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

Among the natives of NcW-England VINO
have filed a conspicuous place in the
social, political, and literary life Of New
York. none have been more widely known,
more cordially cherished, or more bril-
hantly honOred, than the eminent citizen
whose death is announced this morning.
Born within the shadow of the vcIdant
mountains Of Western Massachusetts,, the
character Of Mr.. Bryant partooit Of the
healthy and substantial qualities Of his
native soil. The rocky hills of Hampshire
County formed a cOngenial and appropriate
birthplace for a person Of his firm and I'M
Welding nature The grOund-plan of his
being was constructed on foundation
of massive strength, singular power OF
endurance, and tenacity of resistance
10 every outward influence. Beneath "A 1.-THE
and delicate physical organization, slender
frame which might seem to have been at the
mercy of the passing wind, subtle tenulty OF
fibre which promised neither length OF days,
nor vigor of action, he concealed an energy
of purpose, a strength of will, a power OF
antagonism, which made his presence
felt, and not unfrequently feared, in the
most strenuous circles of political strife
or intellectual discussion. In the utterance of
his convictions, as well as III the formation OF
his Opinions he recognized no authority be-
yOnd the spontaneous workings OF his own
mind. Nothing could impose a restraint upon
his freedom of thought nothing could daunt
bis courage in the expression of his principles.
The vein of austeuty which entered so largely
into his composition tempered the sweetness
of his nature and preserved an almost
L., e N
example of soft compliance.
In his younger days, as we are told by those
who knew him at that period of his life, he
displayed a shrinking timidity in social inter
course. was indispOsed to general converse
ton, restricted in the expression of his IDEAS
i'll at ease in feminine presence, with little
command of cOllOqmal language, and, in
fact, with no taste for the pleasures OF society
With a wider experience of the world. this
timidIty gave place to more assured
confidence in himself; he enlarged the circle of
his acquaintance, entered more freely into gen
eral society, by which,. In his later years, he
was greatly cOurted, and which he greatly
enjoyed but he never entirely Overcame the
habtual reserve which formed so large an IN
gredieut IN his nature. In the tenderness Of
of his father with the precociOus genus
of the son. he found the necessary ali
ment of affection, and for long
time seemed disinclincd to pass beyond
the corner of the ancient fireplace for a wider
appreciation and love. In after life he GER
taInly had not the need of communication
which makes so many persons delightful social
companions, while it exposes others to ndicule
by the flush of their garrulity and the naivete
of their confessions he was always a model
of dignity and repose; never talking
for the sake of talking never vast
ing his time and fatiguing bis listen
ers by empty discourse never counting
dispute and controversy; but never averse
TO the expression of dissent from your opln-
ion, and at times perhaps little too ready to
expose an error in your statements or fal-
lacy in your reasoning. His reserve of man
ner no doubt often subjected HIM to misap-
prehension. He was sometimes set down as
hard, cold, unsympathetic by reason OF his
paucity of words, or his astringent silence;
but his reticence came from noack of kindly feel
ing, but IN addition to his natural reserve, from