The herald., 1894-11-24
THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB.
An Excellent Paper on Lowell
by Mrs. j. E. SartOri.
His Career and Influence Skillfully
and Firmly Depicted.
Poet. Editor, Essayist and Diplomst-His
Youth aud Marriage - Success of
the Bigelow Papers - This
Evening of His Life.

and interesting paper on the lie anu
letters OF James Russell LOWELL was read
before the members of the Friday Morn
ing club yesterday, at their rooms on
Broadway, by Mrs. Joseph F. Ssrtori.
1t was a paper that showed careful
thought, wide reading, AMI was a dett
weaving together OF strands from various
biographies, critical essays, and excerpts
from the letters themselves, that made
an admirably even whole, and was
doubly interesting in that it was read
clearly, distinctly, and most intelli-
gently. Mrs Sartor spoke of Mr.. Low
ellis letters az an autobiography, not of
events only, but of the growth and for
nation of his character; of the readers
keen pleasure in watching its develop
ment; that the letters were a sincere
portrait OF the mans mind; for the mos
ment perfectly true reflection; yet
when that mystery we call lie touched
him most nearly either in his own az
iaire, or in the larger CONCERNS vi that
country he go deeply loved. his letters
show it not, and he maintained in them
that high reserve and reticsnce which
belong to noble natures. 1t WAS in his
poems that his deeper passions found
utternnce, the revelation OF the truer
and better Lowell. He was the product
of inherited culture and favorable en-
vironment Then followed a graphic
picture of Elmwood, his birthplace and
home, its surroundings. and the family
life; OF the growth and development
there; of his love for his country, that
was the controlling influence of his
life; of his entrance to Harvard at the
age of Is. and his college life; his love
for the classics, and his admiration for
early English writer's; of his dip into
law reading after his college days were
over, and his final return. to take the
law course at Harvard where he re-
leved it's tedium by contributions, in
verse, to the magazines.
At 81 he took his degree, and in the
same year became engaged to Maria
White; her influence on his life was
next dealt with, his interest in the
things she advocated, radicalism and
an.i-slavery, and their marriage in
1874. 1t was at this time that Lowell's
true career began. In his relations to
men, his life divides itself into three
distinct periods; during the 10 or ~
years of his earlier manhood it was as
the poet and reformer; for 20 years
after that, it was the professor, and
finally as q diplomat his years were
crowned with civic honors.
Immediately after his marriage, the
law having proven itself barren, he be-
came connected with an snti.slavery
paper, in which he could crafty his
longing to pour out songs to help the
and the result was the Bige-
low papers, which ars OF all his works
most peculiarly his own-as Henry
James puts it, mot by him. but his
very SELF" Their ardor. their satire,
their homelness, caught the heart OF
the people and they exerted tremen
dous moral force. In 1s48 they were
gathered into a volume and the first
edition sold in one week.
Lowells transition to proiessorship OF
literature at Harvard, where he sue.
cseded Longfellow, was next spoken OF,
and extracts from his letters were read.
This time was marked with heavy griefs
in the loss of three children and his
wife, the record OF which is to be found
in his poems of The Chsngeling, The
First Snowfall, The Dead House and
After the Burial, rather than in his let
ters.
As the editor OF the Atlantic Monthly
and North American Review, Mr.. Low
ell wrote incisive, aggressive and fear.
less political articles; his second series of
Bigelow Papers were written during
this period. and the publication of such
works az Among My Books, My Study
and The Cathedral.
In 1877 there was another metamor-
professor became a diplomat,
and his political sentiments and prejur
dices were reviewed; letters were read
written from Madrid; and in London be
filled the position OF American minister
with dignity and grace. He occupied a
foremost place as a wit and after-dinner
speaker; later letters were read picturing
his life's full fruition, the fascination he
felt of the life in England. where he
passed his 10th birthday ; the indescrib-
able sadness of his return to Elmwood
in his old age, an invalid and the Gym
patty and comfort he felt in recalling
past joys and pleasures.
A letter written in June, '9l, gave q
last picture of himself and his delight
in nature up the time of his death, Aug.
ust ~, 1891. His traits of character
were touched upon, the most prom ounoed
being perennial youth bitter expert
ences with him left no black drop be-
hind his desire for affection was strong,
and his letters are filled with a deep.
warm human affection for his friends,
not one of whom he ever lost. He was
q son OF nature and felt only good will
toward others. He had a wit ever
present; his modesty was great; he de-
unchastty OF mind as of body,
and mis- religion was simple and pure.
The best things in his letters were his
comments ON men and books; be had
catholicity of taste; his achievements
were excellent, and while not the
greatest poet, nor the greatest esssyist,
nor the greatest statesman, he was pre-
eminently cultured man OF letters,
diplomatic as an American and broad
and generous to humanity.
The guests for the morning were
Mines. Harfeld t. Christian, San
Diego; Hamilton Johnson. La Jolla;
Marion Burnham, Pillsbury, Los Ange-
les; o Smart Taylor. Pasadena; J.
Mills Kendrck, w. A. Phelps, New
Orleans; Misses Sadie Battleson. Pleas
anton, Kan. j. @. Nofcross, Philadel-
phia; Jesse Bryant, Chicago, and A. L.
PascOe, New Orleans.
Steady, ST. ady, and Keep Cool!
For the grand auction sale TODAY.