Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-13
DEATH OF A POET.

Our columns this morning chronicle the
death of one of whose talents, character and
fame his country is justly proud-William
Cullen Bryant 1t Is the prerogative of
genius to win admiration even from those
which its arrows have been aimed, so we read
lily do justice to the powers of the great man
whose loss we deplore, although extreme diff
ferences exist between the manner in which
he was accustomed to view many important
subjects and that which prevails in this por
ton of the republic. The greater part of his
life, however, Mr.. Bryant favored the senti-
ments of the Democratic party, and his strong
sympathy with the principle of free trade
caused him of late years frequently to ap-
proach his earlier convictions. 1t is not the
politician, however, but the poet, the scholar,
the man of pure life and exalted
sentiments, whose demise we lament
to-day. A kindly nature led him to
entertain strong notions of benevolence,
and his writings abound in the outflow Of
sentiments based upon genial sympathy for
what Is pure, amiable and godlike. Mr..
Bryant was born at Cummington, in western
Massachusetts, November 3, 1894. conse-
quently he was seventy three and a half years
old at the time of his death. A ''good old
ages" but sad it is that he had not lived out
his full natural term. An unfortunate acct
dent FASTENED his summons to the rest that
remaineth for the people of God. At thir-
teen years of age, satire from his pen,
1.-The Embargo" proclaimed to the world
that new genius was added to the rich con-
stellation that gave splendor to the COM
mencement of the present century. Mr..
Bryant was a student at Williams college,
Massachusetts, but, without graduating, he
entered on the study of the law, and, on be-
ing admitted to the bar, he commenced prac-
tice at Great Darlington, where he soon after
ward married. In 1926 he left his profession
and took up his residence in New York,
where he afterward continued TO de-
vote himself to literary pursuits. When
only eighteen years old Mr.. Bryant published
at Cambridge what is usually regarded as his
finest poem-ThanatopSis The Spanish
Revolution, The AgeS, and other poems APP
peared from his pen, and in 1921 collection
of his poems was published at Cambridge;
that volume gave him rank among the emf
nent poets of the day. In New York he be-
came the editor of the New York --
afterward the United States Reuieto, in which
several of his poems appeared. In 1926 he
assumed the editorship of the New York
EUening Post, an influential paper whose
high character and unusual excellence have
made it a favorite with many even of those
who disagree with its sentiments on many
points. From 1927 to 1929 he edited The
Talisman, an annual, and became contrib
utor to other literary publications. In 1882 a
complete edition Of his poems were published,
and the book was repubIished in England.
In 1884, 1916 and 1849. he visited Europe,
studied its literature and some of its Ian
guages, extending his travels to Egypt and the
sacred scenes of Syria; Letters of Traveller,
and Letters from Spain were the fruits of
his wanderings; some ramblings in his own
country and the West Indies were also re-
lated. In 1853 very elegant edition of Mr..
Bryant's poems was published in London,
and more recently his fine translations of the
Itiad and of the Odyssey attracted attention,
and won admiration wherever the English
language is spoken. AS writer, Mr.. Bry-
ants English is remarkable for its purity and
ease of style, and is enriched with ldiomatic
strength. He was a connorSSeur in the fine
arts, and eagerly took part in associations for
the encouragement of taste for art-a taste
that is so conducive to refinement, and SO
elevating in its influence. The struggling
artist had in Mr.. Bryant judicious and
kindly friend, ever awake to the claims of
merit. His residence was al. Roslyn, beau
tiful village on the Sound, and not far from
New York.