The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-21
TALKS ON WHITTIER
Paul Brown Characterize d the
Lyric Poet.
QUOTATIONS FROM WORKS
Author eff Poetry That Appeals
10 the Soul.

Paul Brown gave the fifth number of
the classical lecture course last night
at the Plymouth Congregational church.
His subject was Whittier" lie handled
his subject in a masterful style, which
could only be done by one who has made
life time study of the great poet and
one who understands the character Of
Whittier through the study Of his poetry.
Mr.. Brown adopted a plan of his lee
ture that was new to his audience. that of
giving the character of the man by
study of his works. By numerous quota
tons from Whittier ne showed the deyel-
opment of the man from his youth 70 old
age, from the period of his buoyant po-
ems, through his trials and doubts and
then into the serenity of old age and
mastery of life's secrets.
He die not use a manuscript hence ex-
act quotations cannot be given.
He opened his address by telling of the
testimonial presented to Whittier on the
S0th anniversary of his birthday. in whici.
were he words: Il wonder if Mr.. Whit
tier knows how much his country men
love him." and which testimonial con-
tanned the names Of the state officials of
Massachusetts and illustriouS citizens
following which were the names of fifty
nine United States senators and then the
names of the entire bench Of the supreme
court Of the United States. Then those
of Speaker Carlisle of the house Of repre-
sentatives AID 233 members Of that be dy,
representing every state in the Union,
north or south of the Mason and Dixon
lines On the same occasion the governor
of Massachusetts and his executive coun-
ell chartered a special train and came
FROM Boston tc visit the modest lHric
poet. The audience was invited in nle
manner TO visit the poet of love and
affection.
The visit should be made through the
same 1Ocr that first received the speaker
and that door was Winters poetry,
rather than the history of his life
''All work shows the worker behind IT,
When the Creator made khe earth he
made as his GROWING WORT man, a crea-
ture after His own likeness so man, IN
imitation of the Supreme Architect, pla-
ces into his works his own likeness. This
IS especially true of the poets. And OF
all poets the lyric poet most emphc tic
ally puts his own life into his poetry. We
can therefore follow the development of
Whittiers life and character by a care
ful selection os his poetry"
lie then used Snow bound" to show
the birthplace and family of the poet, the
father. brief of words but Just, the
mother, gentle and tender, the pest Of
horsekeepers. The maiden aunt, the
bachelor uncle, and the sisters and the
brother. all living in a loving communion
He drew especial attention to the district
school teacher as n type of the teachers
who boarded at the Whittier home. and
referred 20 Joshua Coffin, as he who gave
the boy the poems of Burns. On reading
them, tn poetic was born in Whittier
Tradition has it that his first IL ems
We're written on his mothers home
Some of his boyhcod rhymes have been
preserved. They sho wthe ear true to the
poetic cadence from the beginning His
sister considering that some of Green
leafs poems were as good as those usual
" published in the poets corner of the
Free Press, slipped one entitled THE
JcarIs Departure under the door Of the
printing office. The publica ton encour-
aged the sending of another entitled
The Deity Elizabeth Barrett Brown
ing has said Niost all the birds will sing
at dawn, and vet We do not take the
chattering swallow for -ne holy lark
Garrison the editor recognized in the song
Of this bird, that of tie lark lie in
quired OF the postman and drove four
teen miles into TIE country to ind the
author. Garrison left HaVerhilI and an
tNAl'A tNtAlpt NtA4ilc MI ia YER he. TOO.
recognized the song Of the lark and he
also sought the poet At his request
Whittier was allowed TO attend the Hav-
erEil lacsdeE1y. Several terms there was
the extent Of his higher education.
The newspaper then became his school
room. As an editor he VAS a strong
writer and was widely copied. Ills po-
etry also was COPIED and at the age of
> years he had written over hundred
a hos
but small number. These show that
he was poet of merit. The Vandois
Teacher was translated into French and
became a household poem among the
Naldenses. These poems show the poet
q quiet honest. discerning man. holding
fast 10 his mothers faith
There Is a radical change in his no
etty liz l12. At this date he had ceased |
70 consider a political or literary career.
and At tie call of Garrison nad come ont
on the side of the abolitorist He pub
hshed Justice and EXpediency,' u most
powerful anti-slavery prose article Ii
vas SO bitterly attacked that for giving a /
copy TO fricrd DR.. CraudaU was i'm
prisoned in the city of Washington till his
health was destroyed and he was liberal
ed only 10 die. This is the meaning Of
the verse in "Astraea al the Capital,
which reads.
Beside ME sloomed the prison cell.
Where wasted one in slow decline
For uttering simple words Of mine
And loving freedom all too Well
Reyileing, personal violence in the
form OF st0ning and rotten eggs. burning
his printing Office. threatening Of tar and
feathers and other personal abuse could
not stop the torrent of his verse against /
slavery.
1t is said that il was harsh poetry and
L certainly was harsh as = few quota
lions VIII show.
Mother of freedom wise and brave,
Rise awful III thy strength, said
Al me, ispoke but but TO the dead
/ stood upon her grave.
In the slave Ships he says:
fIark from the ships dark bosom
The very sound OF hell.
The ringing clanlz OF iron