Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-25
Mortified Items.

The fifth lecture Of the Mortified free course
was delivered on Wednesday evening last at +,
IIowes hall by Professor A. W. Edison Of Ran
doph The subject Of his discourse was, "The
Poet az an Educator" Ranking the poet accord
ing to the ancient standard AZ Zone among the
prophets" the speaker essayed to dignity his
position by placing him now In the front rank OF
educators lie said, In ali ages ringing rhymes
and melodious phrases have exerted an influence
far beyond their real merit, and particularly has
this been the case among uncvilzed tribes, UNI
formed minds, and among children. From the
earliest times the poet rs historian and as a
seer, In hia versifying and storytelling way has
found willing ears and received fusome praises,
and II he has Mt times thought fit TO put on airs
and ape the ways OF a superior being, people have
been found ready 10 assist In his fancied eeva-
ton. The true end Of poetry is to strengthen and
purify mans faith and raise his soul to a full
communion with the true, the honest the just,
the pure, the lovely and those Of good repute.
Among the early educators Of this class Job was
named as teaching perfect lesson of faith and
trust, The Palms furnish us with evidence Of
the glory and excellency Of the Most High. Prov
erbs give us the experience Of life. Ecclesiastes
inquiries into the chief good Of man and lays
down the rules necessary to a happy life. The
Persians and Arabians, wild and nomadic and
consequently uneducated, met death fearlessy
when melted thereto by their poets. Homer as
the one poet OF Greece might almost be named,
also historian, prophet, priest and king, and said
to embody almost the entire poetic life of the age
and to embrace also almost the entire manliness
Of the nation down to the present day. Homer
directed the PASSIONS formed the manners, ami
tod 20 artta NJ anita nd nj oA Ia
making Greece the most noted and the most pow
| full nation on the world The Ened" formed
on plans like the Had and odyssey, copies also
the style and with similar subject succeeds in maxi
ing Virgil become to Rome what Homer had been
to Greece. Horace, more refined, charmingly
and faithfully portrays the state Of Roman society
In bis times Coming then to the field Of English
poetry the difficulty of treating in an essay, even
briefly, the many poetic lights Of the nation was
stated and their influence was traced from the ear
lest times. Chaucer the father Of English poetry,
was classed a reformer in literature, in morals
and In chivalry. Spenser did much for the revi-
val OF true chivalry, and the speaker said, "The
Faery Q ieene became the delight Of gentlemen,
the mode Of every poet, and the soace of every
scholar" Shakespeare, the greatest man in litera-
ture, formed whole library Of knowledge and
| experience Of men and matter character, moral
ity, imagery and passion. Milton, next in rank,
embodies genius, philanthropy, learning and vir-
tue, and has given the world more ideas, II not
more knowledge, OF hell and of heaven than the
Bible and all other books. A long list OF English
poets were named and their influence as educa
tors stated. Byron was described as the poet Of
passion and Of passion Of mischievous tendency
Tennyson, highly moral, has raised the standard
of thought and culture. Scotland was said to
have come in with two warriors and gone out
| with two bards Burns educated in love, patriot
ism and pleasure. Scott was national and heroic,
and inspired a spirit OF enthusiasm and chivalry.
Coming then to the discussion Of American poetry
the speaker alluded to the want in early times Of
poet OF the type OF Homer and Of the opportu-
nifty such poet might have improved, and, nam
ing Longfellow claimed that In him we can boast
of poet whose fame Is worldwide. Purity Is
the most excellent and excelling trait Of our poets.
They are almost without exception, men Of great
moral worth; they gave us poetry which confers
Strength Of principle and energy OF purpose.
Bryant the speaker said, was reckoned as one Of
our leading poets. Whittier was called the favor
lite poet. Holland and many others were briefly
noticed, dwelling especially their influence NOR
ally and in that way a. educators, claiming more
IN this direction ior Tue poets Oh America IMAM
cou'u DC tigh'iuiiy CLAIMED lot those Oh any Guns.
country our poe's look On inc or'sh' siue Vi
NE ana 90 not oepress our spir''s Or moral sensi
oiliues ana IN mos. Oh them 'he rengious eieihen'
prominent great poe' Is necessarily s'e"'
moral teacher' Is a Distinguished iriena Vi man
he puts spirit vi ms in.o .ne UNIVERSE anu
ut'ers that which Is :" oe wai'ea Wy 'he ~ihus vi
heaven. roe'ry oea's Will men shisner natures
pui'nes, eaai's anu ennooies ~ ni,s .n' III
'er'uues Vi iie WIN sung anu 'ia' Snouiu 10 oon
siuereo greatest "nlon uniolus WIN siea'eS' am
pn'nue NORA eHceNenee Inc poet mas pro'eo
hinseii an educator In inc inquest aegtee' he
mas peeh prophet historian ana aenVerer
mas given the word perfect lessons Oh iaitn ana
trust, mas incuica'ed wariRe spirit anu oes'r'
ior glory anu renown, HAS inSpiieo 'housn' ant
acuon IN every neiu' mas promoted chlvairy ant
s,u' ,n' n. los 49, ~, =. -"
"'u' o,o'eus eoy .,y", sa W p.essn
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