The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-08

/ rs years OF age, but his visitor found him as
! quick and ready in his movements as II
! he had not passed middle life. and despite
his white hair his long, white beard and
his bald forehead he seemed 10 carry with
him something like the elasticity Of per
petual youth He took much pleasure in
showing Mr.. Mccarthy his library and in
talking over books and exchanging ideas
with him on all manner of literary subjects.
Our author noted that Bryant had travelled
much in Europe and the East. and had visited
Eng several times. "He was one of
the most variously educated men IL has
ever been my good fortune To meet His
classical scholarship WAS Of the highest
order, and think his translation OF the
Had one Of the best English versions ever
produced He was intimately acquainted
with the literatures OF France. Germany,
Italy and Spain. and could speak the lam
guage Of these countries with huency and
with remarkable accuracy Our author
adds L may mention that at n later period
Of my acquaintance with Bryant the poet
presided at a dinner given at Delmonicos
restaurant 10 number Of distinguished
foreign visitors, who had come 20 New York,
If remember rightly, on the occasion of
some international exhibition. Bryant had
TO introduce by a speech of his own each
toast proposing the health of a foreign guest.
He spoke. according "a the toast suggested,
In the language Of the country from which
the guests had come, and he seemed to capt-
vate the several nationhlities by his lin
guistc skill. as well ~ by his natural gift
of eloquence.
One Of the distinguished men whom Mr..
Mccarthy met in Bryant's homo WAS the
well known scholar and writer, the late
George Ripley, who, in his earlier days,
had been associated with Margaret Fuller,
Nathaniel Hawthorne. Charles A. Dana,
George William Curtis and others in es-
tablishing that colony OF Brook Farm. the
memory OF which Hawthorne has embodied
and made immortal In his -Blythedale
Romance II there was nothing else.
we read, TO make me feel glad in my meet
ing Ripley. the mere fact of his association
with that book and with the gifted and
philanthropio group of authors. poets and
dreamers pictured 40 exquisitely therein
would have been enough to make me re-
gard him with the deepest interest; but
George Ripley was, for his own sake alone
"A man whom everybody must have been
delighted to meet He was deeply read in
literature and in history, and was in every
sense the most charming companion
A much more eminent American OF
somewhat different order whom our author
came to know intimately was Horace
Grpeley, editor and chief owner Of the
Nen York Tri6uns, a newspaper which
then exercised u vary wido and deep influ-
ence on public opinion in the United States.
Mr.. Mccarthy and his wife were frequent
visitors in Horace Greeley's home, and
he tell- us that they could not but regard
him with the highest respect and admira-
ton, There are few pages IN the book
before Us more interesting than those
which are devoted TO tha writer's remins-
cences Of this famous journalist. The
visitor recognized, Of course, that Greeley
was a very difle-en: sort OF mar from
Bryant or Ripley; LIE Was not much Of
classical student and Jid not claim any
high culture, or. indeed, any great interest
in literature or art. He was eccentric in
his habits. as we'll az in his manners; he
never went in for the ways OF society;
and he was an uncompromising teeto-
taller He dressed in the most careless
the fashion Of the passing season He
often spoke out his opinions on various
subjects with n frsnkness which took
little account Of the prejudioes or sus-
capabilities Of his listener But he was
a man Of the purest and nobest character;
he was absolutely sincere and DISTINGUISHED
In all the ways and acts of his private life,
and when once he had formed a decided
opinion ON some great public question
he was ready tn back that opinion with
all that he was WORTH Mr.. Mccarthy
had at the same time. the nice discernment
TO perceive that Greeley was above all I
things a potlcian-I mean in the higher |
sense. and not in that narrower sense
which has lately applied the term for
the most part To men who make politics I
their business md their trade. Greeley
was nS conscientious and as resolute In
the maintenance of his convictions as
John Bright OF Richard Golden. and. IA
might have been expected. lie made many
enemies and suffered many losses during
this or that national crisis; but he held his
way undaunted and followed only his
nner guiding light. There were many /
public questions on which could not agree
with him. hut found none the less interest (
N talking them over with him and listening .
to his original and striking manner OF /
and Illustrating his views. and he .
often threw of on the spur of the moment
phrases and sentences which would hove
been worthy Of Benjamin Franklin. Our 4
ater Franklin Greeley has been called,
out as matter Of fact he differed mate
rally from the author Of Poor Richards
A lmanack- in his total lack Of worldliness
ireeley. in truth, as his visitor was not slow
o discover, was a unique individuality.
Zone but himself could be his parallel.
There was one thing to be said about
Horace Greeley, and that was that he did
rot cali to mind anybody else whom one
had ever met