The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-06-24

William Cullen Bryant was born at Cum
mington, Massachusetts,, November 3D., 1874
In his early youth he displayed great precoc-.
ity, and il was great pleasure to him to
wander through the grounds about his home
and enjoy the beauties of nature. His father
was Peter Bryant, local physician, who had
entertained the hope of his son choosing his
profession, but when he found that this was
not to be he cheerfully abandoned that idea
and gave all the assistance which he could to
his son in following the career which he had
decided upon.
1t is said that his first poetical attempt was
paraphrase of the first chapter of the book
of job, which he wrote in his tenth year.
Numerous other poems followed this, among
which were The Embargo, and another enti-
tied The Spanish Revolution, both of which
were written in his fourteenth year. Some
of these poems his friends caused to be pub
lished. They were well received by the pub
lie, but it was believed by few that they
were written by 30 young person as William
Cullen Bryant, and his friends had to certify
to the fact that they were really his produc-
tons.
At the age of sixteen he entered Williams
College, where he remained two years. He
intended then to enter Yale College, but his
father being in Strengthened circumstances,
he was forced to give up this plan.
He then studied law with Judge Howe, of
Worthington, for two years. In 1915 he was
admitted to the bar at Plymouth. Two years
afterwards he removed to Great Darlington,
and while at this place practiced his profess
sion with great zeal, at the same time pursu-
ing his literary work, but not allowing it to
interfere with his profession.
A few years afterwards he removed to New
York-being strongly urged to do so by his
friend, William Sedgwick. Mr.. Bryant now
gave up his profession, which he had never
liked, and devoted himself wholly to his lit
erary work.
He soon assumed the editorial charge of
periodical called The New York Review, to
which many able writers contributed, but 1t
proved failure. Shortly after he became
connected with the Evening Post, of which
William Coleman was editor. His connection
with this journal lasted a long time, and un-
der his supervision it became a very noted
paper.
In 1915 Mr.. Bryant and his family went TO
Europe. They made quite an extended tour
through France, Germany and Italy. During
his absence he left Mr.. Sedgwick in charge of
the Evening Post. but, Mr.. Sedgwick being
taken ill, Mr.. Bryant was compelled to return
sooner than he had intended.
He subsequently made several visits to Eu-
rope. from whence he wrote series of very
interesting letters to his paper under the title
of . Letters from Spain and other Countries.
On occasion of the death of eminent Amer
leans he was often called upon to pay tribute
to their memory. At the unveiling of the
statues of Scott, Shakespeare and Goethe he
was chosen to deliver discourses.
During the winter months Mr.. Bryant was
accustomed to reside at New York portion
of the summer he spent at Cummington. his
native town. and the remainder of the year at
country seat at Roslyn, Long Island, which
he purchased in 1916. The house at Roslyn
was quite old, but the poet fitted up that and
the grounds beautifully. The house was very
pleasantly located, surrounded by hills, and,
scattered about the grounds were fruits and
flowers and beautiful trees in abundance
Here at Cedarmere (the name of his mansion
at Rosyn) most of his important work was
accomplished In 1872 Mr.. Bryant presented
to the town III which he had lived so long
Roslyn Hall, public building in which lee
lures and concerts might be held.
Although Mr.. Bryant exceled in his poeti-
cal writings, yet he was considered very fine
prose writer. His poems are purely moral,
simple and grand. Most of his thoughts are
takeU from nature. Among LIS pOeIlS ilOSl
admired are Thanatopsis, The Flood of Years,
The Ages. and The Death of the Flowers
Thanatopsis was written i'll the poets nine
teenth year. and is considered one of his best
productions. 1t is remarkable that youth of
that age could write poem of such depth of
thought and feeling as this.
In his I'D year Mr. Bryant translated the
Illiad, and in the following year the Odyssey
which is thought to be one of the best Eng
lish versions. Thus it may be seen that the
poet did some of his hardest work in his old
age.
Mr.. Bryant made his last public appear
ance in New York, May 20, 1873, at the I'M
yelling of the statue of Mazzini. On his re-
turn he was accompanied by friend and, as
he was mounting the steps of his home he
fell backward, striking his head against the
stone platform of the steps, receiving serious
injuries. He fingered along until the 10Th OF
June, when he died.
During the poets whole life he endeavored
and truly may it be said he succeeded, i'll car
rying out the words with which he closed his
Thanatopsis
SO live that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerabe caravan that moves
TO the pale realm of shade, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent hall Of death,
Thou go not, like the galley-slave at night,
Scourg d to his dungeon, but, sustained and soohd
BY an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.