The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-03-12
ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE.

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related by the press Of that city, h
yielded to the subtle influence of III
glass, and then temporary madnes
ensued; he became boisterous, Ill
managible and dangerous, and wa
consigned to Jail until the fumes I
his debauch could subside. Upon hi
Liberation he went to his room at th
Washington House, and, pierced wit
"a devouring sense of humiliation, IT
morse and despair, sought to end hi
lite by throwing himself from tn
window of the second story.
Mr.. Hoskins, although very young
(about "a years Of age,) has hat
considerable journalistic experience II
this State. For several years befor
his majority he rendered valuable as
sislance to his father in the editorial
and publishing departments of the
Lexington Advertiser. At about thu
age of twenty he removed to Corintl
where he married worthy young
girl, and published for several months
paper in that city devoted to the
advocacy of the Greenback craze. He
however, became Disguised with this
so-called party, disposed of his paper
in some way, and returned to Lexing-
ton. During his career as "a Journal
ist he INDUCED his penchdnt fol
poetry, and wrote many fugitive
pieces, in several of which the impair.
tial reader could detect something OF
the true fire of genius.
At length he gave the finishing
strokes to the clostng staoLas Of his
boss poem, Atlantis" This is the
touching story of lost Island-a
beautiful miniature empire in the
middle of the ocean, where the
oranges grew, and where peace, hap
mess, wealth and culture dwelt. 1t
was a happy land shut out from the
rude glare of the big world; but am
bition came to spoil it, as ambition
usually does. A bold and daring
buccaneer determined to usurp the
crown and rule this beautiful eden.
He succeeded i'm his nefariOus attempt,
but the lovely Island, as if overcome
with shame to he dominated by an
sunk down into its ocean
bed, carrying with it the usurper and
all other living things. Since this
catastrophe we have had no tidings
from Atlantis"
This poem of Atlantis" though
short, abounds in different characters
such as heavenly maidens, conserva-
tive rulers, astute conspirators, orthO-
dox conjurers, hypocritical premiers,
and faithful lovers. 1t strikes us as a
very fine poetical conceit and the
poetry itself is not bad there are nu-
merous lines which voice sentiments
of grandeur and loftiness, worthy to
be embalmed in the next volume of
poetical quotations.
But the idea of publishing book,
this and other poems
took possession of our young friend,
aud this is the rock upon which he
was wrecked-this the road which
ed TO his despair and attempted sui
tide. Mr.. Hoskins was too ether
al-too unreal. That he has genius
his book proves, but he is defective in
ballast. Poetry never paid since
freeze and Rome played OUTFIT is
lever understood. until the poet is
lead. Robert Burns starved to death |
N it. Goldsmith, as long as he wrote
poetry, had to live on one square
neal day. 1t was not until he de-
cended to prose that he was able to
ret enough to eat from his writings. |
Byron was rich and didn't need to be
aid, and for that reason publishers
we're willing to pay him for his poetry.
shakespeare is the only man since
he fall of Rome who ever made a
financial success during his life with
oetry, and even in his case posterity
bowed more appreciation of his col
)ssal genius than his contemporaries
id. 1t is sad day for young man
ian in this country to start out in
fe on poetry. II he succeeds he can
ever command success.
Young Hosklns by great personal
iertions succeeded In getting enough
subscriptions to bring out an edi-
on of " Atlantis, and Other POEMS"
is a nice book of about 800 pages
e had banked largely on the eager
ceptance which the public would
cord it. But of course, he was DOOM
to bitter disappointment, and of !
urse, the book was bound to prove a /
lancial disaster. 1t is the fate OF :
lndreds who have preceded him in I
G same beaten track of failure. The !
story of modern literature scarcely
cords the financial success of a
igle book Of poems.
With the dreams Of fame and public :
probation slowly dissolving into !
nd realities-with canker of keen S
gulsh gnawing at his soul oyer his b
st great disappointment-and stung i
tn an overwealing sense Of failure c
ID disgrace-he felt that life had be- Q
me burden too great to bear, and .
he sought to end IL In the a
amer described.
The reports say that when he fell on Il
e brick pavement he was terribly n
used, but was still conscious, and 81
d that he had committed the rash b
with the deliberate purpose Of ?
stroying himself. He will prob y
ly recover. We indulge the hope ;
at he will. IL he do, the lesson a
II teach him that true greatness Al
ght to be able to bear disappoint- W
mt, and that real genius can snatch b
} glittering tallisman Of power out g
the very jaws Of despair, and evoke o.
cess out Of the very ashes Of -
lure. -