New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-31
DEATH OF BERANGER.

The intelligence Of the declining strength OF the
ilustrious French poet, which has been brought oy
our recent European ,a6vices, has prepared US for
the announcement by the last arrival of his death.
The departure of this popular favorte, although at
an unusually advanced age, will send thrill OF
so,row TO the heart Of the French nation, while it
will be received with glow of sympathy by every
lover of poetic genius, nObleness of disposition,
and frank spoDtaneiy of character among ourselves
Bsranper was born in Paris August 10, 1850.
His early years were under the charge OF his grand
father. worthy tailor of that city, with whom he
remained uutil he was nine years of age. One Of
his most vivid recOections of that period, was rhe
destruction of the Bastle, which madean inefiacea-
bic impression on his mind, and was afterward
celebrated in bis verse. A short time subsequent
10 this event, he was placed in the family OF ma
terpai aunt at PerOnne, who though holding q
humble station iD life, was woman OF intelligence
and great u oral worth Her Influence inspired the
young lad with love of Improvement and ransack-
ings her little library, he made acquaintance with
Telemachus, and the plays of Voltaire and Racine.
At the age Of fourteen, he was placed as an ap-
prentice with a printer, and in performing the
duties Of that situation obtained his first ideas
of writing and spelling his native language. His
progress, however, was slow In fpite OF the
efforts Of his master to give him an ink
ling Of prosOdy and syntax, as well as Of
the my stery of setting types At a later period,
he attended school in Peronne organized upon
the plan Of Rousseau, where be made rapid ad-
vances, not only in the usual studies of his age, but
in the power of expression, and In the cultivation
Of patriotic sentiments. He learned history geog
rapby, and the art IT composition, but an acquant-
ance with the dead languages formed no part OF
the system. This may surprise the admirers OF MS
songs which breathe such fine aroma OF ancient
poetry, but apart from the intuitve sense Of class
cal beauty-Of which We are not without examples
among our American pOets-which enabled him 10
divine its subtle elements and conditions, be On.
joyed the benefit Of excellent TRANSACTIONS from
Greek and Latin writer's, and made them the sub
Ject Of assiduous and enthusiastic study.
Attic see Of sixteen, Beraoger returned to Paris,
and soon commenced writing dramatic sketches;
but Departing to rival Molere, his great model in
that iine directed bis attention to more elaborate
compositions, and laid the foundation for an epic,
which he intended should be the great work of his
life. 1t was not till he had reached the age of
twenty-five that he wrote the Pilgrimage, an
dyllic poem in four cantos, representing the
pastoral manners of the sixteenth century. He
was nov thrown on the usual scanty resources of
youpg literary man in metropolitan life. Unknown,
Deer without social position, he gave free in
saiSepce to bis love Of gayety, resolving to make
sure n the present amid the uncertainties of tho
ia'e1s During this period he produced many Of
o" ness delightful songs, which in their free and