The historic times. [volume] (Lawrence, Kansas) 1891-1891, 1891-08-15

the youngest of five children. From both
parents were transmitted high intelligence.
sound principles and right ideals, but the
poetic and imaginative faculty came from
the mother. His birthplace was the old
tory mansion now called "Elmwood," a
large three story square. wooden house in
the early colonial style, situated in spacious
grounds, surrounded by magnificent elms
and pines planted by his father, with an
outlook on the Charles river. Lowell was
fitted for college by William Wells who was
the senior of the firm that published the
series OF Wells & Lilly classics. He entered
Harvard in his sixteenth year and was
graduated in 1888 His first published
| literary production, unless probably some
poems of "Harvardiana," which he edited in
1887 s. was his noted class poem. composed
under peculiar circumstances. At the time
of writing 1t the collegiate senior
was undergoing brief period
of rustication at Concord. in consequence of
inattention to his text books. His forced
sojourn In this Arcadia of scholarship and
reform brought him into relationship with
the transcendentalists who in that day
were in the habit Of gathering at the home
of Emerson. with whom then began that
friendship which. despite the playful sallies
of the younger poet in his earlier writings,
only terminated with the death of the elder.
The young Satirist saw the humorous
side of the social movements OF the
day, and the class poem, scintlllat-
ing with wit. attacked the abolitionsts,
Carlyle, Emerson and transcendentalsts.
In the law school OF Harvard Loweli received
the degree of LII b. 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" published in the Boston
Miscellany Henceforth he gave himself en-
tirely TO literature. In 1871 volume of
poems. written under the influence of affec-
a a haramn
wife, was published under the title of "a
Years Life"
The volume was never republished, and OF
the seventy poems only a small part have
been DEEM d worthy OF reprinting by the
author. His marriage to the woman who
inspired these poems took place in 1854.
Maria White was an ardent abolitionist. and
no doubt her influence assisted In turning
his tho lights to the serious side of that
cause to which he rendered immortal
service.
To understand Lowelrs character It is
necessary to remember that he was not only
poet, a scholar and a humorist. but always
q conservative and critic No man was
more thoroughly imbued than he with the
fundamental principles of American democ-
racy-a democracy without demagogi.m no
man more jealous than he of the untarn ished
reputat on OF America in politics and litera-
ture; no man more quick TO see any depart
his flaming pen was turned to attack what.
ever assaled this ideal-at one time sIav-
cry, ut another time vicious political
methods threatening the purity of demo
cratic society. His radicali~m was always
conservative, his criticism always cOnstruc-
tive. Lowell and his wife were regular con
tributors to the Liberty Bell. and his name
appeared in 1872 in the Anti Slavery stand
ard "a corresponding editor. In this paper
from 1919 to 1876 his poems during that period
mostly appeared Later she Boston Courier
was the vehicle of his productions. and in
its co umns the first series Of the 'Biglow
Papers was given to the public. beginning
in the issue for June. I4a and ending In ls4-.
In IS43 he undertook the editing OF the
Pioneer, a literary and critic Al magazine
Only three numbers were published. the
venture failing through financial disaster to
the publishers In this magazine Wa begun
a series Of essays on the poets and dTamat-
lists, which afterward formed the material
for Conversations With some OF the Old
Poets" In Iss4 came volume OF verse
containing Legend of Brittany" gth thIr-
three miscellaneous poems and thirty
seven sonnet@ These were followed
In Iss By The Vision OF Sir Laun-
fal" one 81 the most exquisite
productions Of b q genius. poem founded
on the legend of the Holy GratI. which Is
said 10 have been composed Ia a sort Of
frenzy in about forty eight hours. during
which the poet scarcely ate or slept
In 1877 Mr. Lowell was appointed BY Presl-
deut Hayes to the spanish mission. from
which he was transferred 10 the court o. ~
James
In lss Lowell was deputed az minister TO
England and untn recalled by President
Cleveland. he was our representative ct =.
James
Lowell's first wife a. ed In IsS1 He married
a second time ia 1857 Miss Dunlap. of Port
land Ne, and wao died IN I5s1.