New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-11
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
HENRY TIMROD.

mixtures of more tragic patbos than the career OF the
reung and gifted poet whose remains have been
collected with tender fratern piety IN TINS touchng
xoluma. Mr. Timrod was unquestionably man of
venius: perhaps not with the highest endowment OF
creative power whose faculty of expression though
rare and often exquisite, did not rise to the full
level of his thought and insight but whose profound
sympathy with Nature and the aptness with when
he clothed her suggestions in imaginative forms
eve ample proof of the commences of his pcetical
temperament il not of his oonsummate mastery OF
sAe instruments Of poetry. His life, however, FUR
ishes the principal attraction of the present work
The memoir by Mr. Paul Hayne recites the incidents
Of his brief career with simple pathos that casts all
differences of feeling into oblivion. and quencheS
she antagonists Of party in the sense Of our common
human weaknesses and woes.
Henry Tmrod was born in Charleston South Gar
siina. Dec s, 1929 His father was of German de-
scent and connected on the mothers side WIN 'he
Scotch Irish. He was self-educated man. iuh Oh
Information, and although of modest conoi'ion III
life ALWAYS attracted the attention OF his townsneh
NV his brilliant talents His conversational powers
were of high order, and IKE sort
of provincial COeridge be gathered around
him a choice circle of listeners whom ne
held spell-bound by the boldness and orig
ipaIty of his remarks. He also possessed certain
poetical gift and the author of several sonnets
and songs of more than ordinary merit. 1t was
from his mother, however, that Henry inherited the
temperament Of genius She was woman OF re-
markable personal beauty, Of loving and Joyous
spirit and an intense passion for Nature. It's
.ights and sounds always afforded her singular de-
light. A walk in the woods was TO her like an open
ing Paradise, and the spectacle of green field an
tnexpreSsible joy.
Her son received his early education at one Of the
best schools in Charleston. He soon exhibited taste
for semaking Hewss sensitive and difident with
nervous utteranee but with perpetual melody in
his heart and on his lips Though slow OF speech,
he was quick to learn. In spite of his extreme shy
ness he was eagerly impulsive, passionate, smbi-
tous with thirst for learning that was hard to sa-
sate But his devotion to books did not destroy the
simplicity of youth. He mingled freely with his
comrades, with whom he was always popular. At
that time he was physically active and vigorous, de-
lighting in athletic sports and prompt in quar-
rel with his juvenile associates.
When about sixteen or seventeen years old, he en-
tered the University of Georgia, where he at once
distinguished himself by his bright intelligence and
his scholarly enthusiasm. His favorite studies were
che Latin classics and English literature. His talent
FOG poetry continued TO develop. large part OF his
leisure was occupied with the composition OF love
verses in which he soon won not little local ad-
.nirstion. But his college course was brought to a
sudden close partly by III health, and partly by the
hack Of pecuniary resources.
The battle Of life now opened upon him in grim
sArnest Henceforth il was to be ceaseless conflict
with evil fates, in which he found but few kindly
hands TO help him. His first step upon returning to
Charleston was to enter the Office of Mr.. Petigru,
thenat the hight of his fame able and brilliant
lawyer. Young Timrod was fond of argument, but
~ M
illustration. On the other hand. he was an admira-
bile reader, and no one could listen to his
reCitstiOns from his favorite poets without
catching a spark of his fiery enthusiasm.
His rst literary performances of consequence were
o series of contributions TO the Southern Literary
Messenger then under the charge of that accom-
plished scholar, Mr.. John r. Thompson, consisting
Of poems which, as Mr.. Hayne remarks display
both individuality and power, in spite of some SUI
pertcial marks of imitation" In those days, nmrod
looked mp to Wordsworth as his pOetical guide. He
studed the works Of that great master with constant
earnestness and devotion. catching their spirit Of
simplicity and truth and laying the foundation of
style which was as remarkable for its pure Saxon
vigor as for its lucidity and grace.
The study of law proved distasteful, and he ex-
changed his Chitty and Blackstone for his favOrite
classical authors, with view to preparing himself
families In due time he accepted the post of teacher
in the household OF a Carolina planter, with whom
he remained for several successive seasons. From
that time for years at least the abors of tutor
were his sole means Of subsistence. He went from
one family TO another faithfully teaching the young
people that intrusted to his care; often long
ing for a different field of action but not migrate
full for the leisure be enjoyed for the cultivation
Of poetry. His youth was spent in this round
Of obscure toll he felt any strings Of ambition,
they were sooD repressed, and it is probable that
o. yet he only dimy conscious Of his extraord-
nary powers. Whenever the Spring or Winter holi-
days came round, he would eagerly rush down to
Charleston where he was welcomed by small circle
Of friends with the warmest tokens of cordiality.
Among these was the late Mr.. Gilmore Simms who
delighted to gather round him the young literary
men of his acquaintance and to discuss with them
she never-faing questions connected with letters
and art None of the guests entered into the spirit
af the occasion with greater ardor than Timrod,
whose impulsive temperament and keen social tastes
made his whole heart expand in the joys Of congenia
eOmpanioDship.
The establishment of a Monthly Magazine in
Charleston gave the youthful poet a temporary me
dunn for communication with the public. Some Of
his most characteristic productions were composed
tur its pages. In 1850 collection Of his poems in
small volume published in Boston. They gave
evidence Of a delicate fancy, and considerable arts
SIC power, yet with few exceptions, these merits
received but slender recognition from the public
ard the work fell almost dead from the press. The
disappointment to the author was keenly felt. He
had staked everything the success of the volume
IT involved not only his living but his life At this
tuncture he had sacrificed all to the cultivation of
his Art and left without resources. Instead of
the light Of popular favor, for which he had fondly
hoped. clouds and darkness began to close around
him.
Upon the breaking out Of the civil in 1864, Mr.
Iimrod plunged into the of the South with the