The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-07-29
ERMs $500 PER ANNUM IN ADyA.. .Jaaa. IL
lfrom the August International Re,
The Poet Rryauf.

ne became conscious Of his oy ~. i--.,
While yet boy. At ten wears age he
declalmed in school an original poem. When
he was only thirteen he wrote The famous
poiitical satire on Mr.. Jelferson's 'eEmbargo.,'
wnich became so popular in the OIL Federal
county OF Hampshire and along the banks
OF the Connecticut River, that it passed
through two editions within twelyemohth
lie was prepared for the composition of
Inanatopsis' by the study of Kirke " White.
VINO at That time enjoyed a prestige among
the rural population OF New England, which
IL Is not easy to conceive of at the present
day, and OF the stately and solemn measures
OF Blalrs Grave" That remarkable poem
was written before he was nineteen. and
published a few years after in the ''North
American Review" at once producing a
profound impression in the literary circles of
cambridge ana Boston, and stamping the
autnor as a man OF too rare genius to
remain long in obscurity. The ''Waterfowl,"
was written lu 1915, when Bryant was in
his twenty-frst year. His reputation now
spread rapidly, and in 1921 he was induced
by the persuasions OF bis friends, Mr. II. III.
Dana, Professor f. L. Charming, and Judge
Willard Phillips, to publish small volume
containing "The Ages" poem delivered
beford the Harvard Phi Beta Kappa Society,
and other choice pieces, Which had not be-
fore been given to the world This collec-
tion was the presage of his subsequent
renown, which from that day to the ~"
has shown With serene and ..esent
splendor, arAid all the per- ..s.., aniading
active ane responsible ,oblic urO"'ons iisa Oh an
,,,a1 Durl- this lcsas oero5 NJ .s' Rrv,rt h..
4 ~ ane living world. Instead oS WITH
-fawIng from. tse practical affairs of lif,
sna declining its stern contests, he has mar.
t,eny Le,y 40 Iorne MS part in them, and yet has
hept che sacred fire burning serenely on the
altar of Apollo. His Intellectual aegvitv
nas peen constant, and his reputation has
steadily advanced with years. He has re-
I peatedly visited Europe, and even extended
ms traveis to Syria and Egypt, remaining
| LOT considerable periods at the more imnor-
tant points, and studying men, manners. and
/ the languages and literature of the prineinal
/ countries, as well as art and objects of his
tollc interest. In his own country, too. he
mas Travelled widely and observed with a
eareiuI eye. His polished letters, describing
ms observations both at home and abroad.
have been such as might have been expected
| from such man,
| a volume OF orations and addresses fur
nlshes perhaps the best specimens of his style
| as prose Writer. 1t contains eommemora-
| tive dlseourses, delivered by special request,
on his distinguished friends, Thomas Cole the
artist; James Fenimore Cooper, Washington
A''inS, L W. OreeH Halieck ard Julian CrOm-
| mehn Verplanck, with other interesting ad-
dresses. The commemorative discourses are
| models IN their kind, equally creditable to his
| heart. The style is simple, chaste, pelucid.
elegant. In the delineation of character and
| genius there is nothing vague and general.
but in the case of each subject of discourse
the incest analysis and the most Judi .ial dis
elimination. 1t is so common thing, un.or-
tunately, to see men who are eminent in the
same line OF effort misunderstood, or for other
reasons,such as prejudice orjealousy, ,depreciate
each other, that there is true moral beauty in
the honest heartiness, the generous pleasure,
with which Mr.. Bryant does full Justice to
the names and works of his illustrious COM
peers. The rare maguanimity in his apprecia-
ton and treatment of other men has been a
habit OF his lite. He has had his reward.
Now in bis eighteth year, he receives such
frequent proofs of the veneration of his fellow
citizens, and is so often called on fitting occa-
sions to public services, that it is quite mani
fest, not only that his personal character is
loved and honored, but also that his literary
reputation rests on an enduring basis. 1t has
seldom happened that great poet has dis
charged so steadily and so well the practical
duties of ordinary life. Admired and honored
as writer, he has been equally admired aud
honored as man.