The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-08
UNMARRIED WRITER'S.

pen in the domain OF letters never entered
upon that relationship which is of all
others in life the most sacred.
Who are few, at least, among the
number belonging to the class referred
to7 First OF all let me mention Pope,
one of the most intellectual poets of
any period, precocious as boy, and
in manhood the wonder of all who en-
joyed the fruits of his genius. Still,
notwithstanding all his greatness in lit
erature, and as the admired of great
people during bis lifetime, as the admired
of countless numbers to-day, it is really
doubtful il be ever loved any woman.
And had he done so, would it have been
possible for eny woman to return his
love? Pope owned charming home at
Twick enham, not far from London; be-
side, he was in receipt OF handsome in
come yearly. But how in the world
could any women take fancy to man
who, notwithstanding his geniue, fame and
wealth, was ph physically a miserable dwarf,
and more or less of the time a sufferer
from disease? And so Alexander Pope
lived and died bachelor.
With Cowper the case was different. A
poet of rare gifts and in person attractive,
he was exceedingly shy and gloomy, in
the latter particular even to the verge Of
insanity ITSELF Still, Cowper was great
ly admired by women, in two instances
by women like Lady Austen and Mrs. Un-
win, who, had their lot been otherwise
cast, could easily have loved him. AS it
was, however, they gave the lonely man
their best friendship, while in each OF
their homes the poet found for years chat
tender sympathy and regard SO dear to
one of Cowper's sensitive Temperance Mt.
There is nothing on record to show
that the author of "The Deserted Viii
lage," ever loved women. He was always
too much engrosfe ed in books and liter
airy toll and "the club" to give any atten.
ton to woman, even had he been Inclined
to do 80. And yet, Oliver Goldemiih had
loveable nature, and I have often
thought that, had circumstances been
otherwise, he could very easily have won
to himself adevoted wife, and so, perhaps,
have escaped some of the misfortunes
which fell to him.
Thon as Gray probably never loved but
one woman in the world and she was his
mother. His regard for her is said to
have bordered on idolatry and, after she
died, he could never mention her name
without tears filling his eyes. William
Collins never married. He was always en-
unhappy mortal, and at one period in his
life somewhat addicted to dissipation. At
heart he was really a gentle spirit and
wholly untitled for the struggle OF earth
ly existence. He died at the early age of
thirty EIGHT, sincerely monrned my many
friends. The love Of Lambs heart was
for his sister Mary. His regard for her
was ever subject Of remark among all
who knew the two and probably no purer
affection was ever bestowed on woman
than in this instb1lce. Much Of Lambs
best work in literature was due to the in
huence of his sister, herself person of
rare intellectual endowmente, who, like
her brother, never married.
John Keats, though he appeared to
disdain the idea that he cared to ever
marry, did love, as his letters testify,
while much of his exquisite verge shows
how deep and abiding was this passion
within him. He died while yet on the
breshold OF manhood, but had consump-
ton and had the merciless reviewers with
held their poisonous darts he might have
lived to marry the one girl OF his undy.
ing affections. Macaulay appears to haze
been too thoroughly given over TO Der
allure and politics to indulge in mesrimo-
ny and throughout his life the q liz very
little to show that he thouoF.6 especially
highly of women. Arthur Hugh Olough
never married, and Swinburne, though he
affects to love beautiful women so far as
is known has never asked one to marry
him. Jane Austen, one OF the earlier Eng
lish novelists, remained unmarried to the
hour of her death, as also Mary Russell
Milford, the author Of soar Village" one
of the most delightful stories in all Eng
lish literature.
Among American writer's, it will be
remembered that Washington Irving, in
early manhood, was engaged to lovely
girl who passed from earth at the age OF
eighteen. To the hour of his death, her
lover of more than two score years before
with great tenderness continued to cher
ish her beautiful memory and, when he
died, there lay on table at bis bedside
little Bible, given him in the 'long ago."
on fly leaf of which was written, by the
giver, the name of Mary Hoffman. SO
far as is known, Whittier has never
sought the hand of woman in marriage.
However, it is related of him that in early
life he loved sweet young girl of whom
he sings in the sad and tender ballad,
any Playmate" His love was such as a
bashful boy bestows on shy maid. The
twain were separated while yet in youth
by the removal of the maiden's parents
to the far south; and the two never after
ward met.
1t is said that Fritz Green Halleck once
exhibited much fondness for young
lady, whom he became acquainted with
after he had attained to manhood's years,