The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-21

whether we have a distinctive American
literature because of our kinship with Eng
land in language and history.
''As early as 100 years before the Revo-
luton the struggle for independence gave
rise to ideals which were peculiar to the
country, and American literature imbibed
them. For these IL is distinctive. All Ameri-
can poetry In particular inculcates a singular
spirit of patrlOtism-not pride In native luStl.
tutiOns as the best obtainable, but pride IN and
devotion TO the Ideals which lie back OF the in
situations. In this way American Literature has
had peculiar educational value.
Lowell was born al the time when American
literature had just produced its nrst great work,
1TYing'S hnicKerbOcker.' BEHIND him lay all
the Influences leading up to that tme-the ser-
ous-miDdedness and moral sincerity OF the old
Purltans especially. which had affected all
poetry and prose Along with his progress, but
slightly antecedent 10 him, was III growth and
ultimate ascendency OF the transcendental
SchOol, which emphasized strongly the Impor-
.tapce OF the individual and the possibilities of
the immediate present. Then lie went abroad
as a statesman anc came in contact with the
best life and thought ana remains of art until
they endowed him with new education.
Finally lie sat, until retired honoTary a
professor in Harvard University. Not only ali
this, but he was for long time editor OF the
Atlantic Monthly and IL was at his sugges-
ton That Holmes began his famous series OF
Breakfast Table papers.
''He was man who lived in many spheres of
life In all lie was a master thorough, careful
and true. Above all he was a wdrm-hearted
friend, numbering among those who loved him
the greatest minds OF New England aud all
communities wherein he moved.
"But Lowell himself was not satisfied with
his life. This Is shown, with surprise TO all
lovers of literature, in the letters of his which
Eave ben published recently in one of the perl
odlcais. He did not seem 10 himself 10 be ac-
comprising the work III wished TO do-the
very work for winch be is now accorded the
greatest praise. His efforts were distributed
over so many FIELDS that he did not feel that he
was doing anything thoroughly.
IBIS very best work, that by which he Will be
longest remembered, was his poetry. After he
has been forgotten as statesman and as a
critic lie will SIN be loved poet. There
his best ideals are portrayed. LOwePs work
has three dislDct periods: First, that OF earlier
manhood; second, that from earlier manhood 10
tO-the civil war. and third, that from the civil
war 10 his death. Each of these periods Is
characterized by the influences of the time, and
his Poems illustrate them well
"When be was yet under the spell OF the puTi-
o.. tanlcal school and conscious of the mission
which the transc ndenlal philosophy taught
him that be as an individual should accomplish
IN life, the spirit OF his poetry religious and
moral, deeply earnest and dldactlc. 1t was
" then that lie was Americas greatest preacher
. All his poems, or many OF them drew morals
not only by implication, but by direct express
sion. showing that be was not so great an artist
as a teacher. For such men as Shakespeare
leave the poems TO inculcate their own lessons /;
they never interpret Lowell was a dramatist
but his Characters we're all types Of virtues or
wees, not complexities, nodded out with all the
shades and variations Of life.
Passing from the age of early manhood into
maturity, the gravity of tb- national situation
came over Lowell and his poetry changed from
the religious 10 the patriotic and the humorous.
And how supreme master he was in these is
attested by the profound influence Of his 'Bige-
low Papers,
when the years of statesman's labors had
passed Lowell moved into The period OF pure art
and personal expression. the period of repose,
and devoted himself to the perfection OF his ex-
preston, TO he artistic phase OF work entirely.
THUS. with always superior depth and
earnestness, he rounded out the best expression
America has had in her literature of her IDEALS"