The Globe-republican., 1891-08-19
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

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 s. 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
1878. was his not.d class poem composed
under peculiar circumstances. At the time
of writing it the collegiate senior
was undergoing a brief period
of rustication 1T Concord in consequence OF
inattention to his text books. His forced
soiourn in this Arcadia of scholarship and
reform Thought 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
friend>h p which. despite the playful sallies
of the younger poet in his earlier writings.
only terminated with the death of the e,der.
The young satirfst saw the humorous
side OF the social movements OF the
tHc CldsS poem, SclntilIat-
Ing with Wit. attacked the abolitonists,
Carlyle, Emerson and transcendentalists.
In the law school OF Harvard Lowell received
the degree OF IL B. and was admitted to the
bar n 1910 The only record of the practice
o: 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 ls.l volume of
poems written under the influence of affec-
tion for woman o genius who became his
wife. WIS 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 worthy of reprintins 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
ecessary to remember that he was not only
poet, . scholar and humorist. but always
q conservative and a critic No man was
more thoroughly imbued than he with the
fundamental principles OF American democ-
racy-a democracy without demagogism; 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.
ure from the high ideal OF the republic. and
his flaming pen was turned to attack what
ever assaled this ideal-at one time slav-
cry, at another time vicious political
methods threatening the purity of demo-
cratic society. His radicali~m was always
conservative, his criticism always construc-
tiv-. Lowell and his wife were regular con-
tributors to the Liberty Bell and his name
appeared in lst! in the Anti Slavery stand.
ard as corresponding editor. In this paper
from 1913 to ls46 his poems during that period
flx-o r.1 81.
was the vehicle OF his productions. and in
its co.umns the first series of the "Biglow
Papers was z wen TO the public. beginning
In the issue for June, $40 and ending in lSlS
In ls4s he undertook the editing of the
Pioneer, literary and critical magazine.
Only three numbers were published. the
venture falling through financial disaster TO
the publishers In this magazine was begun
series of essays on the poets and drauat-
lists, which atterward formed the material
for Conversations With Some OF the Old
Poets" In lisa came volume of verse
containing"A Legend Of Brittany v .th thir-
ty-three miscellaneous poems and thirty
eeven sonnets These were followed
in ls.5 by The Vision OF Sir Laun-
fal," one of the most exquisite
productions OF his genius. a poem founded
on the legend of the Holy Grail which is
said TO have been composed in a sort OF
frenzy in about forty eight hours, during
which the poet scarcely ate OF slept
In IS. Mr. Lowell was appointed By Presi-
dent Hayes to the Spanish mission. from
which he was transferred to the court Of St
James
In 1881 Lowell WAS deputed as minister to
England and. until recalled by President
Cleveland, he WAS our representative at Sc.
James.
Lowell's hrs. wife died in 1851 He married
a second time III ls5. Miss Dunlap, of Port
land. Ne, and who died in 1855