The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1882-03-04

THE POPULAR AMERICAN POET.
Whatever may be said of the preference of
scholarly people, there can be no question that
Longfellow is the most popular of the American
poets, not only at home, but in the United King
dom and the British Colonies as WELL A man of
books, Mr.. Longfellow has lived nevertheless,
outside of the rigid barrier of exclusiveness with
in which many literary folks inclose themselves
His poetry makes him known to every
body, not member of cul-
tured class. but as gentle. sympathetic
refined, tenderhearted and generous thinking
man. The man and the poet are one in the popu-
lar estimation, and they love both him and his
verses, these because they are revelation OF such
sweet, gentle, wise and loving manhood as every
body enjoys to find Mr.. Longfellow's life has
been a widespread blessing He has moved the
great heart of Nations to sympathy with the
wronged. to gentle and refined delight, and sell
dom to indignation at the oppressor, indignation
Deing more than outweighed in feeling for the
victim. The veteran writer is approaching the
seyenty-sixth year of well-spent an industrious,
refined and gentle life. He will be seventy-fiye
years of age on the 9th of this month"; and the
time is opportune for the publication of the main
facts in his life and of recent portrait showing
how the poet looks in his frosty but kindly old
age
Henry wadsworth Longfellow was born at
Portland, Me-, on the 21tn OF February, lcOI. HIS
father was an attorney-atlaw. In 1921 he en-
tered Bowdoin College, and was graduated
therein four years later. He then read law a few
months in his fathers office, pursuit which,
happily, he did not continue. friends who knew
his genius by acquaintance with his College life,
providing him the opportunity of an occupation
of Professor of Modern Languages at Bowdoin,
one entirely proper 10 his bent. To qualify him
self the better for its duties Mr. LongeoT
Immediately succeeding his acceptance
of the offer in Europe, visiting France,
this purpose. He came home in 1929, aud began
his professorship at Bowdoin, which continued
until 1885, when the death of Mr.. George Ticknor.
University, resulted 10 his acceptance OF the va.
cant professorship In that eminent seat of learn
ing. Before actually entering uDon its duties he-
again went to Europe. this time visiting the Scan
dinavfan countries, Germany and Switzerland,
mainly with the view of promoting his acquaint-
the autumn of 1856 he began to teach in Harvard,
and continued there eighteen years, when he was
succeeded in his position by James Russell
Mr.. Longfellows career as an author dates
from his Undergraduate DAYS. during which he
contributed poetry to the columns of the United
States Literary Gazette. While at Bowdoin some
able pieces of literary criticism, the products of
his fertile pen were printed in the North Ameri-
can Review. His first volume of poems saw the
light In 1888. since which, at not infreQuent In
tervals, new volume has appeared. always wei.
coined with pleasure by large constituency OF
aumlrlng, loving readers. There Is no occasion
whatever to detail the numerous productions OF
his pen. Perhaps "Evangeline' and miles
Standish" the best known of his longer
pieces. In the writer's opinion his most effective
work Is seen in some of his lyrics, which
perfect in their construction and per-
vaded with sweetness pensive tenderness
aud humanity. They are carried In the
memory of thousands on both sides of the Allan
tic. and are gems which permanently enrich the
literature of Nations. Hyperion" romance,
is not so well known Mr.. Longfellow's poetry.
His translation of Dante, published I'm 1878,
not be said TO have superseded that of Carey. AS
was before suggested, Mr.. Longfellow's poetry is
not characterized by strength greatness. but by
gentleness, sweetness and refinement, the pro-
duct of vast labor but free from pedantry ar d
afectation. He has given eloquent and simple
voice to the convictions and emotions of good,
everyday kind of people. The forthcoming pro-
ceedings at Portland, commemorative of the day
in which LougfellOw was born, will be regarded
with sympathetic interest wherever their occur
renee is known.
Since 1885 Mr. Longfellow has made two trips to
Europe. one in 1912 and the second in 1865 and
1869. On the last occasion he was made a Doctor
of Laws by the University of Cambridge, England
and a Doctor of Civil Law by that of Oxford In
the same country. In 1873 he was elected a mem
Der of the Russian Academy of Science, and In
1877 of the Spanish Academy. His works have
been translated into the Continental languages OF
Europe. Mr. Longfellow is American whose
illHstrious fame dlgnifies his native LAND, and
whose productions adorn ana invariably benefit
human nature.