Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-02-10
HoLAiHs AID Tow Ell.


\ recent number of Cassell's Mag
azine contains fine article on
"American Humorists and Satir-
ists,' from which we select few
passages on Holmes and Lowell,
which shows an appreciation of the
genius of these leading humorists of
America:
In many respects very different
men, Holmes aud Lowell resemble
each other III the eXuberance and the
refinement of their humOr. Both
are men OF the highest scholastic cul-
ture both have that Invaluable gift
"a keen appreciation OF character,
especially its humorous side, and q
marvellous ability in portraying it
both are philosophers. as well as
poets and humorists; both shine III
conversation, and, unlike Goldsmith
are as sparkling and brilliant at Ia
bic, or in the social circle, as in the
pages Of the Atlantic; both are in
the very prime of life, in the full
vigor alike of body and intellect,
when the harvest Of the mind is
richest and most plentiful.
The publication OF the AutOcrat
OF the Breabfast-Iabie was an event
in American literature. No work.
had SO clearly proved the refinement
and maturity in lituratuge of which
America was capable. The
authors impetuous humor fairly gal
Tops, developing more and more in
succeeding passages, until It's rlch-
ness and quaintnes almost exhaust
the reader. It's plan and style are
just the vehicles to convey H0Imes's
peculiar vein. He is one of those
writers who seemingly write with
perfect ease whose thoughts seem
to well up as fast rs he can gather
them, and TO pour themselves, al
most pontaneously and with the
happiest garb of words, upon the
pages before him.
Zone beauty Of the Autocrat con-
sists in its entire independence of
method and continuity. The writer
rambles hither aud thither, with no
apparent connection between his
themes, discOursing now gravely,
now gayly, now ftlnnily, now naive
~, now teaching great moral or
physical truths, anon lashing, with
ings Of society, then bursting into
beautiful verses, now painting a
gorgeous descriptive picture-pass-
other with the same ease and not
unnatural abrGptness which charac-
teriZes breakfast-table conversation.
Throughout, there runs a genial.
gentle current, which irresistably
attracts one TO the authors identity
His wit Is never harsh or cynical.
There is pleasant vanity which,
far from repelling, draws out from
the reader yet more distinct SYM
pathy while on every page, there
is ample evidence how full OF senti-
ment, tenderness, and imagination
warm, broad, and prolac-the writ
er is. There are exquisite little
glimpse: of character peoping out
suddenly now and then, of the
boarders about the breakfaSt-table /;
and there is enough sentiment to
draw the inattentiYe reader uncoE-
sciously on into the more sober parts
wherein, before he knows it, he is
wrapt in superb description, or re
ceiying rules for guidance in every
day life.
"Holmes at the age of fifty-nine,
Is Il little active man, with large,
bright eyes, perpetual, smile upon
his round, jovial face, a Yankee,
hriskuess in every movement,
\
witty sally ready for all occasions
it would be hard to find n more at
tractive companion or warmer friend.
\ isOVe the SnObbishness and singu-
larity of pretentious genius, he is
quite accessible, and receives the Gu
rious and admiring stranger with the
same bright atfability which he dis
PLAYS everywhere and always.
'"IO James Russell Lowell, how
ever, belongs the rank Of the prince
of American humorists. 1t is sufll-
cicnt to prove his right to that title
to say that to him literature owes
the Iiiglow Papers. Ii you would
have n portrayal of the rustic Yam
kee characteristic genuine Jonathan
from the country, young and old !;
the typical country and prosperous,
ewspaper-reading, poliics-discuss-
ing, rustic-philosophical farmer, in
ali the eccentricity, dry wit, quaint
thoughts and expressions, strong ma
tive shreWdness, and entirely origin
Al modes of looking at subject
read, and re-read, and heartily laugh
at the elfusions OF the immortal Big
low. You feel even while reading
this thoroughly 'up country vernac-
ular, that il is, nevertheless, the
production Of scholar, philoso-
pher, and a humorist OF tie highest
refinement. C0arseness and gross
exaggeration are wholly wanting. :
Under the homely, humorous
garb Of rustic eXpression-in itself
marvcllOusly true TO nature and IL
Illustrative OF Yankee character-pol-
itics and philosophy are discussed,
and opinions forcibly sustained or
bitterly satirized.
LAS Professor of Literature ia Har-
ward University, LoweIlis renowned
for the richness Of language and hu-
NOR OF the lectures which it Is his
task to deliver 10 the senior class.
All the characteristics OF the elegant
scholar and the keen satirist appear
in these disco<rses. lie Is a
keen lover of letters, and has Ter
them pure intellectual affection.
He is especially familiar with Eng
lish literature. and with the great
French, German, and Italian auth
Ors. lie i master OF correct, eIe-
giant, and forcible English, and
seems 10 be equally al nome in prose
and verso.
Like DR.. Holmes, Professor Low
ell il in the prime OF vigOrou anu
aetivc manhood, and has pres, rved
the 0uoyancy and enthusiasm of his
Youth, alike IN his person and IL his
mental energies
The remarkable California Legis-
Iature OF last year enacted law re-
quiring bonds of every ship-oWner