The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1849-09-19
THE POET CAMPBELL.

THE POET CAMPBELL.
There are moi many Of he Great names in
poetry. whose personal traits are calculated 10
confirm The admiration which lheir great ge-.
MUS had excited. Some gfoselling passionor
practice. some contracted spirit Of jealousy,
some intense selishness, il discovered, which
throws damper upon the enthusiasm aroused
by exalted intellectual powers. Many sonl
which has glowed with The inspiration Of BY
ron's magnificent song, has been thoroughly
chilled by tie observation Of his sour misan-
ihropy, affected misery, and reckless injustice
to those who thongh,lessly crossed his path.
4 Glorious as were the productions Of his better
hours. how many thousand lines did he wife,
which, dying" he might well wish To blot
ont.
The poet Campbell was one Of those whose
sun Is nndarkened BY those black spots which
have disfgured The fame Of so many llluslrious
men. writer in the North British Review,
gives a touching description Of The closing
scene Of campbeil's earthly career. A con-
temporary well remarks. that, 10 utter llIe sem
iimenl printed in italics below. furnishes the
best commentary upon the purity Of life he
had spent.
i On The 10Th. lie was able TO converse more
freely; bot his strength had become more re-
duced, and, or being assisted TO change his
posture, he fell back in The bed insensible.
RI Conversation was carried on in the room in
whispers; and Campbell uttered a few sen
fences so unconuecled. that his friends were
doubtful whether he was conscious or not OF
what was going on in his presence, and had re-
course 10 an arlifiee TO learn. One Of them
spoke Of the poem Of HOhenlinden, and pre-
tending to forget the authors name, said he
heard il was by Mr.. Robinson. Campbell
: saw the trick, was amused, and said playiully,
but in calm and distinct tone, No; it was
one Tom Campbell" The poet had-as far
as poet can-become for years Indifferent TO
poslhumous fame. In 1898, five years before
that time, he had been speaking TO some friends
e in Edinburgh on The subject. "When think
!. Of The existence which shall commence when
E The stone is laid over my head, how can lilera-
nv fame appear 10 me--to any one-but as
nothing. Ibeiieue ,chen am gone, justice
!, wiH be done 10 me ia this way-tdst was
apH5s T ssn n@s .eaP..ss,e.s sonyor or;
feel that IhaUs mol wriien one line against
religion or rirtue."
Here was the sentiment Of true christian
: philosopher, and il is one upon which all as
!, pirants 10 literary fame may proilably medi.
d tate. How much unhappiness, discomfort and
s "all unchartableness" might be avoided, if
men would daily school themselves to conlem-
plate aud realize The truth, not only Of their
J. own mortality bu, Of the transient and perish
!, able character of all human fame. The ap-
Dc plause Of the multitude is sweet. but il is the
j, thing of day,--the flower that is fresh and
fragrant in The morning, but droops in the hot
noon.iide, and dies after brief season. The cul-
: livaiion Of The heart after all produces more
desirable result than the cultivation Of the brain,
for lis fruits are unaffected by the heat or cold
of human vcissitudes, and yield their choicest
:. satisfaction in that dying hour when man most
y needs consolation and support.
Anecd0te. - Hamli, reputed one OF the
y s wisest and best Of the Chinese Emperors, af-
y ter having gained great advantages over the
y Ear,ass who had invaded his dominons, re-
e turned 10 the great city Of Nankin in order to
:. enjoy the happiness Of his success. After he
had rested some days, the people, who are
e, naturally fond Of pageaniry and show, expect
ed the triumphal en,ry, which EmpeTors up
on such occasions are accustomed 10 make.
h Their murmurs came to the Emperrr's ears.
: He loved his people, and was willing 10 do all
- in his power TO satisfy their just desires. He
=. therefore assured them, that he intended upon
10 The next public festival, 10 exhibit one of the
mos, glorious triumphs that ever had been seen
in China. The people reoced at his conde.
scension, and on the appointed day assembled
e al the gates Of The palace with the most eager
IA expectation: there they waited for some time
d. wilhou, seeing any of those preparations which
Vi usually procede pageantry. The Lantern
= with the thousand tapers was not yet brough
forth, and the fireworks which usually covered
~ the city walls were not yet lighted. The PEG
pie once more began TO murmur at this delay
of when in the midst OF their Impotence, the pa
ed lace gates flew open. and the Emperor him
self appeared mol in splendor or magni6cence
but in an ordinary habit, followed by III
blind, the manned, and the strangers Of the CT
Q, "; all in new clothes, and each carrying il
ea his hand money enough 10 supply his necess
ep' ties for year. The people were at first .
az mazed, but soon perceived the wisdom of ,hei
on King, who laugh, them, tha, to promote virtue
10 and make men happy, was the summit OF HI
man glory.
=, .Won't you sing song, sir = said lad
uai 10 her lover, as thev were alone one evenin!
IL a. =.