guished labors of Irving and Lowell abroad will appear in the more extended sketches to follow. 210. Knickerbocker School." A group of writers in New York, without sufficient reason sometimes called "the Knickerbocker school," deserve more than passing notice. Washington Irving, the principal writer of this group, is reserved for special study. The other prominent members were James Kirke Paul ding, Joseph Rodman Drake, and Fitz-Greene Halleck. 211. Paulding. -Paulding, whose educational advantages never extended beyond those of a village school, deserves to be regarded as a selfmade man. In early manhood he became the intimate friend of William and Washington Irving, with whom he co-operated in the publication of the Salmagundi papers. JH Moulding JAMES K. PAULDING "The Diverting History of John Bull and Brother Jonathan " is a good-natured satire on the attitude of England before the breaking out of hostilities in 1812. His pamphlet, "The United States and England" (1814), attracted the attention of President Madison, and thus opened the way to his political career, in which he became Secretary of the Navy under a subsequent administration. His principal poetical work is the " Backwoodsman," a narrative poem of six books, devoted to American scenery, incident, and sentiment. It never became popular. 212. His Versatility. — Paulding's prolific pen continued active for many years, and the long list of his writings contains poetry, novels, tales, biography, and satire. "The Dutchman's Fireside," a story based on the manners of the old Dutch settlers, was his most popular work. It passed through six editions within a year; and besides its republication in London, it was translated into French and Dutch. Paulding's writings were tinged with a humorous and satirical spirit; but the most noteworthy element in his writings was, perhaps, their distinctive national character. He was an ardent patriot; and it is American scenery and American character to which his genius is chiefly devoted. 213. Drake. - Drake exhibited in childhood a remarkable poetic precocity. It was as true of him as of Pope that “he lisped in numbers, for the numbers came." His juvenile poem, "The Mocking Bird," shows unusual maturity of thought and expression. His early years were disciplined by poverty. After taking his degree in medicine, he married the daughter of a wealthy shipbuilder in 1816, and two years later went abroad. Travel added to his stores of culture. On his return he spent a winter in New Orleans in the vain endeavor to restore his health. He died of consumption in 1820. His monument bears the simple tribute written by his friend Halleck: "None knew him but to love him, 214. "The American Flag." On his return from Europe in 1819, he wrote the first of the Croaker series of poems for the Evening Post. It was entitled " It was entitled "Ennui," and characterized by the editor as "the production of genius and taste." In this series of forty poems, mostly humorous and satirical, he was aided by Halleck under the pen-name of Croaker, Jr. It was in this series that he published "The American Flag, the often quoted poem by which, perhaps, he is chiefly remembered. "When Freedom from her mountain height Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night, And set the stars of glory there.” 215. "The Culprit Fay." -"The Culprit Fay," his longest and best poem, grew out of a conversation with Cooper, Halleck, and DeKay, in which these gentlemen maintained that American streams, unlike those of Scotland with their romantic associations, were not adapted to the uses of poetry. Drake took the opposite side; and in vindication of his position, he wrote this poem of exquisite fancy and description. 216. Halleck. Halleck was a native of Connecticut, but at the age of twenty-one he went to New York to seek his fortune. He first entered a banking-house as clerk, and afterwards became FITZ-GREENE HALLECK a bookkeeper in the private office of John Jacob Astor. His literary bent found expression in a few juvenile poems; but it was his work in connection with the Croaker poems in the Evening Post that first gave him celebrity. The following stanza from "Cutting" will give an idea of the tone and spirit of the Croaker series: "The world is not a perfect one, All women are not wise or pretty, More's the pity — more's the pity! Not that women care for that But oh! they hate the slighting beau so!" 217. "Marco Bozzaris."-"Fanny" is a satirical poem, which made a hit. The first edition was soon exhausted. But his principal claim upon our remembrance rests on the stirring ballad "Marco Bozzaris," which appeared in 1825 in the United States Review, edited by William Cullen Bryant. His poem on Burns, though burdened with not a few weak stanzas, contains some just and melodious characterization. Through care, and pain, and woe, "He kept his honesty and truth, His independent tongue and pen, 218. Richmond a Literary Centre. It has been common to undervalue the literary work of the South during the period under consideration. Though literature was not generally encouraged, there were nevertheless two literary centres which exerted a notable influence upon Southern letters. The first was Richmond, the home of Poe during his earlier years, and of the Southern Literary Messenger, in its day the most influential magazine south of the Potomac. It was founded, as set forth in its first issue, to encourage literature in Virginia and the other States of the South; and during its career of twenty-eight years it stimulated literary production in a remarkable degree. Among its contributors we find Simms, Hayne, Timrod, Cooke, John R. Thompson, and others- a galaxy of the best-known names in Southern literature before the Civil War. 219. John Esten Cooke. The principal novelist of Virginia is undoubtedly John Esten Cooke. He has been called an inveterate bookmaker; and the list of his writings, including biography, history, and fiction, exceeds a score of volumes. His first novel, "Leather Stocking and Silk," a story of the valley of Virginia, was issued by the Harpers in 1854. Not long afterwards appeared “The Virginia Comedians," regarded by many as his best work. It is a historic novel, introducing us to the life and manners of Virginia just before the Revolution. JOHN ESTEN COOKE 220. Utilizing War Experiences. During four years of service in the Confederate army he distinguished himself for fidelity and courage. After the surrender of Lee, he returned to literature, and turned to good account the treasures of his own experience. "I amuse myself," he said in one of his prologues, "by recalling the old times when the Grays and Blues were opposed to each other." Surrey of Eagle's Nest," giving the memories of a staff |