[Illustration: _Bayard Taylor._]
THE
LIFE, TRAVELS, AND LITERARY CAREER
OF
BAYARD TAYLOR.
“Crown Love, crown Truth when first her brow appears,
And crown the hero when his deeds are done:
The Poet’s leaves are gathered one by one.
In the slow process of the doubtful years.
Who seeks too eagerly, he shall not find:
Who seeking not pursues with single mind
Art’s lofty aim, to him will she accord,
At her appointed time, the sure reward.”
BY
RUSSELL H. CONWELL,
AUTHOR OF “LIFE OF PRESIDENT HAYES,” “WHY AND HOW THE CHINESE
EMIGRATE,” “HISTORY OF THE GREAT FIRE IN BOSTON,” “HISTORY OF
THE GREAT FIRE IN SAINT JOHN, N. B.,” “LESSONS OF TRAVEL,”
ETC., ETC.
BOSTON:
B. B. RUSSELL & CO., No. 57 CORNHILL.
DETROIT: R. D. S. TYLER & CO. PORTLAND: JOHN RUSSELL.
PHILADELPHIA: QUAKER CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE.
NEW YORK: CHARLES DREW. CHICAGO: ANDREWS & DORMAN.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.: FRED L. HORTON & CO.
1879.
Copyright,
BY B. B. RUSSELL & CO.,
1879
BOSTON:
Printed by ALBERT J. WRIGHT, 79 Milk Street.
TO THE MISTRESS OF MY HOME.
“My tears were on the pages as I read
The touching close: I made the story mine,
Within whose heart, long plighted to the dead,
Love built his living shrine.”
“For she is lost; but she, the later bride,
Who came my ruined fortune to restore;
Back from the desert wanders at my side,
And leads me home once more.”
—_Poet’s Journal._
PREFACE.
It is a solemn yet pleasant duty to compile in comprehensive order
the records of a life so eventful and influential as that of Bayard
Taylor. It is solemn, because the sad tears which began to flow at his
death, are coursing freely still. Pleasant, because there is no task
more satisfactory than that of recounting the deeds of a virtuous,
industrious, heroic life. No test-book of morals, or of general history,
is so effective in educating the young as the annals of well-spent years,
gathered for that purpose. There is more or less influence in fables and
mythological tales; and there is considerable power in a well written,
skilfully plotted work of fiction; but the direct and unavoidable appeal
of a noble life, which has closed with honor and deserved renown, is far
more potent and permanent in the culture and reformation of the world,
than all other forms of intellectual and moral quickening. No apology is
needed for writing such a biography. It would be inexcusable to leave the
world in need of it. When the time comes for a book more complete in its
arrangement and details, and more select in its diction, this will find
its proper place in library and reading-room. Until that time it may be
at work renewing the memories of a friend, refreshing the recollection
of his sweet words, and calling the attention of the stranger to the
American who has paid to Europe some of the literary debt we have owed
so long.
The writer does not expect that this book will occupy the permanent place
in literature, which he sincerely hopes will reward those authors who
may follow him on this same topic. Written amid the pressing calls of a
busy profession, and in the season when lyceum lecture engagements, which
he could not postpone, have kept him continually away from his home; he
has attempted nothing more than to give an outline of a remarkable life,
for the purpose of satisfying the present demand. Errors may be found by
critics, such as all hastily written volumes are liable to contain; but
should this work, as a whole, incline the reader to honor the manhood,
love the poetry, and revere the memory of one whom the writer for many
years has admired and loved, it will answer the purpose for which it has
been written.
The author cannot do less than acknowledge, in this place, his great
obligations to the father and mother of Mr. Taylor, to Mrs. Annie Carey,
his sister, and to Dr. Franklin Taylor, his cousin, for their generous
courtesy and most important assistance in gathering the facts for this
volume.
All the poetical quotations in this book are from Taylor’s poetical works.
The account of the funeral found in this volume was written subsequent to
the other portions of the work, as the obsequies and burial took place
after the first edition was printed and sold.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Mr. Taylor’s Career.—Difficulty and Importance of the Work.—The
Romance of his Life.—Variable Experience.—His Success as
Novelist, Orator, Traveller, and Poet, 13
CHAPTER II.
German Ancestry.—English Ancestry.—The Pennsylvania
Germans.—The Quakers.—How his Forefathers came to America.—The
Effect of Intermixture of Races.—The Hereditary Traits seen in
his Books, 17
CHAPTER III.
Birth at Kennett Square.—Old Homestead.—The Quaker Church.—The
Village.—His Father’s Store.—Life on the Farm.—Mischievous
School-boy.—Inclination to write Poetry.—Practical
Joker.—Studious Youth.—His Parents.—His Brothers and Sisters, 21
CHAPTER IV.
Unfitness for Farming.—Love for Books.—Goes to the
Academy.—Appearance as a Student.—Love for Geography
and History.—Enters a Printing-office.—Genius for
Sketching.—Correspondence with Literary Men.—Their Advice.—Hon.
Charles Miner.—Putnam’s Tourist Guide.—Determination to go to
Europe.—Dismal Prospects, 29
CHAPTER V.
Visited by his Cousin.—Decides to go to Europe with his
Cousin.—Correspondence with Travellers.—Lack of Money.—Unshaken
Confidence.—Publication of Ximena, 33
CHAPTER VI.
The Contest with Enemies.—Departure from
Philadelphia.—Friendship of N. P. Willis.—Discouraging
Reception.—Interview with Horace Greeley.—Searching for a
Vessel.—Steerage Passage for Liverpool.—Fellow Passengers.—The
Voyage.—The Beauty of the Sea.—Lauding at Liverpool, 42
CHAPTER VII.
Departure from Liverpool.—Travels Second-Class.—Arrival at
Port Rush.—The Giant’s Causeway.—Lost and in Danger.—Dunluce
Castle.—Effect upon the Travellers.—Condition of the
Irish.—Arrival at Dumbarton.—Scaling the Castle Walls.—Walk
to Loch Lomond.—Ascent of Ben Lomond.—Loch Katrine.—Visit to
Stirling, 50
CHAPTER VIII.
Visit to the Home of Burns.—The Poet’s Cottage.—The
Celebration.—Walks and Rides in the Rain.—Edinburgh.—Its
Associations.—The Teachings of History.—Home
of Drummond.—Abbotsford.—Melrose.—Jedburgh
Abbey.—Newcastle-on-Tyne, 59
CHAPTER IX.
Visit in London.—Exhibition of Relics.—The Lessons of
Travel.—Historical Association.—London to Ostend.—The Cathedral
at Aix-la-Chapelle.—The Great Cathedral at Cologne.—Voyage up
the Rhine.—Longfellow’s “Hyperion.”—Visit to Frankfort.—Kind
Friends.—Reaches Heidelberg.—Climbing the Mountains, 67
CHAPTER X.
Study in Frankfort.—Lack of Money.—Different Effect of
Want on Travellers.—Bayard’s Privations.—Again sets out on
Foot.—Visit to the Hartz Mountains.—The Brocken.—Scenes
in “Faust.”—Locality in Literature.—The Battle-field at
Leipsic.—Auerbach’s Cellar, 77
CHAPTER XI.
Pictures at Dresden.—Raphael’s Madonna.—Bayard’s Art
Education.—His Exalted Ideas of Art.—His Enthusiasm.—Visits
Bohemia.—Stay in Prague.—The Curiosities of Vienna.—Tomb of
Beethoven.—Respect for Religion.—Listens to Strauss.—View of
Lintz.—Munich and its Decorations.—The Home of Schiller.—Poetic
Landscapes, and Charming People.—Statue by Thorwaldsen.—Walk to
Heidelberg, 85
CHAPTER XII.
Starts for Switzerland and Italy.—First View of the
Alps.—The Falls of the Rhine.—Zurich.—A Poet’s Home.—Lake
Lucerne.—Goethe’s Cottage.—Scenes in the Life of William
Tell.—Ascent of the Alps at St. Gothard.—Descent into
Italy.—The Cathedral at Milan.—Bayard’s Characteristics.—Tramp
to Genoa.—Visits Leghorn and Pisa.—Lovely Florence.—Delightful
Visits.—The Home of Art, 95
CHAPTER XIII.
Visit to Rome.—Attractions of its Ruins.—Bayard’s Persistent
Searches.—His Limited Means.—Sights and Experiences.—Journey to
Marseilles.—Walks to Lyons.—Desperate Circumstances.—Stay in
Paris.—Employment of his Time.—Departure for London.—Failure
to obtain Money or Work.—Seeks a Friend.—Obtains Help from a
Stranger.—Voyage to New York.—Arrival Home, 106
CHAPTER XIV.
Edits a Country Newspaper.—The “Phœnixville Pioneer.”—The
Discouragements.—The Suspension.—Publishes “Views
Afoot.”—Introduction to Literary Men.—Contributes to
the “Literary World.”—Becomes an Editor of the New York
“Tribune.”—The Gold Excitement of 1849.—Resolves to visit the
Eldorado.—Arrival in California, 115
CHAPTER XV.
Entrance to California.—The Camp at San
Francisco in 1849.—Description of the
People.—Gold-Hunters.—Speculations.—Prices of
Merchandise.—Visit to the Diggings.—Adventures on
the Route.—The First Election.—The Constitutional
Convention.—San Francisco after Two Months’ Absence.—Poetical
Descriptions.—Departure for Mexico.—Arrival at
Mazatlan.—Overland to the Capital.—Adventure with
Robbers.—Return to New York, 120
CHAPTER XVI.
The Poet’s First Love.—Playmates.—Miss Mary S. Agnew.—His
Fidelity.—Poems Inspired by Affection.—Her Failing
Health.—Consumption.—His Return to Her.—The Marriage at the
Death-bed.—Her Death.—The Poet’s Grief.—His Inner Life.—The
Story in his own Rhyme, 133
CHAPTER XVII.
Grief and Despair.—Describes his Feelings.—Failing
Health.—Severe Mental Labor.—Decides to go to Africa.—Visits
Vienna.—Arrival at Alexandria.—Sails up the Nile.—Scenes
in Cairo.—The Pyramids.—The Lovely Nile.—An Important and
Pleasant Acquaintance.—A Lasting Friendship.—Learning the
Language.—Assuming the Costume.—Sights by the Way, 151
CHAPTER XVIII.
Moslem. Worship.—Scenery of the Nile.—Fellowship
with the People.—The Temple of Dendera.—Mr. Taylor’s
Enthusiasm.—Luxor.—Karnak.—The Extent of Ancient Thebes.—The
Tombs and Statues.—The Natives.—Arrives at Assouan.—The Island
of Philæ.—Separation of the Friends.—Starts for the White
Nile.—Trip through the Desert.—Again on The Nile.—Reception by
the People and Officials.—Visits Ancient Meroe, 164
CHAPTER XIX.
From Meroe to Khartoum.—Twenty-seventh Birth-day.—Desire to
Explore Central Africa.—Ascent of the White Nile.—Adventure
with the Savage Shillooks.—Visits the Natives.—Return to
Khartoum.—Crossing the Desert.—Parting with Friends.—Descent of
the Nile.—Arrival at Cairo, 174
CHAPTER XX.
Departure from Egypt.—A Poet in Palestine.—Difference
in Travellers.—Mr. Taylor’s Appreciation.—First View of
Tyre.—Route to Jerusalem.—The Holy City.—Bath in the Dead
Sea.—Appearance of Jerusalem.—Samaria.—Looking down upon
Damascus.—Life in the eldest City.—The Bath.—Dose of
Hashish.—Being a Turk among Turks, 182
CHAPTER XXI.
Leaving Damascus.—Arrival at Beyrout.—Trip to
Aleppo.—Enters Asia Minor.—The Scenery and People.—The
Hills of Lebanon.—Beautiful Scenes about Brousa.—Enters
Constantinople.—A Prophecy.—Return to Smyrna.—Again
in Italy.—Visits his German Friend at Gotha.—The
Home of his Second Love.—Goes to London.—Visits
Gibraltar.—Cadiz.—Seville.—Spanish History, 194
CHAPTER XXII.
Leaves Gibraltar for Alexandria.—Egypt and Old Friends.—The
Town of Suez.—Embarks for Bombay.—Mocha and its
Coffee.—Aden.—Arrival in Bombay.—Reception by the People.—Trip
to Elephanta.—Ride into the Interior.—Difficulties of the
Journey.—Views of Agra.—Scenes about Delhi.—Starts for the
Himalaya Mountains, 206
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Himalaya Mountains.—Returning Southward.—Lucknow and
Calcutta.—Foretells the Great Rebellion.—Embarks for
China.—Visit to the Mountains of Penang.—The Chinese at
Singapore.—Arrival at Hong-Kong.—Joins the Staff of the
U. S. Commissioner.—Scenes about Shanghai.—The Nanking
Rebellion.—Life in Shanghai.—Enlists in the Navy.—Commodore
Perry’s Expedition, 221
CHAPTER XXIV.
His Reception on the Man-of-war.—Commodore Perry’s
Tribute.—Mr. Taylor’s Journals.—Visit to the Loo-Choo
Islands.—Explorations.—Mr. Taylor becomes a Favorite.—His
Description of the Country.—Cruise to Japan.—The Purpose
of the Expedition.—Mr. Taylor’s Assistance.—Return to
Hong-Kong.—Resigns his Commission.—Visits Canton.—Sails for
America.—St. Helena.—Arrival in New York, 230
CHAPTER XXV.
Takes up the Editorial Pen.—Publication of His “Poems
of the Orient.”—His Books of Travel.—Lecturing before
Lyceums.—Friendship of Richard H. Stoddard.—Private
Correspondence.—Love of Fun.—Resolves to Build a Home at
Kennett.—Changes of Intemperance.—Preparations for a Third Trip
to Europe.—Acquaintance with Thackeray, 242
CHAPTER XXVI.
Visit to Europe.—Reception in England.—Company in
Charge.—Starts for Sweden.—Stockholm.—The Dangerous Ride.—The
Severe Cold.—Arrival in Lapland.—First Experience with
Canoes and Reindeers.—Becomes a Lapp.—The Extreme North.—The
Days without a Sun.—“Yankee Doodle.”—The Return.—Study
in Stockholm.—Return to Germany and London.—Embarks for
Norway.—Meets his Friend at Christiania.—The Coast of
Norway.—The Midnight Sun.—Trip across Norway and Sweden.—Return
to Germany, 252
CHAPTER XXVII.
His Marriage.—German Relatives.—Intention of Visiting
Siberia.—Goes to Greece instead.—Dalmatia.—Spolato.—Arrival
at Athens.—His first View of the Propylæa.—The
Parthenon.—Excursion to Crete.—Earthquake at
Corinth.—Mycenæ.—Sparta.—The Ruins of Olympia.—Visit to
Thermopylæ.—Aulis.—Return to Athens.—His Acquirements, 265
CHAPTER XXVIII.
From Constantinople to Gotha.—Visit to Russia.—Moscow
and St. Petersburg.—Return to Prussia.—Arrival in the
United States.—Incessant Work.—Lecturing and Travels in
California.—The Construction of Cedarcroft.—His Patriotic
Addresses and Poems.—Visits Germany in 1861.—Anxiety for the
Fate of His Nation.—Life at Cedarcroft, 276
CHAPTER XXIX.
Appointed as Secretary of Legation.—Life in St.
Petersburg.—Literary Labors.—His Home at Kennett.—Publication
of his Poems.—Visits Iceland.—His Poem at the Millennial
Celebration.—Appointment as Minister to Berlin.—His
Congratulations.—Reception at Berlin.—His Death, 287
CHAPTER XXX.
His Friends.—The Multitude of Mourners.—His London
Acquaintances.—Tennyson, Cornwall, Browning, Carlyle.—German
Popularity.—Auerbach.—Humboldt.—French Authors.—Early American
Friends.—Stoddard, Willis, Kane, Bryant, Halleck, Powers,
Greeley, Mrs. Kirkland, Whittier, Longfellow, Holmes, Emerson,
Lowell, Dana, Alcott, Aldrich, Whipple, Curtis, Fields, Boker,
Chandler.—Relatives, 296
CHAPTER XXXI.
Translations of “Faust.”—A Life-work.—Discouragements.—The
Scenes in “Faust.”—The Difficulties.—Magnitude of the
Work.—Perseverance.—The Lives of Goethe and Schiller.—Years
in the Work.—The Estimate by Scholars.—Dies with the Work
Unfinished, 308
CHAPTER XXXII.
Grief at his Death.—Homage of the Great Men of Germany.—Tribute
from Auerbach.—Tributes from his Neighbors at Kennett
Square.—Extracts from Addresses.—The Great Memorial Gathering
at Boston.—The Great Assembly.—Speeches and Letters.—Address
of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes.—Henry W. Longfellow’s
Poem.—Letters from John G. Whittier, George William Curtis,
W. D. Howells, T. B. Aldrich, James T. Fields, Whitelaw
Reid, E. P. Whipple.—Tributes from other friends.—Funeral
Ceremonies.—Closing Quotations, 317
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
BAYARD TAYLOR, Frontispiece.
TOWER OF LONDON, Opposite page 68
THE DANUBE AT LINTZ, ” ” 89
THE ARENA OF THE COLISEUM, ” ” 107
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE, ” ” 111
CASTLE OF CHAPULTEPEC, ” ” 131
PHILÆ COLONNADE, ” ” 170
SCENE IN NORTH AFRICA, ” ” 178
NATIVE COTTAGES IN THE TROPICS, ” ” 224
PAGAN TEMPLE IN JAPAN, ” ” 236
SLEDGES, ” ” 255
LAZARETTO CHRISTIANSAND, ” ” 257
CEDARCROFT, KENNETT SQUARE, PA., ” ” 285
NICHOLAS BRIDGE, ” ” 287
THE LIFE, TRAVELS, AND LITERARY CAREER OF BAYARD TAYLOR.
CHAPTER I.
Mr. Taylor’s Career.—Difficulty and Importance of the Work.—The
Romance of his Life.—Variable Experience.—His Success as
Novelist, Orator, Traveller, and Poet.
The nearness and magnitude of Bayard Taylor’s life make it one
exceedingly difficult to comprehend and classify. His adventures were so
many, his struggles so severe, his experience so varied, and his final
success so remarkable, that the materials are too abundant, and often
serve to clog and confuse the student of his career. An artist who views
the mountain from its base, loses many of the finest effects and most
charming outlines, because of his very close proximity to them. So, in
looking upon the wonderful career of such a versatile and gifted man, at
a time so near his death, we are less able to form a comprehensive idea
of his life, as a symmetrical whole, than we shall be when the years
have carried us farther away from him, and the outlines of his greatness
are more distinct. Whether it were better to wait until a part of the
life has been forgotten, and until the more harsh and angular features
have been lost in the general outline, or whether it were more desirable
to describe the life in all its actual details, and in the natural
ruggedness which the close view reveals, is, however, a mere matter of
taste. To those who love to read of a man in whose work there was no
unevenness and in whose experience nothing unbroken is seen, the life of
one so long dead that the writer is compelled to fill up the forgotten
years with ideal events and motives may furnish the choicest theme. But
to those students who love scientific scrutiny, who would estimate the
life for what it is really worth as an example, the biography which is
written amid all the facts, and by one who comes in actual contact with
them, is perhaps esteemed the most valuable, although, as a whole, less
symmetrical.
Bayard Taylor’s life was rugged and cragged with startling events, when
viewed from the kindly poetical stand-point of his character. He felt
all the extremes of joy and sorrow. He knew all the pains and honors
of poverty and wealth. He was loved by many, he was betrayed by many.
He lived in the most enlightened lands, he also sojourned among the
most barbarous people. He saw man in peace and in war. He rode the
ocean in calm and in storm. He was the welcomed guest in the lowliest
huts, and in the most gorgeous palaces. He sweltered in the sands of
tropical deserts, and he was benumbed by the fierce winds of the Northern
ice-fields. He boldly entered the haunts of wild beasts, and loved
the company of harmless and faithful domestics. He was a man of many
virtues and some faults, each of which made his life more eventful and
fascinating.
The literary position which he held at the time of his death, and which
was so romantically attained, was one of almost universal favor. He was
respected by all and loved by many. As a writer of fiction he attained
but little celebrity, and it appears that he had little expectation of
achieving any high honors in that field. As a writer upon travels, and as
a delineator of human character as found in strange places, and in but
partially known countries, he was second to none. His books upon travel
will be read for a century to come, whether thousands or few visit the
localities and tribes he has described. As an orator, he never held a
high rank. He was chaste, concise, and clear in his choice of words, and
had an incisive, pungent way of stating his ideas. He could instruct
the student and amuse the populace, but had not the power to agitate
and carry away large bodies of men, and seems never to have been very
ambitious to do so. As a translator of German literature, he was fast
becoming recognized in all English-speaking countries as an excellent
authority, and it is deeply to be regretted that he was called away with
so many uncompleted translation, and unfinished plans for translations,
from the standards of German literature. But it is as a poet that he
receives the greatest homage. Yet how little he printed! Unless there
shall be found laid away many poems unpublished, he may be classed as
one of the least prolific poets of his generation. His lines are so
simple, so true to life, such incarnate sentences, so expressive, that,
to one who has had a similar experience with the poet, every stanza is a
panorama, vivid and indelible. We shall see as we pursue the tale, how
sensitive he was to everything poetical, and how deeply he was moved by
all those finer and more subtle emotions, which only a poet can feel.
His love was deep and abiding. His friendship, like the oaks of his
Cedarcroft woodland. His old home was to him the sweetest place in all
the beautiful lands he saw. His life was full of romantic incidents, and
he recognized them and appreciated them, for the poetry they suggested.
We venture to say that his poetry will live in every household, if all
his other works should be forgotten.