The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-13
BY TELEGRAPH.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
Death Of the Poet and Journalist.
A Noble Life Ended.
NEW YORK, June 12.-William Cullen
Bryant died at s. IS o'clock this morning.

The announcement of the death of Mr..
Bryant comes not unexpectedly. The nature
of his disease and his great age made it almost
certain from the moment of his attack that the
earthly career of the great poet and journalist
was nearly ended. For day or two he seemed
to rally, and his countrymen in the fond hope
that he might be spared yet longer to bless
them with his teachings and his example, mis-
took the flicker of the candle which precedes
its extinction for signs of returning brightness.
For the last few days, however, it has been
evident that Death was soon to conquer him,
as it eventually conquers all. In the narrow
limits to which we are confined this morning
it would be impossible to do justice to life
and character like his. For half century
his name has been among the foremost in
American literature and his life seemingly as
near approach to the perfect life as it is pos
sible for frail human nature to attain. The
great and noble qualities of head and heart
which nature showered upon him in such pro-
fusion were used to bless his fellow men. The
good which men do lives after them as we'll as
the evil, and the bright example and the pure
and noble thoughts which Mr. Bryant leaves
behind him are priceless legacy to mankind.
Mr. Bryant was the son of physician and
was born ia Oam mfngGou, Mass, November 0,
1894. He early showed a taste for poetry, and
at the age Of five years wrots verses of con-
siderable merit, and at the age of ten was a
frequent contributor to the poets corner of the
local papers. At the age of thirteen he pub
lshed political satire upon Jefferson's en-
barge, which so pleased the Federalists of
Western Massachusetts, that two editions we're
sold in quick succession. At the age of sixteen
he entered Williams College in an advanced
class and remained there two years, but did
not graduate. On leaving college he begun tie
study of the law in the Office of Judge Hoar of
Worthngton, and afterwards studied under
William Bsylies of Bridgewater. he was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1916 and commenced prac-
tice in Plymouth and afterwards removed to
Great Darlington, where he married.
But, although Mr.. Bryant was well-read
lawyer and gave strict attention to his BUSH
ness, the profession was not to his liking.
Consequently in 1924 he resolved to remove to
New York and devote himself to literature.
La 1926 he became the editor of the New York
Review, and about the same time he became
associated with several literary men and ar
fists in the publication of the Talisman. A
year later he became one of the editors of the
New York Evening Post. and few years later
he became the -editor-in.chief, which relation
he has retained ever since. In fact, he may be
said to have been the leading editor of the
Post sincs 1866 period of more than half
century. Mr.. Bryant was at that time strong
Federalist, and his paper advocated Stree
trade and sailors rights" which wers the dis
tinguishing traits of that party as opposed to
the timid and protectionist policy of Mr. JEFF
terson and his friends No journal has main
tanned more distinctive character than the
Post. 1t supported General Jackson in his
warfare against the United States Bank, and
his violation of the law in relation to the pub
lie money. The paper was. however. always
anti-slavery in its proclivities as it must be as
the exponent of the author of "The African
Chief" While Democratic paper, the Post
was less in harmony with the party press than
it now is with the intense Republican journals,
and was frequently invited to leave the party.
The paper has been free from party trammels,
because Mr.. Bryant cannot be called polite
ian.
1t is needless to say that Mr.. Bryant has
been more conspicuous as poet and man of
letters than as journalist In the former
capacity he first became famous. At the age
of eighteen he wrote s'Thanatopsis,'' which
appeared in the North American Review, and
created a profound impression in literary
circles aud stamped the author as man of
too rare genius to remain long in obscurity.
One Of the most remarkable characteristics of
thie as we'll as the othar carly noaus of Mr.
Bryant, is the maturity which distinguishes
them, and the purity, and at the same the
strength of the diction. "The Waterfowl
was the next piece which followed "Thana-
topsis" In 1921, by the persuasion of such
friends as r. Fl. Dana and Prof e. r. Chan
ming, Mr. Bryant published small volume
containing "rhe Ages" poem delivered
before the Harvard Phi Beta Kappa Society,
and other pieces which had not hitherto been
made public This work gave the young man
prominent position among the poets not DOLLY
of his own country but of england. Since
that time Mr. Bryant has written much, only
greatness of his genius and his exalted
character as man.
Outside of the field of the poet, Mr.. Bryant
has distinguished himself ii literature AS a
prose writer he was distinguished for signal
excellencies both of thought and expression
Ia 1850 Putnam published Mr.. Bryant's
"Letters of a Traveller" a book written here
and there, but which betrays the habits Of obser-
walton and the peculiarities of the man. His
public addresses on varied topics may be
styled as models in diction as we'll as in their
panera1 character