The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-21
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
ANEW EVIDENCE OF THE RESPECT
OF HIS COUNTRYMEN.
The Vase Presentation In Henor Of the Eight
ieth Anniversary Of Ills Birtb-Fun From
the Iips Of the Grave and Brave Old Poet.

The Vase Presentation In Honor Of the Eight
ieth Anpiversary Of Ills Birth-Fun From
the Jips Of the Grave and Brave Old Poet,
A thousand persons participated in the
presentation OF the commemorative vase to Mr..
Bryant, In Chick ering Hall last evening, In honor
OF the eiehtieth anniversary Of his birth. The
Rev. DR.. Osaood, on taking the chair, read selec-
tlons from some OF Mr.. Bryants hymns, to which
the venerable poet, who sat on the front OF the
platform, listened with upcast and fearful eyes.
Mr.. J. Il. whitebouse, the designer of the vase,
then said that the making OF II had been work
of love, and that all who had taken part In It
were proud OF having done 80. The eight
artHcers whose united labor produced the vase,
stood up In a group on the stage while Mr..
whitehouse spoke. As the drapery which con-
cealed the vase, standing IN the centre OF the
platform, was about to be raised, DIR. osgood,
throwing out both arms, and speaking over his
shoulder to the audience, said, Nobody has
seen this but the workmon but we are all diving
to see It," Then everybody leaned forward and
waited bfeatblessly. As the cloth was thrown
backward and tue great vase on its beautiful
pedestal was revealed, shining In the easlight.
gan was piaying Mr.. Bryant looked at 1t and
spoke In low tones to DIR. Osgood
Dr. Osgood then thanked Mr.. whitehouse
and the workmen for what they had done, and
said 1t was a fit commemorative gift to the
patriarch Of American letters, william Cullen
wore the mantle Of Adam Smith aud Beujamin
Franklin.
After more music. DIR. Osgood presented the
vase to MIR. Bryant In an eloquent speech.
Loud clappiDg Of hands greeted every utter
ance OF the name of the poet, who stood with
bis white head half bowed IN silence
When Mr.. Bryant stepped forward to reply
| round after round OF applause rang through
| the hall, and when he began to speak in a clear,
| ringing voice, there was a hush. lie thanked
his friends, and said that be would have pre-
ferred TO be silent, but that " he were to keep
| n IN IN 10 Ia aRd nf m
| captain Of a militia company in England. to
whom the sergeant, As spokesman for the COM
geant, Captain, here Is the jug = said the cap
tain, Alb, Is that the jug" lLauehterl
gilt was fairly earned, and II he was deserving
! OF the compliments paid to him. then 1t would
follow that those who had prepared and pre-
sented II had simply performed duty and paid
deot-a very ordinary and common thing to
do. tLaushter.l Therefore he would choose to
and OF princely munincence-a IN unncence like
that which sends the refreshing rain and the
The wonder was that the artists had been able
| to evolve so much Imagery a. the vase ex-
pressed out OF life so plain as that OF him to
| vase was tndestruciible, while language changed
aud books grew obsolete, 80 that future age
honor Of an American poet whose writings have
been lost 10 obliyion.,,, lLauehtsr.l
briefly In praise Of the poet, ana then DR.. Os-
| good announced that the vase Is to be sent to
the Centennial Exhibition, and asked the au-
| dience 10 nie across the platform, examine 1t,
| and shake the hand OF the poet.
Tue vase Is Of silver, and Is intended to sym
bolize Mr.. Bryants life. IL Il a Greek vase en-
twined with American flowers. The arple
branches on IL suggest the fruitfulness as well
| as beauty OF Mr.. Bryants poety; the egiantine
synbolizes poetry; the primrose, early youth
the ivy, sge and the amaranth, immortality. A
series Of bas r-liefs represent the poet child
looking to Homer as his model, and
reclining under trees y a student of nature. A
portrait of the poet crowned with laurel Is be;
below 10 q printing press. Another medallion
represents the waterfowl. Mr. Bryant's emblem
OF faith. lndian corn and cotton 10 yes are en-
twIned around tue bottom of the vase. Nu-
merous other alissorical represe entations cover
the vase and the words " II uth crushed to earth
| shall rise again" are worked Into an ornAmented
border.