Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-16
EaStman's Poems.

after his death, appears second and
complete edition of his poems. An
introduction by George r. Thompson gives
biographical sketch of Mr.. Eastman,
who, from the time his folks went to
Barnard when he was eleven years old,
was genuine Vermonter. We do not
enter into details that are contained in Mr..
Thompson's sketch, for we are sure every
true lover of his state will want the book
itself
The book which is a handsome l2mo
full gilt, with an excellent steel engraving
of Mr. Eastman. is sold by T. c. Phinney
of Montpelier, the publisher, at $3.50. and
will be sent to any one postpaid for that
sum. 1t is copyrighted by Mrs. Eastman.
1t has been issued under the supervision of
NJ. d. Gilman, Esq, and to his care and
good judgment we owe it that the work
appears in such excellent shape-a worthy
setting for the work of II true poet.
Of Mr.. Eastman we will not speak as
we know him but by his works and tradi-
ton. But all they tell of him is pleasant;
to have known him is evidently one of the
grateful pleasures of life TO his old neigh
bors and friends.
There are many things remembered of
him which it would be pleasant to tell in
this connection but we have had no time
for their collection.
1t may be said however that while Mr..
Eastman was painstaking with his compo-
sitions, revising and rewriting in many
instances, some of his best things stand as
they were given by the inspiration of the
moment. Notably the dedication hymn
given below; it had been in a general
way understood that Mr.. Eastman would
furnish one but nothing definite had been
done about it. The evening before the
dedication j. T. Thurston, Esq, and one
or two of his friends visited him and he
had done nothing in the matter not deem
ing that he had promised to furnish poetry
whether or no. But they told him they
must have it and the hymn was written
and ready by morning.
Of his judgment rs to what was poetry
a story is told of q political opponent and
fellow editor-we think it was Hon.
Joseph Poland-who admired MIR. Whit
tier and wanted to know what Mr.. East
man thought of him. So he asked him
and got this answer, What do | think OF
Mr.. Whittier as poet? Why don't you
ask what l think of St. Paul as preach
er?'
We copy below an article in the Literary
NcWS for June, 1880, on Eastmans Poems
This edition of poems by Charles
Carnage Eastman contains not only the
matter of the former edition-that of 184S
but several pieces written after that
date.
Eastman is almost unknown to the
present generation OF readers, but he was
Il true poet of New England, and is not
forgotten by those who once knew the
charm of his pen when at its best. lie
was born in fryeburg, Maine, in 1916;
went to Barnard, Vermont, when a mere
boy; worked his way,through college" at
Burlington, and passed his life in journal
ism and politics. The pretensions of his
paper were political, not literary-it was
virtually the organ of the Vermont de-
mocracy. But he did his politics
thoroughly, too-in his paper and in
conventions; the door of his home shut
out all that side of his life. In that home
and in social life he charmed all who had
the fortune to know him. He died in
Montpelier, September, 1860. Mrs. East
man, with daughter now resident in
Iowa, still survives him.
The causes which have delayed the
present edition so many years beyond
Mr.. Eastman's death are explained in the
preface to this volume. OF the volume
of 1913 John e. Whittier wrote in the
National Era of that day:
MANY of his best pieces were already
familiar with us, and we take real
pleasure in commenting them to our
readers. Simplicity ease and graceful
freedom belonging to the old and pastoral
days of New Notwithstanding which
calls up the memory Of the summer winds
blowing over clover bloom and sweet. brier
Or oflilacs nodding before the open:window
of moonlight night, characterize these
poems. There is nothing to excite the
passions, nothing gloomy and morbid, nc
mystery, no hints of unutterable things
, all is plain, quiet and genial; the Patio!
and the mirth, the sunshine and shadow
of life, among the corn-growing, sheep
raising yeomanry of the mountains o
Vermont. Take the following picture
: for example: The farmer sat in his easy
"Some of the little songs in this collec
= ton are noteworthy, for their artless grace
simple truthfulness, and the entire absenc,
f of meretricous ornament. Mill May is
3 specimen:
+ "Or this:
: She glided down the may dance,
All eyes upon her glancing;
And everybody vowed, who saw,
Twas floating more than dancing.
The bluest eye, the rosiest cheek,
lip like morning weather,
: IFten on the fo,cer and grass you hare
Tile sun and de'c together.'
We could quote many other passage
u which have pleased us, did our limit
:, allow Of it; and in dismissing the volum
we cannot but express the hope, which al
h., = A.