The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-06
POETS REGARDS.
"Reminiscences of Thomas Buchanan Read
and e. ID. Grafton.

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and e. ID. Grafton.
Mrs. D. NJ Jordan in Commercial Gazette.
In glancing over ali old file of newspapers
recently, the writer discovered the notice of
an evenings entertainment for some sanitary
purpose. given at Richmond soon after the
war, and it was like unfolding panorama of
the past to read it. 1t was in those stirring
days when prompt action carried forward al
most any enterprise to success, and men who
had money gave ii freely, IL was the second
occasion on which 'Sheridan's Ride was
given to the world by its author and the ap-
probation was something most gratifying to
that somewhat vain poet.
He came to the city accompanied by his
most intimate friend and boon companion.
Mr.. E. d, Grafton, the eminent artist of your
city, and the impression which their visit
left upon those who met them was most
agreeable
1t was happy thought of few gentlemen
to give them convivial supper after the
evenings entertainment and from one who
was present we learned how charmi ngly the
brilliant poet and artist acquitted themselves
and captured the hearts of the entire COM
pany. Read was in one of his proud and
royal humors when he felt richer than a
prince. Such moods were not common with
him, for he was, at times, the most silent and
misanthropic of melancholy poets. He
sparked and hubbled like the wine of the
banquet, and recited in his most dreamy and
captivating manner his exquisite Drifting"
Only those who have heard him can fully
catch the sentient joy of the scene Drifting
in the Bay of Naples in the afternoon of a
dreamy summer day is as near elysium as
poetical souls can imagine:
heed not if
Ny ripping skif
Float fast or slow, from cliff to cliff,
With dreamful eyes,
My spirit lies
Under the walls of Paradise
Under the walls
Where sWells and falls
The Bays deep breast at intervals.
Over the rail
My hand 1 trail,
Within the shadow of the sail.
But the poem is familiar to all who love
the poet-painting of the divinely gifted
Read Another one of his dainty and yet
inexpressiby sad poems is the "Withering
Leaves" and this was also given to the de-
lighted little party of entertainers. 1t begins
as follows:
oh, weep for the days when my Heart was all
truth;
When the dew bathed my feet in the valley Of
Now my life is all shorn of its beautiful sheaves.
And NY feet make loud noise in the whitening
leaves.
Mr.. Grafton was no less charming than
Read, and his witty stories, brilliant re-
partee, and delicious singing with the guitar
made most memorable evening for all who
were so happy as to have enjoyed it. He
sang Flow Gently, Sweet Alton" with such
tender expression that it went straight to
the hearts of his hearers.
1t is popular error to suppose that the
gifted and brilliant are not properly appreci-
ated beyond the cultured circles of city peo-
pie. 1t proved the reverse on that happy &C.
casion, for it remains fresh and delicious in
the memory of those who enjoyed it even to
this day, and one of its brightest features is
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men did not feel that they were wasting
themselves upon the desert air."