New-York tribune., 1908-01-19
E. C. STEDMAN DEAD.
Continued from first page.

classed as a work Of sound appreciation and tech
nical writing These volumes were supplemented by
"A Victorian Anthology, published In Isso' a
comprehensive collection of the poetry OF more
than half a century in England. followed In 300
by IAN American Anthology similar COLLECTION
for this country.
Mr.. Stedman editor with Ellen M Hutchiii-
son tMrs Royal Cortissoz of "A Library OF Arnerl-
can Literature, in eleven volumes, which appeared
in 1885, so and is standard authority in It's ned'
With Professor George e. Woodberry he edited
1.-The Works of Edgar Allen Poe" in ten volumes,
which appeared IN 1895 His Nature and Elements
of Poetry first delivered as course OF seven
lectures at Johns Hopkins University. and re-
peated at Columbia ard the University of Penn
sylvania- In 1897 appeared his Poems Now First
Collected" and in 1900 Mater Coronata In 1910
he published History of the New York Stock
Exchange" Mr. Stedman served on many COM
1nttees on art and literature and was vice-prest-
dent of the American Copyright League when
James Russell Lowell it's president. and after
the latters resignation succeeded him as president
Since Mr.. Lowelrs death American man of let
ters had been more prominent than Mr. Stedman
He received the degree of Doctor Of Litera-
ture from Columbia. and Yale bestowed on him
the degree of Doctor of La ws In 1894. He wrote
the Commencement Ode" sung at Yale on stated
occasions. For number of years Mr.. Stednan
had his home in 54th street, IN this city, and later
in 30th street, while recently he had lived at
Lawrence Park, BronxvilIe. Wherever he lived
his house was literary centre. He said of
his career
Il have lived in Bohemia The idea that was
born with silver spoon in my mouth IS false one.
My relatives Were well situated but had to shift
for myself at fifteen. At thirty went into the
Stock Exchange because needed to be Independent
in order to write and study. A school teacher or
newspaper man has not my advantage for literary
work, because his constant occupation is of the
same nature as the one he desires. My quotidian
five hours at the exchange hours of card or
chess playing To turn from this TO literature is
relaxation"
The Diamond Wedding" which Mr.. Stedman
published IN The Tribune in 1852 created a sensa-
ton by its satire the lavish display of wealth.
and the father of the bride wanted to fight duel
with the author. OF the volume in which it ap-
peared Richard Henry Stoddard said it was the
best first book he ever read The last volume that
Whittier wrote dedicated to Mr. Stedman
Edmund w. Gosse says of Mr.. stedman: His
poetry is fresh and buoyant, full Of memories OF
great deeds and joyous experience and seems TO
Contain the elements of a lasting popularity"
In March. 19oO Mr.. Stedn an retired from activity
u member of the Stock Exchange, and a silver
loving cup was presented to him by his fellow
members, with address by S. V. White, who
said Mr.. Stedman's dual life fnancier and
litterateur was unique among men. MI Stednan
the guest of the Authors Club III December.
1909 on the completion of his IAN American An
thology," and addresses made by the guest
of the evening and by R. H. Stoddard. 5. V. White
and William Winter The last named in course or
his address said: The songs OF the poet are sfted
into the minds of men. the sunshine is sfted
into the trees of the forest In that way the Muse
of Stedman has become a loved companion to thou
sands of responsive souls in that way his influence
has wrought and his solid fame has grown L
sometimes think that the deadliest foe OF creative
impulse IN poetry is the faculty OF criticism. and
that poetic literature will never as a whole.
acquire the opuent vitality. bloom and color OF old
English poetry until our authors cease to be self
1fof pr.A ~rEff hat 9nEf
Richard Henry stoddard often and so happily
has done.-yield themselves fully to their emo
tions. But the faculty of criticism. Stedman
has used it, becomes creative. Never have found
in any of his pages. n narrow doctrine or q
blghting word. Genius. he has said is something
that without effort. and yet mpels its
possessor to heroic labor No better word was ever
said or IL. better example given OF
1t than this which contemplate and ac
claim, in the splendid fruit!oH OF his inspired IA
borous and grandy faithful nfe.'
Hamilton W. Mabe wrote in article Mr..
Stedmans critical work In The Bookman":
Mr.. Stedman conceals his analytical power be-
meath very catholic taste and culture and a very
generous style; he writes with what may be called
free and hearty hand. eager to recognize power
and beauty IN whatever form they display them
selves, and with a crartsmans delight in ths special
skills and felcites OF the practitioners of his
art but very definite application Of critical prin-
ciples through his work and gives II not only
balance but authority. His is essentially the
note of Interpretation. Mr.. Stedman is intensely
modern in spite OF his love OF the measures and
metres of meodious past: lie sees clearly that
a new movement has begun and will go far: he is
in touch with that movement and ready recog
nlEe its fruit whenever 1t bears the fruit of art
lie IS committed critic not to the old, but to
the enduring; not TO the continuity OF the tradition
of FORM but to the continuity OF the tradition of
excellence Alert. tireless and charged vital
ity, he Will neither mistake change of manner
for change of spirit. the continued practice
OF old method for the abiding reality OF
emotion which was once fresh and true but which
H.. ell, d...lth Ill, q L.