New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-09
TIE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW.


The leading article ia the present number 10
devoted 70 a thorough and aIpreiative review of Mr.
I0nsiellow and his poecal works, by Dr. Ray Palmer
or the general position OF LougeOw III American letters
the writer gives d dsciiInin ating estimate dr. Long
fellow has well the critical gauntlet He has had hiS
share of praise has apparently owed less to this IMAM
te majority Of successful writers. He has been iahdc
severely I'm several Instances but the voice " unfyo7
ble criticism has speedily died into silence. Unchanged
alike by praise be has calmly held on his way
and the music of his numbers has flowed unchecked
tLrou.h tens Of thousands OF hearts in which 1t has
awakened echoes. His literary life has been natural
growth There has been in 1t nothing abnormal nothing
forced but ts unfolding has been eminenty healthiu
This has given 1t un ty ami strength. Such literary HE
is worthy to be studied II has lessons for the younger
deyoecs OF ettcrsessons for the lie al ana lhe Acaf
alike IL furnishes principles and Illustrations by tHe
right apprehension OF which the public taste may DC
directed aud refined. II has about it AN atmosphere to
breathe which Is itself refreshing and sautary thing
Dr. Palmer the secret Of Lonsfeilo~s power 10
the fnct that poems the genuine expression OF the
writer's own inward life. His intense humanity Is
Grand element in us sovereign influence over 50 many
human hearts. In the following personal sketch DE-
Palmer perhaps approaches the extreme borders oi eya
mate criticism but may be forgiven to the luSess
OF his analysis Wen as the sincerity OF his adin@uoi
Ii is interesting to note in tie successive publications
OF Mr. LOngtelOw the evidences OF lncraSing ofeaCu
Snc deph an TIE current sympathetic tenderness that
revealed itself in him 80 early Nhcna sPTlt 50 sens
=
meets of life and tspeeiay when 10 has D. rsonai expert
euce Its uncertainties, disllpOlntns ana SoTToWS
enc Of two things IL almost sure to baplci Eithei
suAs uuder the pressure OF tllLs into dtspohdcny ana
bitterness. it purified, elevated; and nitiu"lcy
it, syIupates aud better able to enter into the expert
ences Of its fellows Mr. Lngfellow early PASSED.
Through the deep OF personal sorrow ana u l.
plain that this contributed to the reflnem mt aid general
culture of his naturally seIsbiiy The da7hns oi
son of h best hopes the very opening OF his career
wrought in him mstiitlrOpy, bat Only more ehiS
tened neIoWness of thought and feeling, which soon
fnuuG eN lFeSS
than IN his published writings ahuued 20 ONE
whcs loss threw lis lie the FIRST great shadow, we
trust we shall violate the sancuy OF priyae history
aud iceug ia referring to what 1t seems almost meets
ssuy s rearrs should learn ia Oluer !" i1ul aPPeOia
to of his most popular pieces he was cary
married to Miss Potter lady OF rare pr nai Doit NV
aud accomplishments VINO seemed nt'u .. e. al 1o
needs of his highly cultivated intellect ana heart lis
devotion to such was 70 ie expected iIOn
nature ~ rich IN So ial affections but III h1 morn NJ
tIeir married life they suddenly parted rom otb
trdain In $3.50 That TINS overwhelming grief was part
OF baptism for the ministry oil comfort 70 - rowing
tiore can be but lt,e Doubt 20 mis- wcr' aided o.er
boieayemeDis which be kecniy felt When tne lad cX
eIlcd la healing power 10 SUCH au CXelt tat 10 hdd
come 10 know what NJ ntsomely bas called Tic JOY OF
lice entitled Tie Footsteps Angels" which
sO many have read with tears:
And with them the Being Beauieous
Vino unto my youth sigol.
More than ali things else to love me,
And Is now SAINT In heaven.
With a slow and noiseltss footstep
Comes that messenger divine,
Taxes the vacant chair beside me,
La her genie manu- ia lliilc
And she sits aud gazcs at me
With those deep and tender eyes
Like TIE stars, 20 e,lN and ssalni-kc
Looking downward nom the SKIES
Uttered not, yet cOuprehendod,
Is III SPIRITS yo.celcss prayer.
Soft r,Iuk ia blessings ended,
LrtathlBg from her lips OF air."
In the same key are The Reaper aud the Flowers"
zine ii.ht OF Sisrs, Ersiaaiio, ANA other iaVorlte
piec-s They iAe uiter,ncrs OF nature slnguiary
BILE orI,iualy aud then chasened ana ieftiiI'd
disclplnlc 81 hulrOGs-d discipline Dy no ncaIs
Colnued ~ hls earlier years
D.. Palmer Describes the temperament OF I0ngfelow
A. not naturally calm aud medts 1--WE, but sensitive and
emotional It would, perhaps, he more correct to speak
OF che elements that ~ fnely tempered Ia his nature
ar 10 produce and beautiful example of spiritual
harmony. Bat there IL doubt, the writer suggests
that he sieadfasy Obeyod his own Inward law with
out attempting do sught In contradiction 10 the ecu
liar tendencies hls genius He has not hesitatcd 10
give express on Ia Che eno affections aud sentiments
Of lis own heart as touched by be Influences OF mature
and by the observation VI the profound experiences
watch fora the tissue OF many human lives Ills this