The Portland daily press., 1882-03-03

Hon. Joseph Williamson, of Belfast, has for
warded the following graceful tribute to Long
fellow which arrived too late for the meeting
of the Historical Society:
Leigh Hunt pleasantly says, Il cannot pass
through Westminster, without thinking OF
Milton or the Borough, without thinking OF
Chaucersor Shakespeare; or Gray's Inn, with
out calling Bacon to mind; OR bloomsbury
Square, without Steele and Aikenside." A
similar impressiyeness attaches to any locality
consecrated by the genius OF him whose birth
day we are now celebrating. Not to go beyond
his native State, who can approach this 'beau-
tiful town, that is seated by the sea, and look
upon the shadows of Deering's Woods" or
wander among the pines of Brunswick, that
murmur in low rnonotone," without feeling
that the magic pen of the poet has impaired to
them an interest which they possessed not be-
fore.
Assured that the increase of years will give
value to every object and place with which
Longfellow has been associated | beg to pre-
sent to the Society some memorials of his col
lege life: view of the halls of Bowdoin, sin
whose seclusion and repose," his fame was
born, and a catalogue of the institution, pub
lished sixty years ago this month, in which his
name appears as an humblesF Freshman.
There is story that at some Sunday school
exhibition, the children being asked what is the
best book in the world, next to the Bible,' en-
Enthusiastically replied, "Longfellow's poems."
Liz 08 pfCoolOA VI pOphtdl hhuo @
ready response among many persons of all ages:
not only with those who delight in his numerous
short poems but with those who dwell upon
the exquisite descriptions of Erangeline, or
who enjoy the marvellous translation of the
Divine Comedy. He has touched nothing
which he has not adorned. While immortal
izing scenes in his own country, he has gath
cred green wreaths of fame from the noun
tains of Switzerland and the valleys of the
Rhine and painting with Homeric melody the
of dian ba hasr
dered classic the inhospitable shores and pri-
mevai forests of Nova Scotia. Who has given
to tie world SO many lines of poetic beauty
and refined tenderness of feeling, and yet with
such simplicity of style that they have become
as familiar as household words? Into how
many saddened hearts have they not proved
consolation? How many mourning eyes have
not looked up with brighten ng hope from
the pages in which he has written such hymns
of resignation? SIT is pleasant to remember"
says recent writer. "that in all the variety of
subjects, events and emotions that Mr.. Long
fellow has treated with the poets grace and
art, there is not one mean sentiment or base
word. Nobody has been misled by him into
idleDess, or license, or low pleasure; no one
has had his mind debased by any verse that
Mr.. Longfellow ever wrote" There is
Not one immoral, one corrupted thought
One line which, dying, he could wish TO b,ot.'
His great influence has always been for
good; he has promoted health of mind and
spirit, and has labored in his serene way for
the well-being and well-doing of his race.
"Some suck up poison from sorrows core
AS nought but night-shade grew upon earths
ground;
Love turned all his to heart's-ease, and the more
Fate tried his bastions, she but found door
Leading to sweeter manhood and more sound"
esThe world offers no record of a poets life
and work lovelier than that of Mr.. Longfellow.
"Blessiogs be with him, and eternal praise,
Who gave us nobler loves, ana nobler cares;
The poets who on earth have made us heirs
OF truth and pure delight by heavenly lays"