Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-21
William Cullen BRYANT

William Cullen Bryant.
Still shalt thou sing when the invisible veil
Hsth wrapped thee from mans vision
William Cullen Bryant was born in Cum
mingtOn, Hampshire county, Mass, Novem-
Der 3, 1894. His literary talent was early
developed. At five years Of age he wrote
verses which are quite respectable. and at
ten his poetry Was given to the world
through the columns of the local papers.
At the age Of thirteen he published pelit-
ical satire upon Jtiferson's embargo. which
so pleased the Federalists of Western Mas
sachusetts, that two editions were sold in
quick succession.
When about sixteen years oil age, the
future poet and publicist entered Williams
College in an advanced class, where he re-
mained two years, but did not graduate.
On leaving college he entered upon the
study o: law. In 1915, he was admitted to
the bar. aid .bsgsn the practice of his pro-
fession in Plymouth, but subsequently re
moved to Great Darlington, where he mar
ried and Continued to practice law In
1924, he resolved to remove to New York
he became the editor of the Ntio York Re
Uiel1. and about the same time he became
associated with several literary men and
artists in the publication Of the TGiim.an.
A year later be became one OF the editors of
the New York ErenIR9 Post. and lev
years later he became the editor in chief,
which relation be retained ever since In
Iact, he may be said to have been the lead
ing tditor OF the Pest since ls26-a period
Oi more than half q century.
Ii rs needless to say that Mr.. Bryant has
been mole censpicuous as poet and man Of
letters than as a Journalist In the former
capacity no first became famous At the
age Of eighteen be wrote Thanatopsis."
which appeared in the North American Re
Uiec, ard created a profound impression in
literary circles and stamped the author as a
man o. too rare genius to remain long in
Obscurity. " The Water iOwli' was the
next piece which followed "Thanatopsis."
In 1921. by the pcrsuation of such friends
as K. ii. Dana and Prof. f +. Claiming,
Mr.. Bryant published a small volume con-
tanning The Ages, poem delivered be
fore the Harvard Phi Beta Kappa Society,
and other pieces which had not hitherto
been made public. Since that time Mr.
Bryant has written much, only to add to his
fame. and to bear witness to the greatness
0t his genius and his exalted char scter as Il
man. His works are read and admired
wherever men and women are cultured, |
and will hold 4 prominent place among
the literature of the language as long as it |
Is employed to express the thoughts of in |
telligent people
Outside Ot the field Of the poet, Mr. |
Bryant has distinguished himself in ltera
ture. As a prose writer be was distinguish
ed Tor signal excellencies both of thought and |
expression In 1850, Putnam publ-hed Mr..
Brysnt's " Letters OF a Traveller" book
written here aad there, but which betrays the
habits OF observation and the pcculiarities
Oi the man. ili- public addresses on varied
topics may be styled as models in diction
as well as IN their general character.
Although always cOnver-ant with public
affair. and for nearly hall century prom
iuent man, Mr.. Bryant has never been
called to fill any prominent public position.
But while Mr.. Bryant has never held put
lie Chico, few men 10 this country, indeed
we may say that no man, has received so
many evidences ct thorough appreciation
and 50 many testimonials Of high regard a.
has Mr.. Bryant. On several occasions the
citizens OF New York have paid such marks
OF respect as have never been rendered any
other man IN private life. A few years
since the New York Legislature postponed
Its business to give him q reception Nor
has his name and reputation been confined
TO his own country. lie has several times
been abroad, and on late visits has been re-
ceived in many PLACES with distinguished
consideration.
For many years Nj BRYANT has owned
half, OF nearly half, of the stock of the
Post. which has been a profitable inyes;-
ment lie has two children, daue hters, one
OF whom Is the wife Of Parke Goodwin and
the other is unmarried
Mr.. Bryant reached his very old age By
regard for the laws OF health Not natur-
ally man OF robust Constitution, he WAS
vigorous man at the age Of fOrr score. In
a letter written to friend a lew years
since, MIR. Bryant gives an interesting ac-
count Of his manner of living. Five months
Of the year he has been accustomed to live
At his town residence. The months of Aug
ust and September be has usually spent in
his native town of Cummington. where he
owns Residence. The rest of the wear hr
has spent at hi- Country seat at Roslyn.
Long Island. In the winter he has been 4c-
custOmed to rise, he says in the letter rt-
ferred to- at 30, aid in summer an hour
earlier. Gn rising he has beeu accustomed
to take an hours exercise with light dumb
bells and other exercises designed To expand
the lungs, which l. followed by bath from
head to loot. His breakfast consisted of
hominy and milk. or brown bread, oatmeal
or wheaton grIts, etc, but he never has
made animal cd a part Of that meal Ia
their season lie was accustomed to eat fruits
OF all kinds lie never drank tea or coffee
his drunk having been water and rarely n
glass OF wine. lie never meddled with to-
bacco. except to quarrel with its use At
dinner he has eaten meat or fish sparIngly,
the only time during the day. and tea has
consisted OF bread, butter and fruit When
IN town he always walked down 10 the
Posi- Ofhce IN the morning and returned IN
the same manner making II journey of six
miles. lie has lived much ont of doors. and
even in bis later years was accustomed To
exercise and DAILY walks which would break
down q man not accustomed to such ex-
ercise