Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-28
LOngfeIIOw.

son & Co., and G.. W. Jones & Co.,
wholesale agents.
LOngfeIlOw.
I he following estimate of Longfel-
low by Mr.. James T. Fields was given
in a lecture at Boston last year The
distinguished lecturer intimacy with
the poet adds interest to his remarks:
Dir. Field began by saying: When l
hear the question raised, as it so often
is, whether TennysOn or Lohgfellow
is the superior living poet, | call to
mind Goethe remark when discus
sion arose as to whether he or Schil.
Ter was the greater man. you should
thank your stars, said Goethe, that
you have not got two such fellows as
he and / instead of wasting your time
in so frivolous discussion" Proba-
bly, Longiellow's reputation will need
time to give it due perspective, but
permanent praise and not temporary
renoTh will be his award. God some
times gives to a poet the power Of
communicating through printed pages
the same vibrations of hope, love,
pity, reverence, piety and beauty that
exists in the poets own heart, and to
no one las he vouchsafed this gift
more abundantly than to Longfellow.
When Longfellow stood up to read the
Morituri Salutamus 10 his surviving
classmates at BoWdoin College. at
their fitch anniversary, the feeling
inspired by his noble presence that
day was as deep an inborn love for his
character as it was Of earnest admira-
ton for his genius. No one who was
present on that most interesting coca
sion could misunderstood the place
now occupied by LongfellOw in the
heart of the people When Sidney
Smith in one of his lectures spoke Of
Dugald Stuart, who was then living,
he referred to him in these terms: II
know no reason why Stuart is not
ranked among the first writers of the
English language except that he is
still alive, and, continues Smith.
my own most hearty wish is that
cause Of his depreciation may operate
for many years to come" This
sentiment Mr.. Fields said he
adopted most warmly when he
spoke of our American poet. To day
there is no disputing the fact that
Longfellow is more popular in the best
sense than any other living poet, that
his books are more widely circulated
command greater attention and bring
more copyright money than those o.
any other author, not excepting Ten
nyson, now writing English verse
Mr.. Fields claimed that having such {
native writer, we have a splendid of
set to much that is base and unhealthy
among us-that the product Of hi
muse is a noble counterbalance to oul
immoralities and broken promise
generally.
The speaker said that Longfellov
had always been the champion of hu
man rights He was an abolitionis
long before anti-bondage becam
popular. His outspoken word
against traffic in slaves belong to tn
literature ofliberty. Justice to womsI
, also has ever been emblazoned on hi
! shield. In politics and religion thos
, are his creeds which embraces tn
sOundest peace on earth and the great
est good will to men, and women also
! In his generosity and benevolence
! am reminded Of what Pope said OF hi
friend Garth, He is the best 0
; Christians without knowing it.
. Mr.. Fields referred TO Longfellow'
first volume, which came out Of tn
Cambridge press in 1899, and which
+ known TO all lovers ofpoetry. Instan
} taneously the little book of song spe
! tfiumphantly on its way. II wa
{ quoted at the Preside and in the pul
3 pit, in the cabin and in the forecast,
: Men and women ready 10 perish 90
J hold of it, and from these deep els
J terms OF hope and confidence and Low
. threw something that quenche
despair and gave them
Heart for any fate"
& Longfellow's lines may have the al
Of leaving off at the right verse. Man
( of our modern poets have tendenc
: to ininitude, and sing on after tn
: melody has ended naturally. WilliaI
5 Morris not only makes his readeri
{ heads, but their backs also ache b
his prolixity. Somebody once said {
Z prominent writer that he was a gres
9 master OF the too much.
Mr. Fields spoke Of tho exquisit
procession Of the young and the beau
t tiful that will always wander in pei
. ennial loneliness through the pages {
/, song. Prisciosa, Eyangeline. Elsi,
5 Santa Filomena, Minnehaha, Priseill
{ can never grow old or pass away. 1t
Q a beautiful tribute to Longiellow
: genius that all young people delight !
: his poetry as they do. His poems al
s full of grand and healthy lessons
r all Mr., Fields spoke Of the poet
d great learning, his mastery Of lar
: guagcs, ancient and modern, and b
3 skill as translator, and he corrected
d remark in the life Of George TicknC
b with reference TO Longfellow's tram
= lation Of Dante, which Ticknor say
q occupied twenty-five years Of th
tranalaforia lifa wharaaa I,onafello