The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-21
TRIBUTE TO
WESTERN
POET.
Frisco VIII Erect a Monument
TO Daniel 0'ConneII, Descend
ant Of tho LibeTatoT.

San Francisco, Sept. 2t.-The memory OF
one OF the group of rare poets who found
inspiration under the cloudless blue clouds
| OF California is to be perpetuated in an
| exquisitely simple manner.
Daniel O'Connell. whose verse fraught
with rare sentiment gave him rank with
| Ina M. coolbirth, John Vance Cheney
! and the unfortunate Richard Reaalf, left
a host OF sorrowing friends when he died
| year ago.
He was an ideal Boheman--a man OF
| deep learning, OF infinite humor. Of
virile nature full OF love of life. indiffer-
| ent 10 the narrow conventionaiities OF the
| world, devout worshipper OF nature.
His mind of a material turn, but when
, his imagination found expression in lines
OF graceful Imagery he was a pure sem
timentalist.
lie was a linsal descendant OF the great
Irish liberator. He studied at Dublin uni
versity, whose sons invariably made their
mark with magnetic brilliancy OF their
course through life. He procured COM
mission in England's nsvy-a congenial
profession, for he had an instructive love FOR
the sea. But he was impatient with the
restrictions OF discipline.
His impetuous temperament his fond
ness for jest kept him I'm hot water lie
was the enfant torrible OF the wardroom-
a leader Of mischief While serving on
cruiser attached 10 the Pacific squadron
nc got into scrape that was too serious
to be overlooked and resigned from the
service.
This was I'm the late sos. O'Connen set
tied In San Francisco and lived there till
his death. He Joined the rsnlJs OF the
f,trr nj
with equal skin and style. His home was
In one OF tho suburbs OF san Francisco
In Sansaito. pretty village that cings
TO the sides or ono OF the hills OF the
coast range. IL rs across the Golden, Gate
from the city overlooking tho broad ex-
panse OF one of the most beautiful bays
in the world.
His favoritc spot was the ton of an emil
nence commanding a comprehensive view.
IL was there that ne loved 10 liuger I'm
his communinRs with nature, and IA is
there that his monuments 70 stand.
The memorial is characteristics sim
pie seat IN granite with approaching
steps. svnboiical Of the mans nature and
or his love for his fellow man. On the
panels of the set the recognition OF the
poet will be expressed by the carving Of his
last poem. his Swan Song, "The Cham
ber OF Sleep"
No one has more beautifully expressed
the theme he selected. Here are the
verses:
THE CHAMBER OF SLEEP.
have a Castle of Silence, fankcd by a
lofty keep.
And across the drawbridge lcth the love-
ly chamber OF sleep:
Its walls are draped with legends woven
In threads OF gold,
Legends beloved I'm dreamland in the
tranquil DAYS OF old.
Here lies the Princess sleeping in the pal
ace. solemn and stiE.
And the knight and countess slumber:
and even the noisy rill
That flowed by the ancient tower has
passed on It's way to the see.
And the deer are asleep in the forest and
birds are asleep in the trce.'
And in my Castle OF Silence. In my
chamber of sleep lie down
Like the faroff murmur of forests came
the turbulent echoes OF town.
And the wrangling tongues about me have
now no power TO keep
Ny soul from the solace exceeding the
blessed Nirvana of Sleep.
Lower the port-cullis softly. sentries
placed on the wall;
Let shadows OF quiet and silence on all
my palace fall:
Softly draw my curtains let the
world labor and weep--
My soul Is safe environed bv the walls
OF my Chamber OF Sleep.