The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-15

Asia Minor. Egypt. and the Holy Land.
where he spent several months in in
teresting study and research.
After returning home from his fourth
trip he had printed i'm one volume all
his letters and writings on his foreign
travels and literature. He made six
different publications of his poetica1
works, each time simply revising the old
by adding his new works to 1t. The
complete edition was made in 70. Bryant
was a man of some wealth and had
three places of residence. He owned the
old home place at Commington. Mass,
which he visited once i'm awhile, and also
a fine home in New York City, where he
spent his winters.
About the year 1916 he bought an old
time residence near Roslyn, on Long
Island. which he fitted up and surround
ed according to his own rural tastes.
This in the summer was a very beautiful
place. Everything around was fresh and
green and the flowers all in bloom and
there were neat gravel walks which led
through and about the yard and lawn
and scattered here and there were old
rustic seats inviting one to rest in the
cool shade. Here he spent the last
thirty summers OF his life.
On his SEVENTEEN and eightieth birth
days ne was honored by public recep-
tons, which were attended by all the
chief poets and great men of America.
and there was great honor shown him,
gifts presented him. and ne seemed to
be considered by all as a father
Though always an earnest, hard work
er and never idle, we find him retaining
his usual activity and strength Of his
Faculties though all the years down to
his very death, always the same impress
sive and imposing character and IL was
amid these showers of honor and praise
that he was asked TO deliver an address
upon the life of the Italian statesman,
Mazzini whose statue was being erected
in Central park
returning home with a friend after
having been exposed to the hot sun for
several hours, was overcome while
ascending the stone steps and fell and
received conclusion of the brain. He
was removed to his home at Roslyn,
where about two weeks later he died
from the injury on the 18th of June, 1878,
being nearly eighty-four years old.
Thus IL was that the father of Ameri-
can poetry passed out of life of use
fulness and good into his reward and
rest And the nation was made to
mourn the loss of one truly great man.
Mr. Bryant's life may we'll be divided
into three periods. First, that of his
youth and early manhood, during which
tune ne wrote nearly all of his poems
about hundred and fifty-and estab-
hshed himself as a poet of the highest
rank which has never been outdone.
Second, that of his middle age when he
was chiefly a politician, daily asserting
his principles of freedom and Justice and
was continually under a cloud of mis-
apprehension and dislike
Third, that Of old age when prosperity
had smiled upon him and society and the
public began to see and acknowledge his
value and to do him honor.
On your wall you can see his picture.
an enlargement Of his likeness taken in
1873
What a noble countenance full of honor
and years.
A full round brow and bold head indie
alive Of wisdom and mental power; a
long flowing beard white as snow, a
tribute of years
And those large eyes seemingly set in
deep meditation and thought indicative
of the strong attentive and intellectual
power that must need have possessed the
mind Of such man.
The picture within itself If studied is
subject of much interest and beauty,
but his life and works are one grand sub
ject Of admiration and praise.
OF all the noble lives of America s
noted men that are held up to us as ex-
amples or models, 1t seems to me that
this one is one Of the best.
Always doing what seemed right the
him and doing it because he thought it
was right.
This is the keynote of true existence
and should be the law that should gov
ern our lives, for it is the law of con-
science, and conscience is that Unborn
principle or motive placed within us for
the guidance and ruling Of our lives by
a merciful God.
In all great mems lives,
Noble examples arise;
And their good neer dies.
But e'er aids TO mold our lives.
'IVEN."