeping house with his
two brothers, and doing nothing for some time,
waiting till he should be OF age, and should re.
ceire his small inheritance. Many SAID he was
an idle fellow, who would never come 10 any
good but he fel. within himself convection
that he could make his way successfully through
the world. His guardian, d wise old Iondon
merchant, shared this opinion, and always pre-
dcted that George would turn out well.
HIS first act on coming of age did no, SEEM to
tho worldly wise. to favor this view. He mar
RED young lady, the daughter of British Co,
lionel, and came with her TO America. They did
not, however, act without reflection. George had
only four or FIVE thousand dollars, and knew that
II he remained IN London, he could not be mar
RED Tor years. Nor would ne be able 10 support
his wife IN any OF the Atlantic cites, IN the So
clety to which they had been accustomed. But
by gong al once to the West, thew might live. /
without much society. 10 be sure but vet with
comfort, and the prospeo, ofimprovinr their con, /
dition. Therefore see this boy and siri, he TWEEN.