The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1886-05-20

Critici>m--Just aud Apprcciatt.e--o
Mr.. Thee. Hill', poetas
Especial Cor srArs CHRONICLE

loAfEtaH> IN il criticism upon The poems of
Mr. laeo- II. HILL pronounce, him the
snIy true poet that North Carolina has
ever produced While | do not failN in
/ dorSe the opinion expressed by thl~ "a
/ celi@nt and able critic do not hesitate IN
/ agreeing with him when hc claims that
/ Mr. Hill Il a true poet
North Carolina II lacking ia literature
/ ot It's own. That II has produced "a few
/ clever writers is an undeniable fact: but
We cannot say that il has given birth to
+ any writer OF a national reputation -un
less Christian Read" is entitled Ia this
distinction; and | am very doubtful about
her being As well known outside Of her
native State as She j, in H. But the state
has within It's borders "A few disciples Of
literature of whom North Caroilulans
should be proud, even if they are unknown
10 fame And among the few literary
children 70 whom the old North State has
| gwen birth, none deserve more promi
nent place IN the affections of It's people
than Theophius II. Hill, of Raleigh
That Mr.. AIil Is poet in the trucSt
sense of the word, no reader Of poetry
who is competent to judge will DENY
Whether he has written anything that will
live after he Is gone, time alone can tell.
In an age when 50 much is being said and
written, when almost every day brings
forth new rival for literary renown who
Ia something with which he hopes TO
attract the attention of the populace it
Is indeed a hard matter To tell who will be
remembered and who forgotten SO many
| names that once gave promise Of living
forever on the tablet of fame, have long
ago been forgotten; and so many seem
lngly brilliant and deathleSs productions
have long since been lost in the vortex Of
neglect, and consigned to eternal oblivion.
that 1t Is vain for mortal man to say This
mans works shall live forever, and his
name shall shine i'll the galaxy of literary
lmmortals as long as the stars of heaven
shine,
The lover of poetry will find Mr. HIS
verses abounding in exquisite little gems
that sparkle and CLEAN all through his
works. There is a vein of tenderness run
ming through all of his poems that betrays
"A great, sympathetic heart in the bosom
of the author. His verses are poems of
nature, springing spontaneously from the
heart, and speaking TO the souls as we'll as
to the minds of men. The ripple of the
brook; the los, musical brcathngs of the
wind, as it wanders through the green
leaves of summer; 1.-The drowsy hum of
the murmuring bees" and above all, the
songs of the angels as
'"They ho> cred in the golden air
Their golden censers swinging
And woke the drowsy shepherds there
With their seraphic singing
these are some of the voices that are heard
echoing through his poems
That MIR. Hill is a great poet, | do not
claim Indeed | would hesitate to say
that any of our living poets are great =
but that some of his poems show the touch
of masterhand is "a self-evident fact
Had some of his productions come from
the pen of Longfellow they would be
placed side by side with several of that
authors most popular pieces. Mr.. Hills
''DiSenchantment' contains more true
poetry than there is in Longfellow's
psalm of Life" do not mean to place
Longfellow and Mr.. Hill on an equal foot
ing, but | simply give this instance as an
illustration. In the Last Estate we are
graphically reminded of the immortal
Poe. This is weird poem which tells of
the sad fate that befell one of the ''islands
of the blest." When Love was the lord
that reigned over all,
Fairy footprints sparkied there;
Heavenly music filled the air;
Darkness, silence, and despair
Fled on noiseless raven plumes.
Spring awoke the dreaming flowers
Birds in hymeneal bowers
Sang away the halcyon hours,
But bye and bye Love was dethroned; the
hearts that were once warm with affection,
grew cold and now
Joy trets the palace wall:
Crumbling arch and column fall;
Mould and canker oven all,
Hold a ghostly carnival"
The ''GanSese Dream" is one of the
most exquisitely woven, and daintily ex-
hat l n
the rare fortune of reading. No extract
from it can convey any adequate idea Of
the grandeur and beauty of the poem.
Willie" i'll memory of ''the little boy
that died. is one of the most touching
and pathetic poems in the English ian
guage. The religious poems from his pen
are full of the true spirit of Christianity,
and plainly tell that the poet trusts in the
light that shone from "the star above the
| manger.
A great many Of the authors best verses
| | have failed to noticc-indeed, if | should
attempt to name all the good things from
his pen, would have to give the titles Of
! all the poems i'll his dainty little volume
! of 'SPassion Flower, and Other Poems, "
which was issued two or three years ago.
| | hope that the public will relieve me Of
this pleasant task, by getting the book and
reading the good things therein contained
! for themselves.
am glad that North Carolina has given
| birth to such a true poet as Mr.. Hill. !,
for one, am proud that he is native of
the old North State; and prouder still will
! | be when | see his native State accord to
| him the love and consideration which he
SO truly deserves. And beg leave to as
sure Mr.. Hill that he need have no fear Of
remaining "nameless seeker Of name, "
for
Though no earthly adulaton
/ Crown the minster,-crOwnt the urn.
/ There Will be coronation
Human eye may not discern
An epiphany immortal,
May for past eclipse atone:
4 Though at Deaths unhonored portal,
Stand no cenotaph of stone
Honor waits on high endeavor,
Holding high award in trust;
Pledges to her seed forever,
Resurrection from the dust
JAMES CHESTER ROCKWELL
For Co1gres>--t.en. W. X. Cox.
Especial Cor. STATE CHI:ONICLF1
We notice a disposition in the Dstric
not to return Gen Cox to Congress. TIN
should not be. No man who has seryet
his country SO gallantly az he, should bt
set aside for men OF less conspicuous ser
vice. The men who took up arms TO de