New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-04
DEATH OF MCKEE ICZ.

Poland has inst been bereaved OF one who held O
high place in her literature well her struggles
for freedom Adam Mckiewcz died at Constantl-
NOBLE about the last Of November, at the age OF 81
His name was conspicuous among the patriots oil
Furope. He was born in Lithuania, and received ms
education at the University Of Wilma His poetisal
talent was displayed at early age His mind drew
inspiration from the German and English poets, es
pecaIly from Byron, and he soon introduced the Ro
mantle element into Polish literature, emancpatng
from the influence of French models TO which It had
before given oservie devotion.
Devoted 10 the liberties Of his native land, he be-
came an active member of the secret society called
The PhRoretes. For his exertions in this cause, he
was arrested ard in 1924 banshed TO Odessa and sub
sequently to Moscow. After season of exile, he was
pardoned BY Nichols and received permission to travel
freely in Europe.
At the breaking out of the Polish Revolution of
1890 Mickiewicz was in Italy but though unable to
Join his struggling compatrots he lent fresh impulse
to their hearts BY his glowing lyrics. Joining the Pclsh
emigration at Paris, he continued his patriotic and
literary labor, cheering the afflicted eNles by ms
ardent sympathy. During this period he published
his work called The Books Of the Polish Nation and
the Polish Pilgrimage, the form and style OF which
suggested to Lamennas the plan Of his celebrated
prose poem, "The Words of Believer
Mickiewicz was Roman Catholic in his religious
faith though he gave the doctrines of that church the
form and coloring of his imagination. He identi-
fed Catholicism with the Polish nationality. In his
view, the Catholic religion represented by the Poles
was not only to restore Poland but TO redeemhe world.
He looked forward TO the reception OF new vitality
bythe Papacy and in this hope proclaimed the need of
reform TO his countrymen and to the Pope himself The
same ideas were presented from his chair as Professor
of Slavic literature at the Institute of France, TO which
he was appointed by Louis Philippe. His theocratic
lectures at length called forth the displeasure OF
Guizot who suspended him from Office. There could
have been nothing in common between the crafty poll
tician and the enthusiastic poet. Mickcwicz was a
warm admirer of Napoleon, whom he regarded as
benefactor of humanity. After the Revolution OF lsis
he Joined the NeoC atholic party in Paris and finally
gave in his adhesion to Louis Napoleon. AS Profess
sor in the Institute he was dispatched on a scientific
mission to the East where he has Ssnd his grave.
He was q man Of large and varied information,
especially in the department of history. His mind
was of philosophical cast, though greatly modified
in its action by ardent imagination. His eminence
as poet will always be acknowledged in Polish litera-
ture. though his genius not of highly creative
order AS before stated Byron and the Germans were
his fayorite models But this holds true particularly
in respect Of fom for unlike those poets he was more
addicted TO descriptions of external nature than TO those
bursts of feeling which proceed from the inmost recess
of the soul.