THE WORLD IS BRIGHT BEFORE THEE. ΤΟ * * *. The world is bright before thee; Its summer flowers are thine; There is a song of sorrow, The summer flowers be faded, And youth's warm promise o'er. Believe it not; though lonely JAMES GATES PERCIVAL, 1795-1856. THIS eminent scholar and classic poet was born at Berlin, Connecticut, September 15, 1795, and graduated at Yale College in 1815, with high honor. After leaving college, he entered the medical school connected with the same, and received the degree of M.D. He did not, however, engage in practice, but devoted himself chiefly to the cultivation of his poetical powers and to the pursuits of science and literature. He first appeared before the public as an author in 1821, when he published a volume containing some minor poems, and the first part of his Prometheus, which was very favorably noticed in the "North American Review." In 1822, he published two volumes of miscellaneous poems and prose writings, and the second part of Prometheus, a poem in the Spenserian measure. In 1824, he was for a short time in the service of the United States, as Professor of Chemistry in the Military Academy at West Point, and subsequently as a surgeon connected with the recruiting-station at Boston. But his tastes lay in a different direction, and he gave himself to the Muses, and to historical, philological, and scientific pursuits. In 1827, he was employed to revise the manuscript of Dr. Webster's large Dictionary, and not long after this he published a corrected translation of Malte-Brun's Geography. In 1835, he was appointed, in connection with Professor C. U. Shepard, to make a survey of the geological and mineralogical resources of the State of Connecticut. Dr. Percival took charge of the geological part, and his report thereon was published in 1842. In 1843 appeared, at New Haven, his last published volume of miscellaneous poetry, entitled The Dream of Day, and other Poems. In 1854, he was appointed State Geologist of Wisconsin, and his first report on that survey was published in January, 1855. The larger part of this year he spent in the field. While preparing his second report, his health gave way, and, after a gentle decline, he expired on the 2d of May, 1856, at Hazel Green, Wisconsin. However much distinguished Mr. Percival may be for his classical learning, and for his varied attainments in philology and general science, he will be chiefly known to posterity as one of the most eminent of our poets, for the richness of his fancy, the copiousness and beauty of his language, his life-like descriptions, his sweet and touching pathos, as well as, at times, his spirited and soul-stirring measures.1 ODE.-LIBERTY TO ATHENS.2 The flag of freedom floats once more It waves, as waved the palm of yore As bright a glory, from the skies, Pours down its light around those towers, And once again the Greeks arise, As in their country's noblest hours; Oh, may she keep her equal laws, While man shall live, and time shall be. Her helm by many a sword was cleft: Where grew the palm, the cypress rose, "The vein of his poetry is often as rich as any we have ever known. The pieces are not few in number in which the soul of the author, rising as he proceeds, involves itself and the reader in a cloud of delicious enchantment. We are most pleased with his intimate familiarity with classical literature: he has caught from the study of Greek models a certain Attic parity and severity of style conspicuous in some of his best-wrought pieces."-Contributions to Literature, by Samuel Gilman. For a very just view of Dr. Percival's character as a man, read Goodrich's Recollections, vol. ii. pp. 139 and 140: also in the New Englander, May, 1859, an admirable article on Percival's scholarship and character, by Ed. W. Robbins. The Life in Kettell's Specimens was written by Rev. Royal Robbins, of Berlin, Connecticut. 2" In this crowded, classical, and animated picture, the occasional resemblance to Lord Byron ought not to be called an imitation so much as a successful attempt at rivalry." Read articles on his poetry, in the 14th, 16th, and 22d volumes of the "North American Review," and 2d of the "American Quarterly Review." |