New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
EDWARD DICKINSON.

BY ONE WHO KNEW AND LOVED HIM.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir In his exquisite poem The Danodiis'
Wordsworth tells that he gazed at the flowers
with delight. but still not with full apprecia-
ton Of the delight which subsequently they
We're to afford him
For Oft when on my couch ne.
In vacant or In jocund MOOD
Which Is the bliss Of solitude; -
And then my heart with pleasure Ills.
And dances to the danodils
I recall these lines in thinking Of the late
Edward Dickinson OF Amherst. To have
known him was a delight. but TO recall him IN
the wears 20 come will be a yet keener pleasure.
Memory Is a Claude Lorrain glass. Absence
from such as he strengthens affection. His per-
sonaity. as stanch as 1t was sweet. Will con-
tinually flash upon the inner eyes or those VINO
loved him; In all times Of our prosperity noble
admonition. in all times Of our diversity an IT.
resistible consolation. His friends. cannot
doubt, find life better worth living because OF
him. He exempllfed its high possibilities He
helped US 20 appeal from the valley and the
shadow TO the Detachable Mountains and the
perfect day.
Edward Dickinson bore without reproach the
grand old name Of gentleman" 1t was impos-
sible to be in his company even for little wniie
without being impressed with his spontaneous
unselishness and colVtesy. and with the iorti-
ness Of the standards to which he conloriheo
his conduct He was gentle. but his was not
the gentleness whose other name is weakness
but OF soul which ever ordered It's actions IN
accordance with the golden rule-whose atti-
tude toward his fellows was the outcome OF
devotion to the divine precept. 1t 10 more
blessed to give than to reosive." He was con-
stantly giving in large measure love- sympathy.
consideration. liberation and a many-sided un-
stinted generosity. A shrewd observer OF men
and things. his a wit and humor which
were as kindly as they were keen and dis
eliminating.
1t was my privilege 70 visit him In his nome'
IN which--like his father before him-ne WAS
the perfect host. The consummate flower OF ur-
banity He dispensed the Inequalities OF The
Eyergreens with heartiness and a grace which
II would be impossible TO surpass Perhaps
without invading the sanctity OF the domestic
circle l may add that his unvarying atttuue
toward the members OF his household profnpl csI
one TO exclaini. Edward Dickinson is COM
plete refutation of the familiar sigh that the
age Of chivalry is past. In the pest SENSE vi
the term he was knghtly.
Over the grave Of Arthur Hugh Clough the
greatly gifted. the early lost. Charles Eliot Nor
ton spoke a few words which came back 10 ME
when / heard that Edward Dickinson had van.
sshed from these mortal scenes. For they well
might be his epitaph ITO win such love as
nc won IN life, leave behind as dear a mem
Ory as ne has left, is lot which falls 10 Few
mortals He was loved by friends whose al
lection is better than fame. and who In losing
him have met with an irreparable loss. Ed
ward Dickinson great stores or love ana
has left behind him a memory which is the
complement of the love. its perfect justihcatlon.
A few days ago / stood on Gods acre on the
beautiful upland in whose bosom he sleeps his
last sleep. The budding trees. clad in the ex-
Quisite living green Of the spring whispered OF
him and were answered by the winning carols
of tho birds and the songs without words OF the
tossing wild flowers. Beyond were the circllng
hills and from a sky of blue streamed INC
golden sunshine Ponderng upon his pure and
lovely character then and there was TO feel that
he was OF the goodly company OF whom Lowell
sings In his majestic ode
see them muster IN cleaning row,
With ever-youthful brows that nobler snow
We find In our dull round their shining track;
In every nober mood
We feel the orient of their spirit glow
Part Of life's unalterable good.
OF all our santler aspiration;
They transfigured back.
Secure from change In their high hearted ways
Beautiful evermore and with the rays .
OF morn their white shields of expectation
WILLIAM II. M'ELROY.
Rochester Tune 1 1898