New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-10

umc is record Of life which derives its chief
title TO distinction from the fact that Joseph
Severn was the closest friend and the deathbed
companion of the unfortunate poet Keats. Not that
Severn was himself other than an interesting and
gifted artist for that and much more he certainly
was; and he retained through n long life the
charm Of manner. the sweetness Of character.
which had attracted Keats TO him in the early
years Of the century. But II was inevitable that
the association with Keats should overshadow all
other episodes in the career even Of one who sur
vivcd his friend more than sixty years ana Severn
was entirely contentcd-nay, proud and delighted
that il should he so. There were certain Of
Severn's characteristics, frankly referred to by
his bogmpher. which render his remempranccs
Of Keats at times less than trustworthy. II seems
that his memory was often trcachcrous; that ne
seldom told the same story twice in the same
way; that as TO dates much allowances had q
bc made for him. and that his friends even sus-
pcced his fcrvid Imagination Of creating certain
incidents which nevertheless he himself. by con-
slant repetition had come 10 rcposc implicit iaith
in But with the guidance Of a Viglant ana
wcll-informcd biographcr there is little danger
OF being led astray, and so far as the main facts
are concerned there is little room for misunder-
standing.
II may lie frankly said that the first chapters
NJ Scycrn's memoir are by far the most interest
ing. and this because they bring Us face to lace
with Keats Tie tragic story Of the hllghtrd
genius can never pail and though a considerable
literature has already grown mp about 1t. every
scron Of information will be welcomed; ana TINS
il the chronicle of tho friend in whose arms the
poct breathcd his last Much has been written
concerning the personal appearance OF Keats anu
norticularlv ~ lis wonderful cyc-, ana severn
was dccDly IMPRESSED 10y their beauty ana strange
ross lie wrote 10 a friend: just rs his NINA
was otune with the divine harmony. 20 ne WAS
in his bodily self melody Of humanity. sever"
noticed too. even then the almost famc-hhe
intensity Of kcatss eager cianccS "heh NJ "''
kcenly excited or interested they were me NV
hazel eyes Of n wild gypsy maid IN Color, Nv saw
oncc set in the face Of young goa. in'''''
Severn was always talking OF th"-' "o''''"
a,.os Keats ,cas fond Of watching tie passage Of
the wind over fields of grain. ana "o"'" SP''"e W.
90 s,,. or a low bough for that purpose. not
stirring until the flow Of air was al
him ,vbilc an expression Of rapture made HIS
aros ,Ic,n and his face glow I'LL he woull look
sometimes like a will fa'gn waiting for some cry
,,,,, tho forest depths. or like Young eagle
staring with proud JOY before taking night
I5o,ronher NJ certain times much imprcs-e
coycrn lie WIS nightingale only when he
sane - 10 remarked to friend once; " at Other
,i,,cs bc ,yas wild hawk d" can never forget
Tho wiuc-lkc lu,tre Of Kcatss eyes, he Snid' Oh
onothcr OCCASION jus, Ike those of certain biri'
v,hich balitually front the sun. Hose iAlc"h
ovcs 80 be wrote in his account Of the poets
last desperate DAYS.
a. a
pomc tie chickering's Of hope, alternating with
de.pair. and the too-rlainy fatal progress OF
1iscasc. s told here. chiefly from ScVerns letters
home. with such freshness and pognancy ~
hiring tie whole tragic situation before the reader
Severn himself had a great deal 10 bear, ana bore
il with admirable patience AID devotion. lie was
Obliged 70 perform every service for his dyln5
friend for the Romans avoided the slck-Toom ana
rcf,seI 20 do ANYTHING for the patient Keats
WIS cspcciallv toward the las'. exceedingly
irritable an capricious Severn relates that some
times he prepared his POOR irends dinner more
than half n dozen times, and each time Meats
wonll throw il away-to I've finally gained 10y TIE
unwcaricd patience OF his faithful attendant
When the end was near. Keats grew more M
that death did not comc-ahd
implorcd Severn TO let him have bottlc OF
laudanum which he knew was in the apartment.
Ills friend had to hear fierce rcproachc, because
hc would not give up the drug. The contention
WAS kent M for two days. DR.. Clark. to whom
Severn told what had passed, took tie laudanum
away with him, and whcs he called next, ut
was an awful sound and sight 20 see Keats look
around upon the doctor when he entered, with
his large. increasing hazel eyes for a. his face
decreased his eyes seemed TO enlarge and shine
with uncarthly Brightness, and ask, III deep
pathetic tone. How long is this poethumous
lie of mine TO last? Ever after the loss of the
laudanum he talked of his life as posthnmous.'
lie insisted, at this time, that the famous
cptaph-" here lies one whose namo was writ in
be the sole inscription upon his
tomb lie died perhaps almost as much from
dc pair az from disease. HIS intense imaglna-
ton. he himself declared had killed him. He
life so wildly; he appreciated all he
was being torn away from so kcenly the passion
Of baGed love burned within him so
hotly. that his always delicate frame may
almost be said 10 have been self-con.
sumed When death as last came, how
ever. all energy had been exhausted, and Keats
ic asleep on his friends breast like tired child.
most happy inspiration led Severn TO sketch
the dead face, and copy of this pathetic and
forever memorable sketch is inserted in this
memoir The letters which passed between
Severn. Charles Armitage Brown, Leigh Hunt,
bbey and others during the last days of Keats
are full Of interest. Only few of the friends
in England anticipated the worst, for Severn, mis-
led by "A false rally, had been writing quite buoy
lntIy few days previously. The last letter from
Fanny Brawne arrived while Keats was in his
leath-agony but lie would not have seen il had
he been conscious for he steadiastly refused from
thc beginning tf his fatal illness to open any
etters from home, and least of all could he have
endured to read anything from that hand. IIo
lad done with the world. he said The struggle
rad been long and agonizng, but il over at
asst And 10 this resolve he chung until tie end
When the catastrophe occurred Severn naturally
collapsed. lie had not felt the strain while it
astcd, but now he had 10 be cared for tenderly
himself Nor did he get over his loss. Sixty
.ears aflnrAYarl Kcnts the mnst sncrnsanct