New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


FOR the worms and biographers.7 The fear which
haunted the last hours Of Rachel has not been ver
fed in the present Life of the favOrte American poet
Mr. Ualleck has found biOgraDher Of enthusiastic
admiration Of his genius of heartfelt sympathy with
his character and Of strenuous diligence in the col
lection of facts for the illustration of his theme. He
has neglected no source Of information which ample
ipouirv could open, he has pursued his researches
into details which might almost be deemed Of triflng
importance. and has employed all the resources OF
his pom to place the subject of his Memoir In full
and worthy light The task Of the author has been
inspired throughout by loving reverence TOT MS
friend. Mr. Halleck was to him the ideal OF poet
and a man. His memory was too sacred TO the
writer for the exercise of criticism III ne
had the usual alloy of human faults
they are passed over without notice, while
the gifts of his intellect and the virtues Of his char
eoter are dwet upon with fond assiduity But If the
tone of the volume s that Of atfectionate Devotion
Il never dcscends into hollow adulation It deals IN
facts rather than in epthets and to large extent
permits Mr. Halleck to relate his own story. The
copous extracts that are given from his correspon-
dence present him in variety Of aspects and afford
deeper insight into his personality than could nave
been attained by any artistic descriptions.
TIE career of Mr. Halleck had few Of the elements
Of interest that often enven the path of men OF let
man of family, scarcely Of society his productions
we're few in number. and iufreQuent Of occurrence;
his habits had a certain shyness, if not reserve;
Instead of counting publicity he rather shrank from
contact with the world; and no desire OF popular
fame could overcome his innate modesty OF his line
,spse of what was due TO individual temperament.
He was singularly indispOsed TO bring forward his
own claims to distinction. lie estimated his merits
ut too low rate "IhaYe ever been" no once SAID
70 a Young friend "but an amateur in the literary
orchestra playing only upon pocket flute, and
never aspiring even in dream. to the dignity OF tno
baton. the double-b1ss, or the oboe"
His intellectual aptitudes ard tastes were developed
at an carly age. From a boy he was quiet and
atuous in his habits avoiding the rough sports oil
companions and loving to wander alone IN the fields
and woods beguiling the hours with a volume OF
CampbelTs poems, or some other fayorite author.
4 mud game Of marbles, or solitary fishing exeur-
sion, was the only boyish Pastime in which he ever
INDUCED. He the best scholar IN his school, ana
never failed to perform his task 1t isnO wonder that
he gained the good graces Of his teacher who would
often take out the bighteyed boy on pleasant ram
bic and talk with him about poetry and other literary
topics. Speaking OF those days. Haleck said of him
self: 81 fastened like tiger every romance and
collection Of poetry that could lay my hands on"
Having completed his studies at school, the young
poet entered country store in Gullford, his zatyo
village where he remained clerk ill tho age OF
tvsnty-one. During this period no wrote profuslon
of acrostes lovedtties and poetical epistes to his
fair young friends. who had al fallen in love with
the handsome face sand lively manners OF the gifted
boy. s.... .l
In the month of May, 1911, he left GufOrl to seek
his fortune in the city Of New-York lie first
entered into the employment Of Jacob Barker, a
well known banker aud fnancier of that day, now
living at an advanced age in New-0rleans He soon
gained the confidence of Mr. Barker, and was I'D
vanced to responsible post in his extensive bust
ness. After remaining eighteen years as the conf
Dental clerk of Jacob Barker, Mr. Hallcck, Of the
age of forty retired from the service and after a
short intei VAL entered the Countng-house Of Mr..
Astor at that time the wealthiest merchant in the
United States with whom the connection continued
ill the death of the latter in 1873 OF the business
talents of Halleck. We have the word of Mr.. W. b.
Astor to this effect: "Halleck was an excellent
man of business-rapid. and always reliable in fig
ures with an excellent memory for all transactions
that came under his notice. DO was favouto with
Ali who were employed in the Office, and regular
in his ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the countng-room at
eight clock or very after and always leaving
precisely at two o'clock
Mr. Wilson gives en- agreeable picture of the poets
social relations during his residence in New-York
"LOng before Inc date of the publication in 1921 OF
the frat editions OF his DOens he had become one Of
the literary nOtabities of the day. and his charming
manners and sprightly conversation interpreted
with lively sallies of wit and anecdote, made him
much sought after by the most intellectual society
of New-York. The poet was really worsliped by
many superior women of the finest qualities over
whom he exercised singular and irresistible fasena-
ton. A lady, who by birth and education had few II
any superiOrs in the city, said: If were on my way
tOchurch to be married. yes even if were Walkngup
the aisle and Halleck to offer himself I'd Ieape
the man had promised to marry and take him - He
was never, however. what is known as a society man
He could rarely be prevailed upon to 90 to evening
parties and twas always considered an achievement
to obtain the poets promise to be Of the company
on such occasions When he did appear, his presence
never failed to afford lively satisfaction to those who
were present. lie was always the lion Of the even
ing unless some stranger CHANGED to be
among the company. and he usually retired at an
early hour, disappearing to quote a friends words.
ina blaze of glory No eminent visitor came TO
New-YOrk that Mr.. Halleck was not asked to meet
at the dinners and other entertainments prepared for
him. He invited TO all such dinners as DIR. John
son would have thought worth being asked to-
Halleek well acquainted with NapoleOns brother
Joseph ex-King of Spain. who resided at Borden
town. Now-JeTsey; with Lafayette, who revisited
this country in 1924 and with the Prince of SAKE
Weimar, who year later; with the authOresses
Miss Milford Miss Martineau, and Mrs. Jameson;
with Lord Stanley and Lord Morpeth, afterwards the
Earl Of Carlisle who considered him one Of the most
agreeable men he had ever met. Thackeruy, when in
this country. requested es q particular favor
that he might be seated next TO him at dinner to
which they were invited. Among the distin-
guisbed actors who visited the United States during
his residence in New-York, he was a universal favor