The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-08


well-known signature, and on the Pc
destaI the inscription, Edgar Allan POE
| lS9-iS49 Student of the University oil
virginia, February to December. 1876
THE EXERCISES.
The exercises to-day we're held in the
now academic building by Or. Kent, pres
ident of the association. The formal pie-
sentatlon OF the bust was made by Mr..
Sidney Ernest Bradshaw, OF Kentucky,
and the acceptance Dy Dr. +. Is Barr.n-
ger chairman Of the faculty. The me-
mortal address was by Mr.. Hamilton w.
Mabie. OF New York, on the relation OF
Poes writings to American literature,
which was followed by the memorial ode
written by the Kentucky poet, Robert
Burns Wilson.
The bust stood on it's pedestal on the
right side OF the rostrum as viewed oy
| the audience. ON the base OF the oust
hung a wreath of golden rod tied with
] blue ribbon, the colors presented pelhs
those of the University.
| The veil was withdrawn by Letcher
| Harrison, the little son Of DR.. James A.
| Harrison. and grandson Oh the late
| Governor Letcher OF Virginia.
| Dr. Barringer took occasion TO invite all
| who cared to be convinced, 10 examine
the record books, which he had at hanu'
TO see that Edgar A. Poe's record mere
| was clear, while on the same page on
which Poes name appears are notes oi
the suspension dismissal and expulsion
| of other students. no marks appear
| against the poet.
MIR. MABIE'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Mabie's address was as follows:
II is the first and perhaps the most 3D.
vious distinction Of Edgar Allan Poe
that his creative work battles all attempts
to relate IT historically to antecedent con-
ditions. that il detached Itself almost COM
pletely from the time and place IN which
il made its appearance and sprang sud
denly and mysteriously from soil which
had never borne its like before.
There was nothing In the America OF
the third decade OF the country which
seemed to predict THE CITY OF the sea,
ISRAELI" and the lines ITO He.en.'
Poe stood alone among his contempora-
ries by reason or the fact that he, While
his imagination was fertilized by the
movement Of the time his work was not
save I'm its originality and beauty, repre-
sentative Of the forces behind II. Inc
group OF gifted men. with whom ne had
for the most part such casual cohnec-
tons reflected the age behind them OF
the time I'm which they lived; Poe shared
with them the creative impulse without
sharing the specific interests and deYo-
lions OF the period.
lie was primarily and destinctively the
artist OF his time; the man who cared Tor
his art and not for what he could say
through II. but FOR what II had 70 say
through him. Emerson. Lowell, Holmes
Whittier. Bryant, Irving, and, in GER
tain aspects OF his genius. Ha"thOrne
might have been predicted reading our
L. So. q IA. Itch Of
velooment their coming seems 70 have
been foreordained by the conditions OF life
on the new continent; and later, Whitman
and Lanier stand for and are bound up In
the fortunes Of the new world and its new
order Of political and social life Poe
alone among men of his eminence could
not have been foreseen. This fact sug-
gests his limitations, but II also brings
into clear view. the unique Individuality
Of his genius and the complete originality
OF his work.
His contemporaries are eXpiicable, Poe
is inexpicable. lie remains the most
sharply defined personality in our literary
history. His verse and his imag inative
prose stand out in bold relief against a
background which neither suggests nor
interprets him. one may go further and
affirm that both verse and prose have a
place by themselves In the literature OF
the world. ss' In the City In the Sea"
"lsrafel," and the verses ITO Helen"-to
recall three Of Poe's earliest and most re-
preventative poems-there is complete de-
tachment from the earlier interests ana
occupations and complete escape into
the world Of ideallty
IL IL part Of the charm Of these perfect
creations that they are free from all trace
OF time and toll out Of the new world of
work and strife suddenly magical doors
were flung wide into the fairy land OF pure
songs, out Of the soil, titled with heroic
labor and courage, a fountain suddenly
8ushed from unsupported springs.
EVENING EXERCISES
At the evening exercises letters Of con-
gratulatlons were read, as well as let
teis containing "reminiscences Of the po-
ct The address Of the evening on the
Rationale OF The Raven" was delivered
by Mr. William Fearing GIN. Of Paris.
France The poetlcal contribution was
by Father Tabb, of Maryland. Chevalier
Reynolds spoke on the last days OF
Poe. and Mr. Willoughby Reade Of
Alexandria, rocited selections from POe's
writings. and also Father Tabb's poem.
Among some Of the Interesting letters
read were those of congratulation by Or
Kent "reminiscences OF the great poet by
Prof Thornton. and tributes 10 his genius
by Prof VIM r. Abbott. Of Bellevue. Va.
Major Davis. the literary editor Of the
New Orleans Picayune. made "A brief and
witty speech.
DR.. KENTS LETTER.
DR.. Kent spoke first of the recognized |
aims Of a university 10 collect and dissent |
nate human knowledge. both IA the halls |
AID 10 the outside world then OF the duty |
TO preserve the historic past If the land |
o. section In which il is situated and then |
OF the higher. nobler and more practical |
purpose belonging TO "A university 20 ap- |
ply knowledge 10 life. and thus cultivate |
wisdom and make man. The two last pur- |
poses are at once subscrved by due honor |
paid 10 the illustrious dead for the record |
Of their achievements the revival OF in |
terest in their lives and work and at the |
same time TO elicit the admiration o. |
young men for the great ana 10 incite them /
10 the emulation OF the deeds OF their |
fathers. The University OF Virginia has |
not been rem'ss beyond other institutions |
In honoring her sons. but she has been |
blessed with many whose substantial at. |
tainments. exemplary citizenship end |
laudable contributions 70 letters and arts |
deserve full recognition at her hands. She |
knows her duty and as fast as oppor- /
tunty offers she Is meeting her obliga
ton Some of her sons were long ago /
hOnored by portraits or other memorials |
others have waited longer for tardier APP |
probation. There are many who have not |
yet received from her any sign Of com
There is a brilliant array Of military |