The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-11-07
Biographical.
FSr tie Democratic Adsosats.


He is almost the only remnant Of that
brilliant coterie Of choice spirits, who, more
than fifty years ago, 6rat gave to American
literature character and name. i
seems strange that we should yet possess
one in all the yigor Of health, who was
widely celebrated before any one had heard
Of some illustrious men, who ten, twenty, or
even thirty years ago, we're, after long
and splendid career, borne with honor to
the grave
Many whom we are accustomed TO re-
we're as intellectual patriarchs, seem young
indeed compared with him. He had writ
ten poems Of considerable length before
Longfelow could utter the first broken ac-
cents ofsiufancy, and his Thanatopsis"
had made for him national reputation
while Whittier was yet school boy. He
had published book Of poems before Ey-
erett entered college; had won high com
mendation fromthe critics before Bancroft
took his first degree, and had been pro-
nounced classic before Prescott published
his first yolumne. Irving had pronounced
his gems exquisite before Tennyson left
the nursery, or Dickens saw the light Of
day. After he won his first laurels, HaE-
thorne gained fame worldwide, Willis
left his mark on the literature Of bis coun-
try, and Poe drew his few troubled breaths.
During his life new styles Of prose and
poetry have sprung up, fourished for a
time and died regulations have been made
and blasted eminent men have lived,
have reached their climax, and have been
gathered to their fathers. He has Wit
messed extraordinary development and cx-
traordinary commissions in the land Of bis
birth. He connects, in his own expert
ence, the easy times and sunny days that
succeeded the Revolution, with the clash,
and clangor, and intense intellectual activ-
ity of the present. The most Of those
whom have mentioned are gone, but he
remains. He remains, not feeble wreck
IA spent and childish octogenarian--bu
with all the sweetness of temper, the CHAR
ness of intellect, the activity and the energy
which make old age lovable and glorious.
Mr.. Bryant was born on the Sd sf No
yember, 1874. His father very early saw
in him the germ Of brilliant genius, and
with rare skill watched aud aided its
growth. He wrote verses at very early
age, and at thirteen published two poems
of considerable length. Thanatopsis, 2
the most perfect and best known Of his
poems, was written when he was scarcely
eighteen. He was prepared for the Law,
and was admitted to practice in 1915. AT
ter few years spent in the successful
prosecution Of this profession, he abandon
ed it for that Of Literature. In 1896 he
became editor Of the New York Epening
Post, which position he still holds and fills
with consummatc ability. His poetical
compositions are not numerous but Of an
excellent character His versifeation il
prominently fine. His dietion Is admi-
able, being pure, polished and gemmed.
He is more than any other writer exelu-
sively American. His scenery. his char
acters, his sentiments, are all drawn from
the vast resources Of our own land. He
is also true poet Of nature. Says Irving
nv" Bryant's writings transport us into the
depths of the solemn primoval forest, to
the shores Of the lonely lake, the banks Of
the wild nameless stream, or the brow Of
the rocky upland, rising like promonto-
ry from amidst wide ocean Of foliage !.
while they shed around us the glories Of a
climate ficfce in the extremes, but SPLEEN
did in all its yicissitudes," Concerning
Mr.. Bryant's appearance and manneqs, I
quote from the Homes Of -4msricaa 1ss-
thors," with only this preface--that he
dwells at " Roslyn,' his country seat on
Long Island
His habits Of life have q smack Of as
ceticisn, although he is disciple Of none
of the popular schools. Milk i more fa-
miliar to his lips than wine. He eats
sparingly Of animal food, but is By no
means afraid TO enjoy roast goose lest he
eurage the names Of his ancestors. like
some modern enthusiasts. His health il
s.,.-. ~. q -,- q
- ,s VI : o's "ves' 81 = Y,
h'e y iaDorious' yet eAreiupy guarded
againt excessive and exhausting fatigue.
He is man Of rule, and Is strictly self
governed. In religion he is at oncs 4
ce,hol;c and dsvo,s .,a = mo~., .x..,
- .s-,r, NJ.
renee no sou' Do"s ioweE'
In person he Is quite slender, symmetrical