Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-04-24
The Writings of DR.. Bagby.

Several weeks ago we called attention to
the gratifying fact that Mr.. James Melon
aid and the widow of DR.. Geo. w. Bag
by will publish in book form the writings OF
DR.. Bagby, and in printing the notice we
appended pretty little poem of John Is
ten Cooke. Desirous of getting the volume
into the hands of the readers of THE FREE
Press. we take from the Clarke Courier, the
following communication from the pen OF
Mr.. Cooke-another tribute of genius to
genius:
March "a, 1884:
Editor of tho Clarke Courier Il see in
your excellent paper that the executors OF
DR.. Bagby will publish volume OF his
writings during the summer. The notice
ought to delight every friend of Virginia
literature Dr. Bagby was man whom hls
people cannot afford TO forget-one so emf
nently endowed as thinker and man OF let
ters that to have his best writings IN per-
manent form is piece Of good fortune.
Both rs a writer and an individual Dr.
Bagby was notable person. was long
and intimately acquainted with him, and
the result of this acquaintance was very
great regard for him. lie was naturally re-
served, and may have seemed cold to stran-
gers. but never knew person OF more al
fectionate disposition, or disposed to be more
kindly in his views OF Others. lie was al
ways an invalid, but his philosophy OF life
never became bitter and the sunshine OF his
sweet humor broke through the clouds and
made him delightful companion. When
I first knew him in Richmond ~ an ardent
Young man of letters-in journalism alter
wards-Juring the war-and on his subse-
ouentlecturing tour, when had the pleasure
of seeing him under my own root--in all
these scenes he was the same kindly com
panion and warm friend. His wit was keen
and his satire biting, but he was never un-
lust or ungenerous. All his utterances were
colored by his rich and instructive humor,
and he had the kindness and simplicity OF
child.
As an individual, this eminent Virginian
belongs to his family and friends who SIN
cerely mourn him-as man OF letters he
belongs to Virginia, and | will add, to A.
merica. DO not believe he occupies in let
ters the rank the next generation Will ac-
cord him. Each will judge for himself-ior
myself will say that regard him the lirst
and most original Of American humorlsts.
His merely comic writing Is far from giving
the measure of his genius, and MS best pages
are not those which excite the laughter OF
the reader. His forte lay in n subtle humor
unlike that Of any other English writcr-in
the exquisite mingling of smiles and tears,
of delicate fancy locking at the odd side OF
life, and the sweetest pathos. Ihls to me
was his great characteristic, and | should
think that native Virginians could not fail
TO appreciate it; for it sprung from and was
pervaded by n trait for which there Is no
other word but Virg'a'an'sm.
First and last ne was Nirginian and 'he
only accurate dclineator OF his peopie-oi
their habits, their peculiar views, their loves
and hatreds. their pride and pfejudices, and
ALI that distinguished them from the rest OF
the world. Hesurpasscd all who have treat,
ed of Virginia society. Others have failed
in catching the true likeness he never did.
Tn his pages the life of his time is presented
in its homely details: his men and women
are the actual Virginians: and he has repro
duced every trait with the accuracy OF the
nhotocraph. This is not a small merit, and
the eminent writer never lost sight of his
object In the leaves he scattered during
thirty wears through the journalism OF the
Commonwealth-th humorous stories,
transcripts of character, sketches OF home
life. and satirical paragraphs on everyday,
events as they passed before him-in all
these paces there is not one which does not
present, in this or that outline Of the picture
something peculiar to Virginia. Surely this
fact ought 20 endear him to Virginians-that
he has summed up the CHARACTERISTIC traits
of his race and epoch in these vivid pages;
But his genius went beyond, and entitled
him TO n high rank among the illustrations
Of English literature. His humor had Inc
subtle and evasive charm OF the essays OF
Lamb-to whom hazard my personal opin-
ion he was superior. 1t is doubtful whether
this humor was fully appreciated outside OF
Virginia-it was born OF the native soil, took
its color from it, and appealed TO the native
Virginian. Another fact in connection with
this underestimate was the fugitive charac-
ter of his publications. Almost all that he
wrote appeared in the newspapers of the
day: these were read and thrown aside, II
indeed they were seen by many outside OF
the State and the writings OF q man who
will eventually rank with the most eminent
of Americans are nearly unknown.
1t is impossible that virginians will not
welcome the works of this great humorist IN
a collected form. If they are Indifferent the
fact will prove what their critics have made
a reproach 10 them-that they attach no In
terest whatever to their native literature.
Respectfully yours,
JOIN EsTEN COOKE.