the "blue-eyed Harry" of the father's poem, studied law with the distinguished James Louis Petigru, but never practiced and soon gave it up to prepare himself for a teacher. He spent ten years as private tutor in families, writing at the same time. Some of his poems are found in the "Southern Literary Messenger" with the signature "Aglaüs." His vacations were spent in Charleston, where he was one of the coterie of young writers whom William Gilmore Simms, like a literary Nestor, gathered about him in his hospitable home. His schoolmate, Paul Hamilton Hayne, was one of these, and their early friendship grew stronger with the passing years. In 1860, Timrod removed to Columbia, published a volume of poems which were well received North and South, and undertook editorial work, Life seemed fair before him. But ill-health and the war which destroyed his property and blighted his career, soon darkened all his prospects, and after a brave struggle with poverty and sickness, he died of pneumonia. His poems are singularly free from sadness and bitterness. They have been collected and published with a sketch of his life by his friend, Paul Hamilton Hayne. WORKS. Poems.* Prose Articles in the "South Carolinian." Of all our poets none stands higher than Henry Timrod. His singing is true and musical, and his thoughts are pure and noble. A tardy recognition seems at last coming to bless his memory, and his poems are in demand. One copy of his little volume recently commanded the price of ten dollars. *The following extracts are made by permission of Mr. E. J. Hale, formerly of E. J. Hale & Son. SONNET. Life ever seems as from its present site Not the near daisies, but yon distant height The fine, faint limit of the bounding day. ENGLISH KATIE. (From Katie.) It may be through some foreign grace, It may be that across the foam Which bore her from her childhood's home, Some English sunshine, warmth, and air! A thousand billowy leagues away From that green isle whose twilight skies I meet her on the dusty street, I roam with her through fields of cane, Now walk through rippling waves of wheat, Or see before us from the lawn And in a thick, melodious rain HYMN SUNG AT THE CONSECRATION OF MAGNOLIA CEMETERY, CHARLESTON, S. C. Whose was the hand that painted thee, O Death! In the false aspect of a ruthless foe, Despair and sorrow waiting on thy breath,— O gentle Power! who could have wronged thee so? Thou rather should'st be crowned with fadeless flowers, Of lasting fragrance and celestial hue; Or be thy couch amid funereal bowers, But let the stars and sunlight sparkle through. So, with these thoughts before us, we have fixed Heaven! shed thy most propitious dews around! PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE. 1830-1886. PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE has been justly called the "Laureate of the South." He was born at Charleston, and being left an orphan by the death of his father, Lieutenant Hayne of the Navy, he was reared and educated by his uncle, Robert Young Hayne. His fortune was ample, but he studied law although he never practised. He became editor of "Russell's Magazine" and a contributor to the “Southern Literary Messenger." His genius and lovely nature made him a favorite with all of his companions, among whom were notably William Gilmore Simms and Henry Timrod. During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army; his entire property, the inheritance of several generations, was destroyed in the bombardment of Charleston. From 1865 till his death he resided at "Copse Hill,” a small cottage home in the pine hills near Augusta, Georgia, "keeping the wolf from the door only by the point of his pen," dearly honored and loved by all who knew him or his poems. His son, William H. Hayne, is also a poet of much ability, and has published a volume of "Sylvan Lyrics." WORKS. Poems; containing Sonnets, Avolio, Lyrics, Mountain of the Lovers. Preceded by a Sketch of the Poet by Mrs. M. J. Preston (1882). Life of Robert Young Hayne (1878). |