The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-22
OBITUARY.
\ PAIR OF POETS PASS AWAY
Nathaniol Parker WINS.

2Oth of January, 1907, and had consequently
just completed his sixtieth year at the time OF
his death. He received hls early education at !
the Boston Latin School, and az Phillips An
dover Academy, where he was prepared for |
Yale COLLEGE, at which institution he was gradu- |
ated in 1897. His poetlcal genius was exhibited |
while he was yet schOol-bOy, and during his |
residence In New Haven he published series |
of poems, entitled Scripture Sketches" ;" under |
the signature OF Roy" After leaving college, |
he became connected with the periodical litera- |
ture OF that day, and among other enterprises |
established the american Monthly Magazine, in |
1925 most of the contents of which were the |
productions OF his own pen. He continued his
labors in this Magazine for more than two
years. when he joined the staff of the
NelC York Mirror, weekly literary iouraa
which had been started by Mr.. George p. Morris
about seven years before: Soon after forming
his connection with Mr.. Morris, be commenced
an extensive tour in Europe, where he re-
mained for the space OF about seven years. The
fruits OF his European experience were given to
the public in his lively volumes entitled Per.
cilllngs by the Way which originally appeared
IN the columns OF the Mirror. His travels eX-
tended through France, Italy. and Greece, and
into portions OF European Turkey and Asia
Minor. As an attache of the American lega.
ton at Paris, to which office he had been ap-
pointed by Mr.. Rves, then United States Minis
ter at that Court, he gained free access to the
highest social circles, and with the habits OF keen
and rapid observation which he had already
formed aud which remained one OF his prOmi-
nent characteristics throughout his life, he OBJ
tanned rich store of materials for sparkling
description, and plquant and, not untrequently,
a little misChievous comment. During that
period he also published "Inklings of Adven-
ture," a series OF tales and sketches written for
the London Ne1o Monthly Magazine under the
signature of Philip Slingsby, which obtained
brilliant popularity Doth in England and this
country. His first work was severely criticized
by the British periodicals on account OF the
freedom with which he exposed the interior of
households where he had been received as q
guest, and some of his remarks on the writings
Of Captain Marryatt then in the height OF his
reputation as popular novelist. led TO duel
with tnat author at Chatham, which, however,
happily terminated without bloodshed on either
side.
After eXhaustng European life in its manifold
entlcng phases, Mr.. Willis returned to America
in 1887, having two years previously been mar
lied TO an English lady, the daughter of General
STAGE, super ntendent of the military and naval
arsenal at Woolwich. UDon arriving in this
country, he retired 10 the beautiful rural resi-
dence on the Susquehanua, near Owego, in this
State, which, under the romantic name of Glen
mary, has obtained celebrity as vide as the
writings which date from tlat place. In 1889
ne became one of the editors OF a New York
literary journal called the COrSGir, ard in the
same year he made another visit to England,
where he published Letters from under a
Bridge" written originally at Glenmary, and
one OF his most agreeable productions. This was
speedily followed by his two dramas, 1Ortes1 the
USurer and Btdncd VasConti and COL
lection OF stories, poems and European letters,
tullllGu hOlNSIluSS VI lIdN6ls' AJ JnlS DeTlOu
he published a splendid illustrated edition of
his poems, and contributed the lettcr-press
descriptions 10 Bartletts Views of the Scenery
of the United States and Canada" He returned
to the United States in 1874, and in connection
with his former associate, Mr. Morris, established
the EUentag Mirror daily newspaper of this
city. The death of his wife, aud the failure OF
his own health, induced him 10 make q third
vlsit TO Europe, where ne brought out an edition
OF his magazine articles unuer the title OF
"Dashes at Life with a Free Pencil"
Alter a residence of about two years abroad
he returned to New York in lS46, aud i'm the
same year was married TO the estimable lady
who still survives him, a daughter of the Hon.
Joseph GrInnell, of New Bedford. He now
published an octave edition of his complete
works, and in connection with his devoted
tellow-laborer, Mr.. Morris, established the
Home JoogTa6t, which rapidly won large share
Of the public favor, and has continued, from
that time to the present, a popular and almost
unique organ OF literature society, fashionable
life, and the news of the day. The reputation
OF this tavorite journal was due, in a great
degree, to the assidulty tact, and versatile lite
rary powers of Mr. Willis. He was never weary
of his task, never at loss for orsuggestive themes,
never wanting in skill OF adaptation, in curious
surprises OF expression, or in flowing wealth
of original illustration. His devotion to his edi-
tOrial duties was ike that of fond mother to
her pet child. The languOr of disease seemed
tn produce no effect on the fertility of his pen.
His mental energy triumphed over the weakness
Of bis bodily frame, and the dashes of quaint
humor and the utterance OF dainty conceits
which constantly enlivened the columns OF his
/ journal were often produced in the intervals OF
| pain or dictated amidst the pangs OF lingering
| illness. Even until within few DAYS of his
death, he would not consent to relinquish his
grasp OF the pen, maintaining the same persist
ent energy which had kent him firm at his post
through so many years of hopeless invalidism.
The titles OF Mr.. Willis works comprise
almost library of volumes, and are doubtless
/ too familiar to most o. our readers to demand
repetition In this place. Nor is IL necessary to
offer a critical estimate of their character, in
addition to the comments which we have been
frequently called to make at the time of their
successive publication. AS fluent and grace
iul disCOurser on the lighter topics of social
interest, he is admitted TO have had few rivals.
II they are TO be found at all, we must not seek
! them in the stately reserve and polished dig
/ uitY OF EnPlish literature, but among waters
/ who drew their inspiration from the gay per-
sihage and graceful irony of Partisan life. No
man caught with quicker eye the fleeing
aspects of social comedy, or reproduced their
rainbow colors with more deXterous touch.
His poetry shows that he was not destitute OF
the deeper sentiment, for the exercise of which
he bad little use in the airy sketches which
charm alike by the frivolIty of their tone and
! the piquancy OF their diction. AS we have not
! seldom had occasion to remark before, his
| lehtest compositions often betrayed subtle
| delicacy of discrimination, an acute perception
| of eVaDescent differences and simlarities of
relation, which, If applied to the discussion of
glaVer and more profound topics, would have
| given him the name of a master in a sphere of
intellect in which be has now scarcely the credit
of an imperfect initiation.
| Alexander Smith.
Mr.. Alexander Smith, well known as author
| OF "A Llfe Drama" and other poems, died at
WaIdie, near Edinburgh, on January g. after an
illness OF several weeks. Mr.. Smith, who was
the son OF pattern designer was born at XII
marnock on december 81, 1880, so that he had