New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-21
DEArH OF nTz.GREENE HALLEoK

The death Of the distinguished American poet,
Fitz-Greene Halleck, took place on Tuesday night.
Nov 10, at his residence in Guiford Conn. Mr. Hall
lec was one of the earliest poetical writers OF tho
present century who 10 fame in this country.
and together with Paulding Dana, Bryant Percival.
Drake. Sands and others of inferior note. gave
powerful impulse to the higher manifestations of
American literary art OF that brilliant company
Of poets, Mr.. Halleck was among the last survivors
and his death at ripe old age breaks another link
between the present and the past. Although living
of late years in great retirement, and seldom per
hitting any new production of his pen to see the
light he has not been lost sight of by the generation
now on the stage, and his poetry continues to be
cherished as a proud memorial OF national genius
and cultivation.
Mr. Halleck was born in the rural Connecticut viii
lage whore he has just died at little past the age Of
seventy-two The early part of his life devoted
TO mercantile pursuits. For many years, he was
clerk in the house of the famous Quaker hnancier.
Jacob Barker. According to his own expression IN
one of his poetical epistles he also engaged In
the cotton trade and sugar line" He afterward en-
tered the employment of Mr.. John Jacob Aston, who
reposed great confidence in his business capacity
and named him in his will one of the trustees OF
the AstOr Library. 1t is nearly twenty years since
he ceased TO take any active part in financial and
quiet retreat at Gulford, though making frequent
visits to NewYork, and scarcely ever failing to be
present at the annual celebration of the Fourth of
July.
The earliest of Mr. Hallecks collected poems was
the lines to Twilight" which appeared in The Eren-
ng Post of this city in ISIS. Soon after, tire humor
Gus satires which obtained great celebrity as the
"Croaker Papers, written jointly by himself and
Mr. Drake were published in the same journal. The
death of his associate occurred in the following year,
and called forth the tribute to his memory, which is
familiar TO SO many readers as one OF the most
pathetic compositions in our literature Mr.. Hal
lecs longest poem, Fanny" was published in 1919.
and though suggested by the current incidents and
public men of that day. still retains to great degree
the popularity which it instantly acquired on It's
original appearance In 1871, his poems were
collected in one volume, including Marco
Bozzars,' "Alnwick Castle" and Burns'
the two last named of which were the fruit
of an interesting European tour, from which
he had recently returned. His poems have
since passed through editions, the latest
having been published in 1855. Their brllliancy OF
Thought, quaintness of fancy, and polished energy
of diction. have given them high rank IN American
literature, from which they will probably not soon
be displaced even by the many admirable produc-
tons of a later date In spicy pungency of satire.
and a certain elegance and grace Of manner, with
out an approach 10 stiffness formaty, they have
few parallels in modern poetry. Their tone is that
of a man of the world handling pen caustic and
tender by turns, with inimitable ease; leaving no
trace of the midnight OIL though often elaborated
with exquisite skill and entirely free from both the
rust and the pretension Of reclrse scholarship.
Mr.. HaecS was a man OF n singulary social turn
of mind delighting in gay and cordial fellowship.
trimming over with anecdOte and whimsical con-
ces, with remarkable power OF narrative, unfeign-
edly fond Of discussion and argument, and often
carrying his ingenuity to tine extreme verge OF para
d0x His personal bearing was IN hgh degrees
impressive and winning. His presence had Won
derful charm for almost all classes of persons,
although he did not hesitate to season the natural
sweetness of his discourse with a frequent drop OK
verjuce which left pretensiOn and imbeclity help,
less before his sarcasm During the latter part OF
his life Mr. Iiallecl entered the communion OF tne
Roman Catholic Church. and was accustomed 10
defend her doctrine and ritual with the yehemehoo
of neOphyte, if not with the discretion OF sage