Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-06-21
"Still shalt thou sing when the invisible veil
HATH wrapped thee from mans vision.

William Cullen Bryant wns born in Cum
mington. Hampshire county. Mass, Noven-
Der ., 179i His literary talent was carly de-
vclopcd. At five years Of age lac wrote verses
and ut ten his poetry was given to the world
through the columns'of the local papers. At
/ the age Of thirteen he published political
satire upon JefIerson's embargo, which so
/ pleased the Fcderalists Of Western Massachu-
sets that two editions were sold in quick
succession
When about sixteen years Of age the fu-
turo poet and publicist entered Williams Col
| lege in an advanced class where he remained
two years, but did not graduate. On leaving
college he entered upon the study Of law. In
1915 lac was admitted TO the bar and began
the practice of his profession in Plymouth.
but subsequently removed to Great Barring.
ton, where he marricdar continued to prac-
tice law. In 1924, he resolved to remove TO
New York and devote himself to literature.
In 1925, he became the editor Of the New
York Review, and about the same time he be-
came associated with several literary men and
artists in the publication of the Talsman. 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 re-
lation he has retained ever since. In fact
lie may be said to have been the Lending ed
itor Of the Post since ls2G-a period Of more
than half u century
1t is needless to say that Mr.. Bryant was
more conspicuous as poet aud man Of let
tcrs than as journalist. In the former ca
pacity he first became famous. At the age of
eighteen lac wrote "Thanatopsis." which np-
pCarcd in ihe North American Review, and
created l ofound impression in literary cir
cles and stamped the author as a man Of too
rare genius to remain long in obscurity. The
Waterfowl" was the next piece which fol,
lowed "Thanatopsis." In 1927. by the u,r-
suasion Of such friends ms r. H. Dana and
Prof f. +. Claiming, Mr.. Bryant published
small volume containing The Ages" DO
EN- delivered before 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
of his genius and his exalted character ms a
man. His works are admired and read wherev-
er men and women are cultured. and will
hold prominent place among the literature
of the language rs long as it is employed to
express the thoughts of intelligent people.
Outside of the field of the poet. Mr.. Bryant
has distinguished himself in literature. Assn
prose writer he was distinguished for signal
eNcellencies both of thought and eNpre ssion.
In 1850 Putnam published Mr. Blyants
Letters of Traveller" IA book written here
and there, but which betrays the habits Of
observation and the peculiarities Of the man
HIS public addresses on varied topics may L.,
styled as models in diction as wei as in thor
general character.
Although always conyersant with public
affairs and for nearly half century prom;
nent man, Mr.. Bryant was never call, Il to fill
any prominent public position. But willie
he never held a public Office. few men ia this
country, indeed we may say that 10 man. has
received so many evidences of thorough APP
probation and so many testimonials of high
regard as did Mr.. Bryant. On several occa-
sions the citizens of New York have paid him
such marks of respects rs have never been
rendered any other man in private life. A
few years since the New York Legislature
postponed its business to give him recep-
ton. Nor have his lame and reputation
been confined to his own country lie went
several times abroad, and on his later visits
was received i'll many places with distin-
guished consideration.
For many years Mr.. Bryant owned half. or
nearly Lalf of the stock of the Post. which
uhS bteu u l'Tonlhblc investment lie had
two children, daughters. one of whom is the
wife of Parke Goodwin. and the other is un-
married. The death of his wife, with whom
he had lived for ~ years, which occurred II
years ago, made deep and lasting impress
sion upon his mind and called out one OF his
tenderest poems. Politically Mr. Bryant was
Democrat until the organization of the Re
publican party in 1886. Thenceforward he
supported that party steadfastly, and with
both pen and voice did what he could for it
and the principles which have always CON
trolled it.
Mr. Bryant reached his very old age by a
regard for the laws of health. Not naturally
4 man of robust constitution. he was a yigor-
Gus man at the age of fourscore In n letter
written to friend "A few years since Mr.
Bryant gave an interesting account of his
manner of living. Five months of the wear
he was accustomed to live at his town resi-
dence. The months of August and Septem-
Der lie usually spent IN his native town of
Cummington, where he owned n residence.
The rest of the year he spent at his country
seat at Roslyn, Long Island. In the winter
he was accustomed to rise, he says in the let
ter referred to, at $50, and in summer an
hour earlier On rising he took an hours ex- |
ercise with light dumb bells and other eXer- |
clses designed to expand the lungs followed |
by bath from head to foot His breakfast |
consisted of hominy and milk. or brown |
bread, oatmeal or wheaton grits, etc, but he |
never made animal food a part of that meal. |
In their season he was accustomed to eat |
fruits of all kinds. He never drank tea or |
coffee, his drink having been water and rare |
ly glass of wine. He never medded with |
tobacco, except to quarrel with It's use" At |
u'lu he ate meat or fish sparingly, the only |
time during the day, and his supper consisted |
of bread, butter and fruit. When in town he |
always walked down to the Post Office in the
morning and returned in the same manner
making journey of six miles He lived |
much out of doors, and even in his later years |
was accustomed TO exercise and take daily |
walks which would break down a man not ac |
customed to such exercise
The funeral of Mr.. Bryant was attended |
Friday afternoon, by Il great gathering of |
literary newspaper and other distinguished |
people. The address by Rev. Dr. Bellows |
was an eloquent tribute 10 the dead poet AZ
ter the services the remains were taken TO
Roslyn, l.. l., for intern, mt. Notwithstand- |
ing the requests of Mr. Bryants family that
friends would not send flowers the floral Of
ferings We're numerous. As lover of Art |
and Nature, it was difficult to understand why
the most beautiful of all offerings were order
ed to be withheld from the ceremonial. Rich
ard ii. Dana, Jr,, of Massachusetts. commit
tees from the Century Press, and other clubs
members of the press and the bar, and nu |
merous delegations of personal friends. at
tended at the church. committee of ItaI
Aans was present; this respect was paid be-
cause it was at the unwilling of the statue of |
Mazzini, their countryman, that the old poet
received the attack which ended in his death.
---------
Senator Rdmunds.
From the Boston Transcript
Senator Edmunds is u leader of whom the
Republican party may well be proud Amin