The Advocate and news., 1898-04-20

'Tis only God can be had for the asking
A BRIEF REVIEW OF LOWELL'S
WRITINGS.
The Bigelow Papers, OF which there
are two series, are humorous poems on
the political events OF the day. They
were supposed to be letters written 10
the editor of the Boston Courier by Hosea
Blgelow, a sort of home-spun genius from
a country town. They were so witty that
they set people to laughing, yet at the
same time winning them over to his
side on the subject Of slavery-one series
being against the Mexican war and the
other written during the civil war.
Although much OF the poem is now out
of date some of the lines are as true and
fresh as when written. We still have
men who
Have ben on all sides that give places rpelf,-
Ben true to one party, AN thet 10 hlmSelI'
Then the slippery eel-like politician
who believes
A glnOone statesman must be on his guard -
III lie must heV beliefs not 10 bleeVe them Gu
hard.
And in his advice to politicians, Hosea
Bigelow imparts good advice to all:
Folks thet worked thorough was the ones thet
thriv,
But bad work follers ye ez long ez ye llve
But int git rid on Jest eZ sure ez sim
It's alters aSktn' tn be done aRin.
The Bgelow Papers are Lowell's most
original contribution to our literature,
portraying, as they do, the poetry and
hOrnely wit of the Yankee character.
FABLE FOR CRITICS.
This was a description in his own
sharp, funny way Of the writer's Of Amer
ica-not omitting himself:
Here's Lowell, who striving Parnassus to
CLIMB.
With a whole bale of isms tied together in
rhyme
The Cathedral Under the Willows,
Heartsease and Rue, Harvard Commem-
Grafton Ode and Concord Centennial Ode,
the Present Crisis, the Changeling and
the First Snowfall are poems.
THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL.
This poem relates to the old legend
of the Holy Grail treated in that spiritual
manner, so fitted to the subject in which
occurs the few lines at the commence
ment of this article. The story runs
thus: Sir Launfal, youthful knight,
with wealth and strong limbs, sets out on
his quest for the cup. So buoyant and
full of hope is he when starting out that
scornfully he filings aims to poor beg
gar who appeals to him for aid. When
he returns long afterward, homeless,
poor and weary, his youth gone and a
hopeless sad expression upon his coun-
tenance which alone told the story Of
1rSc RfNCsE Eha TnlV q
leper sits by the road side. Sir Launfal
does not this time pass the beggar scorn-
fully by, but divides his last mOldy crust
with the leper and brings him drink
in a wooden bowl. AS he lifts the bowl
to the leper's lips 1t turns to the Grail
itself and the poor outcast is the Savior,
who stands before Sir Launfal.
PROSE WORKS.
My Study Windows, Among My Books,
Fireside Travels, Democracy and other
addresses.
SIDE LIGHTS.
a The Holy Grail was, according to the
legend, the cup used by our Savior when
he instituted the Lords supper, and was
kept by Joseph of Arimathea. AT last
il was hid away ESQ the legend runs) and
no one except perfectly pure and up
right character could behold it.
b The First Snowfall tells about the
first snow that fell on his little ones
grave, and of little Mabel's question,
Father, who makes it snOw?"
In order to help our young people who
wish to join the Reading Circle OF the
Advocate and News we have decided 10
form an auxiliary club whereby any cab.
scriber to this paper may become a men,
Der. For particulars send self-addressed,
stamped envelope to Mamie M. Bruner.
413 Kansas avenue, Topeka, Kas.
Claims against Spain aggregating $16,-