The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-29

Dir. o. e. HOLMES delivered a lecture at Boston
on the evening of the 25th instant, on the poets
and poetry of the nineteenth century, in which his
particular topics for that evening were Byron and
Moore and their productions. The Boston Ifan-
script publishes outline of the lecture and COM
ments on it, from which we extract:
No attempt was made at philosophical analy-
sis of the genius of these poets; still less of the
qualities which distinguish the poetry of the nine
teenth century. Indeed, the doctor seems to fol.
low the chronological method, and employs his
hour in picturesque and abusive deneations of the
individual poet then in the order Of time. Little
that is can be said of Byron. No poet has been
so thoroughly sacked and turned insideout How
he ate, drank, dressed, swan, shot, swore and the
names and character Of his relatives, companions.
and servants, are all carefully discussed itmoved
the tears to see among the portraits of Byron one
childish face, full of innocence and peace, with the
flowing ringlets, and the ruff1ed collar, and thin
of his dark and miserable manhood. The Hours
ofldleness gave no promise of his future reputa-
ton; but the first canto of Childe Harold ca me
ringing down from the poetic armament like the
shield OF Palias into the citadel of nium and his
fame was instantly achieved. ...
As we read his letters, bristling with oaths, and
IN spite OF their dashing, off hand manner, evi
family, one trait which marks the white hande ed
descendant Of the Crusaders, who was more proud
OF being gentleman than of being poet or a
lord-and that is uulgarity. Fiery and voluptuous,
In foggy England. The northern partlet thought
she was incubating common egg, but when her
bantling Clipped the shell, how must her feathers
have risen with astonishment and horror to behold
upon it the scarlet plumage of the wild hamingo!
Byron has had no successful imitators, as Words
worth, Keats, and Tennyson, have. 1t is true that
dull poets like Robert Pollock were said to have
taken draughts of Byron, as Byron did of gin, to
aid their inspiration; and Browning and the author
of Festus have dressed Byronic thoughts in phi
losophic garb. Holmes alluded without quotation
to the moral criticism of Jeffrey, which, when the
poet read it, must have made his pale cheek grow
paler, and the dew of conviction gather upon his
brow.
In the treatment of moore the lecturer found a
more congenial subject. He characterized him as
the master lyric poet of the language. TO our
Judgment, Barry Bornwall has more fire, depth,
and genuine tenderness, while in the unfailing
melody of the verse, and in the Oriental album
dance of imagery which his rapid and inexhausti-
BILE fancy created and employed, Moore was un-
doubleday the superior. However, we did not in
tend to give our own but the Doctors view of his
theme. Moore was one of the lesser men, whose
heads the kind mother, Nature, will not allow to
stand more than five feet 90 from her maternal
bosom. The songs of Moore are the melodious
voice of the romance of our youth. He quoted
Williss description of the enchantment of Moore's
music, verse, and presence.
The lecture closed with beautiful original
poem suggested by the recent death of the poet,
from which we recall an exquisite image. He had
spoken of the poets fidelity to his wi e, and his
tender affection for his mother as contrasted with
the of his youth, and these were then figured
but the flushing of the bud,
Which blooms milk white flower.
On the whole, like the doctors method, follow.
ing the clairuoyant process which through the
living organism, rather than using the professional
scalpel upon the defunct subject. In this he re-
sembles Thackeray, but we think with the promi-
nent advantage of much ampler resources of wit
and fancy. The chime and emphasis of Holiness
glistens like bayonets in time of PEACE all along
the sunny field of his style; the reconcile and
original quality of his illustrations; and the touches
of pathos which always move the woman in our
hearts, combine to render this most delightful
and interesting course of lectures.