The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-20
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.
Some Recoilections OF Him by Mr.. George
Tickuor turtie.

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.
Some Reeoiiectious or Him by Mr.. George
Tickuor turtie.
The death Of James Russell Lowell has
awakened In me q long train OF recollections
knew him when he was n little boy. He was
10 years old and was &c when, in 1925. We
both attended rs day pupils tho boarding
school OF Mr.. William Wells in Cambridge
which was nearly opposite to tho house OF the
Rev. DR.. Lowell. James's father. In that house
james was born. aud he had the rare good
fortune to live In 1t all his life. except when he
was abroad Iils Nrst vito. Maria White OF
Wntertown. was my second cousin. She was n
most intellectual Ierson. Of n highly sphiiue'ic
nature. and her influence In developing In him
a propensity TO literary pursuits was very
great Her constitution was extremely doll
cate. and she died early. leaving q daughter.
her only child. now Mrs. Burnett.
I remained ut Mr.. Weiss school only one
year. In August. 1923. ! entered Harvard Col.
leGe. leaving Jimmy Lowell" as we called
him. still at the school, Mr.. Wells was an Eng
lishman married to n lady who was q member
OF the Dost family In Boston. md they had
three grown-up daughters and two younger
sons. Mr.. Wells was q fine classical scholar. and
astern schoolmaster OF tue old-fashionsd Eng
lish type. He always heard recitation with tho
book in his Loft hand and o rattan In his right.
and II the boy made a false quantity or did not
know the meaning OF word down cnme
the rattan on his head but this cbas,ise-
mcnt vas nevor administered 10 ne or to
Jimmy Lowell" Not to me- because l was too
old for it. and not to him. because DO was too
young.
graduated from Harvard In 1882. six years
before Lowell. I did not know much about
him until after he became engaged to my
cousin. Miss White. TWAS n long engagement.
for James had 10 very good prospect OF being
established in business AS lnwyer. Miss
Whites father ard some OF Lowells own
relatives regarded him as a young man who
would not make his own way in the world.
They did not know his genius but his Maria
did know It. md with the fidelity of true
woman she believed in his future. used to
hear n great deal about them in n circle OF
young people with whom I was intimate. but
who were younger than myself. Low
ell had klnsman in boston who
might havc promoted his prospects at
tho bar but this cousin OF his always shook
his head when James's name was mentioned.
and II any ono had predicted Jamcss career
in his presence this cousin would have been
utterly incredulous. But this gentleman died
before the young poet had gained much
reputation. am not aware that Lowell owed
his success in any degree to any one but him.
self. Still. think he was not naturally an in.
dustrious man. He had. fancy. propensity
70 idleness. which he brnvely overcame. Hav-
ing Witnessed the whole Of his career. think
l can say that the estimate Of 1t given by
Canon Farrar is perfectly Just.
Undoubtedly the greatest public service
that MIR. Lowell over rendered consisted in
what no did to promote and cement the friend.
ship between the Government and PEOPLE of
Great Britain and the Government ard people
OF the United States. We have had other Min.
istors to England who have done q good deal
OF this useful and benefcent kind Of work.
But Lowell was in England at a peculiar time.
time when 1t was necessary that the work
should be undertaken anew. because tho
unpleasant feelings enGeniered by our civil
war were not entirely worn out. For this
task Lowell was eminently fitted in every
way His genial manners. his tact. and his
varied accomplishments enabled him to I'LL
with great success difficult post.
Canon Farrars proposal that bust OF
Mr.. Lowell be placed in Westminster Abbey
is one that will be warmly seconded by null
titudes In both hemispheres. The flttest per.
son. on all accounts to make the bust is our
great American sculptor. Mr.. Story He was
college cassmate and q lifelong friend OF
tho poet.
Tho last time that / saw Mr.. Lowell was
whom committee OF the United States senate
had the Chace International Copyright bill un.
der consideration. He mad come there to ad-
vocate it Mt the request OF the American Copy
right league. He was preceded. In addressing
tho committee. by a gentleman who had made
n worry large fortune by buying into the III
telephone patent at the time when tho tele-
phone was first invented. Strange to say. this
person hazaraed the remark that there is no
such thing rs property in ideas when ex-
pressed in written or printed words. He said
that all books ought to be public property.
Mr.. Lowels reply TO him was given with quiet
dignity and with Quizzicnl sarcasm. He said
that accordin. 10 that Gentleman's doctrine
the owner OF patent had no property ut all in
the invention. or in the money derived from 1t;
that such doctrine would justify any kind OF
robbery.
l have heard an anecdote which illustrates
his peculiar humor. lady asked him why he
had not sent her n copy OF his last book II
could not afford to-" he replied. III my friends
don't buy my books, who the deuce will buy
them?" Most authors are exposed to such
solicitations from persons who cannot plead
want OF means AS an excuse for them.
AUG. IS. GEO. TIcKEoR CURTIS,
pOIyTJC9 INn ClrHnYTr pnruDc