6
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
birthday the children of Cambridge presented him with
an arm chair made out of the "Chestnut-tree immortal
ized In "The villago ulcckamilli," his poem "Prom my
arm chair" to the children, acknowledging the beautiful
was simplicity and tenderness in itself.
On his last birthday, thousands of children all over
this country devoted the day to his honor. They read
his poems and write upon his character and genius
Happy the man who lives in the praise of children
hey feel in reading such pieces as "The children's hour"
tint they too arc appreciated. Beautiful and tender is
the sentiment expressed in this poem:
"I havo yoirfnst In my fortress
Ami will not lot you depart,
But put you into the dungeon,
In the tower of my heart."
Ambug the verses expressing lovo lor children "Weary-
nes's" is one of the best:
"Oh Httlo feet that such long years
Must wander on through hopo and fear.
Must ache and bleed beneath your load:
I ncarcrto the way side Inn
Where toll should ceaso, and rest begin,
Am weary, thinking of your load."
;The highest order of intellects are not skeptical. Com
pare Dante, Milton, Shakespeare and Bacon with Voltarc
aud Gibbon. Mr. Longfellow belonged to no school of
theology, he subscribed to no humnn creed, but ho was
n religious man, n Christain moralist. Ho believed in
immortality, in God, and in Christ. A Christain faith
breathes through all his writings. He admired the grand,
eur of Thackery's noble lines:
0 awtul awtul name of Qodt
Light unbearable! Mystery unfathomable! Vastncss Immeasurable,
O! namo that Gods people did fear to utter,
O, light that Gods prophet would have perished had he seen.
Who arc they that aic now so familiar with It?
Let us say of our poet's religion "Blessed are the pure in
heart for they shall see God." But ho knew how 10 suf
fer and be strong aud his sufferings gave a sweet sadness
to somo of his poetry.
Beautiful characters arc formed from daily contem
plation of a grand ideal. Mr. Longfellow was such a
character; his writings rcllcct his inner life, he was pre
eminently the poet of humanity, he swept every striug
of pathos, beauty and tenderness. His imagination aud
love transfigured common life; he woe not above and be
yond us, but on our level ; he teaches us the nobleness of
lowty lives, of common duties. He puts into the same
picture gallery, the sailor at the helm; the blacksmith
at the forge, and the "lilue-cycd Banditti:"
Who "are better than all the ballads
That were ever sung or Bald,
For they "are living poems,
And all the rest are dead."
The children love him and his memory is safe.
Young men and women read "Excelsior" and "Maiden
hood" aud arc inspired to lay the foundation fir noble
jives. Aspiring struggling souls read the "Psalm of life"
and aie encouraged. "Resignation" comforts the bereaved
and they think tenderly, hopefully of one who "is not
dead" only gone to a higher school. The aged have lis
tened md grown strong as they caught by the "Golden
mjlc stone" a glimpse of the bright beyond. In hours of
disappointment, wearyncss aud pain, stiong men and wo
men have been soothed aud strengthened as they read
such ponms ju- ", .mlnlphcn the angel of prayer." Tills
legend is indeed a part
"Of the hunger and thirst of tho heart,
The frenzy and flro of tho brain,
That grasps at tho fruttago forbidden,
Tho golden pomegranates of Eden,
To quiet its fever and nntn."'
Mr. Longfellow has laid tho foundation for a genuine
American literature; ho holds tho balance oven between
the "realistic" and the "romance;" ho takes neither to
tho heights nor to tho depths of passion or sentiment;
but he keenly comprehends tho hopes aud fears common
to humimily, and lie glonllcs them by tho torch of genius.
We admire Mr. Longfellow as a scholar, patriot and
philanthropist ; wo love him becauso lie has done so
much to brighten the lives of those wo love. Do not say
that he was born, had honors aud degrees aud then died;
tho true poet never (Iicf. Rather say how broad, how
cosmopolitan is tho web of sympathy that drew him to
mankind by millions of thnjrds. Tell; me that he was
full of gentle and noble thoughts; that he loved little
children and wrote songs for them, and in n "diadem of
virtues," his faith in God and nature, was the crowning
gem. Then lot us rejoice that America has given to the
world this maslertypc of elegant scholarship, combined
with simplicity of doctrine, tltc best loved poet of tho
nineteenth centuary. A. M. S.
am$u8 jfrmards.
Who
Painted
"Cash for stiffs"
On the University roof ?
Latest styles in hats at T. Ewing & Co's.
Cadet suits and caps at T. Ewing & Co's.
Celluloid collars and cuffs atT. Ewing & Co's.
Special bargains for students at T. Ewing & Co.
Elegant Patterns in Neckwear at T. Ewing & Co's.
Sec the advertisement of St. Claire Hall, on 1st. page.
Buy your boots nnd shoes of 0. W. Webster, O st Acad
emy of Music.
Large assortment of coliais, cuffs and neckwear at T.
Ewing &Co's.
Call and see the new fall suits at T. Ewing & Co's
Clothing Emporium.
The best judges of artistic work go to Kclley & Co for
Photos. No. 102G O t.
Best style, best goods, at lowest prices at T. Ewing &
Co's Clothing Emporium.
All the newest styles and patterns of clothing aud gent's
furnishing goods at T. Ewing & Co's.
Remember Students you can get fine work, and better
inducements, in the "Fotograf" line, at Kclley & Co.
1020 O. St.
The officers of the Battalion will soon be out in full
uniform, from the captains to coiporals wont they look
stunning though.
The faculty have been adorning their desks by a new
lot of hand-painted inkstands. They are very tony and
speak well for the taste of tho purchaser.
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