New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
tsBB INTERNATIONAL REVIEW JvrT-AvOr'r A. Barnes

so Nv, the nroimnisbed host OF admirers OF the
ated poet just, cordial, and DISCRIMINATING toute
60 his character and genius The writer taxes TOT his
starting point that the generation which eagerly
read ms poems as they came fresh from the press has
now almost entirely passed away New forms OF poetic
composition making large demands on the sympathy
of readers Ii may be well, accordingly, TO remind the
new that is coming 10 the front OF how great
yet within their reach In the opinion OF
The writer, there is a growing taste for style OF
poetry which makes little account Of chase and
simple beauty, and seeks for effect by extravaganza
and obscurity and often by tone of sentiment Wmch
IL no less at With art than with pure morals
The lovers such poetry would find great Deneht ln
the study of the artistic harmones and natural iee
ing that make the school OF which Mr. Bryant Is an
inustrious representative. Dr. Palmer appropriately
dwes on the maturity which distinguished the carry
productions of the poet who commenced writing Almost
bis tender childhood He became conscious OF his
avn movers while vet boy At ten years Of age he de-
claimed in 81 hOol original poem When ne was Only
thirteen he wrote the famous political satire on Mr..
Jefersons Embargo" which became popular In the
old Federal county of Hampshire and along the banks
of Connecticut River, that it passed through
two editions within a twclvemonth. He was
prepared for the composition OF "Thanatopsls "
by the study of Kirke White, who at that time
enjoyed a prestige among the rural population
Of New gland, which not easy to conceive OF az
tie present day and Of tue stately and solemn meas
ures Of B,air's Grave" That remarkable poem was
written before he nineteen, and published lew
years after in the North American Review at once
producing profound impression in the literary circles
of Cambridge and Boston and stamping the author as
man % too genius remain longer in obScurity
The Waterfowl" also published IN the North Amefl
ran was written in 1915 when Bryant was in his twenty
hrst year. His reputation now spread rapidly ana ID
ls2 he was induced by the persuaslons of his friends
Mr. r. H. Dana, Prof T. T. Charming and Judge VII
lard Phillips, TO publish small volume containing
"The Ages poem delivered before the Harvard Pm
Beta Kappa Society and other choice pieces which had
not before given the world. This collection was
the prcsace of his subsequent which from that
day 10 the present shOne with serene and uuiad
ing spendor, amid all the pertur0ations OF an active
and res QOusible public life.
During this long period, Mr. Bryant has lived in the
cal affairs Of life declining ITS contests he has
maniuy borne his part IN them and YET PAS Kept NE
sacred fire burning screnely on the altar OF Aohu Ills
intellectual activity has been constant and ms repua-
ton has steadily advanced with lie has repeat
ecy visited Europe and even extended his travels TO
SYRIA and Egypt remaining for considerable periods al
the more important points and STUDYING men manners;
and the languages and literature OF the principal
countries, wei as art ana objects OF historic interest
In his own country, too lie has LaNced Wuey auu oo-
served with careful! eye a p iDilsned e,leIs5'
have been snch as might nave n,eL OK Iroi SUN
a. man, sud have been widely read. y volume OF ora
addresses furnishes perhaps the D. 81 spec-
49, i,. ~ "oSrscs dciivorcd by spPcal reGues on
l- friends. Thomas Cole the artist JAMES
i,ck and GII,Ln Cromncln Vcrplai,k. with other in
tcr,silug addresses. Tie commemorative disCOurses
sre models in their kind equally cI,d;abie intel
Icct and hs Tue stye simple. chase, pclucd,
e!ca MI L. The dcIueation OF character and genius
there s nothing vague and general but IN the case OF
each subject OF DISCOURSE the incest analysis ana the
most Judicial discrimination. II is 50 common thing,
line of EFFORT misunderstood, or Tor Other reasons.
such prejudice OF jealousy deprecIate eacl Oihei,
that there is true moral beauty IN the hOiest
Irariln.s {IC t 70 rs - mi IN Of i IN
tIiuuS coiIpaCr TINS rare muEuduultJ in his appre-
Ls me- he has had his reward Now in his eghticth
Itp I
fellow citizens aud is so often called on hthg
MOI only that lis personal character is loved and hon
Ored. bat also that ms literary reputation Tests on an
enduring basis IL has seldom happened that great
poet discharged so steadily ana 50 well the practical
duties Of ordinary hfc. Admired aud hQnored as
writer he has been equally admired and honored as
with regard to the position of M Bryant poet,
Dr. Palmer offers valuable suggestions, which do
equal credit Sagacy critic, and his power OF
exuressIou. He Justly places Bryant among the fore
most poets Of his ume-a position which has been as
signed to ny the verdict Of the most intelligent class
Of readers as wei IN England as IN this country. SUI
he admits he has never been tie poet OF the million
He is man OF lis order and an order that requires
acertain degree of culture and refinement for IT'S true
appreciation. The readers who delight IN anectaton
and extravaganza who mistake theatrical displays OF
strength for healthy athletic yieor, and who find no ex
preston OF feeling but in the ardor OF volupuou pas
sion will regard Bryant destitute OF poetic fire.
Couarcd with the writers winch such Judges admire
re Is ac graud antique statue, divine IN It's severe
ID s..
French chsel hung ABOUT WIN lIi'Itc IOn's "' uo
dIzencd with stars ana gliding Nh Bryant mas some
times been called the Ameucon Wordsworth. Ihat ne
resembles Mr. Wordsworth IN ms intense sympathy !
with nature and with man. aud IN the moral purity ana
elevation that peryadcs h!, Writings, may DC admitted
ui If be meant that in developing his own poetic
power he has sOGglt 70 be- even remctey a4 maloI .!
that great writer confident that euCn nds not
Iecn tbc fact He is emnently original; and ali the more
or sual because IN high degree sulleGuvf. some !
writers have been fond OF choosing Such themes a.
r,nned The autor IN treating them to 90 wholly OF
iS1.eIf' and TO place himself by an effort OF imacna-
ton the condition OF others; ana by the success WIZ
which they hdye been able TO reproduce, whether IN
lylc epic on 3maC form, the thought, feeling, aud
action which others IN the avon mus Vo
conceived to have exhibited. they are disposed 10
thinking that poems 50 written VIII Oe ess Hkty 10 nc
and the time less HkCy 10 take deep
hold on hearts OF than those that have III them
Of the living personality OF tue auuiOr' MT
BRYANT, If less versatile than some Ot MS com
peers, has yet taken a vide range OF su9ec's:
lie has seized on any striking object or aspect OF |
nature. notable incident Of history or passing
occurrence OF the day. or even theme capable OF being
treated in buresque; but with tie lgt and color
ing OF his personal thought and feeling u re-
maIkaJle extent that he has invested hs composition
whatever form II may have taken. Endowed WIN
mature ,ngudIly tender and receptive, ana an intellect
clear and keen It's perceptions he has presented to
Of what lie himself has seen and
felt-cf what richest purest highest IN his own IN
ward hfe-a life Of marked Chard ctersucs and dVersl
fed cxpcreuce To such extent Is this true, that
yhe mn her of bis pieces bearing distinctly the IN
press OF Lis own personality Is very small Indeed
The religious character Of Mr.. Bryant, as manifested
IN his poetry treated with delcacy and reserve In
entire harmony with the Of the subject Nocare
ful reader Dr. Palmer insists fail 10 recognize in
his works genuine spirit OF Christian iith Ihs tone
becomes more strongly marked in the productions Of
MS later years They reveal more of the Light o. Chris
taD eheerfuness and hope and less OF the pensYe mel
aucuoly OF his earlier poems.
To "a man OF positive beliefs, Ike Mr.. Bryant-one
faith Ia God and IN The supernatural enables HUI
60 see ia the great universe AROUND nun grdud tass