The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-15
w. GEORGE POWELL
Written for The Tribune.

Written for The Tribune.
1t may seem superfiuous to the general
reader to add another note to the eloquent
tributes that have been paid to the men,
ory Of Professor W. George Powell, yet
his life had many sides and the subject Is
by no means exhausted. BY the death CT
Mr.. Powell a large circle Of friends and
acQuaintances has sustained great loss,
the sense of this loss is expressed by a
deep and prolonged grief which is univer-
sal among those who had the privilege Of
knowing him. This sorrow Is not limited
to his immediate friends and acquaint-
ances; throughout the whole community
there Is a feeling Of affectionate regret
at the sad ending Of a life SO full of brill
liant promises. Professor Powells life.
however, was not one Of mere promises
barren of achievements. Considering his
years and his opportunities he had already
accomplished much. Had the full meas
ure of mans days been allotted to him.
he would have won for himself a place
In the literature Of our country that any
man might be proud to occupy. Prophecy.
however, Is not criticism, and 1t may be
Inappropriate to anticipate what his fu-
ture might have been The world con-
Germs itself with realities only, the per-
formance and not the promise; yet meas
ured by this rigid standard Professor
Powell was q remarkable young man
lowered with many rare gifts Of heart
and mind. He had genial personality
which attached itself In true human fell
lowship with all classes and conditions OF
men. With him both in bright days Of
actual Intercourse and through long years
Of tried acquaintance the highest dream
Of friendship could be, and for many. was
translated into a reality.
1t Is not the purpose of this letter to dis
cuss his rare social qualities which will
ever be held in loving remembrance by all
his friends. We aim rather, to give the
public some knowledge Of his exceptional
Intellectual attainments, his broad cul-
ture and his distinct individuality as
writer and a man. Professor Powell be-
gan his life with an unquenchable curl
osity and q lively intelligence. which stim-
ulated him to intense mental efforts. that
may have done much to exhaust him be-
fore his time. In his early teens we find
him collecting fossils, plants and insects
Of every description and classifying them
with far more familiarity with latin
terminology than could have been natural
and wholesome In one of his years. He
became an omniverous reader, cease
less talker. He cultivated his powers Ct
apprehension to q remarkable pitch Of
sensitiveness. He possessed quick and
sympathetic temperament that was lit
orally palpitating with sensibility. lie
was impetuous, imaginative and over
flowing with eagerness to touch life at all
It's points.
These qualities Of his mind are in some
measure reflected in his writings. which
consist Of innumerable essays, sketches,
letters and poems. He wrote upon an In
finite variety Of subjects and always
wrote we'll. He had real gift Of express
sion which he exercised in every form of
literary workmanship and in each he
demonstrated his ability to WELD the i'm
piements Of literary art with exceptional
power and effect. He was fond Of style.
wrote about style, and sought to achieve
q style Of his own, yet he had none Of the
vanity Of the mere craftsman. He al
ways avoided artificial attractions. In
nated pretensions, and non-artistic man.
nerisms; those grievous faults which per-
wade to a large extent the current liter
ature Of the day. He abhorred all dis
plays Of pedantry. Simplicity was his
shibboleth and the ultimate aim Of all his
work was to grasp at generic truths.
In the poetry Of Professor Powell there