The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-13
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.

one OF It's oldest poets and edttors-a man
conspicuously associated with it's literary
development and growth, whose earlier
poems delighted our forefatbers In the in
fancy Of the republic as his later poems do
the generation Of to.day-a man who for
nearly four score years has given his life and
his talents TO literature. There Is probably
no similar case of q man whose literary life
extended over so long q period as Bryant's.
Ills first poem was written as early as 1903,
and UP to within the last week he has never
ceased to write for the press and magazines Of
this country.
Mr.. Bryant was born ut CuIlington, Mass,
November O. 1894, his father being local
physician Of that town. He began writing
poetry at very early age, and before he was
ten had contributed number Of poems Of
great merit to local papers and magazines.
His first great effort was made at the age OF
fourteen, when he published satirical polit-
ieal poem entitled "The Embargo"
The next year he entered Williams College
which ne left, however, before he had grad
uated, and began the study OF law. 1t was
while studying law that he composed, ct the
early age Of twenty, perhaps his greatest
work, "Thanatopsis," a poem which made his
literary reputation and secured his introduce
tion to the leading literary men of this coun-
try. From that time, 1916, until 1895 he
practiced law with great success, although he
did not altogether neglect literature, writing
ages" and several other pieces OF acknowl-
edged merit while practicing of the bar.
He was unable, however, to keep away
from his first love, and deserted the law In
1926 for the more congenial sphere of litera-
ture, removing TO New York, where he be-
came the editor of the New York Review, soon
after merged in the United States ReUieao.
He soon gave this up, however, to become
editor OF the New York Evening Post, which
he made o Democratic journal-it had former
ly been Federal-and to which he contributed
up TO the time of his death. His management
Of the Post did not, however prevent him
from managing and writing for other papers
and magazines, sketches, stories and poems
In 1884 he visited Europe and
again In 1874 and 1849, the result of his obser-
vations being published In desultory letters
N the Post, and republished afterwards under
The title Of Letters Of a Traveller"
Among his latest literary productions was
his metrical translation of the "Tliad," pub
ished In 1869. This was followed by O similar
Of the Odyssey" In 1861. Both
81 these works showed not only extraordinary
scholarship, but thorough appreciation OF the
spirit OF Homer. His latest poem Of any |
ength was the "Flood Of Ages" published in |
Scribner's Magazine two years ago. This |
1oem was universally pronounced the best |
written for years. and Is thought by many |
persons to excel in beauty even his far-famed
'Thanatopsis," which he had writ
EN- more than half century before.
During all this period Mr.. Bryant contin-
led In the control and management of the
Post. He was a man wonderfully well pre-
erved, and at the age of eighty-three had all
he vigor Of his early manhood. Only week
go he was In perfect health, when serious
ccident occurred, which produced the maladv
hat caused his death.
1t is scarcely necessary to speak of his
oems and writings, as there is scarcely
person in this country who has not read
ONE Of them; his poems are distinguished
y extreme purity and elegance in their Ian
uage, and by an intense love of nature.
While other poets and writer's have prob
bly, gained more glory than he, Mr.
'ryant was, undoubtedly, the repre-
entative literary man Of America. He
lrned his mind to every branch of litera-
IRE. His writings would include several
olumes OF poems, besides essays, travels, pc
teal works, etc. In addition to these he
ever ceased from editorial work on the Post,
hitch he managed with ability, good sense
nd patriotism. He made his paper leader
! politics, and his views on all topics of pub
C interest have always been eagerly sought
II. He was an erudite scholar acquainted
OF only with the ancient but almost al
le leading modern languages, as his poet
al translations bear witness. Altogether.
9 was man of wonderful grasp of mind,
reat learning and extraordinary energy:
ian who has contributed more of worth to
le literature Of America, or indeed of the
orld, than any living author In him
merica loses it's representative literary
ian, one who while he translated Homer did {
Of disdain to discuss the politics of his coun-
y and the leading questions of the day.