The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-12
J. r. LOWELL rs GONE.
Died This Morning at Cam
bridge, His Birthplace.
POET. REFoRMER. DIPLOMAT.
A Pioneer In the Abolition Movement
The "BigIow Papers'-Msnister to
Engisnd-Mugwump ut Last.

BosroN. Aug Thames Russell Lowell died
this wednesday, morning at 2:10, at his home
fn Cambridge.
James Russell Lowell was born in Cambridge,
Mass, February u, 1919. he was the youngest
of FIVE children of Rev. Charles Lowell. His
birthplace was the old Tory mansion known a.
"Eimwood." Young lowell entered Harvard
University in bis 18th year, graduating In
the college paper Hdrvdrdsdnd, in which he pub
lished some OF his minor literary productions.
But his first notable literary production was his
class poem. composed 1ndsr the following err
college, temporarily, for inattention TO his
studies, and went 70 Concord 70 pass his en-
forced vacation. During this brief period of
rest be was brought into the companIonship of
transcendentsists, who were IN the habit at
that time OF gathering at the home OF
Emerson. Then began that friend.
ship which, despite the playful
saIfies of the young poets earlier writings,
terminated only with Emerson's death. Lowell
attended the law-school Of Harvard, received
his degree, and was admitted to the bar In 1870.
The only record Of the practice Of his profession
Is found In a story entitled .'My. First
Client" In the "Boston Miscellany"
and devoted himself to literature In ls4l he
wrote . volume of poems, published under the
title of "a Years Life" and written under the
influence OF the woman who became his wife.
ardent sboiitonist, and her influence assisted
I'm turning his thoughts 70 the serious side of
the cause to which ne rendered the greatest
service. Lowell and his wife were regu.
lar contributors to the Liberty Bell, aud
his name appeared in lS4S, as corresponding
editor In the 1ntt1Saperv Standard In this pa
per, from 1888 to 1916, his poems mostly APP
peared. The Boston Courier, at a later period,
published many OF his productions, and In its
columns the first series Of the "Biglow Papers"
wa, was given Civ to the public beginning in June,
OF importance in the literary world, I'm w.t.
scholarship, and knowledge OF human nature,
took and maintained the place Of masterpiece,
and 1t is now recognized classic in both
England and Ameriea. 1t consisted of q
series OF poems in the Yankee dialect, ostens-
IDLY written by Mr.. Hosea Biglow and edited.
and "notlces of an independent press" by
"Homer Wilbur, A. NJ, pastor oil the fret church
In Jaalem, and prospective member of many
literary, learned and scientific societies." In
the main IL was a satire on slavery and the Mex
lean war, and 1t aimed at and hit hypocricy and
meanness in politics, press and pull
s s and spsTsy ehamPoned the
In the anti-slavery question did not
prevent him from pursuing his literary work.
In lS43, he, In joint editorshlp with Robert Car
ter, undertook to conduct The Pioneer,
literary and critical magazine. Among
the contributors were, Poe, Hawthorne,
Neal. Dwight, Jones Very, Parsons, Elizabeth
w. Story. After the third issue the magazine
suspended owing to financial distress. In this
magazine was begun series OF ESSAYS on poets
and dramatists, which formed the material
for Conversations With Some Of the Old
Poets" In 1s4i he published a volume of
verses entitled "a Legend Of Brittany" which
reTontion In isas he pa hS hs
Vision of SIR Launfal," one of
the best productions of his genius,
which. he is said to have composed in two
days, during period OF inspiration, when he
neither ate , nor slept slept The Soon
s sersa'os FRS, Oh work sne was Low
and was the basis OF his lectures before the
Lowell institute In Is54-5, and OF his
lectures in Harvard university during
and bellies lettres. In ls4s he published a
third volume of poems, OF anti-slavery
tenor, and later in that year he
Critics." an amusing and racy skit
at American poets, In which he did not spare
himself. In 15i9 collected edition of his
Years Life." was published. He was a con.
tributor in these years to the Dial, Democratic
Reufee, 1assdchusetts Quarterly Revie,r I'm which
Mr.. Lowell and his wife travelled in Europe,
visiting England, France, Switzerland. and
s gssldas which lo5 some ss w ti@s in Italy
italian art and literature and as student and
70 America. His wife died in October,
Invalid In January u.s. whs Hn mr. E DssR avn
resigned, Mr.. Lowell was appointed his
successor as professor OF modern Ian.
University, and after two years. study abroad.
during which time he greatly extended his
knowledge OF the languages, and be-
and poetry be assumed the dnt Tesc ~
his professionally. From 1857 to 1867 no wrote
many ESSAYS for the Atlantic Monthly In 1863 he
ioint editor of the North American Reuie.0,
which he continued till lS-2
the Kansas struggle of ls56-5s
had enlisted Lowelrs sympathies and he was
In tuli accord with the anti-slavery advocates
and at one time contemplated transferring sMr'
Hosea Bigow" TO that state to renoPt the
proceedings there in the vernacular of the
day. The outbreak OF the civil war caused
q revival of the drdHpatis persons OF the "Beloyx
Papers, In which dsunoniSts at home and
their sympaihizers in England felt the sting OF
his satire. This second series Of "Biglow Pa
pers' first appeared in the Atlantic Honthi1l
and was published in volume in 1857 In ISs5
he made another visit TO Europe, and on his re-
turn the centennial period called ont his
efforts in the writing of three patriotic
oies He was presidential elector in IST6
In 1877 Mr.. Lowell was appointed by Presi-
dent Hayes 10 the spanish mission, from which
he was transferred III 1880 to the court OF 81
James. His diplomatic career closed with
his recall by President Cleveland in 1855 In
Madrid, In au atmosphere congeuial 10 him "a a
y
can name and received the confidence
and admiration that had formerly
been extended to Washington Irving
His residence in London. though couded and
saddened by the long illness and death,
In 1855. OF his second wife, whom he
had married in September, 1857, was
rs honorable 70 him as to the country
he represented, an unhvcken series of SUCCESSES
IN the world of society aud of lettars His
graceful and natural oratory was in demand
on scores ot public occasions. His recall
brought out expressions Of deem regret
in the English press He was severely criticised
for his conduct in setting mp Cleveland as a
demi-god. His health had been broken during
the last few years.
Lowell was described few wears ago as a
stri1ingly hne-iooking man. He possessed a
good deal OF muscular power and vigorous
health Tor bis years. He had kindly blue ewes
auburn, were losing their distinctive lines in
The eneroachment OF the siiyery threads In
manner he was genial. courteous and kind, AMI
To strangers one Of the most approachAble Of
men.