The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-13

was not considered serious until three
weeks ago, when he became alarmingly
worse. His sufferings were so great that
it was necessary to use opiates constant
ly. He had been for the greater part Of
the time confined to his bed, and only
on one or two occasions was he able to
move.
DR.. Henry Walcott, who attended the
poet during his illness, said: HE had
been suffering for long time, but he
was man OF strong resolution and
great courage, and lie time and time
again attended entertainments when
any other man would have been in bed,
and where he should have been. He
suffered greatly from sciatica, and ut
times his agony was intense. He bore
his sutferings patiently, and throughout
was most thoughtful and considerate
for those about him. AS to the nature
OF his illness l am not willing to speak,
Mr.. Lowell never inquired from me, nor
did ever tell him, and LIDO not think
that the public is entitled to more in
formation in this respect than Mr..
Lowell himself. | do not feel that it is
a matter for publication"
From inquiries it was ascertained
that an old enemy OF his, the gout, had
afflicted Mr.. Lowell almost constantly OF
late and that sciatica, hemorrhages, and
latterly severe type OF liver disease, in
turn affected him. Mr.. LowelPs health
.has been impaired ever since his re-
turn to this country in 1885, after con-
cluding his diplomatic services OF eight
yearsSthree Years ut Madrid and five at
the Court OF st. James. The death OF
his wife, in the midst of his social and
diplomatic success in London as the
representative OF this country, had IN
untoward effect upon his healh, which
was then becoming broken. When he
returned to his home at Cambridge,
that Elmwood SO full OF history, and
where, with brief intervals, he spent
the whole seventy-two years OF his life,
his wife's death weighed heavily upon
his mind. Even then he was beginning
to fail visibly in physical way, and
went into society little, preferring to
enjoy quietly the companionship OF his
books, and gradually dropping into The
recluse life Of a semi-invalid. He was
forbidden to take the long walks which
he so much enjoyed, which yielded
such abundant fruit in his works, and
later driving even was prohibited.
His friends, when they called ut Elm
wood, invariably found him with an
open volume before him, but ready to
lay it aside and converse on everyday
topics with all the mental vigor he ever
possessed. Three Cambridge gentle
men, old and tried friends OF his, who
had with him formed whist club,
found that for some time he had been
making unusual efforts to be present at
the game OF which he was SO fond, and,
learning that it was at the expense OF
failing health, this, the last social en-
ioyment he INDUCED in, was also given
up.
Mr.. Lowell's life at Elmwood was
almost devoid OF events. One or two
friends dropped in, his studies were
pursued whenever possible, and his
geniality and lightness of spirits, even
when suffering, was remarkable. A
complete revision OF his works in prose
and verse was undertaken and COM
pleted, a task in itself of considerable
magnitude, and which undoubtedly
made decided strain upon his inn
paired vitality. He'also wrote a charm
ing introduction to Isaak Walton's
works, and contributed few pieces OF
verse to the Atlantic. Mrs. Burnett, his
only child, was with him constantly.
She was his only near relative, except'a
brother, Robert, whose whereabouts
are uncertain.
James Russell lowell was born in
Cambridge, Mass, February %, 1919.
Graduated at Harvard University in
1888, and studied law, but never prac-
ticed. He commenced authorship be-
fore leaving college by the publication
of class poem. A volume Of miscel-
ianeous poems, entitled "a Years
Life" appeared in lS4l; new collec-
ton containing Legend Of Brittany"
"Prometheus," and others, in 1874;
Conversations on Some Of the Old
Poets" containing a series OF we'll
studied criticisms, both i'll prose and
verse, giving indications Of Mr.. Low
ellis interest in the various political
and philanthropic questions OF the day,
and OF his attachment to those princi-
ples OF which he has since been the
champion, in 1915; q third collection OF
poems, and "The Vision Of Sir Launfal,"
founded on legend OF the search for
the San Graal, In lS4S; "a Fable for
Critics" in which he satirically passed
in review the, literati of the United
States, and his most remarkable work,
1.-THE Biglow Papers" collection OF
humorous poems on political subjects,
written in the Yankee dialect, in lS4s.
"Fireside Travels" including graphic
papers on Cambridge in old times, and
the second series Of the "Biglow Pa-
pers," appeared in 1864. In 1869 he
published "Under the Willows, and
other poems;" and near the close OF
the same year, "The Cathedral an
epic poem; in 1870, n collected volume
OF essays, entitled "Among my Books"
and in 1871, "My Study Windows"
In 1855 he succeeded Longtellow as
Professor OF Languages and Belle-Let-
tres in Harvord College. The degree Of
LID. was conferred upon him in 1874,
by the English University of Cam
bridge. From 1857 to 1852 he was
editor Of tho atlantic Monthly, and he
had previously been connected editor
tally or otherwise with the Pioneer,
magazine OF high character, the Anti-
Slavery Standard; Pttnan's Monthly and
from 1858 TO 1872 was editor OF the
North american RericW. He was also o
lecturer before the Lowell Institute in
Boston, on the British poets.
Toward the close Of 1874 Mr.. Lowell
was offered the post Of Minister to Rus.
sia, which he declined; but in 1877 he
accepted that OF Minister to Spain, from