New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-09
FITZ-GREENE HALLECK.
DEDICATION OF THE POETS MONUMENT AT
GUILFORD, CONN.


npDrcxTroN OF THE PoET's MONUMENT AT
GUILFORD, CONN.
Summer yesterday, gave her most tempered
supshine her sweetest airs, for ceremonies which
dedicated the monument to one Of Americas earliest
born poets The gray rocks Of Connecticut grew softer
In the mellow light; freshest Odors OF newmown hay
were in the air. and delightful breezes from the Sound
turned the silver Inning Of the willow leaves and shook
the tAsses OF the blossOmng chestnuts The Rough little
State seemed beautiful TO those who yester-
day followed her their way to Guiford to par
tcipae in the final honors rendered to Of her best
known and best-belOved sons.
Many Of the poets old friends and associates still
faithful to his memory. Among them Gen. Sand
ford Dr. Carnochan Judge Peabody Mr. DE Peyster, Mr.
i. II. Field, Mr.. James Lawson, Mr. Darlington, and
others The train reached Gulford a little after
IL, where the guests received by s. H. Chltten-
den, esq., and conveyed in carriages to his residence
In addition 10 the gentlemen already named Ez-Gov
Hawlcy r. II. stlddard, Gen. Jas Grant Wilson, j. W.
De Forest and Bayard Taylor eEoyed the Douhul nos
pitality Of Mr. and Mrs Chttenden As the dedeatory
ceremonies had been fixed at O'clock an elegant luhoh
served In the meantime and the guests were theh
conveyed carriages to the cemetery whch lies 10 inc
eastward of the town, open, sunny level.
The monument Halleck stands nearly in the center
of the field 1t is an obelisk Of white granite, upon
high base wherein sCulptured the poets name, two
lines from Marco Bozzars and a Tyre. The entire
II
simple very chaste and harmonious in its proportions
and one does feel that anything more is necessary
The commencement OF the ceremony was delayed
little for the arrival Of the Knights Templas OF New
Haven, who came in a special train, accompanied by
band to honor the memory Of the poet who belonged TO
their order Meanwhile the people Of GultOrd and
vicinity collected the number Of 1900 or more ana the
Hon Lafayette s. Foster, Prof sliman, and other DIS
tnguhed sons of Connecticut joined the guests on the
platform. When all assembled, Mr. Chttenden look
the chair and made brief Introductory speech in which
he aptly set forth the claims Of GuOrd to the love ana
pride OF its inhabitants and spoke good word in favor
of that local affection which is not common among us
as 1t should be- Then George Hill, native Of Gull
ford, read sonnet entitled 1.-The Grave OF Halieek'
Mr. Hin is one of the poets in Dr. Grlswolds book He
published thirty years ago. volume called IAe
Ruins Of Athens His sonnet was read in sueh low
tone Of voice as be nearly inaudbe but 1t came evil
IDENTIFY from the authors heart.
Dr. Holmes who had been expected TO read his com
memorave lyric was not able TO come. His poem, how
read by JAS Grant WILSON, and SO read as
to justice lingering sweetness Of it's rhythm
We give il entire:
IN MEMORY OF FITz-GREENE HAILEcK'
BY OLIVER wESDELL HOLMES.
Say not the Poet des
Though in the dust he les
He cannot forfeit his meOdious BREATH
Unsphered by euvious death
Life drops the yoiceess myuads from us rohi
W vFs1r i1 the S e6 sannTt dn aiF
Sweet with the lingering strains that echo stole,
Has left his dearer self, the music Of his soull
We DER his turf may raise
Our notes Of feeble praise,
The stone With Here he -
lie for himself has built a nober shrine
Whose walls Of stately rhyme
Roll back the tides OF time, ....
While DER their gates the cleaning TABLETS shlh0
That his name inwrought with many gOIdeh line
Cali not our Poet dead.
Though on his turf we tread!
Green the wreath their brOvs 50 long have worn
The MINISTRIES Of the morn,
Who while the Orient burned with newborn lame,
Caught that celestial fire,
And struck Nations Tyre!
These Taught the western winds the poet 8 namei
Theirs the first opening buds the maiden flowers oil
fame!
Count not our Poet dead
The stars shall watch his bed
The of June its fragrant life renew
His blushng mound to stTew,
Aud all the tuueful threats Of Summer swell
As when he wo0ed the ear
OF the young muse that baunts each wooded dell
with songs Of that rough land ne loved 80 long ano
well!
He sleeps; he cannot die
evenings leng-drawn sigh,
Spreads AL their sweets around,
SO. laden with his song, the breezes blow
Frets rude oceans edge
To the smooth sea beyond the peaks Of snow,
His soul the air enshrines and leaves but dust below
The poem received with hearty applause and theI
followed the
OBLIGATORY ADDRESS.
BAYARD TAYLOR.
have been eighty years organized nation
nnety-three years an independent people more than
two hundred years an American race, and to-day, foi
hcly, with appropriate hOnors, monument TO an AmeT
Poet The occasion is thus lifted above the circle
personal memories which inspired IT, and takes its place
the beginning OF new epoch in the story OF cul
ture IL carries onr thoughts BACK OF the
literature grew and forward, far beyond the closing
the before into the possible growth and glory OF
The rhythmca expression Of emotion. or passion,