Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-05-25

Poel' were printed in 1871, without pa
,ronage, without even the name of the au-
thor. The success of the work was unex-
ampled, and at once raised the author to the
highest rank amongst the poets of the day.
For,y-five thousand copies were sold in four
wears. The brilliant success of the "Medl-
tations," and the solicitations of his family
now induced NJ. Lamarline to enter the ca
reer of diplomacy. He became attached
TO the Tuscan embassy, and set out for
Florence.
Here, if report be true, in the midst of the
splendor of an Italian fete, the soft voice OF
woman murmnred in his ear his own
beautiful and touching lines
Peut-etre, l'ayenir me gardeit-il encore
I'm retonr de bouheur dout lespoir est perdu;
Peut-etre dams la foule une anne que J'ignore
Aurait coRlpris mon anne ct m'aurat responder.
The prediction of the poet was realized
His soul had met with sympathising spirit,
and they were indissolubly united. At the
same time wealthy uncle bequa'hed his
fortune to Lamarline. All that men can de-
sire fell to his share at one and the same
time-glory, beauty, wealth. Up to 1929,
Mr.. Lamar.ine remained in Tuscany-at
first, as Secretary to the Ambassador. and
subsequently, as Charge d'.aGairs. On his
return to Paris, he published the "Harmo-
nies"-one of the most sublime and mag
nlfcent productions that emanaied from the
brain Of a poet. The French Academy i'm
medialely opened its doors to the laureat-
fresh honors awaited him-he was appointed
ambassador to the Court of Greece, when
The Revolution of 1880 broke out; and the
newly elected king, DESTROYS of availing
himself of his services, offered to confirm
the appointment. Lamar,ine refused. His
eyes had long been turned towards the east
the cradle of civiIzalion-and thither he
proceeded in 1882. The progress of the
great poet, whose fame had proceeded him,
was series Of triumphs. He devoted SIX
teen months to the study Of eastern manners,
to the monuments and history Of the palri-
archs; but the pleasure was purchased at the
sacrifice of his only child-his lighl-hear,ed
JuIia-cut off by fever at Beyroot, on his
way to Europe.
On the 4lh January, 1894, Lamariine
made his first appearance at the Chamber OF
Deputies. He was then forty-four years Of
age, unaccustomed, unframed 10 the practice
of parliamentary debate yet he appeared
at once as an orator of the first class, and
from that period, experience, in ripenlng his
judgment, has but added solidity to the ma
tive brightness Of his genius. Each year
brongh Thin prominently forward and at
present there is not perhaps in France a
man, who can compete with him in popular
eIoouence. For some time he continued TO
support The government of the Iae king,
hu, his support was not servlle one. The
great and universal principles Of the phlan-
thropis. and the phiIosopher-'he warm
affection of the poe! for all that is noble,
good, or heauliful-ever shone forth and
gave expression TO the most elevated senti-
ments in the words ''lhat were sweeler than
honey"
His literary studies for his last work.
"The History of the Girondins,'' naturally
led to deep and more correct appreciation
Of the character and efforts of the Revoltl-
ton of 1892. With the light Of history he
dissipated the caumnies which had so long
cast cloud on the memories of the great
men, who figured in that evenlful time
The leaven of truth having once entered his
mind, gradually purified the whole man !;
and on the Oath of February-(ace to face
with expiring royalty and the people just
born to its rights, he cas-. off every remnant
of prejudice, declared the Republic in the
Chamber, and saved France A, this event.
full moment, the poet, the orator, the states
man, became COMPOUNDED and the three in
one effected what perhaps no other human
power could have done.
As politician, he seized the proper mo-
ment for action, and proposed while others
hesilated, the only solution acceptable to
the people. The spirit of poetry supplied
the superhuman energy, fed by enthusiasm;
while the orator poured forth those soul stir
ring words which alone the people obey in
the moment of tumult and excitement. At
his voice the monarchy fell at his voice
the Provisional Government started into ex-
istence; and his voice it was that subdued
to obedience the passions of an armed and
blood-stained population.
AS an orator, Lamartine held, perhaps,
the first rank in the late Chamber of Depu-
ties. We allude to oratory as distinguished
from mere parliamentary debating. He is
the only example we have of great poet
being at the same time great orator, and
this explains the charm and irresistible in
fuence of his eloquence. In some measure
his eloquence resembles that of Mr.. Shiel-
the same brilliancy, the same point, the
same harmony of period and language but
how infinitely superior in Imagination, and,
above all, in the noble principles of human