The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-03-17

lessons of love and wisdom which were to influence his writings in after years. His biographer, Mir. Winter, tells us that the poet early became a close student and sincere admirer of Byron, and for several years he kept diary in the me ter of Don Juan" We should like 10 know to what extent the English bard in- fuenced the younger poet. making him subjective and gloomy in his pursuit of art; influence him he certainly did, and ,ha; to marked degree. Young Ar holds home training was wholesome and geod, and though in after days he erred and did wrong he never forgot the kindly teachings of his father and mother. bu, was wiser and better for having had such parents,
 In iS49 his parents removed from Illi- nois and settled at Strawberry Farms, in New Jersey. A Fouirerite community had been established near there a few years before: but at that time, like so many other similar undertakings, ii was slowly breaking up and it's members were drifting back again into the grea, world which looked on with contempt and in~ difference at this abortive effort for social ref nm. During the next three years the future poet saw much of these would-be reforners. and from this cause lis mind took on feeling of contempt for fanatics and the like, which characterized him during the rest of his life. However, his mind, influenced by his surroundings, took on philosophical tone and he early cvinoed a disposition to view the grea, subject of things as they are and as they ought to be- through the unprejudiced eyes of common sense; and this gives to his poems and other writings piquancy and vigor that will be found in few other writers. His most notable poem in this direction. which was probably the out growth of his early associations with ex- Fouriertes was after all the cant of the present day. which makes work the high es, and noblest blessing ever given to man, it is decidedly refreshing to read such lines as these: Well, why no, preach up lazincss think i,
 would be we'll II some who cry II down a sin could only feel
 i,s spell.
 The hard. ascetic naturcs-thosc who look
 for naught but use h everything one says or does-whose spir
 i,s arc obiuse Io al the glorious gains of art, 10 all the
 joys oi sense. And MhO cut their pathways straightly by
 Poor Richards eioqucnce "A. kssel l. there not T power above the
 human mind That works out all our problems, be they
 e'er 50 iark!y blind. Aad after all does man the unit when his life
 done
 | !. |.
 tie ~on
 Nc think not. We lay our plans, but when
 our life star paies We learn that human PreSoienee inevitably
 fats.
 Napoleon on his island. and Columbus Tn hls
 ChalHs- Are these the proud successes, then, for
 which se iAss such pa:as, Al, many a one has started forth with hope
 ani purpose high, Has tough, throughout s weary lie and
 passed all pleasure by; Has burst all howery chains by which men
 ave have been snthraiicd. Has been stone deAf to voices sweet, that
 softly, sadly called Has seorned the flashing goblet with the
 bubbles on its brlm, Has turned his back on le~elsd hands that
 mAdly beckoned him Has HI Il "ofu Couuc!nueu himself 10 follow
 out his plan hs stern and loa-ly labor aAd-has died
 conquered man Look back, ye men of ioiiy aims, N ho lnsour
 yoaih asfired Q Win some Prlxe-m th love of gold or
 glory yc were hrcd; But now: Let those who count three-seorc-
 and ten fthl circles past Tell how much they have gained and lost
 how much they hold II last Napoleon and Columbus, and lcgions more
 whose names We never even heard of-thesc were men of