New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-12
A LANIER AFTERNOON.
IMPRESSIONS OF THE POET BY THE REV.
WILLIAM HAYES WARD.
LANIER, SINGING RY MARGARET ELLIOTT
AND NJ. DID GOGORZA

READINGS OF POEMS AND LETTERS BY MKS
LANIER- SINGING Ry MARGARET ELLIOTT
AND NJ DID GoGoRzA.
The second Laner afternoon was given yester-
day az the house OF Mira. Reginald De Koven.
with even larger attendance than at the pre-
v.ous one The following was the programme
carried out: Impressions Of Sidney Lanier." the
Rev William Hayes Ward. D. D.; readings by
Mrs. Lanier: songs-"Sunset' words by Sidney
Lanier music by De Koven). Miss Margaret Eli
nott. accompanied by the composer: Sunset.
dudley Buck). NJ. De Gogorza; letters Mrs.
I.anier: song. Miss Margaret Elliott Ballad of
Trees and the Master words by Sidney Lanier,
music by Urban. NJ. de Gogorza.
DR.. Ward began his address with a tribute to
Mrs Lanier. who had been the first to appreciate
her husbands genius. and was now devotlng her
life TO the work Of making It known TO others.
He then proceeded 10 give estimate of the
poets work. which he considered to be distin
gushed less by beauty of form than by beauty
Of thought.
His is not the mere smoothness Of polish he
said, but the fresh and easy grasp OF original
power. In the Ballad OF Trees and the Master
the construction is most remarkable. The poem
is unsurpassed for tenderness and solemnity. and
yet the poet in II three-syllabe rhymes, which
one would have thought only suitable for lighter
NO poem except the Crossing Of the Bar ever
touched this did
Regarding Sunrise" DR.. Ward spoke even more
highly
1T has reached a height" ne said. Ito which
other American poet has attained. II Is poem
for poets and test by which may dstin.
guish tho true lover OF poetry"
Mrs. Lanier's readings from the poets letters
related principally musical matters. and she
gave an interesting account OF his meeting with
DR.. Damrosch- who was much impressed with his
musical genius Damrosch told him. however,
that he ought to count the before deciding
10 enter upon musical career. and Mr. Lanier
replied that he had no choice in the matter.
Music was TO him spiritual necessity, and he
he a musician, because he could live
otherwise.
With reference TO this. Mrs Lanier stated that
her husband literally lived In world Of music.
he was always hearing melodies. and when he
mprovised had only TO play them. She had never
heard Of any else who had this gift, except a
young girl in the South, and she had never spoke
OF II until she heard OF Sidney Laniers experience.
Before the singing of the ballad of Trees and
the Master" Mrs. Lanier told how IT written.
1T was done in fifteen minutes" she said, "and
that way" lie dangerously I'll at the time and
Mrs. Lanier had just been called TO friend
who also very i'll Mr. I.anier asked for pen
and paper, and though he weak that he
could scarcely raise his hand. he wrote the Ballad
OF Trees and the Master while his wife was
10 start he handed II TO her, and told her take
II TO the other invalid.
Among those present at the recital were Mrs |
Burke Roche, Mrs Lorard Spencer Mrs Will |
IAN s. Rainsford. Mrs. Ben All Haggin. Miss Law
renee, Mrs. Garfield. Mrs Dunlap Hopkins Mrs !
Sarah Cowell lie Moyne Miss Mary T.. Bart |
Miss Adele Fiede and Mrs. Winthrop Cowdin