The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-23

Mr.. Charles Dudley Warner is writer
whom it is not easy to classify by any
sectional term, or any other term, for
that matter. He is not strictly speaking
poet nor an essayist, nor writer Of
fiction, although the genius which pro
duced "My Summer in Garden" and
"The Backlog Studies might disting-
uish itself, one would think. if it tried
10 any one of these special lines. Mr..
Warner has preferred, however. to flock
by himself in matters purely literary,
and has been coDspicuohsly successful
in following out that determination.
He is certainly entitled to the distinction
of being one of Americas greatest as
we'll as most popular men of letters
His writings have been compared to
those of DIR. Holmes in their philosophi
cal playfulness; to Charles Lambs in
the quaintness of their humor, and to
Steele's and Addisons in their purity of
style. In certain of his meditative
writings he bears resemblance to the
genial "Ik Marvel" the author Of
Dream Life" Both of these men de-
serve we'll of the world because their
writings have always been of the posit-
lively hopeful and CHEEKY kind, some
thing with the sunshine in them and
the breath of the fields and the woods.
Like many other successful authors,
Mr.. Warner found himself elected TO
the professional guild one day without
ever having seriously and deliberately
proposed himself for such a position.
AS boy on New England farm he de-
voured all the books that came within
his reach, and had his dreams as such a
boy might be expected to have of writ
ing few books himself some day. A
little later while attending school at Ca
zenovia, N. Y, he showed "clever hand"
at composition, and attracted the atten-
tion of his preceptors on that account.
His guardian intended him for trade,
however; and for time he was en-
ployed in such eminently practical
duties as belong to clerk in drug
shop, and then in the post Office. After
wards he entered Hamilton College,
from which he was graduated in 1851.
He filed reams of paper with rhymes,
essays and romances, and was always
active in the debating society. But he
had no idea at this time of becoming a
professional author. He turned his
eyes instead towards public life; speech
making seemed to be great accomplish
ment, and Congressman star of con-
siderable magnitude. This dream of
glory was not fulfilled: his health was
poor after his graduation. and in order
to restore it he went to Missouri with
party of surveyors. After this adven-
ture he studied law, and practiced lit
tie in Chicago; but at last Though not
until he was thirty-one) he took up
journalism as a profession, and here
found his life work. An old friend,
Joseph r. Hawley, was then. as now, ed
itor and proprietor of the Hartford
Courant, and young Warner was called
to the place of chief editorial writer on
that journal, and there he remains to
this day. after a continuous service OF
over thirty years. 1t was through oc-
casional contributions to his own paper,
not of an editorial character, that Mr..
Warner finally found himself numbered
among the successful authors of his day.
The chapters of my Summer in Gar
den," were originally series of articles
written for the Courant, without a
thought of further publication. 1t was
in response to numerous suggestions
coming to him from various quarters
that they were.made into book. That
was in 1870. Since then his published
works have grown to considerable list,
and there is time, il fortunately his life
is spared, for good many more.