New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-13

dIulike to solemn commonplace, and an in
yincible desire to verify his assertions before
hazarding their utterance. Young men have
been known to complain of bis want OF inter
est in their pursuits, of the lack OF encour-
agement which they experienced at his hahus'
of finding the cold shoulder instead of a friendly
grasp, when they were longing for Woru'
or some sign of recognition from the Master
in Israel but his apparent want Oh corolal-
ity doubtless arose from his mVmciDie
distaste for demonstration and his lack OF IA
cility in the use Of current phrases, the paper
money of society and not the genuine CON-
and implied no barrenness of Thought or ing
idIty of feeling. His real sympathies were
large and generous. No public object t@lled
to receive from him the attention 1t deserved.
No worthy cause langushed for want OF MS
liberal support. He was ever ready with purse
and pen to promote the claims of wise phll-
anthropy Justly may he be called public
spirited citizen, deeply concerned in whatever
concerned the interests of the commonwealth.
Mr. Bryant at Il very early age began to take
part i'm the politics of his country. Born mt
central point of the old Massachusetts FEEDER
alism, at time when party lines were ngidiy
drawn, and party spirit flaming WIN
a fierce intensity, he was true TO the
traditions of Washington and Hamil-
ton, of George Cabot and Fisher Ames )
he had been taught from bis infancy
to look upon Jefferson as the great red dragon
of the Apocalypse, and his earliest attempts
in verse were dcnmciationS of the principles
and the policy of that uuclean and mOnstrous
Beast. AT period OF maturer age and larger
experience, in common with many leading
politicians of the Federal school, his Synpa-
thies were warmly enlisted in favor of General
Jackson, and ne became an earneSt ad-
vocate Of the principles and measures OF
that energetic statesman. His views oil pubic
policy were doubtless the result OF sincere con-
victiou. lie was strongly welded to ms favor
tie beliefs; he urged them IN season, and
sometimes perhaps ont O. season, with ail ihe
energy OF tongue and pen; If be ever appeared
a little wayward and onc-sdcd in their defence,
or too aggressive in their assertion, lac was
never accused of being prompted in his mr.
pcncv by passion for Office or the love Of gain.
I'm the great crisis Of the country brought on 10y
tine Civil War, lac was Iesoluto in has adherence
10 the principles of American unity, and ar
forded q powerful aid to- the cause in the zeal
and devotion of the prominent newspaper oil
which he had so LONG been the head.
But il Is as poet AID man of letters that
the name OF Mr.. Bryant viii be cherished with
the ndcst remembrance, and year to year
add fresh houors TO the brightness OF bis
fame. For more than half century
he has stood in the highest ranks OF
American literature, the peer OF WASHINGTON
Irving and Richard Dana, of Prescott and
Bancroft, shedding TIE henisnant llglt Of bis
renown on the noble company Of our younger
poets and authors who have received inspira-
ton from ms genius and achieved spicnaor
of success IN the same line Of glory win their
IllnStrous example. TIE poetry OF Mr.. Bryant
has been generally recognized as the APP
plication of rare artistic skill 70 the eX-
prcssion Of profound thought and tcnnrr
feeling. It's most remarkable characters
tic is the union Of dccp reflection with
creative imagination, appealing alike 10 tie
Intelligence of Tie thoughtful reader, aud the
natural sympathes of the heart. The COM
maud Of poetic diction j. 40 less striking than
its power over the sources OF pathOs, and the
E Iclity with which it rcproluces the imlglua-
tive aspects Of Nature clothing the common
realities of human experience with pictur-
cSque charm.
As a writer of prose Mr. Bryant would have
perhaps enjoyed a more brilliant reputation n
he had been less Distinguished the walks of
noctry. His "Thaua,opsi,h " The Water
Fowl "The Death OF The Flowers " The
Frinced Gcntian,n "Thc Evening Niud,'
"The Old Man. Funeral The Planting OF
the Apple Tree net TO mention others
of more recent date, are familiar to
the lovers of poetry in every American
household but his acute political di~quisl-
tions, his admirable narratives of foreign
travel and his suggestive critical papers
which would have made the fame OF les
eminent writer, are comparatively little known,
and, "a we think somewhat to the disadvan-
tage OF the younger race Of writer's III this
country who would find in the study of these
productions many choice lessons in the
art Of composition. The language contains few
more perfect models of the simple graces
Of STYLE, of chaste descriptive power, and of
the namcless fcliclties Of expression which DIFF
fuse subtle charm over the most unprcttnd-
ing prose, like the odors from "A bank of yio-
lets.
As a public speaker. Mr.. Bryant has been
too conspicuous of late years not to demand a
distinct reference. Few occasions of literary or
social festlyity in New-YOrk have been consid-
cred complete without his.presence. He was al
ways the honorcd guest of the evening, and the
moment in which he was to be called upon to
speak was awaited with eager expectation that
never ended in disappointment. He was
singularly happy in SEEING the tone of the
company, no matter what were the cir
cumstances or the occasion; his remarks
were not only pertinent but eminently
feI;citous. with no pretensions TO artificial