The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-22
o D I r q A \ z.



The death Of this well known poet and anthor,
long looked for occurred Sunday at his residence
at Idewild, the banks Of the Hudson rver-the day
OF his demise being the anniversary Of his sxteh birth
day-and with his death another OF the few remaining
literary characters o. past generation has left this
earthly s,agea departure to be nourned by many for
very few In his position had friends or fewer
enemies,
Mr. Willis born in Portland, Me-, the goth OF
January 1907 and consequently sixty years Of age
at the time of his death. His parents highly re.
spectacle people, his father, Nathaniel Willis having
the founder of the Boston Recorder the first re
gious journal ever published or his mother know
but little, except that she pous and excellent
wife and mother. At early age the subject of this
memoir vas taken TO Boston, whittier his father had
removed. where be first sent 10 the Latin
school, and afterwards 20 the Academy OF Andover
at which latter place he pursued bis studies
preparatory TO entering Yale College. His collegiate
in respect success and he graduated
With honors in 1897 being then but twenty years of
age. During this period OF the century graduate of
youthful age generally regarded possessing
more than ordinary ability, and indeed Mr. Willis HAD
early developed taste for literature in the composition
of several religious poems which gained for him quite
reputation among the pupils Of Yale and their imme.
date relatives and friends These illusions were pnb
we're not possessed os any remarkable evidence Of
genius the encomums Of friends determined the yonth
full author devote ha entire time to the pursuits Of
literature
Soon after his graduation Mr. Willis was employed by
Mr.. Samuel g. Goodrich Zone Of the Boston Rtena,i wen
known under the signature Of "Pcer Pareyg to edit
series Of tales, which werc'pubshed In tive volumes
bearing respectively The titles Of THE Legendary and
'The Token" These productions, although evidencng
an easy and graceful style coupled with great nuency OF
language did not in any way aid in obtaining for the
author reputation he afterwards possessed. Nor
the publication Of the american Monthly Magazine,
periodical founded by him, either In pecu-
mary literary sense. This monthly existed for two
and half years, when, in 1881, merged into the
New York Weekly Mirror literary journal published
by the late George p Norris who was then one Of the
rising literary men OF the time.
From his earliest youth Mr. Willis had cherished q
desire OF visiting Europe, and this feeling grsned
shortly after his connection with the Mirror Starting
upon his tour he visited Paris whore he appointed
one Of the attaches Mr. Rives the United States Minis
ter and thus enabled 70 gain access 10 tho highest
circles Of the European capitals While abroad he
trbuted to the Mirror series Of papcrs entitled 'Pen
cings BY the Way which laid the foundation Of his
fame and brought him prominently before the public.
His descriptions Of persons and places we're lively
sparkling and brilliant hut revealed more Of the superb
cal observer than OF the earnest thinker And this sen
tence can be applied 10 all OF Mr. Willis productions.
In 1888 Mr. Willis married Mary Leighton STAGE,
daughter OF william STAGE, CommisRry General and
Commander of the Royal Arsenal At woolwicb England
During the year be made collection OF his Pen
cings by the Way, and published them in three vol
umes In London. From their alleged freedom OF crt
cism and personal remarks respecting prominent English
characters they were hercely assaIled BY the British
periodicals, and particularly by the Quarterly Reris
About this time he became involved in a personal din
Guilty. which resulted In duel Having made some
in most offensive manner and Mr. Willis promptly
called him TO account The result was hostile meeting
At Chatham but which resulted in no bodily injury TO
either. While In London he also published I" Iuklings
ing series Of ts,ss contributed 10 the Es Noris Nap-
oblainsd large crcuiasion in Eneland, and ma with
The same popularity when rcpsbshed IN ths country
Two yesm sf, bis ;sss nr w. n, rsn ,s s .
anehanna which De had purchased end which he naaed
sGlcnmmy'' In thk oharmiug rural abode he wrote
chasts and beautiful descriptions Of American country
life became popular For two years he pursued
was further sndesrsd 70 him 6y The entrance into Of
daughter whom he named Imogen. Al the expiration
Of this time he found himself nscessatsd 70 abandon
world. HE wife,s father bad died his publishers had
failed and his Huancial affairs embarrassed HIM
ndeably. Mr. Willis therefore removed 20 New York,
where 10 connection with Dr. Porter he established the
Corsosr, literary journal Rcvisiiing Europe some
engaged quite number OF distinguished foreign authors
- contributors 70 hls Journal the lase Mr. mackeray
being one Of the number While IN London on this sec
Letters from Under Bridge" and Lo,terngs by the
Way The last being collection Of tales and European
arwo Ways Of Dying for Husband ;" and which con:
tanned his two dramas, "Tortcsa the Usurer," and
20 wy,s ,hs ssssr pre 70, W Rsrsss wors ~ he
scenery Of the United States and Canada task that he
accomplished with his usual eIegsncs Of style.
In 1874 Mr. Willis returned 70 America, and discover
Ing that Dr Porter had become discouraged with the
prospects Of the Covus he abandoned that Journal and
daily paper called the Ees~sWe krrcr This enterprise,
which, a. the ouset promised brilliant success was soon
ser sosndooed BY reason Of his failing health caused
tic sfsc,ioa which spread pail Of sioom over his lie
The death Of bis WIFE to whom ne bad been dsvossdly
sosy q s ssa .s.sSo .c,ss wills Is:''ss
seriously that his friends prevailed upon him
5, diSsrtss SCENES soohs hin scroms and reoupsrsss
his health. In accordance With this advice he started
for England and in 1s46 published three volumes con.
Gaming collection Of his magazine ariclee under the
general dsse Of Dashes 81 Ie with fres Pencil" 1hs
psbIIcation Of these volumes attended with much
success snd sAded % bic reputation both in Europe and
10 les NJ wiuh returned 10 New Yss, whsss he
y ~ surs Io~ss me csss q ~ 80 ysss
sss. = :ss 10. ss.se s' Ss,aas s q S ~
ssssi AZ s 80 - - s;'s 3. ss.'.;ss
ussksy pspw whch toh psupussss coudssass uuan ts
80 nos rsmssksble, sleo1eh provsd We hslsys pro
htabls bceh eenteen The fact wae We Sased
elsewhere, shss the style Of ~ Wills msrsGsv waa
not suited 70 The Dssse and, therefore, his sernai
with his works, we're sought fW only BY select
md refined circle In addition 70 ne bssks already
mentioned, NJ. VILLA published "Isttsp and OtssI
Records a. Thought and Leisure" "kiSs Nsre end
rbere,n 'Hnry 0raphs,' "Pecplc Have Ma" ia
0sss Persons end Pisces" "a Health Trip 70 u 1pplu
- esherg ispded between ths ycsn tSee asd 1S0o
Az q tbses PRODUCTIONS were 10 eesel mess soeefons
~ pseos and places Quaint IN their ttisa the sAs-
aons oftentmss equally quaint in their ssyiss ana
vicwe; bue there invariably felicity OF expression
rarely found IN the wosks Of Arrercan autbcn. which
charmed and psased NE inssllisssR rssds.