The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-07-27
SKETCH.

Not one of the least known names of
Lexington's ladies' is that of Miss Mary u.
Bryant. A native OF Virginia, she came
with her father, the late Rev. s.. >.
Bryant, to Missouri, in her girihood. In
1867 or 1868 she resided with her parents
in this city for a short time, but he being
appointed to another WORK removed to
Independence, where she lost her mother.
After the death of her father Miss Bryant
accepted the chair OF English literature
in Central college, Lexington, which posi-
ton she has continuously, most ably and
successfully filed. Miss Bryant's reputa-
ton ar a teacher of unusual ability is not
limited to Missouri, but 1t Is also thor
oughiy established and well known in
other states. And it can be truly said
that few, IL any, have proven 81 univsr-
sally successful in Inspiring In their
pupils a love for learning aud a desire for
knowledge as has she.
The p~ersonelle OF Miss Bryant Is at once
pleasing and impressive. A brilliant con-
versatiouaiist she has also the rare gift OF
being u good listener. "She Is the
embodiment Of that type OF beauty that
springs from Within" and that charms
the more because its possessor Is 81 I'M
conscious OF its grace.
Al arden student and endowed with
an intellect of the highest order, and a
power OF mind Of unusua breadth, Miss
Bryant has well improved her oppor-
tunities, her gifts and graces, aud Is justly
ack n~owiedged 10 be not only one of the
most accomplished women of today, but
also az one OF the most erudite scholars OF
the present time. Perfectly lat home"
with books and authors, well vrrsed IN
literature, In science, and IN art, and sew
eral languages, she Is the peer OF many
scholars ofinote, and Is undisputed author
ity upon all subjects submitted to her.
Miss Bryant began her career as q
writer, of both prose and poetry, when
mere child and some OF her earliest pro.
d~uctions as q poet would do credit to
mature minds. In her II has been fully
proven that 1.-THE poet in born, not made;"
Tor even In her childhood her writings
from time to time found their way into
print Inc were recognized at once as OF
unusual merit.
A collection of some OF her early poems,
together with others of later date, was
published anonymously q few years since
| and elected most favorable criticism upon
both sides of the Atlantic. One reviewer
graveiy asserted that she unknown
author need not be shamed to give his
zimmerman he must be for 1t is not In the
power OF woman to produce such poetry"
| One Of the poems, entitled "Fantasma,"
was without the knowledge OF consent OF
the author appropriated by some uncon-
sciorAble person." dramatized and put
upon the stage. 1t proved to be q very
popular and successful spectacular pro-
Notwithstanding Miss Bryant's very
busy life In the school room she still finds
time to use her pen, o not only grace
fully does she use II to sketch b poets
pictured dream, but c~ourageously, wisely
and well does she WELD i in any portion
of the field Of literature she may chose 70
select; aud many perhaps who are
charmed with the smoothly flowing
rhythmic verse which they read would
scarcely think that the logical, phiio-
upon the current events and popular
topics Of the day were all written by the
self-same person; while others. per.
chance, would be surprised to know that
the fearless. strong contestant Tor the
pure, the good, the true in church, and
state, and home, and heart 10 the gifted,
talented, accomplished, yet retiring uuas-
Stunning Christian lady. Miss Mary Y.
Bryant Of Central college, Lexington.
BELLE GREEN.