The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-16

presenting eTfrdcts from Edmund CIdT-
snce stedmdn's essay on James Russell
LotoeH as an author IN Poets Of Amer
tod" (HouDhton, .Mi6tin = Company.
Tho LopeH centenary falls on Wash
irSeon's Birthddy.l
TN liberal sense. and somewhat as
Emerson stands for American
4 thought, the poet Lowell has be-
come our representative man of letters.
Not as our most laborious scholar.
though OF a rich scholarship. and
soundly versed in branches which he
has chosen to follow. not as an in
domitable writer. yet when he writes
from whom else are we sure to receive
what Is brilliant and original? Nor
get chiefly as a poet, In spite OF the
ideality, the feeling. the purpose and
the wit that belong to his verse and
that FIRST brought him into reputation.
But whatsoever the conjunction that has
enabled Mr.. Lowell to reach and main
tain his typical position. we feel that
he holds It. and on the whole ought
to hold H. His requirements and YER
satile writings. the conditions OF his
life, his international honors, the mould
OF the man. his speech bearing and the
spirit of his whole work have given him
a peculiar distinction. and this largely
without his thought or seeking. Such
nimbus does not form around one
who summons 1t; II CLOVIS and gathers
almost without his knowledge. and not
at once. but, like the expression OF
nw.d
service.
/ have spoken OF one poet as excelllng
others In the adroitness OF a man Of
tho world. Lowelrs qualities secure
him honor and allies without the need
Of adrojtness. He is regarded not only
as a man OF letters but as fine ex-
emplar OF culture. and of q culture so
generous as to be thought supra-Ameri-
can by those observers who while pro-
nouncing him citizen of the world
are careful to exclude this country from
his range. Prof. Dowden. for instance
says: Taken as a whole the works
OF Lowell do not mirror the life, tho
thoughts, the passions of the nation.
They are works, as 1t were. of an Eng
lish poet who has become a naturalzed
citizen OF the United States; who ad-
mires the institutions and has faith in
the ideas of America, but who cannot
throw Off his allegiance to the old coun-
try and its authorities" But here is a
manifest assumption. Doubtless Lowell's
mirror does not reflect DR.. Dowden's
conception Of the life. the thoughts, the
passion of this nation, but that concep-
ton formed at such a distance might
be revised upon a close approach.
in the poets writings we find the life
and passion of New England to verify
and the best thought of our people at
large. For when / say that he Is a
type Of American culture I mean Of
republican culture. and nothing more or
less. Those who hold II to the republi-
can idea believe that its value is to be
round in its levelling tendency by
which do not mean a general reduction
TO tho lowest caste. but the gradual
cleva ton OF a multitude to the standard
which individuals have reached, among
Thorn so many OF the writing craft. from
Franklin's generation to our own. In
this respect I do not. of course. mention
Lowell's position as distinctlve-'he
names OF other scholars and writers IN
stanuy come to mind-nor have our
men OF culture been confined to any
guild or profession. Marshall and Story,
pinkney, Writ. Winthrop, Sumner ard
Bayard. jurists. orators and statesmen.
soldiers. merchants. artisans. Americans
Of every class, have shown that culture
less than under royal care. Their num-
Der is increasing: the average grade is
advanced. II this were not so repub'i-
canism would be a failure: In this mat
ter It Is on trial no less than in its
ability to promote the establishment of
first class museums. libraries. academies,
even without governmental aid.
We count Lowell, among others. as a
specimen not of foreign but OF home
ne nd Ntc11 ~ AYYp 70 eIf arm
type. His life shows what the New
England training. not always so for
tunate can do for man OF genius.
And thus, even aside from his writings,
he 10 q person OF note The tributes
frequently paid him would OF them
selves keep his name before US. Many
Of his sayings, like those OF Emerson,
are a portion OF our usual discourse and
reference, and the people have taken
some of his lyrics faithfully to heart
He has written one work that has be-
come a classic. Whether as a poet critic
Or az a man Of affairs. OF rare breeding
and the healthiest moral tone. Lowell is
mo of whom It may be affirmed. In the
words applied to another. that a thing
derives more weight from the fact that
ne has said II. Are we conscious. then
OF having In view a man better than his
best writings7 But this may be said OF
many authors. and there must be. al all
events. live personality behind good
work
Lowelrs sense of this. and of the
strength and fulness OF existence. keer
him void of conceit. He often has
seemed impatient of his art. half ready
TO cry out upon II, lest It lead him from
green helds and forests, from the delight
Of life itself. He is not swift to magnify
his Office above the heroic action OF other
msn. This cathcl!city !s rare among
poets and artists, whose dearest failinG
is lack OF concern for people or things