New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-22
OBITUARY.
NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS.

which he had bravely fought for many years, VIII
awaken feeling of tender regret over wide por-
ton of country which recognized the brilliant
qualities of his mind, and the peculiar traits of char
acter, that gave him such marked distinction as an
American poet a lively and sparkling essayist, and
popular journalist
Mr.. Willis was born in Portland, Me-, on the Goth
Of January, 1907 and had consequently just COM
peted his sXtieth year at the time of his death lie
received his early education at the Boston Latin
School, and at Phillips Andover Academy, where he
was prepared for Yale College, at Which institution
he was graduated in 1927. His poetical genius was
exhibited while he was yet schOolboy, ana during
his residence in Now Haven he published series OF
poems entitled Scripture Sketches" under the
signature of "RoyD After leaving college, he be-
came connected with the periodical literature OF
that day, and among other enterprises, established
tho American Monthly Magazine" in 1928 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 "New-York Mirror" weekly literary journal
which had been started by Mr. George L. MOTHS
about seven years before Soon after forming
his connection with Mr.. Morris, he commenced
an extensive tour in Europe, where he re-
NAMED for the space Of about seven years. The
fruits of his European experience were given to
the public In his lively volumes entitled Pencings
by the Way" which originally appeared in the
columns of the mirror" His travels extended
through France Italy and Greece and into portions
OF European Turkey and Asia Minor. AS an attach6
of the American legation at Paris, to which Office he
had been appointed by Mr. Rives, then United States
Minister at that Court he gained free access to the
highest social circles and with tho habits OF Keen
and rapid observation which he had already formed,
r 1. ,Np1op .sta
stics throughout his lfe he obtained rich store Of
materials for sparkling description, and piquant, and
not unfrequently, a little msChieyous comment.
During that period, he also published "Inkngs of
Adventure series of tales and sketches written for
the London New Monthly Magazine" under the
signature of Philip Slngsby, which obtained bril-
liant popularity both 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 guest and some Of his remarks on the
writings Of Captain Mauyatt, then in the hight of
his reputation as a popular novelist, led to duel
with that author at Chatham, which however hap
PLY terminated without bloodshed on either side
After exhausting European life in its manifold en-
ticing phases, Mr.. Willis returned to America in 1881,
having two years previously been married to an
English lady the daughter of General STAGE, superln-
tendent of the military and naval arsenal at Wool
witch. Upon arriving in this country, he retired to
the beautiful rural residence on the Susquehanna
near Owego in this State which under the romantic
name of Glenmary has obtained celebrity as wide
rs the writings which date from that place In 1889,
he became one of the editors of aNew-York literary
journal called the Corsar" and in the same year he
made another visit to England, where he published
Letters from under Bridge written originally at
Glenmary and Of his most agreeable productions.
This was speedily followed 10y his two dramas, Tor
tcsa the Usurcr,' and Blanca Yisconti," and col
lection of stories POEMS and European letters, enti-
tied Loitcrngs Of Travel" AT this period, he pub
lshed splendid illustrated edition of his poems and
contributed the letcrpress descriptions to Bartetts
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, Nj. Nor
rs, established the Evening Mirror" daily news
paper of this city. The death of his wife, and the
failure of his own health induced him to make O
third visit to Europe, where he brought out an edition
of his magazine articles under the title of DaShes at
Life with a Free Pencil
After residence of about two years abroad he re-
turned to Ncw-York in 1916, and in the year was
married to the cstmablc lady who still survives him.
a daughter Of the Hon. Joseph Grinnell Of NewBed
ford He now published an octave edition of his
complete works. and in connection with his devoted
fellow-laborcr, DIR. Morris, established the " Home
Journal which rapidly a large share of the pub
lie favor and has continued from that time to the
present popular aud almost unique organ Of liter
nture society fashionable life, and the news of the
day. The reputation of this favorte journal was
due in great degree to the assduity, tact, and YER
satilc literary powers of Mr. Willis. lie was never
weary of his task. never at n loss for suggestive
themes never wanting in skill of adaptation, in
curious surprises of expression, in flowing wealth
of original illustration His devotion TO his editorial
duties was like that of fond mother to her pet child
The angu0r Of disease seemed to produce no effect
on the fertility of his pen. His mental energy tri-
umphed over the weakness of his bodily frame, and
the dashes of quaint humOr and the uttcranco of
dainty conceits which constantly oniyened the col
umns of his journal were often produced in the in
teryals of pain dictated amidst the pangS of lin
gering illness. Even until within n few days of his
DEATH he would notconsent to relnquish his grasp of
the pen, maintaining the same persistent energy
which had kept him firm at his post through many
years of hopeless invalidsm.
The titles of Mr. Willis's works comprise almost a
library of volumes and doubtless too familiar to
most of our readers to demand repetition in this
place Nor is it necessary to offer critical estimate
of their character in addition TO the comments which
wo have been frequently called to make at the time
of their successive publication. AS fluent and
graceful discourser the lighter topics of social in
terest he ia admitted TO have had few rivals If they
are To DO found at ALL we must not seek them in the
stately and polished dignity of English ltera
turo, but among writer's who drew their inspiration
from the gay persifage and graceful irony of Paris
ian life. No man caught with a quicker eye the
fleeing aspects of social comedy reproduced their
rainbow colors with more dextorous touch His
poetry shows that he not destitute of the deeper