The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-16

tdtOT error IN dSSuiulu5 NAlO 49, ~
long to New England, in review which
has been generally commented upon as
among the most discriminative, just, and
subtlv sympathetic estimates of his gen.
Jus published on this side the water. From
IL we quote the following. because II mas
new significance now, with the appear
ance of this the third edition OF ms
Lyrics" from Messrs. Copeland ana
Day, Of Boston:
Let Virginia make haste 70 claim her
son-nurtured on the same soil; fed on
high fantasies under the same skies tnat
have already lowered the world with
names not a few"
John 3. Tabb was born on the twenty
second day OF March. 1915. al The For
est" i'm Amelia county, Virginia, the hohle
of his grand parents. He is the son Oh
Mariana Archer and Thomas Yelverton
Tabb-a Virginian Of Virginians. His
youth-that of a peculiarly gifted, happy
and vet thoughtful boy-was spent chiefly
at his birthplace, his education proceed
ing under the care Of a private tutor.
AT the time of the War between the
States. although a mere lad, his loyalty
would brook no restraint, and he gave
his youth to the South's cause, finally
being taken a prisoner 10 Point Lookout.
A seven-months imprisonment, fun or
suffering. had one compensatlon-Sidney
Ianler was here too. and It was within
the prison walls that that warm friend
ship began which only ended with La
nier's death.
When very young. Mr.. Tabb showed
so decided a talent and passionate love
for music that il was In this direction
that those i'm closest touch with him be-
lieved that he would find his future Per-
hans he. too. thought so. for shortly ar
ter the war he went 10 Baltimore In order
10 pursue the study of music. While
there. however, he determined 70 study
for the Episcopal ministry, and In pur-
suing that determination fell under Hlgh
Church influences which finally resulted
i'm his entering the Roman Catholic
priesthood. From Baltimore he went to
Wisconsin. entering Racine College, and
finally returning TO Virginia 10 pursue the
study OF Greek under an old friend OF
his father's-Mr. VIM. II. Harrison. II
was at this period that, In the rebound
from the High Church influences under
which he had been living TO the Low
Church atmosphere OF his Virginia home
that his determination 70 enter the 10
man Catholic priesthood was made, and
later, pursuing It. he entered upon
course Of study at st. Charles College.
near Ellicott City Nd, and afterwards
al st. Mary's, Baltimore. He is now In
structor in the English Branches at the
former.
1t has been said OF him by friends OF
his boyhood that, had he devoted himself
either 10 art or music. fame would as
surely have found him as IL has done IN
the literary field His artistic talent when
a mere child was very unusual, and there
are walls OF Virginia libraries and par
lors upon which hang work OF HIS in that
direction that Is beautiful. Socially he Is
a charming companion-full OF wit that
Is genuinely spontaneous and unsualned
HIS visits TO Richmond are always oc-
casions for gatherings In quiet parlors or
people who have about them what may
be called the sweet lavendar" breath
of a gentle past although, possibly. an
anxious and even struggling present
all who have ever been In them know
how exquisite that spiritual and social
aroma Is. and how Il cannot be initiated.
And shall we sit down and allow this
man 70 be accredited 20 New England?
The volume OF Lyrics just published
consists OF what may be called series
OF poetic canoes. tuny. distinct one 10
each page. and usually not exceeding one
stanza This does not. OF course, include
the sonnets. OF which there are ten
none representing the poets genius at its
best. As a matter OF fact there IS moth
ing IN the volume up 70 the standard OF
the one TO which. as having called out
the Spectators" praise, reference has
already been made. But to again revert
TO our contributor OF two years back.
subtlety Is here: deicacy OF touch, per-
ception OF spiritual significance. and tho
power or COMPRISING a wide thought
into a single pearl OF verse" But in
these verses all are present rather in the
positive than the superlative degree.
In the lines ITO the Wood-Robn" the
music IS all through them OF Joy that
no man taketh from you; the poet has
caught II and the melody Is unmlstakable
The wooing air is jubilant with song.
And blossoms swell
AS leaps thy liquid melody along
The dusky dell
Where Silence, late supreme.
Foregoes her wonted spell.
All. whence In sylvan solitudes remote.
Hast learned fle lore
That breeds delight In every echoing note
The woodlands Ger;
As when. through santing sun,
pesceads the quickenlng shower7
Thy hermitage is peopled with the dreams
That gladden. sleep:
Here Fancy dallles with del!rlus themes
Mid shadows deep.
Till eyes. unused 10 tears.
With Wild emotions weepf