New-York tribune., 1879-11-25

youth coursing through his VEINS Hau NO eiuoseu '
opportunity OF travel, wider culture, various readng'
ana the mastery OF languages, his Muse would have
subdued her strength in diverse strains; he would no
longer have been the fine untrammelled specialist anu
might have wholly lost his native woodnotes wiid'
Whittier, another national poet owes his fame 10 MS
secluslon and TO his presentation OF feelings nearest
the heart of New. England His earlier pieces were ar
ticia and IL was not until the growth OF mpas-
stoned convictions that his lips were really toucheo
with fire.
1t was Taylor's good fortune, as man who would
obtain ,be enlre and experience Tor which his youth
had longed. We admire his pluck and adventure. out
his fine spirit bound within home range, would have
Of It's surroundings he was able 10 travel
and to crafty withour stint his love of action and obser
vation Unconsciously, his Muse became bewildered.
His gift and his poetic yearning were always by nun
One readily conceive the lyrical genius OF Whittor
ms subject be dised perplexed under similar con-
dtons The question lies between personal attainment
and the extreme utilization OF an artists special gilt
Taylor chose 'ne former. he siu ~ Al o nav ans H , mu
earth can furnish" Circumstances aided him in his
choice As youth. he thought tle OF the effect upon
s p%er % earer er and p e Mis s ne he fet
ef 1nsasness He cared most Of all in his heart
OF hearts, to be poet and saw that while going aar to
invoke the Muse he had given nsr te es he Poetic
Genius OF my country found me at the plough ana
visit her favoritc it is not safe bid her wait for
more convenient season. She may hide hcrsei when
summoned, permit misleading phantom TO take her
place.
The remarks the different productions OF Bayard
Taylor-presenng equally the tribute of friendship and
the verdict of fine poetic sense in Judging the achieve
ments Of brother poet-bear the stamp or generous
feeling insight and apt expression. and VIII be
read with tender interest the fit utterance oil The
living in memory OF the dead. The secret OF The
Poets Journal" is related by Mr.. stedman with the
delicacy treatment demanded by subject of almost
too sacred a nature for the public eye:-
Some years OF Taylors life were occupied with
IN
many and his choice was most fortunate. she whose
hand he gained was by her talents and requirements
every sense his hepmeet-hOnorng his genius in full
sympathy with his purposes for happy years the wise
and lender guardian his household, she the
faithful treasurer OF his memory and fame Her trans
lauons made his works known TO her connrynen; she
confirmed taste for the thought ana letters OF the
Fatnerland, and was his constant aid III The study of
them.
"Tbc Poets Journal" was an expression Of the hap
pness for which its author had EXCHANGED the trials
iares established IN inc mansion ne soon IN
Kennett-hs poem was The record or past ani present
feelings II opens the collective edition OF his verse
Is series OF lyucs, going through the range
OF his emotional experiences and has many
interest is found in its revelation OF the authors heart
The prelude 10 the mistress OF Cedarcrofl, is not ex
celled by anything which follows Years afterward.
he made sti more earnest avowal Of his welded con
tent In the fine tribute which closes one OF his rlpest
With thee the ecaspg of sorrow
Hope from thy lps have drawn and subter strength
sharer of dream OF deed, inexble of
Though a =-ace thou art dear, as guardian Muse
thou earnest.
Walking with purer feet the paths Of song that 1
Side by side. unwearied, in cheerful encouraging
Not thy constant wOm0n's heart alone I have
One are We made in patience and faith and high aspra
tiOn.
The poet now had a companion in his wanderlugs. It
writing, lecturiDg, incorporating. went Tor
ward busy. Duties and honors grew upon him.
HE patriotic interest in the civil war gave
birth TO some ringing popular ballads. Shortly
aierward he became our M Gi hssaon at st.
his periodical returns TO the shade OF his own ches1nus
lie TO drama of which the nteI walls were hed with
the music or his poetic work at home. Four-ffths OF
noblest Ofispriug' with the last but the curtain fell
abruptly, and with the putting out Of the lights ended
was of il was marked by experiences Among his
friends he counted the wise and gifted OF many lands
the most noted people of high aud low degree He had
their respect and condolences and his correspondence
kncw-the worlds choicest sprits-was OF itself
liberal education. Ills own letters were delightful ana
a sheet covered with bis beautiful handwriting and
flowing thoughts thing To prize and store away.
When his biography shall be written 1t viii 'e seen how
superior his private letters unrestralned IN their act
and fancy ana critcsn were TO those which he gave
the
Mr. stedman refers to the strange interest winch be-
longs TO the drama OF " Prince Deukaon," ana calls
attention to the artistic skin with which 1t is COM
posed the dignfed and sounding qualities of the
main body Of its and the varying interudes
marked by the authors lyrical felicies in their
turcst range:-
The subject Of Prince Deukalion" is that lay
Ia, iOrs heart. and TO him the most eeyatng
of themes II IS perhaps, too soon to estimate
sincere and tender spirit with which IL written, II
will not be judged Alright The argument is the progress
youth OF the world. to the golden OF the fu
The thought ana treatment Of the drama en-
urey characteristic OF the author. The early portion IA
unqucsiionabiy fine Many passages IN the middle ana
languor Illness and the pressure OF the instinct
wncn made the poet hasten to the completion of his
II il easy to select example the vigorous handling
of The structural verse His Poet declares;
:. am voice, and cannot more be stl
Than high that takes the whirlwnd's stress
Upon the summit Of lOuely ILL.
BE thou wOOng breeze. my song is fair;
And grows the spirit or the starless air
such voices were, ana such must ever be,
Omnlpotent as love, unfOrced as prayer.
In the fourth act, the words OF Agatnon are an
expression OF The sentiment and hopeful philosophy
"But accept-even all this conscious life
Gives IN it, Iullest measnre-gladncss, health,
Clean appetite. and Wilderness of my claim
To knowledge. beauty. aspiration, DOwer
JOY follows action, here and acton bliss.
Hercafter!
But at last and even here seemed as if-tO change
the line of WeDser-the years this loyal and eager
hat hat upon Whch he SOunicd Had he drawn his own
horoscope IT could not have appeared more perfect He
couraged with honors aud Affection aud with the bes
opportunities for the production of work 10 which his
letters strongly impeled him. ali seemed part the
fitness OF things Hereafter he To have calm and
leisure for purely literary life But shadow fell. aud
apace-the very irony OF fate Within the year his
soul required OF him, and more broken snaft
was added to endless coonnade by which testify
the incompeteness Of this our earthly life and express
the pity OF II.
OF the remaining articles In this number there
eral OF more than ordinary interest, giving 1t
usual value even FOR the richlyreghted pages Of
Magazine, but only brief mention can here be made OF
1.-TWO Visits to Victor Hugo" by H. H. Boyesen. the
striking singuarly instructive paperon Nature and
the Poets" by John Burroughs and wreath OF Poems
by American Women" including Mrs. Piat Mrs. MOu