The Advocate and news., 1898-04-13
THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARS 8.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL,
(1S19-1S91.)
POET. CRITIC, EssAYIsT.

sell Lowell, VINO was ten years younger
than Holmes
He, too, was the son of clergyman,
and his home was a quiet and refined
one, 1t being literary atmosphere that
surrounded him. Every educational ad-
vantage was his yet he neglected his op-
portunities and, strange as 1t may seem,
gave promise Of being dreamer" and
an indOlent fellow
He was sent away from Harvard for a
time owing to some mlschievous prank,
but, returning, he graduated, being class
poet.
Like so many writer's, he, too tried
law after graduating from Harvard, and
he, too, disliked lit very much and soon
turned to his true vOcatlon-a literary
one. A Years Life was his first volume
Of poetry, published in 1841. Two years
later, he, Poe, Hawthorne and Whittier
tried to edit a magazine, but only three
issues were published and the plan aban-
dOned.
Lowell married Marie White, who was
somewhat of a poet and an ardent sup
porter of the abolitionists. This must
have been the influence bearing upon
Lowell for he became noted by his lite
rary efforts in behalf Of slavery. His
fathers home was "Elmwood," famous
for its historical associations, and on
it's grounds was built a cottage hearing
the name Of "Elmwood, Junior, .oi the
young married people. It was in the
year 1S48 Lowell gave to the world his
three poems, "The Vision Of Sir Launfal,
"The Bigelow Papers" and "a Table for
the Critics" They were remarkable,
bearing, as they did, on three different
subjects, dealing with them all in a
mastery fashion.
The first was Of a deeply religious
character, the second was full Of witty
sarcasms against slavery, the third a
kindly satirical poem on the living au-
thors Of the day.
Lowell being offered Longfellow's
place at Harvard went to Dresden, Ger
many, to prepare himself for the posi-
tion, but when he came back he did not
accept Of 1T as he found Longfelow,
Emerson and Holmes talking up" the
founding of a new magazine. Lowell
Joined them, and the result was the At
lantic Monthly. He was also joint editor
Of the North American Review, to which
was contributed the greater portion Of
his prose works.
He was sent as Minister to Spain by
our government and afterward trans
ferTed to England, where they honored
him greatly. In Westminster Abbey
there Is a tablet to his memory.
He was patriotic, and in all his writ
ings he has endeavored to inspire others
with his patriotism.
He has not been a universal poet"
as was our beloved Longfellow, and 1t
requires more time and thought to read
Lowell. He is not known and appreci-
ated now as he was at the time Of the
slavery agitation. Then his patriotism
was of unestimable value and his wit
ticism keen, yet coming from broad,
whole-souled man who did not indulge
In petty quarrels. The men who called
forth some of his witty verses are dead,
and we cannot, amid such different sur
rOundings, appreciate his humor.
Not only great reader and deep
thinker himself, he also StroVe to help
others appreciate good literatuI be-
coming, in fact, literary educ& or by
practice and precept. When he died, in
1891, America lost true patriot as well
as one who has been instrumental in
giving ms national literature
Gleanings from Lowell's poetic writ
ings:
Be noble! and the nobleness that lies
In other men, sleeping, but never dead,
VIII rise in majesty to meet thine own.
Great truths are portions of the souls OF
men;
Great souls are portions Of eternity.
Be a man among men, not humbug
among humbugs.
Not failure, but low aim, is crime.