The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-29
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
james Russell Lowell and His
Friends, DR.. Hale's Delightful Book.

This is an attractive and prolific theme
for any writer possessing the requisite
knowledge and literary taste TO handle it
properly. and none could possess these in
higher degree than DR.. Edward Everett
Hale. James Russell Lowell and His
Friends is a delightful ook-not exactly
a biography. nor yet exactly a book of per-
sonal "reminiscences and anecdote concerning
literary people and events, but a Judicious
and charming mixture of both. Lowell him.
self was a literary light of the first magni-
tude. an American of Americans, a great
thinker and worker, and in DR.. Hale he ana
his friends find an appreciative biograpner.
In successive chapters the reader learns or
Lowell's boyhood and early life, his student
life at Harvard. his literary work in col
lege, his life at Concord and Boston, his ex-
perience as an editor, his connection with
politics, his twenty years as professor at
Harvard. his service as minister TO England.
etc. The account Of these various phases
Of Lowelrs life is embellished with a wealth
Of anecdote and personal reminiscence that
probably no other person but DR.. Hale could
OF course, Lowell Is the central
figure throughout. and the book introduces
the reader to a close acquaintance with his
character, life and works OF the numerous
dha oOoAN NA0SAs ~
which the book abounds one possesses local
interest because it refers to ex-President
Harrison. Near the close of the volume the
writer says: on the 3Oth of April, 1889,
there was a magnificent festival in the city
of New York, at which Mr.. Lowell spoke.
1t is already forgotten by the people of that
city and Of the country but at the moment
1t engaged universal attention. 1t was the
celebration of the centennial of the estab-
lishment of the United States as a nation,
the centennial of the birth of the Constitu-
ton: of the inauguration of Washington.
1t was. Of course, the fit occasion for the
expression Of the peoples gratitude for the
blessings which have followed on the estab-
lishment Of the federal Constitution. For
this celebration the most admirable ar
rangements were made in New York by the
committee. which had the matter in hand.
In the evening a banquet was served at the
Metropolitan Opera House. and many of
the most distinguished speakers in the coun-
try had gladly accepted the invitation TO be
present. Among them Lowell naturally was
one. But to those who listened it seemed as
If all these great men were in a sort awed
by the greatness of the occasion. His ad-
dress, perhaps because SO carefully pre-
pared l. was for the purpose no better TT, than a.
~s
Every man who spoke was asking himself
how his speech would read In 1889. There
was no spontaneity; instead of Ii there was
decorum and consideration, the determine
ton to think wisely, and none Of the elo-
quence which belongs TO the men and the
stream or considerable commonplace flowed
on, till at 2 o'clock In the morning the new
President of the United States made the
closing speech. The expectation of this ad-
dress, and that alone. had held the great
audience together. He was probably the
only man who had not had a chance to make
any preparation. He had gone through the
day alive with the feeling of the day, drink
ing In It's Inspirations; and with such prepa-
ration as six hours at the dinner table would
give MIN, ne rose to say what the day had
taught him. He made one of the most mag
nificent addresses to which / have ever
listened. He led with him from height to
height an audience jaded and tired by the
dignity Of lawyers, the dexterity of politi-
clans. and the commonplace of scholars. In
reputation as a great public orator among
the thousand men who were fortunate
enough to hear him. And yet, such is the
satire OF what We call history that, because
the other speeches had been written out and
could be sent to the journals-because even
to press at some time-this absolutely ex-
tempOraneous speech Of the one man who
proved himself equal to the occasion did
not get itself reported in any adequate form,
and Will never go down into history. There
is, however, no danger that any of the other
addresses of that great ceremonial will be
read at the end of the hundred years"
This Is a eulogy of General Harrison rather
than of James r. Lowell. but il illustrates
the anecdotal character Of the book. which
is as rich in episodes as il is In biography.
The book is issued in good style by Hough-
ION Aff1tn N ln RnSfnn