Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-09-17
From One Who Knew Him Well.
A Personal TRIBUTE TO JAMEs RUSSELL
LowELL-EDwARD EVERETT HAIE's Es-
INNATE OF THE AUTHOR AND DIPLOMA
TfST

fERSoNAL TRIBUTE TO JAMES RUSSELL
LowELL-EDwARD EVERETT HALE's rs.
TMATE OF THE AUTHOR AND DIPLOMA
TfsT.
Edward Everett Hale writes in the Bos-
ton Commonwealth, the following personal
tribute to the memory of Mr., Lowell:
The death Of Mr.. Lowell will be heard
with sadness among all people who use
the language which he used so we'll 1t
will be heard with sadness also among the
leaders Of Spain, where his life was so
honorable to himself and where he re-
newed the warm relations which have
united Spain and the United States
In this neighborhood. however, which
is his home, there is world of personal
recollections Of the utmost tenderness,
which are quiCkeDed by the announcement
that we are not to see his face again or
meet bis cordial salutation. He was gift
ed with that greatest of gifts, the art of
making friends; and in every circle which
has known him there are pathetic remem-
brances Of tn, friendships which he had
formed and the steadiness with which he
maintained them.
The young men who We're around Mr..
Lowell in his college days knew, fifty
Years ago, that he was one of the greatest
poets of the time as we'll as tncy know
now that he has achieved that promise
The m, mhers of his own class with per
feet unanimity appointed him their class
poet, and this was not before he had writ
ten and published poems the sweetness
and tenderness of which are stIll remem-
bered. There is, indeed. a touching anec-
dote, perfectly authenticated. Of the half
planive way in which dead Dr. Lowell,
his revered father, said to friend that
James had promised him that he would
give up writing poetry and would take to
study. There is hardly father in the
world who would not feel grstihed if his
son al the university made him such
promise But as one recalls the story
now, il Is simply to be thankful that Dr.
Lowell misappre hended the decision OF the
promise or that the poet found it impos-
-ible for him to make good his words,
The instinct of the poet was in him, and it
was not to be tramplcd out BY any firm
resolution of the student.
The University did not, indeed show it,
foresight in its handling of one, whom
lfty years after, il was proud TO make il.
orator The tradition was that the gov
ernment was very unwilling to proceed 10
the hardest measures, but At the very last,
on the central point of pressing his atten-
dance at chAl cl-whCre he almost always
found himself too late for entrauce--he was
suspended from the college. and was not
able 10 read the poem which he had pre-
pared for class day. Well authenticated
tradition SAYS that he Witnessed the ccre-
munv of the dance around the tree
through the chinks of coveyed wagon
in which ne had ridden from Concord.
which was hi place OF exile His LOYALTY
Ia /, "a
showed that he took no offence for any
harshnes> Of her treatment. And as pro-
fcs>or, aud a. orator on the great day of
her quarter millennium, he repaid to her a
hundred fold all that he had received from
her, And in all he has done for literature
and education in America. he has shown
himself not unworthy of her best tradi-
tions,
1t is one Of the finest illustrations Of the
readiness with which America submits her
/ diplomatic business t0 men of conscience
and character, without asking from them
hat is called diplomatic education, that
Mr. Lowell in the missions to Spain and
to England, discharged SO admirably the
duties which were entrusted to him. If
ANYBODY supposed that here was a mere
man Of letters, ignorant OF the ways Of
action of men of affairs, Mr Lowcil's dis
patches undeCeived them. He was APP
pointed, ns suppose, to England, simply
because be was the most capable diploma
tist whom We had abroad He was sent
to Spain under the influence OF that happy
tradition which had sent Alexander Ever
EFT there and Mr.. Irving, with the view
that literary man well represented this
country in that nation from whose ar
chlvcs half our history must be studied
I la Spain. however. he showed that he was
not merely man of letters, hut a man Of
affairs, and the author ties at Washington
hunOred the administration when they
transferred him to the post at London.
Since his return to this country, Mr.
Lowell has not been able to taxi a very
active part either in literature or in pub
Tic affairs But hoover has met him ha,
found the Old cordiality and simplicity
and the readiness to render service where
service came within his power. From the
intN Nhaustible stores of his reading he
would always contribute to the neCt t>sitles
OF any one who applied to him; and with
the freshness Of youth added to the eN-
perienCe of manhood, he kept his eyes
open to whatever was interesting in the
literature Of our time or the study Of our
I language He felt the personal losses
which are the severeSt penalty OF advanc-
ing life. The last time | met him, con
graduated him that he was at Elmwood, 4,
/ and he said. with his tender smile, Yes,
it is good to he there, but the house is full
of ghosts" And SO indeed it was. But
| he could not be mOrose; he would not op-
press his friends with the story of any of
4 his own regrets; and the last and earliest
memories which we have of him are of
/ his cordiality, affection and tender sym
/ nathy EpWAEp f. HALE