Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-13
ONE MORE GREAT POET GONE.
james Russell Lowell. Diplomat and Au-
thor of the Bigelow Papers, Dies at His
Cambridge Home-A Long, Painful ILL.,
pess Ends in m PeaeefuI SIeep

James Russell Lowell, Diplomat and Au-
thor of the Bigelow Papers, Dies at His
Cambridge Home-A Long, Painful Ill
ness Ends in q Peaceful Sleep.
BosToN, Aug. 12.-At an early hour this
morning, at his home in Cambridge, James
Russell Lowell, diplomat and man of letters,
breathed his last An old enemy of his, the
gout, had afflicted Mr.. Lowell almost con-
styhtly of late and that, sciatfca, hemorr-
hGges, and latterly a severe type of liver
disease, in turn affected him. Mr.. Lowells
health has been impaired ever since his re-
turn to this country in 1856, after concluding
his diplomatic service eight years-three
years at Madrid and five at the Court of st.
James. The death of his wife in the midst
of his social and diplomatic success in Lon
don as the representative of this country,
had an untoward effect upon his health,
which was then becoming broken.
When he returned to his home at Cam
bringe, that Emwood SO full Of history, and
where with brief intervals, he spent the
whole 70 years of his life, his wife's death
weighed heavily upon his mind Even nsn1 then
way, and went into society little, preferring
to enjoy quietly the companionship of his
books, and gradually dropping into the re-
cluse life of semi-invalid He was forbidden
to take the long walks which he so much en-
joyed, which yielded such abundant fruit in
his works and later driving even was pro-
hibited.
The Story of His Last Illness.
The poet was taken sick about five weeks
ago. About two weeks or more ago he be-
came delirious, and up to Monday he recov-
cred consciousness only at brief intervals,
when he gave members of his family signs
of recognition.
He seemed to think he was far away from
home and appeared to long to get back to
Elmwood and his family. At times, too, he
fanoied he was entertaining royal visitors.
Though unquestionably the pain was very
great, he made no complaint Last Sunday
he seemed better and the delirium left him,
On Monday he appeared brighter than at
any time during his long illness. Up to that
time the room had been cool, but then he
began to show the effect of the heat
On Monday, when the nurses changed the
bedding, he suffered intensely when moved,
and finally said: "Oh, why don't you let me
die" These words were his last. He seemed
to lose heart, and gradually his life faded
away. He continued in comatose condi-
tion until 2:l5 o'clock this morning, when
the last spark of life went out Beside him
in his last moments were the sister of his
first wife, his daughter, Mrs. Burnett, and
her husband, the e1-Congressman, as well as
the nurses and the servants of the house
hold, to whom he had always been so kind
that strong attachment had sprung up.
His Last Hour on Earth.
His body lies in his own sleeping apart
ment, where the last hours of his life were
spent. The nurse who watched over him
during his illness is still at the house. She
was present at his bedside from the time
when he became unconscious Monday even
ing, until he died, early this morning, except
for an absence of few minutes. His death
was peaceful. Although 1t was known he
could not live much longer, his death was,
nevertheless, rather unexpected.
Late Monday afternoon, after few hours
of brightness, he began to wander again and
whatever he said, after that time was aim
less. In few hours he became unconscious
and he never regained his mind. The transi-
tion from sleep to death was SO easy that for
few moments nobody in the room OBJ
served that he had ceased to breathe. His
eyes were closed and they never opened.
He passed away with only a heavy sigh to
indicate the separation of the great soul
from the worn-out body.
A Quiet, Uneventful Life.
Mr.. Lowells life at Elmwood was almost
devoid of events. One or two friends
dropped in, his studies were pursued when
ever possible, and his geniality and light
ness of spirit, even when suffering, was re-
markable. complete revision of his
works in prose and verse was undertaken
and completed, q task of itself of consider
able magnitude, and which undoubtedly
ma1e O decided strain upon his impaired
vitality. He also wrote q charming intro
duction to Isaak Walton's works, and con-
Mrs. Burnett his only child, was with him
constantly. She was his only near relative,
except Il brother, Robert. whose where
aboutS are uncertain.
James Russell Lowell was born in Cam
bridge, Mass, February %, 1919, graduated at
Harvard University in 1888 and studied law,
thorship before leaving college by the pub
llcation of class poem. A volume of mis-
cellaneous poems, entitled "a Years Life"
appeared in ls4l; a new collection contain
m auH nf ri ~ fln,,
and others, in 1874; Conversations on Some
of the Old Poets" containing u series of
well-studied criticisms, both in prose and
verse, giving indications of Mr.. Lowells in
terest in the various political and philan-
thropic questions of the day, and of his at
tachment to those principles of which he
collection of poems and "The Vision OF Sir
Launfal," O." founded on legend of the Search
for the San Graal, in 1S4S; "a Fable for
Critics" in which he satirically passed in re,
his most remarkable work, 1.-THE Bigelow
Papers," a collection of humorous poems on
political subjects, ,r written ii, in the Yankee
ing grapic papers on Cambridge in old times,
and the second series of the "Bigelow
Papers appeared in 1854. In 1869 he pub
poems; and near the close of the same year.
''The Cathedral" an epic poem: in 1870,
collected volume OF essays, entitled Among
My Books" and in 1871, my Study Win
dows."
Literary Honors Thrust Upon Him.
In 1885 he succeeded Longfellow as Profess
sor of Languages and Belle-Lettres in Har-
ward College. The degree of LID. was con-
ferred upon him in 1874 by the English Uni
versity of Cambridge. From 1857 to 1852 he
was editor of the Atlantic Monthly, and he
had previously been connected editorially
or otherwise with the Pioneer a magazine of
high character the Arti-Slduery Standard,
Pdnanis Monthly; and from 1868 to 1872 was
editor of the North american Review He was
also 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 Russia which
he declined; but in 1877 he accepted that of
Minister to Spain, from which he was trans
ferred, in January, 1880, to that of Minister |
tration in 1886, he resigned his position and |
returned to the United States. The speeches |
which he delivered in this country were re- |
published in 1887, under the title of "Democ- |
racy and Other Addresses"
Though lifelong Republican, Mr.. Lowell |
supported the candidacy OF Mr., Cleveland |
for reelection to the Presidency in 1885 |
During the slavery agitation, prior to the
Civil War, he was prominent advocate of |
abolition, and was equally outspoken in |
more recent years in urging the reform of |
the civil service.
The funeral will be held Friday at noon in |
Appleton chapel, Cambridge. 1t is probable |
that the BishOp-elect, Phillips Brooks, will |
Officiate.
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