r\

oV

LECTURES
AND

Best LiteraryProductions
OF

TAYLOR

BOB

BeautifullyIllustrated With
Early Life

THE

in His

BOB

Views

Beloved

TAYLOR

From

:912

U.

Scenes of His

"Happy Valley"

PUBLISHING

Naihville, Tenn.,

the

S. A.

CO.

Copyright

THE

1913,

BOB

by

CO.
TAYLOR

PUBLISHING

CONTENTS

Pace

INTRODUCTORY.
"A

Memory,"

AND

FIDDLE

"THE

Music

of

Cherish

Master

The

Violin, the
Convict

Quilting

The

Candy

The

Banquet

The

Music

The

Two

and

Old

The

Grand

Old

Virginia

25
Reel

28
32
32

35

Columns

39

Every

for

Wine

Time

of

Ear
the

Singing

40

Soul

School

40
42

Opera

44
44

PARADISE

FOOLS."

OF

First

Man's

Estate

49

Paradise

of

Childhood

Paradise

of

the

Paradise

of

Youth

The

24

25

School

Music

"THE

Music

Fiddle
Field

Politics

of

is the

The

the

24
of

Pulling

Melody

Music

His
Old

the

Men

Laureate

Poet

and

of

The

22

Bald-Headed

and

Vision

19

Ones

Little

the

Men

BOW."

THE

Fat

The

Rice

DeLong

by

Barefooted

Stuttering

Paradise

of

Bachelor

and

52

Boy

54

56
Youth

Home

57
59

Widower

Phantoms

61
62

The

False

The

Circus

The

Phantom

Ideal

63

in the
of

Mountains
Fortune

Qocks

64
65
66

Panic

67

Bunk

City

68

Your

Uncle

69

The

Pessimism
Beautiful

and

Optimism

Pictures

Blotted

69
70

contents

Page
DREAMS."

AND

"VISIONS

The

79

Dream

Ambition's

Man

the Cave

86

Beautiful

of the

Visions

of Departed

87

Glory

Musicians

88

Fighting Preacher

9"

Nature's

the Trumpet

Estep and

Brother

"Wamper-Jaw"
of

Phantoms

93

Cup

94

Link

Missing

The

92

Bells

the Dinner

of

Wine

the

91

Jollification

the

at

Tintinnabulations

The

83

the Kissophone

to

Dreams

The

76

Ago

Long

Happy

From

75

Dreams

Multitudinous

95

Nightmare

95

Infidelity

96

Lecture

SONG."

AND

LAUGHTER

"LOVE,

96

of God

Dream

The

of

the

Human

Heart

Realm

of the

loi

"SENTIMENT."

A
"THE

Soul

125

PLANTATION."

OLD
A

the

of

Lecture

Glory of the Old

of the

Lecture

South

141

DIXIE.
A
CASTLES

for the

Plea

IN

as

the Mocking

Bird's

Song

159

AIR.

THE

of

Poem

Prose

South, Mellow

and

Shattered

Pathos

of Human

Hopes

Rosy

Dreams

177

TEMPTATION.
A

Lecture

and

of the Humor

Nature

207

SAM.

UNCLE

Masterpiece

Unfinished

An

TENNESSEE

ADDRESSES

CENTENNIAL.

Opening
the

Ohio
Texas

231

and

Tennessee
To

223

Governor's

Drummers

and

McKinley

232

235

Day

237

238

Day

Confederate

Day

Day

240

CONTENTS

Page

Georgia

Day

241

Orleans

New

and

Kentucky
Nashville

and

Louisiana

Red

Men's

246

Day

247

Shelby

and

Memphis

256

Illinois

260

Day

American

Daughters

258

Day

Bryan

and

Chicago

250

256

Day

and

Nebraska

Day

County

Day

German-American

New

243

Day

Irish-American

To

Day

262

Revolution

263

Day

York

Missouri

Day

265

Vermont

Day

266

NOTABLE

At

SPEECHES.

Flag

Presenting
To

Lieut.

to

Dallas

Harris

G.

Children,
and

Hobson

271

Volunteers

Tenn.

Fourth

to

School

Nashville

Welcome
At

Isham

Oration,

Funeral

268

Carnival

Knoxville

Presenting
Capt.

273
Lieut.

Hobson

278

Exposition

To

the

On

Andrew

At

Confederate

of

Memory

B.

Zebulon
Before

Jackson,

Undelivered

Reunion,
Speech

274

276

Maynard

Society

St. Louis-Tennessee

Brownsville,

Prepared

282

Vance

for

the

Tenn

Campaign

282
293

of

1912

298

LETTERS,

LOVE

To

Uncle

To

the

To

the

To

the

Sam

307

Politicians

309

Boys

312

316

Girls

To

the

Bachelors

320

To

the

Drummers

324

To

the

Fiddlers

327

To

the

Fishermen

330

To

the

To

the

Mothers-in-law

333

336

Candidates

To

the

Sweethearts

To

the

Sportsmen

343

To

the

School

346

To

the

Blue

339

Teachers
and

the

Gray

349

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page
Robert

Love

Taylor,

Lecture

field,

"Robin's

of

House

also

old

the

spot

"The

ash

and

Inspiring

view

Valley

of

"Sentiment,"

Senator

Bow"

rich

Robert

the

of

farm

on

grove

as

the

was

as

the

Love

the

City,

Johnson

at

where

most

the

of

Taylor

Bob

held

boys

the

born,

was

their

early

Nolachucky,

showing

debates

where

72

Bob

wrote

Bow"

88

farm,

Taylor's

where

Bob

rehearsed

"The

136

looking

Nolachucky,

Nolachucky,

the

covies

Fields

Alf

of

which

the

entered

where

margin

on

tree

and

in

the

on

Fiddle

Fiddle

Quiet

barn

he

done

was

Valley,"

"Happy

Secluded

Great

work

time

Taylor

Bob

the

at

ago

years

of

home

literary

in

appeared

twenty-one

Roost,"
his

he

as

where

quail

loved

smokeless

with

of

Bob

South

James

Gen.

from

"Serenade

to

powder

and

the

Taylor,

152

ishing
van-

shot"

written

Valley

rock"..

the

hitless

where

Taylor,

P.

"slick

200

lecture,
216

of

from

the

Nile

one

(on

of

his

the

Nolachucky)

latest

photographs

264

280

FOREWORD

first

books

Since

written,

the

itself

obtruded

has

between

banqueter

the

Preface

never-failing

were

and

the

banquet
"

sometimes

to

boast

sometimes

whet,

his

sometimes

appetite

to

of

richness

the

dull

to

the

that

follow,

sometimes

to

pages

their

Far

of

with

dryness

different

what

is

rivers

mission

the

offer

these

of

praise.

of

this

Preface.

self-evident,

is

The

is

for
our

We

that

believe

Bob

of

genius

the

excellence

and

pages

book

gate
irri-

this

excuse

Taylor.

bright

these

children

of

his

brain

should
go

them

forth

into

singing

and

laughing

to

the

home

the

in

every

welcome

which

land,

and

send
we

awaits

them.

Cuts

by

Photo

NashTille

"

Engraving

Co
.

Printed

by
Nashville,

Cumberland

Tennessee

Press

c
o

o
(A

c
o

H
XI
o

c
o

tn

O
O

INTRODUCTORY

DELONG
Senator

Rice,
for

Taylor

Lecture

twenty

friend

Manager,
ofifers the

years,

and

companion

of

tribute

to

his

interesting facts

of

his

following

memory;
his

Illumines
marvelous

success

Tells

"King

lecture

how

of

Encores

he

created

him

from

twenty
lecturer

of

could

be

millions

of

This
Hon.

and

death

of

the

Robert

to

his

flowed

honey

as

Bow''

speak

stream

to

of

Love

Taylor
the American
on
platform.
gathered together,they would
people.
years

estimate

Alfred

Fiddle

silence

the

"Sweet

For

"The

A.

and

crowns

once

more

him

Platform;"

American

the

discloses

and

career

includes

the tour

Taylor, in

their

us

speech."
the

was

most

cessful
suc-

If all of his audiences

make

with

in 1895-6

multitude

his

brother,

jointlecture,"Yankee

Doodle

and

Dixie," which, in its splendid balance and reciprocal

of the most
beauty, was
one
ful
unique and sensationallysuccessattractions ever
presented in America.
Differingwidely in
and style,
each served as a foil to developthe brilliancy
manner
of

the

other.

careful

Tavlor's
of

estimate

lectures

dollars

"

to have

have

easilymade

riches

were

of the
ask:

the

gross

earnings

far into the hundreds

run

which, had

sum

might
You

shows

him

he
a

hoarded

it and

millionaire.

But

of

Senator

of thousands
invested
Bob

it,

Taylor's

soul.

What

became

the sieve of his great, generous

he

loved, for the betterment

of

civilization.

Some

of

of his

money?

heart

for the

of mankind
it has

crossed

It went

through

happiness of

and

the

the

oceans

those

advancement
to

spread

of it is crooning above
the cradles
light of religion; some
of orphan asylums ; some
of it is ministering to the sick in
of it is built into the walls of libraries;much
hospitals;some
and
of it is standing in bronze
marble
throughout the
grace
South
to perpetuate the glory of the Confederate
soldier; and
still more
of it is pointing toward
heaven
in the gleaming spires
the

(1)

INTRODUCTORY

lO

of

churches;

purpose.
No more
of Robert

L.

not

of it

dollar

one

spent

was

to

serve

sordid

appropriateepitaph could be carved upon the tomb

Taylor than this : He loved everybody and everything,

except money.
will
is a fact which
extraordinary man
the viewpoints of those
pass unquestioned into history. As
him
knew
who
differ,so will their opinions diifer as to the
of his greatness and the fineness of his genius. In the
extent
focus the eyes of the future upon
effort to correctly
him, truth
must
inevitablywrangle with error; and, though truth shall
do him justice;no
prevail,the written page can never
analysis
define
him.
Not
even
a
Shakespeare or a Milton
can
clearly
can
paint the flavor of a peach or picture the odor of a rose.
Poets may
sing forever of moonlit rivers,but unless you have
their shimmering silver flowing through hours
looked
upon
that belong to dreams, you are a stranger to their beauty.
Only those who have seen and heard Bob Taylor can enjoy
Like all
anything approaching a true conceptionof the man.
remarkable
he followed
no
guide and walked no beaten
men,
mocked
road.
all precedents and defied all rules.
His success
Though he occupied for thirtyyears the throne of fame, his
the simplicityof his nature, and love was
severest
dignitywas
of his strength. His perennial humor
the sword
was
only the
like the sun-embroidered
tinsel draping of his power,
shawl of
mist that wraps
Niagara's mighty shoulders.
That

he

This

an

was

of marvelous

man

Wherever

magnet.

the multitudes
fascination.

chose

he

were

personalitywas

drawn

to
to

the

cast

him

by

veritable

of his

zone

the

influence

cords

unseen

human

of his

An

incomparable stump
speaker, a brilliant
Congressman, a splendid Governor, he nevertheless
young
soared above these accomplishments and left them
far below,
for it was
the lecture platform that he found
tiny
the true deson
of his talents and reached the noon
of his glory.
It

in October

was

harbor

of 1891

that he

achievement
and set
political
Contemplatingits inhospitablewaters,
of

of

certain

treacherous

tides

success,
were

for

the

he

sunken

determined
forth
he

remembered

hopes

on

to

strange

gathered

no

the
sea.

ance
assur-

beneath

that

of many

leave

statesman.

its

II

INTRODUCTORY

the

But, with

of

heart

buoyant

mariner, he

adventurous

an

built a ship of wondrous

He
prepared for the first voyage.
Bow/'
His
Fiddle
the
and
beauty and christened her "The
his carpenters.
foreman
were
was
inspirationand the muses
and silently
fell
their invisible planes and saws
Softly moved
mind
conceived
of fancy. The
whose
their hammers
master
dubious
this phantom craft wrought with
care, for he knew
of indifference,
breast the
travel the dead waters
that she must
of envy,

waves

green

timbers

Her

her frame

and

to the grace

shaped

was

and

roped with moonbeams,

from

islands

thousand

of

her sails

of

Fiddle

the

and

Bow''

swan.

fairy ocean, and

Her riggingwas
the winds

set to catch

were

laughter and

flagof universal love. Her gunners

On
her deck
were
Cupids' bows.
and the
strolled the spiritof mirth
her keel was
spilledthe mellow wine
"The

of

the foam

light as

as

were

the fierce tempests of criticism.

meet

flew

She

song.

the

cupids and her guns

of sentiment
skipped and
soul of pathos,while o'er
of long ago.
were

launched

was

the

in

cold

she sailed
evening in 1891, and when
back home
amid
she was
blazoned
the melting ice of March
with victory and freightedwith gold.
launched
in the years
Bob
Taylor's other ships that were
the bearers of
that followed
were
masterpieces. All were
visions as voluptuous and fair as e'er floated in the festivals of
of the Nile; all returned
Cleopatra above the drowsy currents
of

gloom

December

cargoes of wealth
but no
to his memory;

with

which

dreams

so

their

to

vessel

builder, arid all

ever

sailed from

completely explored and

are

monuments

the port of his

conquered the
of his genius.

vast

did the firstborn

emotions
as
deep of human
Having glanced at Bob Taylor'ssuccessful advent into the
lyceum world, and having brieflystudied,by suggestionand
and fibre of his first lecture,let us consider
the mould
allegory,
lecturers and the
the temper of the public toward
for a moment
difficulties which
The

purely

intended
idea

began

lecture
the

age

was

of

to

confront
educational
for

assert

far

them.

more

the

lecture

platform, but

itself in the
of

is the

at

United

Because

which

the

time

was

the

States,that
it is today.

necessitythan

printedliterature.

one

man

can

originally
lyceum
class of
This

pursue

is
the

INTRODUCTORY

12

classics at
the

bis

the

day

fireside and

own

advanced

most

for instruction

the

from

theories

and

he finds it less necessary

and

from

the

periodicalsof

all current

on

less desirable

questions,

to

spend

is the lecture which

lives

bis money

platform.

still less attractive

But

learn

dies within

from

only

of its

the hour

delivery,which leaves
no
lesson,imparts no knowledge, and gives no stimulus to the
It is the strong drink of the platform,
nobilityof our natures.
which
buoys us into the garden of false fancy for an instant
lipsto

ear

then

and

leaves

in dullness

us

and

when

remorse

its temporary

effect has flo"wn.

dangers of the platformist! Unsweetened

unilluminated
figureson the one hand, and superficial
the other.
and rare, indeed,
on
Happy is the man,
the two

Behold
facts and
nonsense

who

statistical

Scylla of

jewel of

success

He

would

who

He

be

his

brain

we

be

able

before

flees from

music

of
"

holds

the

itself in
smile.

speech,he
that

in

its

and

to

the

tellect.
in-

ing
pleas-

of
as

unseen
or

we
a

And,
in

seek

myth.

the power
clutch.

that other

meet

us

it

we

evasive, as

as

which
electricity

It sometimes

flitsbefore

times
some-

comprehend it,it

It is
of

with

ignorance,

our

we

to

of his

even

magnetism,

Wherever

his

voice of his

fail without

may

it is
Unapproachable as a spirit,
immortal; it is the copyrightof a soul.

within

the words

tongue.

quality which,

when

the eye

fascinate

joke with loftypurpose.

Scholarly attainments
are

sometimes
individuality,

indescribable

glance of

nourishment

discord

tuneless

like the wraith

universe

and

Though there be folded

of a Carnegie library,
the

its sceptre, but

intangibleand

strait that

sunny,

frivolous

most

fall from

call

us

deadly

of verbal

Charybdis

the dullest fact with

to gem

personality,always genius.
bow

the

interest

to

substantial

pages
rasp the air with

greatest essential
sometimes

the fatal

sufficient.

is not

the countless

scholarshipand

between

true

though brightand

how

materials.

raw

and

must

point the

knowledge may
learning may
and

win

know

savant

and

is found.

must

lustre and

only

dust

dry

giving delightfuland

w^hile

To

clear

course

'Tis in this narrow,

froth.
the

his

steer

can

on

the

the divine

shows

wings

dower

of

of

an

13

INTRODUCTORY

It

is this

moulds

bewitching force
of history.
crowns

the

softened

with

love and

Taylor king of
It
While

the American

but

seems

seasoned

It

this

was

with

the

weaves

laurels

mysterious

power,

Bob

made

which

humor,

and

platform for twenty

since

hour

an

that

the

years.
of his life went

sun

do^vn.

before the
linger in the twilightof recollection,
blurs the picture of memory,
let us, in
night of forgetfulness
torium
imagination,look at him again. We will erect a great audiof the mind, people it with the phantom
in the realm

yet

forms

we

loved

of those who

of death

speak to

to

There

he

us

judgment

to

in his face.

He

is

to

ask

field of

impatientlywaiting

uncommunicative

those

to

man

by

near

asks

who

if

^Napoleonmanufactured
cannon
Marengo or moulded

guns

of Austerlitz.

Now

the curtain

rises

on

have

the eager expectants of a joyoushour.

the multitude
is hushed, and many
a

The

It would

powder

fans
fluttering

to

is
to

if his lecture

Oh, foolish question!

extemporaneous.

sensible

the silence

ing
persistin talkingto him while he is masshis effort. The glow of intense interest
a
general preparing to send his troops

victory. Observing him,

be

from

more.

once

and

his faculties for

to

him

encore

is, in the dressingroom,

begin,absent-minded
the bad

him, and

be

as

the thundering

on

balls amid

and

is

the

radiant

ing
roar-

faces,
of

droning murmur

conversation

dies

on

the

lipsof whispering lovers. This is the most dangerous moment

that comes
the keen sense
of our
to a speaker,and
feels
orator
it. He
that the useless introducto
learns,with a look of satisfaction,
announced.
speech is to be omitted and that he is to appear unHe

does

awkwardness
successful

not

slouch

and

to

insolent

the front
brass

so

with
common

tliat

barrassed
unem-

among

himself
to his full height
speakers. Straightening
with a quick and springinggrace, he advances
to the footlights
with military precisionof step. A gentle wave
of applause
rolls through the audience,but he gives it no acknowledgment.
He does not smile ; he does not bow ; only stands still and waits
for quiet. In the extreme
of his posture he appears
straightness
to lean back
little above the waistline.
His face is slightly
a
his
uplifted,and his left hand is raised to rest lightlyover
heart.
Though perfectlycalm, he is not careless. Every nerve

14

INTRODUCTORY

of concentration

duty. He does not persecute us with a

prelude or bore us with a preamble. The music of his discourse
with his first word, and his opening sentence
starts
thrills us
a master
as when
sw^eeps the stringsof his harp in the full flow
of its melody. He
is no
solemn-browed
teacher vexing us with
with logical
us
major premise and minor premise,and assailing
conclusions.

is

on

Such

matters

left to

are

Socrates

and

Plato

and

Aristotle,the crystalfountains of philosophy. He is tellingus

of thingswe
known
them
already know, though we have never
as

we

see

them

opens the doors of

step into its enchanted
He

now.

endless

picture
halls,lo ! it is only
an

gallery,and when we
the old, familiar
have walked
witli
earth, through v/hich we
have
looked
unseeing eyes.
Yonder, where we
ragged
upon
cliffs and crags, he shows
the towering mountains, subdued
us
and
toned
in their giganticgrandeur by the poetic haze of
Indian

The

summer.

valleys where
charms.
a

we

We

hills up

have

learn

labored

of cascade

and

and
will

cataract

weakness

and

adorned

are

Lashing us to the pinions of

aloft
galleryof earth and soars
our

have

we

toiled
with

the

and

new-found

than
gold of harvest fields is more
pies, and that the foaming beauty
quench the thirst of our souls.

that the

of biscuits

promise

which

unveils

his
to

mind,

he leaves the

where

worlds

the power

of God

picture

born,

are

in the

veals
re-

lightof

wheeling suns.
Now,
boundless
a

Simian

the easy

on

love song

Fresh

from

with

of

under

forbidden

to pass,

red-hot
and

He
and

cocoanut

us

then leads

us

and

throws

bayonets of charging

loots

cupboards, and

eyes

climes,we are
while waiting for

back

hornets.

while

we

are

dimmed

the
land

happy

the reckless

courage

He

deeds

against the

plunders pantries

laugh and laugh again

his ragged sleeve.

closes the gates of the realm

of merriment

to the

vulsed
con-

forgottencrimes, besieges

headlong

wipes his cherry-stained

lipsupon
Deftly he

of

us

sings

astral

at

convicts

and

from

tree.

and

smiles

descends

jabberingapes

boy himself, re-acts

days, and
orchards

daring art, he

thicket of

of comets

zones

childhood, becomes

of barefoot

to

laughter.

of mirth

storm

of stars

tracts

of his

wings

with

tears.

of

yesterday,and

he

the

yy

BOW
THE
AND
"THE

FIDDLE

"

FIDDLE

THE

MUSIC

heard

bow

quivered

was

than

sweeter

"

under

its

lashed

and

the

shadows

shriek

rain

of the

and

the

the

vapory

storm,

boomed

on

below.

leaped

down

armed

phantom

and
an

of

army

heaven.

of

the

warring

might
his

of

Jehovah,

footsteps

till the

and

and

trackless

of

the

hostile
hurled

and

surged,

trembled
awful

of the

the

monsters

often

as

the

the
of

the

earth

veiled

nings
light-

charging

billowy
carry

saw

the

rhythm

field

of

again,

wings

deep,

of

roar

among

the

the

affrighted

the

of

cloud, and, like

on

saw

scale

elements.

it,

heard

fierce

abyss, they rolled,

flying on

the

on

of

battle-cry
I

to

bow

blades

battle

then

ocean's

the

raged

and

trenchant

Titans,

and

uproar

their

Assailing again

into

of the

pavilions

for

and

terrible

the

dark

exultant, and

writhed,

the

in

light,flashed
the

headlong

and

their

fiery gunners

to

stroke

in every

above

war.

crash

the

thunders

bugle-blastand

wild

back

And

by

manned

ocean

batteries, unlimbered

rumbling

heard

winds,

of

and

through

brooded

deadlier

marshaling

heights

Its

and

loud-rattlingmusketry

the

and

asleep

old

saw

and

tempest

squadrons

deep.

rise, like

and

louder

from

of

angels

night

volleying

their

strife

of the

storm-god

thought

jured
con-

visions

tumult, and

in

out

was

I fell

of

realm

the

high.

heights

the

language

thought

of

hurricane,

the

wing

angry

artillery on

into

in

tongue.

music.

there

quiver

thought

; his

violin

every

dream

my

with

and

hail,

red

The

in

human

broke

violin

in

lowering

by

rapt

was

enchanted

fury.

to

dark

and

bird;

breathed

his

by

wondrous

the

on

uttered

mesmerized

The

of

melody

ever

power

rifted

wing

every

was

was

dreams.
the

and

melody,

the

like

MASTER.

play

master

great

OF

BOW."

THE

AND

majesty
ing
plant-

tempest,

in

at

and

darkness

clouds.
There

distance

was

and

violin

revived

heard

the

shifting of

the

morning

and

rustle

of

poured
a

the

bow.

broke
out

thousand

in

The

floods

its sweetest

died

storm

of

glory.

soul.

joyous wings

and

In
a

in the

away

Then

the

its music

burst

of

song

LECTURES

20

from

heard

twitter

the

of

cooing of
song

while

back

the

and

the

the

Then

chorus.

babble

was

of

fox

of

of

golden-mouthed

pleasure;

floatingin the

dancing

the

river's

conceived

through

"

in

there

arms,

ing
whirl-

The

dance.

the

in

flying

the

oaks, and

and

of

the bloom
of

humming

old, old story

so

"

all the ages

was

"

submission

and

life.

story of human

old

heaven, first told in Eden, and

meek

the mirthful

of snowy

vision

by

the

smile

to

incense-breathing
bees
and

then

and

yet

so

ing
splashnew

handed

again. Ah,

told

over

that

mantling blush,

over

down
and

pansies bend

and

soothing sound

do%vnward-drooping eyes,
hand

play,

flute

; I heard

misty

told

the elms

there,under

and
the

in

I heard

of the

daffodils

side, where

waters

of

like the music

was

cornet

saw

violin

strayedbeneath

bowers, under

and

loud

opened

the

The

strain.

ripplingwaves,

horn,

trembling stringslike fairy feet

nodding violets,and the music glided into a

tripped upon

lovers

then

mazes

fingersnow
still sweeter

it

hunter's

the

light,fantastic,slipperedfeet, all

and

voluptuous forms

Two

melancholy

peals of laughter ringing

and

voices

happy

on

scattered

the

the

hounds

bow, and

of the

tremor

swellingtide
and

bells.

chiming

harp, and

wind.

ing
whistle,the croak-

gay

sounded

violin

wild, far in the ringing woods, and

and

sang

swaying treetops seemed vocal with bird

played,and the labyrinthsof leafy shade echoed

he

There

oriole

the

in
and

swallows

the robin's

deep-mouthed pack

hundred

linnets

The

dove.

and

the

scolding of blue-jays and

the

crows,

rocked

that

skimming

I heard

covey'spiping call.
of

cradle

hanging

her

lullaby to

and

happiest tunes,

trilled their

bobolinks

and

birds

Mocking

thrushes
warblings; goldfinches,

their

air with

glad

thrilled the

TAYLOR

L.

throats.

joyous

thousand

ROBERT

OF

that

"

down
those

trembling

pressed,that flutteringheart,

that

heaven
a
heaving breast, that whispered "yes," wherein
and Paradise
well they told of victorywon
lies
how
regained!
her in a grapevine swing.
And
then he swung
Young man,
"

if you
oaks

to

win

swing

her

want

and

her, wander
in

with

her

grapevineswing.

amid

the

elms

and

THE

FIDDLE

Swinging
Swinging
I

A,ND

THE

in the

grapevine swing,
the wild birds sing;
sigh for the days gone
by,
the grapevine swing.

where

dream

and

Swinging in
But
swiftly the tides of music
And
swiftly speed the hours.
Life's pleasures end when
scarce
E'en

The

violin

21

BOW

as

the

begun.

flowers.

summer

like

laughed

run,

child, and

dream

my

changed

a
again. I saw
cottage amid the elms and oaks, and a little
I saw
and
a
cnrly-head toddled at the door.
happy husband
father return
from his labors in the evening and kiss his happy
wife and frolic with his baby. The purple glow now
faded from
the western
skies; the flowers closed their petalsin the dewy
slumbers
of the night; every wing was
folded in the bower;
hushed ; the full-orbed moon
poured silver from
every voice Avas
the east and God's eternal jewels flashed on the brow
of night.
The scene
changed again. While the great master
played, and
at midnight'sholy hour, in the lightof a lamp dimly burning,
clad in his long, white mother-hubbard, I saw
the disconsolate
dream
victim of love's young
nervouslywalking the floor,in his
bosom
the squallingbaby. On the
an
aching heart, in his arms
fell his woeful
drow^sy air, like the sad wails of a lost spirit,
voice,singing:

dancing the baby

La-e, Lo-e, hush-a-bye baby mamma
bye.

La-e, Lo-e, hush-a-bye baby

With

my

"

ever

"

and

high,

so

will

to

come

bye

you

king colic. But this ancient invader

of the empire of babyhood had sounded
a
precipitateretreat;
had
fallen over
the paternal shoulder; the
the curly head
on
It

was

tear-stained
a

naked

table

"

battle with

face

heel square
down

came

and
his

on

almost

calm

in repose

an

inverted

tack.

the work

"

to
agony
of teeth."

Over

went

the work

went

basket, scissors and

all

went

up

"

the tack

There

were

hoarse

mutterings.

shaking of the screaming baby, which

again. Then I heard an explosion of wrath
angry

down

when

dils
stickingin it,and the hero of the daffopansies,with a yell like the Indian warwhoop, and
mother-hubbard
now
floatingat half mast, hopped in
There
was
a lounge in the rear.
"weeping and gnashing

the heel with

with

was

he

There
had

from

was

awakened
the

warm

an

LECTURES

22

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

conjugal couch, eloquent with the music of

little baby that way ! ! ! I'll tell Pa
dare you shake my
*'How
! ! !" which
tomorrow
instantlybroughtthe trained husband into
line again,singing:

blankets

of

the

La-e, Lo-e, hush-a-bye baby dancing

La-e, Lo-e, hush-a-bye bab)^ mamma
"

"

the

baby

will

ever

paregoricperiod of life is full of spoons

squalls,but what is home without a baby!
brooded
The bow now
like a gentlespirit
over
The

the

eddied

music

into

mournful

tone

high
bye

so

to

come

you

and

bye.

and

midnight

the violin and

; another

year

vened
inter-

by the empty cradle ; the printsof baby

scattered on
the windowpanes; the toys were
on
lingersw^ere
hushed ; the sobs and cries,tlie mirth
the floor ; the lullabywas
and mischief, and the tireless little feet were
no
longer in the
curls drooped above eyelidsthat
and worry;
to vex
sunny
way
bloodless
little dimpled cheeks were
closed forever; two
were
folded
and
a
cold, and two little dimpled hands were
upon
The
vibrant
instrument
breast.
motionless
sighed and wept;
bell's knell; and the second
the church
it rang
story of life,
told.
which
is the sequelto the first,
was
and
Then
I caught glimpses of a half-veiled Paradise
a
the hazy stretches of its
its flowers; I saw
breath from
sweet
;

little coffin sat

and

landscapes,beautiful
heaven; I heard

the faint

Mahomet's
vision
as
gorgeous
swells of its distant music, and

of
saw

of
wings that never
weary wafting to the bosom
ended
the music
infant spirit. A stringsnapped
an
The old master
is dead, but his music will
vision vanished.

the flash of white

God
my

"

"

live forever !
LITTLE

THE

CHERISH

ONES.

the hearts of
sometimes
forget and woimd
you
and the dagger of cruel words, and
children with frowns
Do

with
and

your
cries

o^vn

and

noisy sports ?

ripen the wncked

upon
then

Do

blow?

you sometimes, in your own

peevishness,wish yourselfaway from

wish

Then

Tomorrow

little fluttering
heart, and

you

will miss

the sunbeam

think

that

death

the sweet

times
some-

meanness

ful
their fret-

tomorrow

his

may

icy hand

lay
may
it will be stilled forever.
and

your

little flower

'Tis
that

LECTURES

24

FAT

It

ought

MEN

AND

should

men

L.

be

law

is

music

more

orchestras

in

brass

or

symbols of music,
listen to

the

and

men

world; how
to rest !

But

the bosom

breaks
There

fat

is

than

melody
is

is

of

and

lightare

in

mortal

and

ear

in

mortal

kiss

anthem

and

breaks

sober

waking
world
than

sweeter
a

unseen

in song,

forever

symphonies.

sunbeam

ody;
mel-

in every

love-song in

every

gurgling fountain, a hymn

rollingbillow.

the firstborn

caught only

of

world

some

thousand

in every

have

old

the

that wakes

song,

in every

eye

of

kingdom

MUSIC,

that

ten

sunbeam,

fat

joy forever."

It is like

forever

every

ladies,

societyof

their

OF

sorrows.

the

are

night that pillows the

angels of God,

twin

of music

crag

in every

sonnet

bless

thousand

Oh,

is the

lipsof morning

silver surf

flower

the

world

of

the voice

brimming river,an

every

God

"

they
There

heads

the

such

lips of morning

the

v/hose

flower ; there

"of

POET-LAUKEATE

THE

valley,hill

on

for

women

bald

Cultivate

men,

night is

ocean

there

and

wisdom

is the bosom

soothes

ethereal

submission.

sweeter

of

and

joys

meek

are

sweet

is in

and

VIOLIN;,

sweet

there

innocence

"thingsof beauty and

THE

How

than

and

of

and

men

easilymanaged.

sides

the

they are

"

laugh

fat

families,because

of

and

but

none

Fat

words

And

that

bands.

bald-headed

heaven."
sides

fat man's

MEN.

the heads

always good-natured,contented

are

TAYLOR

BALD-HEADED

be the universal

to

bald-headed

ROBERT

OF

Music

of heaven,

the

echo

in

and

and
the

of their celestial glories.

shadow
The

violin
and

It is the

master;

its

its modest

of the

of the untutored

palace and

unpretentioushome
garlands of
violets.

powers

millions

of music;
poet-laureate

FIDDLE

aristocrat

of the
weaves

is the

of the

and

and
and

roses

It is admired
wonderful

peoplefor

its

the

of the

tuoso
vir-

in the ideal art.

crat
hall; it is the demo-

humble

camelias;

by

violin

cabin.
as

As

fiddle it scatters

the cultured

for its magnificent

creations; it is loved

simple melodies.

violin it

by

the

THE

FIDDLE

CONVICT

THE

One
stood

AND

AND

in the executive

Tennessee, and

said

FIDDLE.

HIS

brightmorning, just before

25

BOW

THE

Christmas

Day,

chamber

in my
presence
"Governor, I have been

official

an

Governor

as

of

implored by a
wretch
in the penitentiaryto bring you this
poor, miserable
rude fiddle. It was
made
hands
with a penknife
by his own
ueless,
during the hours allotted to him for rest. It is absolutelyvalit is true, but it is his petition
He
,to you for mercy.
begged me to say that he has neither attorneys nor influential
friends to plead for him; he is poor, and all that he asks is
that when
the Governor
shall sit at his own
happy fireside on
Christmas
Eve, with his own
happy children around him, he
this rough fiddle and think of a cabin
will play one
tune
on
:

in the mountains

far away
and

surrounded

footstepsof
touched

by

Eve

father."

their convict

such

an

appeal?

the Governor

came;

late
deso-

family of poor little wretched, ragged

bread
and waiting and watching for the

by

children, crying for

is cold and

hearthstone

whose

The

Who
record

w^ould
was

examined

that

night at
happy children,and
sat

have

not

his

been

mas
; Christ-

happy
played one

own

he
by his
of the cabin
that rough fiddle. The hearthstone
to them
on
tune
a
in the movmtains
was
pardoned prisoner
bright and warm;
his knee, surrounded
his baby on
sat with
rejoicing
by HIS
wife
HIS
children and in the presence of
happy
; and, although
there was
naught but poverty around him, his heart sang, "Be
it ever
humble, there's no place like home," and then he
so

surrounded
fireside,

reached

played

up

is

"Jordan

Did

you

his fiddle

snatched

and

VISION

never

hard

road

OF

hear

THE

to

OLD

from

down

the

wall

and

travel."

FIELD

fiddler fiddle?

SCHOOL.

I have.

I heard

of
his frolickingfiddle
fiddle,and the ha-da-diddle
called back the happy days of my boyhood ; the old field schooldows
house,with its batten door creakingon wooden hinges,its wincracking
innocent of glass,and its great, ya\\Tiing
fireplace
from
and roaringand flaminglike the infernal regions,
rose
fiddler

the dust

limpid
(2)

the trees ; the

of memory
and stood once
more
among
spring bubbled and laughed again at the foot of the

26

LECTURES

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

hill ; flocks of

and skinned
nimble,noisyboys turned somersaults,
the eat, and ran
and jumped half hammond
the old playon
ground.
The
grim old teacher stood in the door; he had no
bell to ring then as we
brazen-mouthed
have now, but he shouted
Not
to books! !" and they came.
at the top of his voice,"Come
"war and rumors
of war."
The backless benches,
meant
to come
high above the floor,groaned under the weight of irrepressible
America
of mischievous, shiningfaces,the
; the multitude
young
of
bare legsand feet swinging to and fro,and the mingled hum
aloud life's first lessons,
happy voices,spelling
prophesied the
future glory of the State.
of the old field school
The curriculum
the same
ary
was
everyivhere one AVebster's blue-backed elementone
sore
spellingbook, one thumb-paper, one
stonebruise,
Peter Parley'stravels.
toe and
The grim old teacher, enthroned
his split-bottom
on
chair,
looked "terrible as an
with banners."
And
he presided
army
with a dignityand solemnitywhich would
have excited the envy
of the United
States Supreme Court.
I saw
the school commissioners
"

visit him

and

heard

system of teaching. They

he

that

taught

With

the

world

asked

I teach

If my
patrons desire
to
it; if they desire me

question him

him

is round

great dignityhe replied:

teachin'.

them

his

whether, in geography,

or

"That
me

to

as

that

the

depends
teach

to

upon

is flat.

whar

the round

the flat

teach

world

I'm

system,

system,

I teach

that."
At
and

the old field school I

saw

the freshman

class,barefooted

with

pantaloonsrolled up to the knees, stand in line under

the ever-uplifted
rod and sing the never-to-be-forgotten
b-a ba's.
They sang them in the OLDEW
times, and this is the way they
b-o bo, b-u bu
ba, be,
sang : "B-a ba, b-e be, b-i bi,ba, be, bi
bi,bo, bu."
"

"

sophomore dance a jig to the music of a dogwood

I saw
a
sprout for throwing paper wads.
junior compelled to
stand on
the dunce
block on
foot (a la gander) for winking
one
in time of books, for failingto know
his
at his sweetheart
lessons,and for various other high crimes and misdemeanors.
A twist of the fiddler's bow brought a yell from the fiddle,
and in my
dream
I saw
the school come
pouring out into the
followed
of prisoner's
Then
the games
base, to^vnopen air.
saw

THE

FIDDLE

AJJD

THE

ball,"Antney-over," bull-pen,and

27

BOW

knucks

with

yellow jackets,the Bunker

wine battles with bumblebees,the chargeson
the storming of apple orchards
and hornets'
engagements

the old field school

old field school

an

listen to its music

are

broken

stringin

school exhibition

was

civilization.

was

times, and

budding,

the

sockless
that

the

and

the

nose

It

Goddess

The

of

poeticmuse

at

was

guard

the

eloquence of

the

old

black

It
eye.
and ROME

received
at

was

in

in the day, and

every fifteen minutes
unwearied
soared upward and
flight,

American

eagle,with

till he soared
exhibition

the
for

often

was

and

rushed

frowning

It

old teacher

immortalized

advanced
WAS

"Arkansas

Traveler,"the

in

"one

"

"Old

the

Dan

sublime.

stage and

the

silence

the corps of country fiddlers

whom"seated
the stage, hoisted
on

charge on
spectaclewas

the

themselves.

on

when

into the dreadful

fell,

ward
upthe ohl field school

at

was

the bow

silence,instantly there

assembly; and
I

sight.

that the fiddle and

When
nodded

of

out

and

rose

the old

that GREECE

of gore, about

the

field school

field school exhibition

seas

of

olden

the

in

Liberty always
a

you

"

old field

of the advance

swayed by

statesmen.

failure

of great events

were

hibition
ex-

ness
wityou never
in the country, and

your life is
of the universe.

climax

Brandy-

Did

out

harp
parade gTound

the

and

not

the

assemblies

vast

exhibition
broken

It

have

Hill

flocks of geese, and

I witThen
nessed
nests.

now.

far
exhibition,

? If you

hand-to-hand

the WOiSTDERFUL

"

call it commencement

they

"

exhibition

the

"

the

vast

of which
black

flag

Tucker"
Their

or

heads

time; their bodies rocked time; their feet patted time;

swung
their eyes winked
time ; their teeth ground time.
The whizzing
bows and screaming fiddles electrified the audience,who cheered
at

every

brilliant

women

laughed

popped

their

Waterloo

in the

turn

for

joy;

fists;it

was

battle with

charge of

the

winked

men

like the
den

the fiddlers.

charge of

of snakes.

at

each

the Old

The

good

other

and

Guard

at

Upon the completion

of the grand overture
of the fiddlers,
the brilliant programme
of the exhibition,
which
usually lasted all day, opened
with "Mary had a little lamb," and it gathered fury until it
reached
Patrick
death!"
Henry's "Give me libertyor give me
The
was
interspersedwith compositions by the
programme
girls,from the simple subjectof "Flowers," including "Blessor

28

LECTURES

L.

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

ingsbrightenas they take their flight,"

up to "Every cloud has
silver lining,"and
it was
interlarded
with frequent tunes
a
till close of day.
by the fiddlers from earlymorn
hear the old field school orator
Did you never
speak? He
dressed
like a United
States Senator, but
he
not
was
was
and completing his
dressed with a view
to disrobing for bed
morning toilet instantly,both of which he performed during
the acts of ascending and descending the stairs. His uniform
was
pair of breeches, rolled
very simple. It consisted of one
patch on the western
hemisphere ; one
up to the knees, with one
button at the top, one
little shirt with one
valid
gallus,and one inhat.
hat stood guard over
His straw
his place on
straw
the bench
while he v\'as deliveringhis great speech at the exhibition.
With
vanced
great dignity and eclat, the old teacher adthe

on

and

he

"The
fled

dead

stood

the

on

lived.

ever

told him
there

like

that

beautiful

burnin'

deck

cyclone.

father

and

told him

fast the flames

deck, Avhence all but him

and

"

the expectant audience,

to

battle's wreck

lit the

git off'n there, and

to

him

the burnin'

on

Yet

"

His

and

"

stood

flames

o'er the

introduced

forward

came

boy

The

"

stage and

bright he

he

the

wuz

keep
the boy

to

rolled

shone

The

on.

stood

"

bravest

a-standin'
he

'round

old

man

him

The

boy

boy

that

till he

there

jistkep

had

a-standin'
down

went

stairs in the

there,and
there

and

"

and he got killed down

ship to see about sumpen,
the boy he didn' know
it,and he jistkep' a-standin'
fast the flames rolled on.
cried aloud, 'Say,
He

father,say,
and

couldn't

there!

"

banners
he went
At
as

if YIT

and

hear

task is done'

my

'im,

and

fast the flames

in the

sky, and

the
rolled

last the

at

but

"

his father

dead

wuz

jist kep' a-standin'

on.
They caught like flagol' biler busted,an' the boy,
he

boy

up!"
the close of this great

speech the fiddle fainted

as

dead

herring.

THE

The
rosined

AND

QUILTING

cake's all

He

dough,"and

OLD

VIRGINIA

REEL.

long,green tobacco and

glided off into "Hop light,ladies,your
then I heard the watch-dog'shonest bark.

old fiddler took

his bow.

THE

fresh chew

of

FIDDLE

THE

29

BOW

THE

AND

I
"potrack." I heard a cock crow.
heard the din of happy voices in the "big house," and the sizz
old-time
It was
an
and songs of boilingkettles in the kitchen.
quilting the May day of the gloriousginger cake and cider
of the American
era
Kepublic,and the needle was mightier than

guinea'smerry

the

I heard

"

announced
the world
to
of Jefferson
pen
of Washington
the birth of the child of the ages; the sword
have perished there had
defended
it in its cradle,but it would

the

sword.

been

it not

The

for the brave

of that

women

day

needlo

pliedthe

who

it, and who nursed it and

quiltsthat warmed
rocked it through the perilsof its infancy into the strengthof
attached to a quadrangular frame
pended
susa
giant. The quiltwas
and the good women
it and
from the ceiling,
sat around
tween
becourted by the swains
quiltedthe live-long
day, and were
stitches. At sunset
the quiltwas
always finished. A cat
then thrown
into the center
of it,and the happy maiden
was
the escapingkitty-puss
nearest
to whom
to be
passed was sure
and

made

the

the first to marry.

followed

Then

the

groaning

bashful young
gigglinggirls,
monopolized the conversation.
discussion

the

among

old

men

table,surrounded
supper
and gossipy old matrons

There

ladies

was

to

as

warm

what

was

by
who

animated

and
the

most

lightful
de-

garden. One old lady said that "so fur

consarned
she was
she preferred the "pertnrnip," another
as
preferred the "pertater,"another the "cow-cumber," and still
old
another voted "ingern" king.
But suddenly a wise-looking
dame
raised her spectacles
and settled the whole
questionby
observing: "Ah, ladies,you may talk about your turnips and
and other gyardin sass, but the
your taters,and your passnips,
sweetest
wedgetable that ever melted on these old gums o' mine
product of

'possum."

is the
At

the fun

length the
and

around.

He

bald

thick,

feast

was

was

head

began in earnest
old darkey in the
figuresfor all the
a

and

old folks

dances

for miles

and

miles

tall,raw-boned, angular old darkey, with

a

heavy lipsand

story of Uncle

departed,and
Uncle
at the quilting. Old
neighborhood,distinguished

ended, the

frolic

an
Ephraim was
for callingthe

very

the

great deal of white

a

very

"Ephraham."

flat
He

nose.

in his eyes.
T will tell you

lived all alone in his

He

had

little

cabin, as

LECTURES

30

L.

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

"

lived,and his 'possum dog lived

with him.
One evening old Uncle "Ephraham"
home
from
came
his labors and took his 'possum dog into the woods
and soon
caught a fine,large,fat 'possum. He brought him home and
dressed him, and then he slippedinto his master's garden and
stole some
ter's
fine,large,fat sweet potatoes ("master'snigger,masand
the potatoes and splitthem
taters"),and he washed
around
the 'possum. He
set the oven
piled them in the oven
on

darkies

of the old-time

many

the red-hot

hot

coals,and put the lid

coals, and

breathed
Then

then

the sweet

covered

in

of the

baking 'possum till it was

the

into the middle

and

corner

red-

it with

down

aroma

he set it out

off, and

sat

and

on

nodded

of the floor and

took

and
done.
the lid

down

by the smoking 'possum and soliloquized:

"Dat's de fines' job o' bakin' 'possum I ever
has done in my
life,but dat 'possum'stoo hot to eat yit. I believes I'll jis'lay
down
heah by 'im an' take a nap while he's coolin',
an' maybe
I'll dream
about eatin' 'im, an' den I'll git up an' eat 'im, an'
I'll git de good uv
dat 'possum bofe times dat away." So he
he was
lay do\\Ti on the floor,and in a moment
sleepingas none
sat

but the old-time

darkey

mother's

Old

arms.

Cye merely
ate

he

remarked

slippedin

him

from
He

ate

'possum

cheeks
At

and

the

dream

oven

in the whole

himself, "I

and

has had

"I nuwah
'im."

grease

sho'

'bout eat'n

He
"

eat

into the

rubbed

awoke.

it

"Ephraglance.

'possum myself."

yit!"

He

and

oven

dat

tent

s'poseI

his
eat

while

ef I did eat

out.

'possum

nuf
it

was

"

full

lips and

stole
silently

nuf, sho'

looked

tongue
dat

and

'possum, an'

'possum

got his hand

"Ephraham's"

on

"Sho'

eat'n dat

poked

'im,but

at

borhood
neigh-

tiptoesand picked up the 'possum and

tail,and piled the bones down by "Ephraham."
sweet
by
potatoes and piled the hulls down

"'possum'sgone." "Sho'ly to

"

in at

situation

loves

in its

in the

darkey

his head

poked

babe

his

dremp about

eat'n

old

another

chin, and then folded his

ever

sweetly as

as

"

He

he reached

grease

sleep

was

to

length"Ephraham"
; I

the

on

tip to

the bones ; then

of

Cye

prowling around.
door ajar and took

ham's"

And

could

jistas

away.
I

pected
ex-

de sweetes'

around, but empty was

de Lo'd," said "Ephraham,"
I

a-dreamin'

was

'bout

"Yes, dat's 'possum

while

"im he sets

wuz

a-dreamin'

lighteron

my

con-

LECTURES

32

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

L.

lip. Uncle "Ephraham" yelled,"Stop de music

upper
ob dis occasion come
de dance"
let de whole circumstances
stan'still tillI finds out
And

dancing subsided

the

then

it is a-scram'lin'

who

for the

eggs aroun'

stop

"

to

heah

!"

candy-pulling.

CANDY-PULLING.

THE

boilingin the kettles,and while it boiled the

ble,"
boys and girlsplayed "snap," and "eleven hand," and "thimof our
and "blindfold," and another old play which
some
older people will remember
The

was

sugar

"

"Oh,
When
The

And

when

Sister
we

Phoebe, how

juniper

the

under

sat

tree

Hi

we

O."

boiled

had

sugar

were

merry

juniper tree,

the

down

into

candy

they

folks called
emptied it into greased saucers, or, as the mountain
them, "greased sassers,"and set it out to cool ; and when it had
and they pulledthe taffy
cooled each boy and girltook a saucer
and patted it and rolled it till it hung well together,and
out
then they pulled it out a foot long; they pulled it out a yard
long,and they doubled it back, and pulled it out, and looped it
it began to look like gold the
over, and pulled it out, and when
sweethearts
paired off and consolidated their taffyand pulled

againsteach other. They pulled it out, and doubled

looped it over, and pulled it out ; and sometimes
cheek

touched

bronzed

sometimes

and

one

sweet

it back, and
a

peachblow
little voice

suspicioussmack
like a cow
They pulled the
pullingher foot out of stiff mud.
candy and laughed and frolicked; the girlsgot taffyon their
hair, the boys got taffyon their chins; the girlsgot taffyon
their waists,the boys got taffyon their coat sleeves. They pulled
moonbeam
and then they plaitedit
it till it was
a
as bright as
and coiled it into fantastic shapes and set it out in the crispair
Then
the courtingbegan in earnest.
to cool.
They did not
out, "You, Jack,"
spluttered

court

then

the young
back into

as

his sweetheart
held

her

hand

next

for

year

an

in

there

folks court
a

hour
more

and

dark
and

now.

corner
never

cabins

was

on

and
said
the

The

young
sat down
by
a

word.

her, and

But

hillsides and

led

man

it
in

sulted
re-

the

FIDDLE

THE

AND

THE

33

BOW

full of
hollows,and in the years that followed the cabins were
of the best,
candy-haired children who grew up into a race
shone
the bravest,and the noblest people the sun
in heaven
ever
upon.
In the

when
all the joys of all the
bright,brighthereafter,
into globulesof transcendent
ages are gatheredup and condensed
there will be anything half so sweet
ecstasy, I doubt whether
the candy-smeared,ruby lips of the country maidens
as
w^ere
to the jeansing
jacketedswains who tasted them at the candy pullin the happy long ago:

the happy

In
When
At

I used

old

the

the

Oh,
And

the

With

In

to

ago,

the bow

draw

all aglow.
log cabin hearthstone
fiddle laughed and
sung,

fairly rung

puncheons

soles long ago.

the clatter of the shoe

swings and whirls

happy boys and girls
cotillion long ago.
the good old-time
the highland fling,
Oh, they danced
And
they cut the pigeon wing,

Oh, the
Of

long

merry

the

To

the music

But

mischief

the

And

of

the

the

and

fiddle

the

and

frolics 'round

bow.

the

mirth,
hearth,

the

to and
flittingof the shadows
fro.
dream, have passed away
Now
I'm growing old and gray,
I'll soon
And
hang up the fiddle and the bow.

And

the

Like

When
When
I'll be
But
When

Where

the

"

few

few

more
more

notes

I've made,
I've played,
daisies
the
snowy

tunes

sleeping where
griefs will all be o'er
I reach the happy shore,
I'll greet

Oh, how sweet, how

happy long ago !

the

friends

us

leave

the

was

in the

of
"eggflip"

wee

loved

us

all

me

are

long

ago.

the memories

of

BANQUET.

sma'

the country dance

and

take

banquet for
far
sparkled,the night was
The
hours.
banquet was given

boAvl of eggnog
at the banquet.
flowed, w4ne
men
only. Music

spent, it

who

preciousto

THE

Let

grow,

my

It

was

modern

34

LECTURES

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

by Col. Pimk, Avho was the promoter of a town boom and who
had persuaded the banqueters that there were
"millions in it."
He
had
old sedge fields on
the outskirts of
purchased some
creation
dollars
an

from
an

acre,

The

acre.

old squatter

an

and

had

stocked

old squatter

his part of the boodle

with

present with

the domain

on

was

them

at

of Dixie

three

partner with

nicelydone

up

hundred

ISTumberless

and,

wallet,he

was

Countless

jokes passed 'round the

spun.
the ecstasy of their joy,the banqueters rose
from
clinked their glassestogetherand
sang in chorus
were

dollars

the Colonel

in his

buoyant hopes and feelingshigh.

three

at

table

yarns
until,in

the table and

:

"Landlord, fillthe flowing bowl

Until
it doth
run
over;
For tonight we'll merry,
merry
For

tonight we'll

And

The
and

the table.

The

last toast

wonderful

squatter
to

merry

get

"

"

sober."

drunk
banquet was
(as banquets usually are),
stockholders
to the music
principal
finallysuccumbed
Kentucky Bourbon," and sank quietlyto sleep under

"old

was

be

whole

the

of

merry,

we'll

tomorrow

be

in his

rose,

"

glory,about

this toast, and

respond to
"Mr.

toast

the program
announced.
was
"our
mineral
resources!"
The

Chairman

It

on

three

thus

he

Gentlemen

and

made

o'clock in the

old

morning,

responded:
of the Banquet:
I have
zoology,nor geology,nor

mineralogy a study, nor

'ology,"but if tha haint m-i-n-e-r-1 in the
any other kind of
deestrick which
gen'lmen have jistpurchased from me at
you
then the imagination of man
ception
sitch magnifercent figers,
is a deand a snare.
But, gen'lemen,you caint expect to find
m-i-n-e-r-1 without
plenty uv diggin'. I have been diggin'thar
struck it yit. I
for the past forty year fur it,and haint never
time endurin' the next forty
hope you gen'lmen will find it some

never

"

year." Here,
old

but

he would

in this
a-becn

not

and

coat

down.

blinks

tail.
He

He

and

clenched

was

continued

teeth, the

spoilingthe
in the

same

town

quent
elo-

"Gen'lmen, you caint expect to find m-i-n-e-r-1

plenty uv diggin'. You caint expect to find JSTOTHIN'
world
'thout plentyuv diggin'. If old Vanderbilt
hadn't
kind o' diggin'whar
would
perseveringin his perticklor

strain
without

winks

pulled his

Colonel

boom,

with

THE

he be

He

today?

billers of old

FIDDLE

THE

AND

wouldn't

be

now

35

BOW

rich

a-ridin'

man,

the

magnifercent 'yatchett.'If I hadn't

a-been perseverin'an' hadn't
would
whar
a-kep on a-diggin',
I have
been
today? I might have been seated like you,
gen'lmen, at this stupendous banquet with my pockets full o'
watered
been

in his

ocean

stock, and

deliverin' this

other

some

eulogy on

old American

citizen mout

m-i-n-e-r-1

our

have

Gen'lmen.

resources.

while you're
to stop diggin'. And
injunctionto you is never
cultivate a love for the beautiful,the true
and the
a-diggin',
good. Speakin' of the true an' the beautiful,gen'lmen, let us
not forgit woman
at this magnifercent banquet.
0, woman,
! When
the mornin'
stars sung togetherfor joy
woman
woman,
and woman
God
bless 'er. Great God, feller citerzens,caint
At the close of this gi-eatspeech the curtain
you understand!"
fell to slow music
and there was
a
panic in land stocks.
my

"

"

THE

There
There

is music

is

music

no

MUSIC

OF

all around

us

there

"

is music

American

to the

sweet

so

POLITICS.

everywhere.
the music

as

ear

politics.There is nothing that heats the zeal of a modem

patriotto a whiter heat than the prospect of an office. There
is nothing that cools it off so quickly as the fading-outof that
of

prospect.
I stood
and
live in

thus

blow.

It stretches from

the Pacific

up

in my

crowd

old

proud,
adopted
slipped into
very
He

his table

threw

and
a

very

the
a

he

had

"ISTow,"said he,
he's goin' to be a

"ven

beeznis

find out

by
room

bottle of

dot

boy
man

where

old

an

comes

; of he

which

of

whom

morning
and

he

was

of his mind.
test

to

in ef he
dakes

the east

on

fellow

the bent

whiskey

from

jumped
and shouted,"Let
party!"

boy

one

We

magnolia

Ocean

in the air

method

Citizens:

to

the Atlantic

to

for Governor,

It stretches

snow

beautiful

little fellow's

Bible,

world.

for the Dimocrat

a

decided
novel

of

his hat

her; hurrah

Dutchman

the

candidate

"Fellow

west," and

the

on

and

stretch,durn
An

on

Ocean

as

eagle loose:

my

grandest country in
dark
pines and crags

to

her

I cut

in Tennessee

the

Maine's
breezes

the stump

on

him.
and

He

placed

silver dollar.

dakes

dot Bible

dot dollar
he'll be

36

LECTURES

breacher

; ef he

drunkard."

would

dot

dakes

In

choose.

the

came

table and

picked

picked up

the Bible

the

up

he's

whiskey

and

put it under

He

ran

his

son

to

up

he snatched

his arm;

three drinks

whiskey and took two or

smacking his lips. The old Dutchman
the door

which

see

the

put it into his pocket; he

the bottle of

behind

to

boy whistling.

dollar

and

goot, he's going to be

no

the door

he hid behind

And

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

poked

and

exclaimed, "Mein

music

like the music

and

up
out

went

his head

from

out

Gott, he's goin'to be

bolitician."
There

is

heard

have

no

almost

gTeat debate

the
angry

colloquiesbetween

heard

them

down

on

give you

to

to

scrap

and

Blaine

between

Roscoe

occurred

which

one

and

I fer
prenative

But

in my

the

I have

Lamar;

in the land.

the humblest

of

Hill; I heard

Ben

Conklin

heard

politicaldiscussions.

thousand

discussion.
political

of

own

Legislaturein a mountain
and
a
straightKepuba
straightDemocrat
county between
had gathered at the county site to
mountaineers
lican.
The
The Eepublican spoke first. He was
witness the great debate.
about six feet two
in his socks, as slim as a bean pole,with a
head about the size of an ordinary tin cup and very bald, and
It

mountains.

was

lisped. Webster
never
appeared half

he

the debate

for

race

the United

glory in

in all his
so

the

gTeat

or

half

wise.

so

Senate

States

opened

he

Thus

"F-e-1-l-o-w

T-h-i-t-h-i-t-h-e-n-s:

befo' you

come

today ath

reprethent you in the lower

ef I thould
of the Legithlature,
branth
and, fellow thitithens,
carreckter I hope you will
thay thumpthin'conthernin' my own
a

Republikin

excuthe

candidate

I sprung

me.

for

to

from

one

of the

'umblest

cabins

in all

mornin'
I have
a
lovelyland uv thweet libertyand many
jumped out o' my little trundle bed on to the puncheon floor
the wall of our
and the bark off uv
and pulledthe thplintertli
low
fire for my
cabin for to make
'umble
a
weakly parenth. Fel-

this

thitithens,I
to

owe

of

war

thweet
and

my

own

had

never

no

chance.

that I

am

dethructhion

connecthion

forth

bloody

on

uv

the

over

thouldered

field of battle

today

the cloud

exerthions,and that ain't all. When

thwept like a bethom

and my
me
liberty,

marched

All

thith land
our

to

uv

muthkets

fightfor

THE

FIDDLE

AND

THE

37

BOW

thweet

ef
liberty! Fellow thitithens,
in the capathity uv
a
tholdier, caint you
capathity uv the Legithlature? I ath my

your

fur
continent

tell you

to

from

"whar

its thenter

he
its

to

wuth

trust

you can
trutht

me

ol' Dimicrat

when

thircumpus !

petitor
com-

thith

thuck

war

I have

the

in

me

put thith

quethion to him on every stump and he's as thilent as an oyther.

Fellow
I am
lieve
a
thithithens,
Republican from principle. I bein everything the Republican party hath ever
and
done
Fellow
I am
in
everything it ever
thitithens,
expects to do.
favor of a high protectivetariff for the protectionof our
infant
which
industries,
are
only a hundred
old, and, fellow
years
in favor of paying of a pension to
I am
thitithens,
every soldier
that fit in the Federal
I'm

favor

in

He

took

his

forward

came

great debate,and
Feller
date
the

Citerzens:

roaring lion
"joined":

of
a-agitatin'

the

on
was

trator!"
adminis-

Republican
older

much

issue

join

the

in

afore

canderyou as a Dimicrat
of the house of
in the lower branch

I stand

the

his

or

to

ripresentyou
an' fust an'
Ligislater,
whar

his executor

Democrat, who

come

for to

tell you

to

thus he

after he's dead

lives,and

great applause

the old
like

he

it to

amid

seat

side of the house, and

man,

while

army
of payin' of

fomust

hit it becomes

the

on

public mind!

Fust

an'

fer

duty

my
which
great questons

is

fomust, feller

now

citer-

side an' down

Dimicrat, inside an' out, up one
tother,independent,defatigally.My competitor axes me whar
zerns,

endurin'

wuz

He

am

he

sez

have

no

the

fer
a-fightin'

wuz

more

Feller

wuz.

pint. 'Row,
in favor
an' I
run

payin' off

the Government

that

git hit

this here

of coUectin'
economical

an' the Dimicrat

he

at?

got wounded
That's

the

them

I've

didn't

he

bung-

bizness

my

answered

him

whar
that

on

what

drotted

tariff an'

stoppin'it,

of

for

jistenough

I'm

wuz.

tell you

fur.

rivenue

administered, accordin'

flatform.
endurin'

pint

thar drotted

bizness,an' hit's

I'll
citerzens,

whar

liberty.If

sweet

yore

citerzens,I think

in favor

am

Jackson
you

of

that's his

feller

of his bizness

none

to stan' before

than

sense

shells an' cannin

I

Hit's

war.

in this

My

Whar

war.

He

am

to

Andy
told

competitornever

of the
canvass.

to

did

he

got it in the

38

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

that's whar
guard on the retreat
tween
beThis charge precipitated
he got it,"
a
personal encounter
and the meeting broke up in a general
the candidates
battle with brackbats and tanbark flyingin the air.
a-leadin' of the

back

revance

"

be difficultfor those reared

eleganciesand
of life in city and town
refinements
to appreciatethe enjoyments
of the gatheringsand merrymakings of the great masses
of the people who live in the rural districts of our
country. The
historian records the deeds of the great; he consigns to fame
the favored few but leaves unwritten
the "short and simple annals
It would

of the
modern

poor," the

as
millionaire,

hills in his

our

cabins

of

lives and
he sweeps

actions

for from

brains,and courage, and

labor,and

greatness than

true

free

the

were
civilization,

pioneer ancestry

the

humble

domicile

in the

corner,

"

four
and

the

on

from
ax

and

faithful

the

of

allies of

and

our
our

erectingthe

Wherever

son

of

wilds and
savage
cherished
penates of his

into

the rifle in the rack

the Bible

more

forces

grand

Republic.

erected

come

emanated

ever

wilderness

the

pushed his perilousway

his log cabin,these were

freedom

the

on

liberty,
symbolizingmusic,

trusty friends

of

great commonwealths

derision

have

The
around

the rifle,
the
fiddle,

the
religion,

subduing

in

valleysand

their thresholds

The
palacesin this world.
Bible,the palladium of American

prowess,

of the millions.

to look with

all the
the

the

through our

palacecar, ought not

America,

amid

the

above

table,and

the

the

door, the
fiddle,w^ith

ax

its

ribbon,hanging on the wall. Did he need the

and drive
of music to cheer his heart,to scatter sunshine
charm
of
away melancholy thoughts? He touched the responsivestrings
he beset by skulking
his fiddle and it burst into laughter. Was
savages or prowling beasts of prey ? He rushed to his deadlyrifle
he the forest to fell and the
for protectionand relief. Had
of

streamers

fields to clear?

His

trusty

ax

was

grasp. Did he
precepts of religionto

in his stalwart

consolation,the promises and

strengthenhis faith,to brightenhis hope and
need

to

the

God

and

heaven

He

held

sweet

communion

to anchor

with

his soul
the dear

old Bible.
of
glory and streng-th
working people.
The

the

Republic today

are

jts plain

46

LECTURES

THERE

The
and
is

ROBERT

OF

IS

multitudinous

L.

MELODY

FOR

harmonies

TAYLOR

EAR.

EVERY

pitch as the stars differ one from another

stylefor every taste, a melody for every

of geese is music
to

Signor

his

to the goose.

than

mate

"Tomasso

the

differ in

of this world

The

in

Cataline"

The

hoot of the hoot-owl

The

Mademoiselle

and

glory.

ear.

nightingale'slay.

pathos
There

gabble
lier
is love-

concert

"Pussy"

of

awak-

growling old bachelor from his dreams and he throweth

his bouquets of bootjacks and
superannuated footgear. The
gentleman from Italy asks no loftier strain than the
peripatetic
of his hand organ and the jingleof the nickels,"the tribute
tune
The downy-lipped boy counts
the explosionof
of the Caesars."
of his darling "Dulcinea
del Toboso''
the cheek
kiss on
a
echo from
than an
sweeter
paradise; and it is said that older
eneth

the

lecture

are

tintinnabulations

The

folks like its music.

the

preciousto

too

of the wife's curtain

enraptured husband

to be

shared

of the bedtime

hour, when
tired daddies are seeking repose in the oblivion of sleep,the unearthly
"bangs" on the grand piano below in the parlor,and
and yellsof the budding prima donna, as
the unearthly screams
she sings to her admiring beau:

with

other

"Men

I go

evoor

IS

is the wine

THE

may

evoor

"

"

go,
evoor-r-r-r

"

evoor."'

"

thing of beauty and

MUSIC

Music

for

men

forever

on

go

on

and

come,

may

But

It is

in the hush

And

ears.

"nightmare"

WINE

of the soul.

OF

THE

forever.

SOUL.

It is the exhilaration

of the

home; it sparkles and

palace; it is the joy of the humblest
glows in the banquet hall; it is the inspirationof the church.
Music
inspiresevery gradation of himianity,from the orangoutang
with the singleeyeglassup
and the cane-suckingdude
to MAN.

There

was

"sound

of

revelryby night,"where youth

of the raging ball.
the excitement

and

The
gathered in
beauty were
from the street a redravishingmusic of the orchestra charmed
nosed old knight of the demijohn, and, uninvited,he staggered

THE

FIDDLE

AND

into the brilliant assemblage

and
for the next
as

powers

set.

dancer, and

into the
the head

to

Failing in
of

arms

of the stairs and

revolvingdown to
in the mud, but "truth
rose, and, standingwith
"Gentlemen

tone:

but

hie

"

kick

me

there

"

concluded
the

him

below

get a partner
to exhibit

hall till he

quickly ushered
kick and a push.

who

man

gave

crushed

you

"

^you can't fool me

down
them
stairs
"

that's the

"

this,he

the street

hie

"

effort to

an

and

his

loped
galhim
He

fell flat of his back

again" ! He
his back againsta lamp-post,he looked
were
gazing down and said,in an injured

into the faces that

up

made

strong

4I

BOW

galloped around

went

THE

!"

reason

"

earth

to

wall rise

be able to fool
may
hie.
I know
what

folks,

some

made

hie.
You
don't want
^hic,
So, life hath its discords as

you
me

up

well

as

its harmonies.
terfield.
magnificentparlorof a modern ChesIt was
thronged with elegant ladies and gentlemen.
The daughter of the happy household
was
playing and singing
Verdi's "Ah, I Have
Sighed to Rest Me," the fond mother was
sighing and resting
turning the pages, the loving father was
desuetude,produced by the
upstairs,in a state of innocuous
but he could not withstand
the
music of old Kentucky Bourbon
of the melody below.
Quickly he donned his clothing.
power
There

put his

He

vest

buttoned

on

to

you
his back

"Why
"

"

and

somersault

them

But

and

of

course

of the astonished
to

his

most,
fore-

ton,
the top but-

he

started

stumped

not, ladies.

Go

and

ladies.

The

feet,all crying at once,

are
Standing with
you hurt ?"
exclaimed
in an
assuringtone:

that's the way

I always come
down!"
Two
old banqueters banqueted at

next

on

arranged his hair, and

into the midst

"

"

of his coat

listen to the music.

helped him
hurt,Mr. ^Rickety'
againstthe piano he

hie

backside

on

and slid do^vn headforemost

top of the stairs,

ladies screamed
"Are

buttonhole

the mirror

the ladies and

see

his toe at the

turned

his coat,put his collar

over

the lower

stood before
down

in the

music

was

on

with

yo' music

"

hie

queted
banquet. They banall night long and kept the banquet up togetherall the
quet
They kept up their banday after the banquet had ended.
But
week
after the banquet was
over.
a
they got separated
One
of
one
morning and met again in the afternoon.
evenin'."
The
other said,"Good
said,"Good mornin'."
(3)

LECTURES

42

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

"It's

said one,

"Why,"

OF

morning and that's

question." "'No sir-ee,"said

the

tigated
I've inves-

the snn;
the

other, "you're
full moon."
They

mistaken,it'slate in the evenin, and that's the

concluded
about the matter
and
they would have no difficulty
agreed to leave it to the first gentleman they came
to, to settle
and started down
the question. They locked arms
the street
another gentogether. They staggeredon till they came
upon
tleman
condition hanging on
One
in the same
of
a
lamp-post.
them approached him and said : "Friend
don't desire
hie
we
meditation
hie
but this gen'lmen says
to interfere with your
it's mornin', an' that's the sun
that's the full
; I say it's evenin',
"

"

"

"

moon

hie.

"

We

fellow

The
in his
hie

stood

Did

you

who

Who

can

bonnets
drinks

OLD-TIME

the music

hear

never

of the old-time

forgetthe old schoolhouse

forget the sweet little maidens

can

and

dresses

checkered

cold water

of pure

"The

the walks

"

from

the

read

is red, the
and

rose

Sugar

the back

excuse

me

"

it and

is sweet,

with
to

gourd ?

violet's blue
so

blushed, and

are

singingschool

that stood

When

on

the hill?

their

the
Who

courtshipsat the singingschool ?

opportunityhe wrote these tender lines

She

to

SCHOOL.

SINGING

old-time
an

settle the tion."

quesfull minute, and

to

"

stranger in this town."

THE

Oh,

and

"

despairreplied,"Gentlemen, you'llhave

I'm

"

hie
you
looked at it for

ask
respectfully

pink sunspring and the

can
forgetthe
the boy found

to his sweetheart

"

you."

turned

it

over

and

wrote

on

of it:

"As

sure

I'll be

as

your

the vine
sweet

clings 'round the stump,

lump."

little sugar

singingmaster ? The old-time

singingmaster, with very lighthair,a dyed mustache, a wart on
and one
his left eyelid,
leg,was the pride of rural society.
game
His baggy
and the idol of woman.
He
the envy of man
was
Who

can

forgetthe

trousers, several inches

old-time

too

short, hung above

his toes

like the

THE

inverted
the

funnels

of

FIDDLE

AND

Cunard

THE

43

BOW

His

steamer.

butternut

coat

had

abbreviated

of having been cut in deep water,

appearance
its collar encircled the back of his head like the belts of

and

His vest resembled

the aurora
Jupiter and the ringsof Saturn.
and his voice was
between
mill and the
a
a
borealis,
cross
cane
Yet beautiful
and bright he stood before the
braj of an ass.
lassies of the country,
ruddy-faced swains and rose-cheeked
conscious of his charms
and proud of his great ability.He had
abridged
prepared, after a long and tedious research of Webster's UnDictionary,a speech which he always delivered to his
class.
is a conglomeragirls,"he would say, "Music
tion
succession
combination
of
of pleasing sounds, or
a
or
simultaneous
in accordance
with harmony.
sounds, modulated
of two
musical
strains.
or
more
Harmony is the sociability
of musical
and measured
Melody denotes the pleasingcombustion
sounds
ments
as
they succeed each other in transit. The eleconsist of seven
of vocal music
originaltones, which
constitute the diatonic scale,togetherwith its steps and halfsteps,the whole being compromised in ascending notes and half

"Boys

and

notes, thus:
"Do-ra-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do,
Do-si-la-sol-fa-mi-ra-do."

"!N"ow,the diapason is
and

between
scale.

which

is the

the extremes
The

turns

the ad
of

an

interium,or interval
octavo, according to

of music

principalnote, or

that

consist
on

of

which

the

betwixt
the

tonic
dia-

appogeaturas,
is made,

the turn

the note
togetherwith the note above and the semi-tone below
above being sounded
the principalnote next, and the semitone
first,
below
last
the three being performed sticatoly,
or
very
if
will
these
c
quickly. 'Now,
keep
simple propersitionslear
you
in your
under
the broad
physical minds, there is no power
canister of heaven
which
can
cinctly
prevent you from becoming succontaminated
with the primary and
ments
elementary rudiof music.
With
these few sanguinary remarks
will
we
the exercises of the mornin'
hour.
now
proceed to diagnosticate
Please
turn
to
thirty-fourof the Southern
Harmony.
page
(And we turned.) You will discover that this beautiful piece
"

"

LECTURES

44

of music

is written

beat.
one, two,

ROBERT

OF

L.

in four-four

TAYLOR

ward
the down-

time, beginning on

I^ow, take the sound

sol-mi-do.

"

All

in unison

"

three,sing:
"Sol-soI-mi-fa-sol-Ia-sol-fa-ra-ra-ra,
Ra-mi-f

ra-mi-

a-

fa-sol- fa-mi-do-do-do,

Si-do-ra-ra-ra-ra-mi-do-si-do-ra-do-si-la-sol,
Si-do-ra-ra-mi-fa-sol-la-sol-fa-mi-do-do-do."

THE

I heard
O
He

great Italian

like the dew

how

playing

was

of the "Bohemian
humble

me,

an

had

heard

GKAND

the

sing in

tenor

opera, and
of his song.

grand

is the memory
the role of a broken-hearted
lover in the opera
Girl."
I can
only repeat it as it impressed
on

young

the

OPERA.

grand

"When

from

man

opera

othaer

Their

the flowers

tales

the mountains

before

never

leeps and
of

who

hairts

othaer

luflF shoU

longwige whose
excess
they feel so
power
There
perchance, in
may,

tell,
impairts

In

The

well.
such

scene,

r-r-r-re-co-lec-tion
Some
be
Auf
days thot halve os hop-pee bean
Then
me-e-e-e-e
you'll re-mem-b-a-e-r

"

Then

you'll re-mem-ba-e-r

You'll

"

"

r-r-r-re-mem-b-a-e-r-r-r-r

me-e-e-e-e."

MUSIC.

archangel,presidesover mankind
and the visible creation.
Her
afflatus,
divinelysweet, divinely
breathed
on
powerful, is
heart,and inspiresevery
every human
soul to some
nobler
sentiment, some
higher thought, some
The

spiritof music, like

an

greater action.
O

Sweetest,sublimest

music!

ideal

of omniscience

"

born
first-

archy,
seraph of the celestial hierof the beautiful
muse
daughter of the Universe !
when
the stars were
her
In the morning of eternity,
young,
first grand oratorio burst upon
raptured Deity and thrilled the
thousand
times
Ten
wondering angels. All heaven shouted.
times ten thousand
ten thousand
jeweled harps, ten thousand
of God

"

fairest and

loftiest
"

THE

angel
the

caught

tongues

golden

new

cycles,

the

as

the

vale,

empurpled
The

heaven

of

incense

seraph

stood

with

clothed

in

light,

attuned,

with

and

flashed

orbs

that

her
their

course

the

crystal

off

milky

way,

bright

deep,

resounded

ethereal

from

floating
every

pealed

in

that

sparkling

it

back

gulf

into
stream

with
river
strand.

of

of

astral

opal,

harmonies,
re-echoed

shining

ear

blue

The

of

voice
infinite
heard

God.

it

wheeling

vibrant

glories,

of

horizon

stars

were

space

glad

gering
lin-

with

the

center.

the

its

lo,

trembling

of

paths

the

on

and,

and

flaming

every

and

ever

throne.

gems

The

note.

from

and

with

harpstrings,

joy

strain

eternal

yet

heaven,

hill

wings

ablaze

sweetest

the

the

of

air

plumed

on

of

eternity

as

the

on

outstretched

burning

her

swept

thrilled

isles,

shadow

the

in

floated
flowers

its

old

all

through

since,

ever

melodies,

have

45

BOW

and

song,

breathing

hours,

THE

A,ND

the

up

its

flitting

like

FIDDLE

with
The

farthe

spanning

and

the

the

happy

star-dust
chorus

THE

Have
Paradise

of

you

ever

was

lost?

the

Eden,

PARADISE

blue

glassy

veils,kissing
the

with

the wine

and

blood-red
bush

I think
and

of
I

of

from

think

and

cherries

where

where

of

gentle, panted

and

of

perpetual

bower,

fresh

slept on

And

him.

as

he

on

tresses

of

dream

; for

gold,
a

with

like
smiled

moment

beat.

slumber,

smiled

And

while

tenderest

spring

with

of

tangling
sweet-

hung

pomegranate

softened

was

and

in

roses.

with

its air

on

beds

snowy

jungles

summer,

of

And

hand

the

of

God-like

race,

its

through

face

his

in

form,

an

and

angel

from

sweetly

so

an

unseen

monarch
drawn

curtains

the

-hidden, halfand

his heart

hand

with
of

mirror

yet this bright vision

touch

feature.

and
'No

half

that

some

Creator, slept

soul.

richer

with
and

there, in

in form

and

mind

couch,

slept,a

pearl.

lounged

red-lipped, rose-cheeked, white-bosomed,

revealed,

to

softer,sweeter

of

river, alternately gleaming

from

attributes

all the

in

the

in its shadows.

darkening

bough

played

curtained

I think

moons.

translucent

and

orange

the first of the human

God-like

and

and

tame,

in

plum

bent

fawns

festooned

were

and

of eternal

tigers lay

isles,

if drunk

peach

ruby

it

think

as

berry

bridal

gi*een

tree

redolent

harmless

the

haze

flowed

there

forgot

drops

perennial bloom

with

dreamy

sweet, dusky

about

of

with

where

"

leaped

like

sun.

to

kind

of flowers

lions, lazy and

bright

its sunshine

ever

clusters

billowy landscapes

its

the

Adam,

tree

rimmed

was

midair,

the

dream

very

it

of

glory

cliffs

with

groves;

midst

from

every

wilderness

in

from

showered

like

I think

out

the

the

was

colors,flecked

purple

golden globes and ruddy

with

spread

rainbows

own

of

moss-covered

whose

that

it

beauty.

of gorgeous

magnolias;

creepers,

his

of its

was

lilies,and

like

I think

when

perished

thought

ever

ineffable

that

wealth

dappled
bird-song,where
violets,where
leopards, peaceful and

of

scented

the

man

thousand

shone

pulsing

copses

you

streams

and
it

banks

Have

ESTATE.

grape-vine staggered

where

and

of

of

archipelago

an

thought

mountains,

thousand

was

FIRST

wath

God, glowing

with

MAN^S

first estate

FOOLS

OF

his

almost

still haunted

lay

open

the

50

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

flesh in his side and

unconscious

TAYLOR

forth from

the

painlesswound

being pure and blithesome as the air,

sinless woman,
God's first thought for the happiness of man,
a
T think he wooed
her at the waking of the morning. I think he
wooed
her at noontide,down
bj the river side or by the spring
the moon
in the dell. I think he Avooed her at twilightwhen
silvered the palm tree's feathery plumes and the stars looked
and the nightingalesang.
down
And
wherever
he wooed
her I
think the grazing herds left sloping hill and peaceful vale to
listen to the wooing, and thence,themselves,departed in pairs.
The covies heard it and mated
in the fields ; the quail wooed
his
love in the wheat; the robin whistled to his love in the glen:
a

faultless

L.

being sprang,

"The

lark

The

was

brimful

so

fields below

green

and
he
That he sang,
I love my
Love, and

Love

birds and
maiden
on

thus

her cocoanut

forever sang
loves me."

Love

my

the

cooed

mellow

love to

"Juliet"

fair

gladness and love,

sky above.

the blue
and

sang,

from

bobolinks; dove

monkey,

waited
and

bubbled

songs

of

him,

he:

throats

of

dove, and

of

the

house

of

balconyfor

the

coming

of

mocking

I think

the

Orangoutang,
her "Romeo,"

plaintivelysang:
sweetheart's

"My

I'm going
'Twould

Just

marry

fill

me

kiss

to

lovely Baboon

the

to

him

soon

"

with

the

joy
boy.
his beauty

dear

For
his charms
and
"I'll sit in the light of the moon,
No
can
destroy.
power

And

sing

When
And

Oh,
All
it could

have

cheek

Eden,

in

There
nor
a

nor

the
afterthought,

so

not

with
even

mask

precious Baboon."
with

the

forever!

head, nor
flounce,nor

threat
of

false

not

tooth, nor

sleeves.

of crinoline.

tainted

love.

was

nor
frill,

borealis

aurora

spiritof

There

bald

nor

my

imbued

remained

flashywaist

curl paper,

"

Angel,

was

was

darling Baboon,

my

safe by his side

his bride
calls me

he

my

Paradise

to

I'm

soul born

that

painted
a

elor.
bach-

silken gown,
not
There was

Raiment
of

was

an

originalsin.

THE

Beauty

unmarred

was

Adam
the

giftof

the

sin.

they

of their

fall

fell from

of death.

arms

from

closed

the

shine,
sun-

it

the

was

copia
cornu-

paradise
polluted

and

because,in
they tasted

the

cise
exer-

the

bidden
forfall

behind

Lord

mounted
of

current

like the fall of the wounded

was

regionsof lightinto

the

shifted from

It

their

the

; it

sea

heaven

to

human

race

roses

to the

the

it bore upon

its dark

would

man

life
tross,
alba-

like the fall

was

hell.

When

the

shifted

was

into

another

thorns,shifted from

and

turbulent

bosom

channel,

joy to

sorrow

the wrecked

of all the ages.

which
fallen man
I believe they lost intellectual powers
of natural
never
regained. Operating by the consent
sinless

the

jasper gate forever

of the
the guilty pair, and
the flaming sword
the barred
guard over
portal,the whole life-

from

star

and

from

disobedience

agency,

in

blessingwithin

out

But

of Fools

free

dressed

gloriousestate. O, what a
there ! It was
the fall of innocence
and purity; it was
of happiness into the abyss of woe;
it was
the fall of

into the

of

it with

God-given

own

Paradise.

the Paradise

was

fruit and

was

stained

poured

was

lap of

into the

It

FOOLS

rags; Eve was

in climate.
Every rich

Almighty Father

fools,because

it with

OF

by gaudy

clad

was

of heaven
of

PARADISE

have

wrought

and

like

filled the earth

love

whose

inlaid
with

the

the

souls

music

has

laws,

mind,

of

of bird

sometimes

we

orators

arching firmament

eternal

and

breeze

and

faintlycatch,
and

poets; that

of heaven

with

sea

like
love

; that

spirit
which

jewelssparkling

fires.

God, their fall was not

Lucifer
and his angels,into eternal
this "nightof death,"hope does see
But,

in

with

melodies

voices,from

of

seraph and

like

The

miracles.

hopes

thunderbolt,would have
robbed
the very citadel of knowledge and
it of its
breached
I think they lost a plane of being only a little lower
treasures.
than the angels; I believe they lost youth, beauty and physical
immortality; I believe they lost the virtues of heart and soul
of the magnificentpowers
of mind
made
and many
which
them
would
have even
brushed
aside
the images of God, and which
the now
impenetrable veil which hides from mortal eyes the
face of Infinite Love, that love which
gave the ever-blessed light
winged

armed

endless

thank

like the remediless

darkness.
a

star.

Thank

fall

God,

It is the star

of

52

LECTURES

L,

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

the
"hear
God, "listeninglove" DOES
rustle of a wing." It is the wing of the resurrection
angel.
pressed
Lost have been imand images of Paradise
memories
The
Thank

BetMehem.

on

has his
But

ideal of that

own

that

heart, and every individual

human

every

ideal,in

far

so

in

the cradle to the gTave.

its realization in this world is concerned,

as

rainbow, an
reach,restingever on

elusive

phantom, ever
horizon of hope.

the

PARADISE

THE

race

paradise,from

is like the
never

of the

in

sight,

CHILDHOOD,

OF

blue-eyed child,with sunny curls,toddling on the

the
toddled under
He
lawn before the door of a happy home.
trees, prattlingto the birds and playing with the ripeningapples
I

saw

the
fell upon
pluckedtheir leaves

that

ground.
as

toddled

He

he would

have

the

among

plucked

an

roses

angel'swing,

the green grass at his feet. He

with
flower to flower and shouted

strewingtheir glory upon

the butterflies from

and

chased

glee as

air. Here
they eluded his grasp and sailed away on the summer
I thought his childish fancy had built a paradise and peopled it
the
He saw
himself its Adam.
with dainty seraphim and made
of Eden
sunshine
glinton every leaf and beam in every petal.
breeze,
The flitting
honeybee,the wheeling junebug,thefluttering
in his ear
sounded
of the dashing brook
the silverypulse-beat
The
of its swelling music.
iris-wingedhumming bird,
notes

pouting lipsof the upturned

of its beauty, and I said.
flowers was, to him, the impersonation
"Truly, this is the nearest approach in this world to the Paradise
him
I saw
of long ago." Then
skulking like a cupid in the
shrubbery,his skirts bedraggled and soiled,his face downcast
Sea in the
had stirred up the Mediterranean
Avith guilt. He
slopbucket and waded the Atlantic Ocean in a mudpuddle. He
dartinglike

had
and

sunbeam

to kiss the

shipwrecked the

capsized the goslings and

drowned

the

kitten,which

imagined a
coming to the

he

young
whale, and

ducks
I said.

"Lo'd
surface."
originalAdam
bless my soul,jislook at dat chile !" shouted his dusky old nurse,
she lifted him, dripping,from
the reeking pond. "What's
as
Look
at dat face an' dem
bin doin' in dat mudpuddle?
you
an' mulberry juice! You
hands an' close all kivered wid mud
"There

is the

THE

PARADISE

OF

53

FOOLS

bettah

let

not

yo' mammy

gwine to ketch
gittin'into some
kin'

see

it sho' !

while

nuddah

"

allers breakin'

into

some

o' dese
gwine to break into Congrus some
I's
days sho'. Come
along wid me dis instinct to de bafftub
dat duyat
a-gwine to dispurgatedem close an' 'lucidate some
uv
off'n dat face uv yone, you trifling
rascal,you." And so saying,
she carried him
age
savaway, kicking and screaming like a young
in open rebellion,
and I said,"There
of the
is some
more
Then
I saw
him
forth again, washed
come
originalAdam."
uv

devilment

You's
or

scrape

you's in dat fix ! You'a

jis'zackly like yo' fader, allers

you

"

"

and

combed

and

fresh from

slip on

dressed

in

white, like
spotless

its

his

chrysalis.And when
tiptoesinto the pantry
I heard
As

if

he got

butterfly

young

chance

saw

him

"

the clink of glassware,

mouse

were

playing there,

There
little dimpled
two
jam pots and preserves.
made
trip after trip to a rose-colored mouth, bearing
burdens
of mingling sweets
that dripped from
cheek and chin
white with
and waist and shoes and skirt,subduing the snowy
of the peach and the purple of the raspberryas he ate
the amber
fruit.
Then
I watched
ing-room,
the forbidden
him glide into the drawthere was
crash and a thud in there which
a
quickly
broughthis frightenedmother to the scene only to find the young
rascal standing there catchinghis breath,while streams
of cold
ink trickled down
his drenched
bosom, and as he wiped his
inky face,which grew blacker with every wipe, the remainder
of the ink was
pouring from the bottle onto the carpet and
of a small skirt
Then
the rear
making a map of darkest Africa.
and the avenging slipper,
in lightning
went
a curly head
up over
strokes,kept time to the music in the air,and I said,"There is
bore
Paradise
Lost."
The
sympathizing,half -angry old nurse
and there bound
her weeping, sobbing charge to the nursery
up
his broken
him
her old-time
heart and soothed
to sleep with
lullaby:
among
hands

"Oh,
For

Why
What

the

don't

little baby
Oh, don't you cry no mo',
feelin's fo' to hear you
weepin' so
mammy's
don't dey keep temptation frum
de littul ban's an' feet
sweet?
'em
de jam an' zarves
makes
'buse de baby case
am
you

it hurts

cry,

"

ole

"

"

LECTURES

54

"Oh, de

"Oh,

when

dream

it's trouble

"

when

break

"

wake.

we

darlin'
little eyes
close dem
now
shinin' angels an' de blessed Paradise;
de blood-red
an' de birds on
wing;
roses
snowy
de fallin' wautahs
an' de never-endin'
spring.

ov
ov

roses

de

In

TAYLOR

"

de

ov

Oh, dream
Oh, dream
"Oh, de

slumber

we

sleep, my

to

go

An'

L.

tribulations,dat de joys of mortals

sorrow,

it's heb'n

Oh

ROBERT

OF

Oh,

"

dreamland

rainbows

de

gentle swell,
blessed
sperrits dwell."

Oh, de music's

"

de

little childun, whar

ov

Bless its little heart,dej

he's gone.
treats
a
dog!" And then she tucked him away in the
the
when
The day will come
paradise of his childish slumber.
"Dar

now,
it like

South

dar

will build

now,

monument

the

to

old black

good

of

mammy

the past for the lullabies she has sung.

I

wish

sometimes

childhood

that

forever; that

last

might

fairyland on the frontier of life whose skies are first

lightedwith the sunrise of the soul and in whose bright-tinted
junglesthe lions and leopards and tigersof passion still peacefully
sleep. The world is disarmed by its innocence, the drawn
is returned to its quiver; the aegis
bow is relaxed,and the arrow
of heaven
is above it,the outstretched wings of mercy, pity,and
sweet

love.

measureless

PAEADISE

I would
heart of
bank.
the

rather

joy,than

be

to be

financial

The

bank, crushes

which

breaks.

With

school

and
the

sucker

less hook

from

sits and

waits

for

until

the

that
which

he has

fishes and

something
shadows

of

his oozy

to

waits

"turn

evening

hour,

boy

hies away
to
him
the other

for

livelong

nibble

bed, oblivious

long since

fishes and

an

saplingpole and pinhook

fishes,and

sleepson

in

feet carry
there he sits the

of the tree, with

fishes and

wrecks

barefooted
he

his books

and

and

IsTational

thunderbolt

of the

treasures

his satchel

thousands

swamps

morning, but his truant

And
mill pond "a-fishin'."

fishes and

of
president

that falls like

panic

in the

drowsy
he

and

of tan

cheeks

boy, with

millionaire

holds

v.-ay to the
day under the shade
and

barefooted

the banker

but the bank

never

BOY.

BAREFOOTED

THE

OF

stolen the

of the

of the bate-

worm.

There

fishes,and, like Micawber,

up."
fall and

But
warn

nothing

"turns

the truant

up"
home.

56

LECTURES

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

Here
it breaks into
gorge.
brown
there it dashes in rapids,among

mountain

purls and silveryfoam,

boulders,and yonder it
tumbles from the gray crest of a precipice. Thus, forever laughing,
singing,rollicking,
romping, till it is checked in its mad
rush and spreads into a still,
smooth
the inverted
mirror, reflecting
images of rock and fern and wild flower and tree and
sky. It is the symbol of the life of a barefoot 3d boy. His
and jollities
and jocund mischief
quips and cranks, his whims
but

are

the

effervescences

of the mountain

music
If

ideal of the monumental

with

man

knitted

his barefooted

would

fool.

brow

boy

exuberant

life,the wild

young

stream.

sculptorI

were

of

and

chisel from

I would

clenched

the marble

make

teeth

in the cruel endeavor

it the

my

figureof

beating and bruising

drive

to

him

from

the

paradise of his childish fun and folly. If your boy will be a

and remember
that he is following
boy, let him be a boy still,
the paths which your feet have trodden,and will soon
look back
its preciousmemories, as you
now
do, with the aching
upon
heart of

careworn

man.

I love the dear

old farm, and
heart grows
my
young
I wander
back
When
to spend a single day.
There
the spring
to hear the robins
sing in the trees around
I used
Where
watch
the happy children play.
to
shall forget
Oh, I hear their voices yet, and I never
their faces beamed
with childish mirth
How
and
glee;

"Oh,

But

heart

my

When

grows

I call them

old again, and

and no
answer

THE

If childhood
life's

ruddy

which

I leave

PARADISE

OF

of

It is the sweet

in

warm

pain,

me."

to

comes

is the sunrise

June.

the spot

and

YOUTH.

life,youth

is the

solstice in life's

puts forth the fragrantbud

and

blossom

heyday

of

mer,
early Sumof sin e'er

ripen and turn to ashes on the lipsof age. It

hajDpy transition period,when long legs and loose joints

its bitter fruits

is the
and

verdant
Did

awkwardness

first stumble

the vestibule

of

hood.
man-

pled
shaving and scrapinghis pimface till it resembled
featherless
a
goose, reaping nothing
but lather and dirt and a little intangiblefuzz?
That
is the
first symptom
of love. Did you never
observe him wrestlingwith
you

never

observe

on

him

OF

PARADISE

THE

57

FOOLS

too small,as Jacob wrestled with

pair of boots,two numbers
His calloused
of love.
the angel? That
is another symptom
of his perheel slowly and painfullyyields to the pressure
spiring
a

home

like fans and

folded

until his feet are

paroxysms
in the pinching leather,and

as

he

driven
with

church

sits at

squirms are symptoms of

that dieth
of the infernal regions,and the worm
the tortures
he begins
not; but that is only the penalty of loving. When
and talk to himself
to wander
through the fragrant meadows
the buttercupsand clover blossoms it is a sure
sign that
among
its bended
the golden shaft of the winged god has sped from
which
wounds
Love's archer has shot a poisoned arrow
bow.
but

kills.

never

of the

bench, his uneasy

the

hid under

them

The

sweet

his veins and

his brain

reels with

now

passion. His soul is wrapped

peeping out from under raven
To

roses.

and

the world

him

she is its

its work.

drives the red currents

wound

amorous

has done

venom

only Eve.

bounding through

the delirium

in visions of
curls and

is transformed

of the tender

dreamy

black

eyes
gardens of

cheeks

like

into

blooming

hears her voice in the sound

He

of her heart in the

laughing waters, the fluttering
Evening's last sigh that shuts the rose, and he sits on
of the river all day long and writes poetry to her.
writes

fever

The

Eden
of the

Summer
the bank
Thus

he

I sit by this river's crystal wave,

"As
Whose
flow'ry banks its waters
lave,
in its glassy mirror
I see
Methinks
A
than
life is dearer
face which
to me
Oh, 'tis the face of my Gwendolin,
As
as
sin;
an
angel free from
pure
with one
It looks
info mine
sweet
eye,
the other is turned
While
to the starry sky
Could
I the ocean's bulk contain,
I but drink the watery
Could
main,
be half as full of the sea
I'd scarce
heart is full of love for thee !"
As my
"

YOUTH.

STUTTERING

THE

day a
bright summer
and, in
Baptistbaptizing,

rural

One
to

awkwardness, he stuttered
the bank

on

buggy

in the shade

(4)

of

tree

youth

took

his sweetheart

verdancy and his

gan
The singingbedistressingly.

addition

most

of the stream

"

and
near

to his

he left his sweetheart

by

and

wandered

in the

alone in the

58

LECTURES

crowd.

seized

He

TAYLOR

L.

Standing unconsciouslyamong
old

baptized,the
and

ROBERT

OF

parson
by the

him

began to protest.
a

The

him

and

arm

!"

the parson.
poor fellow

on,

"Don't

And

for

one

to

were

of the

him

be

converts

into the

water.

mama-making
parson, y-y-y-you're
be alarmed
son, come
my

he led him

made

who

one

marched

"Ho-ho-hold

m-m-mistake

rightin,"said
stream.

mistook

those

to the middle

final

of the

desperate effort

to

1-1-1-letme
explain. "P-p-p-parson,
explain!"but the parson
and
son," and he
coldlysaid, "Close you mouth
eyes, my
soused him under the water.
After he was
thoroughlybaptized
the old parson led him to the bank, the muddy water
trickling
down
his face.
He was
seersucker
suit,and
dyked in his new
when
the sun
struck it it began to draw
The
legs of his
up.
pants drew up to his knees, his sleeves drew up to his elbows,
his little sackcoat
As he stood
yanked up under his arms.
there tremblingand shivering,
a
good sister approached him
and, taking him by the hand, said, "God bless you, my son,
how do you feel ?"
heart
Looking in his agony at his blushing sweetbehind
her fan he repliedin his anguish, "I fee-fee-feefee-feel like

his bed

and

at

dreams
If I

I would

d-d-d-d-d-durned

night,like

writes

poetry by day and

the restless sea, and

called upon to drink a toast

hold up the sparklingwine and

seidlitz-powder
period,when

singlethought meet and

gosling,half calliope,
rasps
a

into the
But

dreams

and

tosses

dreams

until,in the ecstasy of his dreams, he grabsa pillow.

to

were

that sweet

love

f-f-fool."

loves and

he lives and

Thus
on

ear

when

of

blend

life'shappiestperiod

is to youth,
say, "Here
souls with scarcely
two

in one!

When

voice,half

of puppyat the picnic in the

the first sicklyconfession

blue-sashed

she returns

maiden

his little greasy

companied
photograph, acby a little perfumed note, expressingthe hope that
he will think of her only as a sister,his paradise is wrecked
and his puppy-love is swept into the limbo of things that were,
the schoolboy's
of an hour.
But wait till the
tale,the wonder
shadows
have a little longer grown.
Wait till the young
lawyer
from
home
comes
college,spouting Blackstone, and Kent, and

grove.

Kam

on

facts.

Wait

till the

young

doctor

returns

from

the

THE

with
university,
of glory "which
welcome

PARADISE

his whiskers

lead but to the

with

whirl

pumps

the stars

he

singingas

ball is over,
after the break
of morn,
after
the dancers' leaving,
the stars are
gone;

Many
Many

the hopes that

heart

that

is aching; if

"Its

PAKADTSE

OF

reached

the

full

HOME.

like

the

flower, its bloom

snowfall

white,

moment

fools.

like poppies spread

are

seize the

Or

it be the child

at

river
forever."

the

on

then

"

is shed;
"

melts

its mother's

knee

it be the banker or the

years, whether
in his palace or the peasant in his hut, there

maturer

I heard

all,

ball."

be the feast of

pleasures

You

of

the

fool.

paradiseof

the real

Whether

them

read

haj^pinessin this beautiful

could follyend with youth. But youth is only
the "comedy of errors."
It is the pearlygate that

the first act in

could

we

vanished, after

are

"somebody'sdarling" has

glory as

ours

the dream

slipperstill

the

rich would

to

patent

lightof morning. Wait till the

giddy hall in full evening dress,

the

THE

of

white

After

It is then

How

the decollette and

and

coat

staggers:

"After

tide of his

the swallowtail

in the

drowning

are

graduate staggers from

opens

diploma, to tread the paths

grave." Wait till societygives
his

in the brilliant ball and

leather

world

and

59

l-OOLS

OF

happier lot
sound

or

the

man

of

beggar,the prince
is in every

heart

in life.

of

revelry at the gilded club, where a

and
flushed cheeks
hundred
hearts beat happily. There
were
thick tongues and
around
the
jests and anecdotes
banquet
and
There
and
I
spread.
were
speeches. saw an
songs
poems
rise to respond to a toast to "Home, sweet
orator
home," and
thus he responded:
"Mr.
touched

the

Chairman
millions

palacesthough we

and

Gentlemen:

of hearts
may

roam,

when
be it

he
ever

John

Howard

sang, 'Mid
hie
so
"

"

Payne
pleasuresand
humble, there's

60

LECTURES

placelike

home.'

OF

But

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

for me,

gentlemen,give me the pleasures

ISTo
an' the palaces give me
libertyor give me death!
the tender sentiments
less beautifullyexpressed are
expressed
of Lord
in the tender verse
Byron,

no

as

"

'

'Tis sweet

hear

to

the

'Tis

sweet

look

And

but

for me,

as

of

know

to

brighter when

gen'lmen, I

Gatlin'

than

gun
I would

minute.

rather

look

into the eyes

at

this

delightfulhour

and

ship going
orgieswere

the

club,I

saw

it like

him

to

his

thief,with
himself

softlyto

and

ocean

of

when

the

of

bark

home

in his

this
than

cannon

mark

coming

thought like a magnificent

night was far spent
blown

lightswere

sweet

his boots

the barkin'

hear

watchdog's honest

the

own

"

coming,

my
o'clock in the mornin'."

And

sea.

rather

"

waiting to

the

on

over

enter

the

of three
out

hie

"

now

our

;'

into the mouth

are

home

near

will mark

eye
come

would

bark

draw

we

an

we

look

that

he launched

as

hear

to

to

Then

watchdog's honest

welcome
there is

Bay deep-mouthed

in his

hands;

out

the

entered

glory
"

entered

at

it

singing

little gutter-pup
called the little gutter-pup
sweet
I could
hie
tell why
never
Yet
little gutter-pup"
still I'm called gutter-pup
sweet
I.' hie.
little gutter-pup
Poor

"I'm

"

"

Though

"

"

"

"

the

holding up
stairs,

of the

head

world, and

as

tremulous

closed behind

bar the door

figurethat stood at the

a lamp like Liberty enlightening
voice called him to the judgment

of the white

of the presence

unconscious

"

him

the Paradise

on

of

Fool, and

shad-ders
up the steps muttering to himself,"What
I saw
him
shad-ders
hie
what
we
pursue." Then

he sneaked
we

are

"

"

again in the morning reaping temptation'sbitter reward in the

Twain's
boat in a
agonies of his drunk-sick, and, like Mark
storm.
"He

sot and
heaved,
sot, and
his
rudder
flung;
high
and
time he heaved
sot,
every

heaved
And

And

If
".11him

were

so

and

mighty leak

woman

full of

he

with

sprung."

husband

Keely's cliloride

of

like

gold that

"that"

I would

he would

jingle

THE

as

he walks

tinkle

and

PARADISE

he

as

OF

FOOLS

talks,and

have

6l

mention

fit at every

of the Silver Bill.

biggestfool that walks on God's footstool is the man

who
sweet
home, for if
destroysthe joy and peace of his own
Paradise
is ever
regained in this world it must be in the home.
If its dead flowers ever
bloom
bloom
in the
again, they must
If its sunshine
breaks through the
ever
happy hearts of home.
break forth in the smiling faces of home.
If
clouds,it must
heaven
descends to earth and angels tread its soil,it must
ever
be in the sacred precincts
of home.
That which heaven most approves
is the pure and virtuous home, for around
it lingersall
The

the

memories

sweetest

it

upon

hangs

earth,and

above

back

way

the

and

hopes

it shines

the ever-blessed
that

BACHELOK

saw

of Paradise

cowardly

too

"

AND

old bachelor

poor

shaved

was

of the

the nations
star

that

lightsthe

WIDOWEK.

put his

and

mankind,

lost.

live all the

to

of

associations

happiness of

and

the Paradise

to

dearest

arm

days of

his life in

around
and

it and

resolved

sight
press

primped
forty years, but when the hour for
every day in the year
he stood trembling in the presence of
love's duel arrived,when
and beauty shook her curls and
rosy cheeks and glancingeyes,
always oozed out, and he fled
gave the challenge,his courage
from
the field of honor.
ingloriously
Rastus
in his
is old Uncle
Far happier than the bachelor
asks.
in his and
Dinah's hand
he holds Aunt
cabin, when
Dinah
"Who's
sweet ?" and Aunt
drops her head on his shoulder
"Bofe
A thousand
times happier is the
and answers,
us."
uv
and
with his pink bald head, his wrinkles
frisky old widower
He

it to his bosom.

to marry

for

his

rheumatism, who
"Wires
And

As
And

He

wires out,
the ladies all in doubt
is his age, and what he is worth,
he owns
the earth."
whether
not
or

in, and

leaves
to what

"toils not, neither

glory was

not

more

does he

popular with

spin,"yet

in all Ma

Solomon

the ladies.

He

is

as

light-

62

LECTURES

hearted

hog path
cuts

in the matrimonial

"sanctum

the

to

jealousy is
dares

to

An

the

my

life.

will be

amen

Woe

unto

native

my

with

every

all the nearest

love.

But

his

bachelor

the

of

glazed in

who

"Bretheren,

and

short

I'll
and

this is

today

at best

get
old

to

see

did
this

these

in
old

old eyes

loved

my

shouted

rival

Thus

ever

crossed

days

the

beautiful

as

ever

never

his

in Zion.

that

thought

more,"

"Thank

well

just as

few

of his old rival who

daggers'points in

at

was

in

arose

once

of the "sisters"

spoke:

death

any

he

one

saddest

mountains

the presence

whom

is that in

corner,

knows

the grave.

in

the

this world

and

woman's

live in it

to

of mine

acquainted with

path.

and

And

is

of

bachelor

I love

brain

in

old

He

TAYLOR

sanctorum"

the affections

pious

L.

Paradise

givehis experiencein

to

world.

as

bachelor

to win

race

his

cross

vddower,

was

cruel

as

old

church

little lamb."

"Mary's

as

KOBICRT

OF

ones

from

the

God!"

PHANTOMS.

In

brain

every

there

pleasuresbeckon
our

barks

to reach

distant

more

ghosts of
flying
shadows

of

lines and
but

beauty

stumble

of the

purchase

their doors

palace

to

so,

the

deluded

meadow.

of the
the

over

of
of

moment

and

the

and

in

the

chases

from

still
the

pursues

of

shadows

the

sculptoronly
the

the

chisels

its

melody

sweetest

of contentment

Marble

is wealth
halls may

in pursuit
It cannot
open

wide

shelter,but happiness will flee from

cottage. We
what

our

crush

eagerness
is

is

of music.

voice

happiness.

again
man

launch

we

painter only paints

golden nuggets
wealth, and what

love in

heights of glory, and

dog

marble, and

wooing

offer her

dwell

fallen

The

when

beckon

and

poor

his canvas,

on

phantoms

of peace

And

from

curves

the faint echo

We

roses

as

the

shores,but

distant

cied
fan-

where

bright phant( !ii realm,

they vanish

shores.

in

from

them

Paradise

birds

is

to

under
reach

earthly glo?y?

our

feet

the

the illuminated

64

LECTURES

hort them

to seek

hard

to

like

road

travel."

it

but

once

in

other

some

in the

heart

is

its

ambition.

unreined

is the

and

the monarch

play

for "Jordan

way,

poet has beautifullysaid,"How

The

devil

mounting

Let

for honors

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

haughty

brow

glows

ever.
beauty that bewilders thought and unthrones peace forPutting on the very pomp of Lucifer, it turns the heart
for the spirit's
to ashes,and with not a spring left in the bosom
lip,we look upon our splendor and forget the thirst of which

with

perish."

we

CIECUS

THE

from

swarmed
with

circus

saw

and

mouth

mountain

near

and

breath

camels

and

band
and

spottedhorses paraded

was

boundless

and

when

left behind

them

tickets and

destitute

and
in

screamed

with

of the silver half

and applaudedthe
tights,

Their

interest

to white

rose

The

acrobats

cheered

as

they turned

the

shouted

within

the

bladed

knife

and

cut

hole

in the

canvas.

score

girl

somersaults

elephant. But temptation whispered in the

opened
gentleman in tow breeches,and he stealthily
over

they

standard,

double

of the

the audience

as

excitement

into the tent, and

clown, and

the

heat

hand

every

humanity unprovidedwith

of

laughter at

on

the

rushed

surging mass

mountaineers

with
grand procession,
elephantsand lions and tigers
as

in brilliant array.

crowd

the

The

town.

lined the streets

bated

open
and

clown

MOUNTAINS.

THE

in

far and

IN

of

ear

his

long-

of others

laughed at the scenes

within.
But as they laughed a showman
slippedinside,armed
with a policeman's
"billy." He quietlysidled up to the hole
"Whack"
made
the inside.
knot on
where
a
a
peeper'snose
the "billy" there was
a loud
went
grunt and old "tow breeches"
'round like a top and cut the "pigeon wing," while his
spun
"Whack"
the "billy"again and old
went
nose
spouted blood.
suit and

followed

held

sides

their

and

"

Shirt"

"Hickory

The

"a-runnin'."
Roman
head

nose

of

of the creek.
and

then

sat

turned

last "whack"
half-drunk
He
up

a,iLdir^his bewilderment

fell like
old

fell flat

and

backwards

somersault

on

thunderbolt

settler from
his 1

and

away

up

rose
on

at

ack, quivered for

the
the
ment
mo-

clapped his hand to his bleedingnose.

^helexclaimed,"WelljI'll be durned
"

THE

PARADISE

6$

FOOLS

OF

lo

there,stranger,"he shouted to a bystander,"whar wuz

you
the lightnin'struck the show?"
I saw
Then
at when
row
a
of bleedingnoses
at the branch
nearby,taking a bath, and each
resembled
nose
a sore
hump on a camel's back.
So it is around
and power.
fame
the gTeat arena
of political
"Whack"
goes the "billy"of popular opinion,and politicians,
like old "Tow
of
Breeches,"spin 'round with the broken noses
misguided ambition and disappointedhope. In the heated campaign
a would-be
many
triumph that awaits him

only a dream,
and

and

when

Webster

lies down

the morrow,

on

the votes

he is in the condition

are

and

but he wakes

counted

of the

dreams
to

his bird hath

find it
flown

An

of the old Jew.

Englishman, an
Irishman,and a Jew hung up their socks togetheron Christmas
The Englishman put his diamond
Eve.
pin in the Irishman's
in the sock of the Englishman
sock,the Irishman
put his watch
did
"And
; they slipped an
egg into the sock of the Jew.
you gitennything ?" asked Pat in the morning. "Oh, yes,"said
the Englishman, "I received a fine gold watch, don't you know."
"And
what did you get, Pat ?" "Begorra, I got a foine diamond
what
did you get, Jacob?"
said the Englishman
I^in." "And
to the Jew.
"Veil," said Jacob, holding up the egg, "I got a
shicken,but it got avay before I got up."

PHANTOM

OF

FORTUNE.

clip the wings

of

noble, honorable

THE

I would
I would

not

bar and

not

truth and

action where

and

fruit.
and

There

The
and

more

he

out

virtue bloom

thousand

fields of endeavor

labors where

plowman who
plows,and builds

contented

singsas

gets

are

is he who

happy

bolt the gate to the

of life than

aspiration.
higherplanes of thought
and ripen into glorioas

God

intended

whistles

as

in the

to labor.

him

he rides to the field

his little Paradise

the richest

world,

Shylock

on

on

the

farm,

earth.

good old spectacledmother in Israel,with her white

the
locks and beaming face, as she works
in her sphere,visiting
poor, nursing the sick,and closingthe eyes of the dead, is more
beautiful in her life and more
charming in her character than
of societywho ever
the loveliest queen
chased the phantoms of
The

Pleasure in the ballroQm,

66

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

his God,
serves
villagepreacherwho faithfully
and leads his pious flock in the paths of holiness and peace, is
more
eloquent and plays a nobler part than the most brilliant
of God.
infidel who ever
blasphemed the name
The industrious drummer, who travels all night and toils all
day to win comfort for wife, and children,and mother, and

The

humblest

is
sister,

better

man

speculatoron

and

far better citizen than

Wall

cessful
suc-

the fortunes

plays with

Street who

the most

of

plays with the lamb or as the cyclone

plays with the feather. Young ladies,when the time comes
drummer,
to marry
say "yes" to the good-natured,big-hearted
for he is a spring in a desert,a straight
flush in a weary
hand,
be at
he will never
a "thingof beauty and
a joy forever,"and
his fellow

home

man

the wolf

as

to bother you.

CLOCKS.

brains are
says, "Our
angel of life winds them up once for

Oliver Wendell
The

clocks.
case, and

And

when

Holmes

givesthe key into the hand of the resvirrection angel."

I read it I thought what a stupendous task awaits the

angel of the resurrection

rickety,rusty, worm-eaten
wiped, and dusted, and
will be every
resurrected on that
There

his

beads, and

will be

seventy-year
all,closes the

an

the

old clock

kind

millions

all the countless

when

clocks

are

repaired for
and

character

to

be

of old

resurrected,and

mansions

in

of clock

and

the

skies!

clockwork

day. There will be the Catholic clock with

Episcopalian clock with his ritual. There
resurrected on that day wearing a broadcloth

and when
he is wound
up he
up to the throat,
will go off with a whizz and a bang. He will get up out of the
dust shouting "hallelujah!"and he will proclaim "sanctifica-

buttoned

coat

"fallingfrom grace" and "baptism by sprinkling

shall go
men
and pouring" as the only true doctrine by which
And
Jerusalem.
sweeping through the pearly gate into the new
he will be recognizedas a Methodist
preacher,a little noisy,a
little cloggedwith chicken
feathers,but ripe for the kingdom

tion"

and

of heaven.
There

will

dressed like the

be

another

former, but

old
a

clock

resurrected

little stiffer and

on

that

day,

iu the
straighter

THE

armed

back, and

with

blue

and

script.
manu-

sepul'
up he will break out in a
"foreordination"
tination,"
firstly,
; secondly,"predes-

will be

he

gold spectaclesand

of

cold

with,
and, thirdly,"the

tone

And

pair

(fj

FOOLS

OF

he is wound

When
chral

PARADISE

recognizedas
little

frigid,a

dry

saints."

of the

final perseverance

little

Presbyterianpreacher,a

formal, but

and

of God's

one

own

elect,and he will be labeled for Paradise.

will be

There

up a little and a
will swing out into

wheels, he

old

throat

and

coat

he is wound

when

with

flapbreeches. And
little oil is squirtedinto his
the wings of the
space on

wearing a shad-bellied

and

whiskers

clock resurrected

old Plardshcll

an

a-ridin'
gospelwith, "My Dear Beloved Bretheran-ah : I was
a-tryin'to study up somethin' to preach
along this mornin'
to this dying congregation-ah
; and as I rid up by the old mill

pond-ah,lo

and

out

uv

the water

uv

! there

and

an

a-stickin' up out
turtle had dim

the old snag a-sunnin'

behold-ah,when I rid up a leetle

a-settin' up

was

lo! and

himself-ah; and

old snag
old mud

an

was

pond-ah,and

of the

of the middle
up

behold

on

him-ah, he jumped off the snag 'ker chug' into the

water, and thereby pro^'ingthe doctrine of immersion-ah."
hearts are
the pendulums.
Our
brains are
clocks and our
when
the resurrection
If we
live right in this world
day shall
ings
the Lord
God will polishthe wheels and jewel the bearcome
and crown
the casements
with stars and with gold. And
with precious stones.
the pendulums shall be harps encrusted
They shall swing to and fro on angel wings, making music in
the ear
of God
and flashingHis glory through all the blissful
!
cyclesof eternity
to

nearer

THE

is the

Happy
contented

with

panic that
the

commerce

who

man

the

are

as

powerlessto

his

and

means

of endeavor.

The

who

is

ful
dread-

checks

the progress of civilization and paralyzes

of the world is the death angel that follows speculation.

baseless

comes

lives within

legitimaterewards

Everything
that

PANIC.

and
meet

is staked
as

and

the fabric

nobody
his note

of

is able
in the

hazarded
a

to

dream.
settle.

bank,

on

contingencies

The
The

the banker

day

of settlement

borrower
is

is

powerless

68

LECTURES

and
depositors,

pay his
of cattle.
to

L.

ROBERT

OF

confidence

TAYLOR

like

stampeded

is

herd

catches the
suspiciousold farmer
of alarm, and desertinghis plow and sleepy steers
wild note
he mounts
his mule and urging him on with poundin the field,
ing
heels,rushes pellmellto the bank and, with bulging eyes,
timid

and

his money.
leaves his
blacksmith

The

The

demands

spreadslike

excitement

bench

his

anvil,the carpenter

The

fire.
and

the

deserts his hide and the shoemaker

The tanner
tailor his goose.
with his
his all. The
down
his last to save
throws
mason,
in

trowel

drops

his hod

from

rushes

hand,

his

muttering, "Oi'll have

fat,phlegmatic Dutchman,

ladder
The

and

the situation

waddles

earth

and

heaven

between

Pat
the

slides down

and

blood."

oi'U have

or

money

me

wall.

half-finished

the

dozing behind his bar, wakes to

the street,pufiingand blowing

down

mein
Gott in Himmel,
muttering, "Mein
the bank,
the run
thus they make
on
debosit ish boosdet !" And
gatheringabout it like the hosts of Armageddon. The bottom
like

engine, and

an

drops
wrecked

millionaires

and

out

under

go

Did

you
travels ? Did

never

city.''''

around

but the land

and

few

in

the

two

last of the

and

companies

"boom"

in your

town

years

silent

resembles
on

the

the brick

Down

hope.
as

corner

lies

here

stand

by

nose

accordion
and

and
that

to

unmor-

the river
of

catepetl,
Popo-

the hill looks like the Tower

his blue
an

left

are

the extinct crater

after the confusion

with
speculators,

nails

tenantless houses

buried

on

of chain

streaks

Plalf -driven

walls, and

like

look

lightning.
huge frames, holding up
of land
names
companies,

buildingsand

the great hotel

stands
cyclone,

the

gone.

ghosts of
furnace,grim and
thousand

are

and

for miles

streets

in streets,and

up

thousand

there

are

old skeleton

plug hat, which

by

here

empty

dug

ten

like the

and
Babel

with

struck

half-finished

there

stands

laid off and

bearing
signboards,

mammoth

tared

The

Babylon?

are

been

had

in

never

of

Standing

rust

of

the remains

pass

you

like the ruins

they

of "Bunk
City,"
gaze upon the remains
yesterday all was life and bustle,and today it looks

but

miles

of

passengers

steamer.

''bunk

where

like the

of tongues.

of
The

his old battered

has

been

his
contemplates

yanked
old

sedge

THE

fields which
front

foot

have

shrunk

new

the

"After

song

hundred

After

the money's gone.

is

'busted,'if

bank

pocket is empty

"

The

wondered
and

acres/'and

"front

streams

what

day

one

announcement,
stage manager

bale-

of

it meant.
new

"Your

flooded

bills and

is Here."

to raise the curtain

"Your

Uncle

billboards
the theater

postersmade
gave

orders

this
to

and

received

his
The

the admission

curiosityto see the performance

filled every seat in the
of "Your
Uncle," the villagers
The
theater long before the hour for the performance arrived.
and lo! on
board
in the
curtain rose
at the appointed hour
a
card bearing this announcement
of the stage, was
in
center
a
IS GONE."
"YOUR
UNCLE
largeletters,
What
a splendidillustration of modern
speculationand its
of
willing victims who are so easily led into the "Paradise
fees and

then

disappeared. In

He

hand

with

town

exactlyat eighto'clock.

stood in the door

speculatorhimself

"

passers-bjlooked at the
rented
The speculators

flood of hand
Uncle

room

uncle/'

posters containingthis announcement,

Coming."

dollars

hundred

the

once
impecuniousspeculator

bills and

and

one

in the
could see
boom."

we

after

""your

is

from

is over, after the panic's on,

boom
fools are
leavin,

the

An

69

FOOLS

After

Many
Many

OF

in value

dollar for

to one

fullysingsa

PARADISE

their

Fools."
PESSIMISM

But

why

calamities

mourn

of life?

and

Why

AND

brood

OPTIMISM.

over

broken

fortunes

tarry in the doldrums

and

the

of

pessimism,
with never
to catch your
a breeze
limp and drooping sails and
? Pessimism
waft you on a joyous wave
is the nightmare of the
world.
It is the prophet of famine, pestilence
and human
woe.
It is the apostleof the devil,and its mission
is to impede the
It denounces
institution established
progress of civilization.
every
for human
It stigmatizes
law
development as a fraud.
the

at societyas hollowmachinery of injustice.It sneers

hearted
corruption and insincerity. It brands politicsas a
of rottenness
and scoflFs at morality as the tinsel
reeking mass
as

LECTURES

70
of sin.

Its

muscles

of

OF

ROBERT

TAYLOR

L.

those who
rail and snarl at everything
disciples
are
that is noble and good, to whom
assault and battery,
a joke is an
insult to outraged dignity,and the provocation
of a
a laugh is an
smile
is like passing an
electric current
through the facial

God

corpse.

deliver

us

the ashes

on

from

the

motives

fools

and

men

who

than

it

the fools who

from

seek to build

their dise
paraGod deliver us

of those

whose

they have destroyed.

lifework
is to cast aspersionsupon

characters

of

of the leaders

the

I believe

men.

the

reach

high places in politicsare, as a rule, the best

and brainiest men
in the land, and upon their shoulders rest the
safetyand well-beingof the peace-loving.
God-fearing millions.
I believe the world
before.
is better today than
it ever
was
of modern
I believe in the refinements
society,its elegant
accomplishments. Its intellectual culture and its conceptionsof
advancement
toward
the beautiful are gloriousevidences of our
a
higher plane of being. I think the superb churches of today,
of their choral music, their great
with the gloriousharmonies
pipe organs, their violins and cornets, and their gTand sermons,
for aching hearts, are
full of heaven's balm
expressionsof the
I bethe earth.
lieve
highestcivilization that has ever dawned
upon
each successive civilization is better and higher and grander
than that which
precededit,and upon the shining rungs of this
climb back to the Parawill finally
dise
ladder of evolution our
race
lost. I believe that the societyof today is better
that was
better and

of the
believe

I believe

that

and

purer than it ever

is better and stronger and is

nobler

the church
toward

before.

was

ever

the conversion

kingdom

of God

of the world
on

earth than

and

human

government

before.

was

is

I believe

making grander

strides

the final establishment

it has

ever

made

before.

biggestfools in this world are the advocates and

of infidelity,
dise
the would-be
destroyersof the Para-

that the

disseminators
of God.

BEAUTIFUL

I sat

in

great theater

PICTURES

at

the

BLOTTED.

ISTational

It

Capital.

thronged with youth and beauty, old age and wisdom.

the stage and
the image of his God, stand upon
man,
of grace,
the perfection
him speak. His gestures were

was

saw

I heard
his voice

LECTURES

72

and

rock

and
is

every

storm

thunder

his

in

on

of

myriads

whose

through
dominion

orbs

wheeling
the
of

dread
the

and
witnesses
the

course

halls

All-Wise,

dwells

of

his

is

is

universe

the

crystal

eternity

Omnipotent

of

paths

the

glory,
and

Eternal

with

teem

solar

systems,

proclaim

space,

and

the

earthquake
us

of

of

and

every

above

heavens

its

pavilions

messenger
in

let
rivu-

zephyr,

every
dark

the

in

tread
the

in

is

and

spring

every

wing

awful

His

shining

his

in

lightning

ocean;

angry

every

The

voice.

his

He

tempest.

every

cloud.

is

of

rustle

TAYLOR

L.

mountain,

and

vale
The

river.

might

and

and

hill

ROBERT

OF

power,
God.

and

bo

"~

r-'

rn

"

ex

VISIONS

(5)

AND

DREAMS

DREAMS

AND

VISIONS
MULTITUDINOUS

The

wisdom

infinite

intelligence and
its

broad

the

as

is animal

hill and
of

and

visions

of

phantom
We

of

thrush

the

the

bees

dreams

has

lowest

level

but

of

is the

him
; above

instinct

and

reason

whose

and

world

continents

shores

shadowy

the

of rock

mysterious

dreams,

drous
won-

Below

world

material

whose

that

on

surfs

the

tree

but

poppies;
her

top.

What

are

from

the

the

and

song

and

hear

we

with

echoes

hearth

the

on

light-winged

silver-throated

the
and

these

joyful

the

realm

all the

of

sweet

and

visions

down

land

from

the

northward,

and

from

the

nectar

horizon

deep

in the

to

the

splashing
fragrant
of

the

himter's
of the

waters.

And

with

the

happiness

bliss,he

calf
draws

heaven
his

How

when
and
and

when
of
the
with
his

evening

scatters

never

weary,

bright

sweet

is the

the

is the

ox

the

frolicsome

calf

tail

from

how

covert

in his
How

fields

rich

and

sunset,

is

the

forward

to

reflecting Avhole

wiggling
nature's

deer

at

bounds

eyes

the

the

is the

hounds.

home

come

walling

little
meal

of

of green

blossoms,

clover

his

yelping

cows

roses

beautiful

and
dream

vision

her
kisses

trembling, panting

and

horn

weary

breath

that

rainbow, fluttering

June

; how

the

to

gorge

heart

when

wings

on

of the

fairy

sun

flowers

waiting

flowing udder,
of

the

poising

mountain

flight before

of

little life.

of his

swift

bird, that

humming

The

acres

plane

light of

the

him

cricket

the

morning

hear

Every

meet.

lamp

are

the

break.

among

in the

we

above

of the

song

the

warble

melodies

the

by

upon

forever

seas

gladden

feast

dim

in

being

stands

immortality

rivers

and

beauty

hear
of

dear

and

mountain,
whose

Man

of

plane

every

the

on

highest.

is this old

him

imagination,

are

lark

Below

vale

the

hum

the

darkest

life, lighted only by the

of God.

for

made

archangel.

the

and

mortality

where

has

happiness

spiritual life, illuminated

is

glory

of

narrowest
on

God

Almighty

butterfly to

universe

plane
him

the

horizon,

own

of

horizon

universe, from

DREAMS.

in

speechless

commissariat.

76

LECTURES

The

snail

no

red

the world.

revels
silently

on

the

goal of
impaled on

visions

and

shining streams.
to

in his dark

the barefooted

by

himself

eye !
dines

clay.

on

responds

never

banquet

to

halls under

the river.

But

and

the fishhook

of the barefooted

And

boy

other

as

dreams"

dreams

O, there is

of

the thrill of

He

the

makes

the dank
worm

lets
vionever

until he is triumphantly

boy, who sees

suckers in
fluttering

thrill half

no

in

toast, but

the red

his "visions

dreams

king

brilliant is the horizon

how

his other

speeches,he

TAYLOR

thinks

And

winks

in the rich mould

reaches

other

he

L.

delves in the sod and

worm

after-dinner

or

ROBERT

lolls in his shell and

grandestpalace in
when
of the firefly
The

OF

so

rapturous

nibble !

Two

darkeys sat on a rock on the bank of the river fishing.

One
old darkey, the other was
The boy got a
was
an
a boy.
nibble, his foot slipped and he fell headlong into the surging
of the stream, sinking
and began to float out to the middle
waters
old
and rising and stranglingand crying for help. The
then he plunged in
hesitated on
the rock for a moment,
man
after the drowning boy, and after a desperatestrugglelanded
A passer-byran
his companion safelyon
shore.
up to the old
darkey and pattedhim on the shoulder and said,"Old man, that
was

noble

deed

in you

to

risk your

life that way

the
good-for-nothing
boy." "Yes, boss,"mumbled
was
obligedto save dat nigger,he had all de bate in

THE

on

HAPPY

jSTot long ago I wandered

father's plantationon
my
land

of my

native

LONG

back

to

the bank

mountains.

to

save

old man,
his

that
"I

pocket."

AGO.

the

scenes

of my

boyhood,

tiful
river,in the beaurambled
again in the

of the
I

I sat on the old

pathlesswoods with my rifle on my shoulder.
and heard the
the fallingleaves of Autumn
familiar logs amid
bark and shake the branches
as
they jumped from tree
squirrels
I heard the katydid sing and the whippoorwill,and the
to tree.
deep basso-profundoof the bullfrogon the bank of the pond.
of a pheasant and the hoot of a wise
I heard
the drumming
I heard the tinklingof
in "Sleepy Hollow."
old owl away
over
the happy
the distant hills,sweetly mingling with
bells on
chorus of the song birds in their evening serenade.
Every living

78

LECTURES

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR
.

...

""":'"
dis raoshiin
"

race, an' besides

dat,Mr. Chaialiman,of you passes

de billygoat's
by raisin' yo' tails,
already voted."

fur to vote

I sometimes

goat would

think

be

are

Solomon's

splendid illustration

politicians.It

that Uncle

homely story of

of

is difficultto tell which

of

some

side of the

the

modern

our

question they

on.

I remember
of

Uncle

bettah not

Yaddie

the yarn
Rastus.

he

said:

into de egg bizness

hens, but somehow^
de Lo'd

to

nex' mo'nin'
de

Rastus

looked

once

spun
and

sour,

the

at

pense
ex-

said,"You

the threatened

undismayed by

record,and

fixed

Yaddie

what disappeared
go too fur,I'll tell about dem watermillions
frum
Mos
Landon's
watermillion
patch." But Uncle

was

prayed

Uncle

"Some
an' he

to send

his lot

nestiz

time

wuz

ago
to de Lo'd

prayed

nudder

or

attack upon
his own
concluded
Rastus
to go

de hens

him

nebber

after de

an' waited

'im

fo' de

lo an'

said:

He

hens

some

an' den

come,

hens, an'

full o' chickens."

an' waited

send

to

he

behold,
"Rastus

lay, but
somehow
nudder
de hens wouldn't
er
at all,
lay dat summer
an' Rastus
an' madder
till one
kep' gittin'madder
day de ole
rooster
hopped up on de porch an' begun to flophis wings an'
Rastus
looked at him sideways an' muttered, 'Yes,flopcrow.
pin'yo' wings an' crowin' aroun' heah like an ole fool an' you
can't lay a egg to save
yo' life.'
to

"

The

darkies

fell

except Rastus, but

out
up

big

wing"

on

to

the

appease
"watermillion"
from

the face of the

luscious

over

red

pulp

his wrath
under

the

bed,

Yaddie

rolled

which

lighted
as

the

melted

in his mouth
he cut the "pigeon
away
of the floor and sang like a mocking bird :

de

honeymoon
am
sweet,
am
^ood,
De 'possum it am
very,
very
Btit .eive me,
oh. give me
De

everybody laughed

Uncle

fro\vningold darkey with smiles,and

in the middle

"Oh.

floor and

chicken

fine;

"

Oh.

Then
with
woods

how
T wish
you
Dat
watermilh'on

old Uncle

the music
and

blackbirds

N'ewt

of the

in
spluttering

"

hangin*

resined

of the fiddle.

dreamed

would

on

de

his bow

There

I sat

vine!"

and

the welkin

rang
in the old familiar

happy long ago, until

neighboringtree top woke

gang
me.

of
And

VISIONS

wliea
an

my

from

rifle old

shot
bullfrog

of

the asymptote

ground

the

there

at

Silence

silence in

in the

through his brain and

frog })ond,silence in the trees,
bullet

back
rifle and wended
way
my
my
bank
of the river and
silence was

on

ago

the hill close

bucket

moss-covered
had

hushed.

were

creeled,the

by

I shouldered

me.

the old homestead

there.
old-time

The

voices

darkies

on

the

of

the

sleeping
sleeps. The
were

father
my
the well. The old barn

the spot where

gone from
house
where

old

to

The

was

cut

air,the squirrelfell

in the

silence all around

"Sleepj^Hollow,"

happy long

tree, the blackbirds

old hollow

an

feet with

my

silence.

was

of

threw

and

hyperbolicalcurve

79

DREAMS

myself into the shape of

touched
the trigger,
at the crack of
into the pond, the hoot owl scooted into

the

log
interrogation
point,and
rose

his castle in the trunk

to

AND

born

was

sheds

silent and

was

deserted.
As

these scenes
upon
and subdued
into a

I looked

softened

was

happiest and
being.

the

only

call into
There

times

are

soul,when

melancholy

pour
beautiful

out

earliest recollection

in

our

lives when

of

bygone

grieflies

their floods and

drown

years

heaviest

gathering clouds

when

which

sweet, pensive sorrow,

holiest associations

weeps,

memory

of my

on

can

the

of mournful

the heart

in tears.

lightedby the morning star

the roses
bloom
of life,where
by the door, where the robins
the apple blossoms,where
bright waters
ripple in
sing among
There
echoes of songs that are
eternal melody!
are
sung no
tender words
spoken by lipsthat are dust,blessingsfrom
more,
hearts that are still! There's a useless cradle and a broken
doll,
There's a
and an
tress
a sunny
empty garment folded away!
lock of silvered hair and an
unforgotten prayer, and mother
is sleepingthere!
O,

isle of memory,

ambition's
the shades

Under
I used

to

blooming
beside
She

dream

of the sycamores
of the years to come.

with

pleasures,fruitingwith

the cloud-isles

as
me

dream.

and

dazzled

me

fired my
and

of the

young
charmed

sunset.

heart
me

and

father's old farm

my
I looked through a vista

on

achievements
The
with

siren
her

soothed

and

Ambition

tiful
beausat

prophetic song.
me

into

sweet,

8o

LECTURES

fantastic reveries.
wondrous

She

future.

ROBERT

OF

touclied

The

bow

L.

TAYLOR

and

me

bade

look

me

into the

promise spanned it. Hope was

enthroned
there and smiled like an angel of light. Under
that
shining arch lay the goal of mj fondest aspirations.Visions of
wealth and laurels and applauding thousands
crowded
zon
the horiof my dream.
I saw
the capitolof the Republic,that whiteof Liberty,lifting
its magnificentpilefrom
Pantheon
columned
and monuments
the midst of the palacesand parks, the statues
Infatuated
with this
beautiful
of the most
city in the world.
adieu to home
and its dreams,
vision of earthlyglory I bade
the standard

seized
the
bear
a

and

turmoil
the

party and
great political

of

the

heated

Saul, I

went

forth

tumult
of

armor

of

of

rushed

into

Unable

campaign.

to

do battle armed

to

with

fiddle,a pair of saddlebags,a plug horse and the eternal truth.

There

the din of conflict

was

by day

the

on

the sound

of

revelryby night in

the cabins.

twinkled

to

the

merry

with
lads

of

hours

far

and

candidates

witness

to

near

in the

upon

armed

to

the

draT^Ti blades

of

grand

some

Swells

American

mighty argument,
a

lion.
rang

with

His

center.

His

His

eifort culminated
with

Goldsmith's

tall cliff that

from

the

in

vale

Though

'round

its breast

Eternal

sunshine

settles

on

cheers

similes
with

opposing
from

himself

hurled

descended
when

like

his lance

appalling,hi?
flashed

like the

flourish of trumpets

metaphor:

form

midway leaves the storm,

the rolling clouds
spread,
are
its head."

petitor,
com-

labor,"

splendid tribute

beautiful

lifts its awful

and

blows

logic was

tropes and

"Rozi-

learned

of

of

like the

contending

My

"protectionto

sounded
re-

old-time

swarmed

battle of the

charging cavalry,and

Republic,crowned
"As

the

sublime.

was

his

fury

the

joint discussion.

the welkin

shivering to

imagery

of

arena

thunderbolts,and
went

the bloodless

the teeth with

with

me

rein the mountaineers

the shield

bearing
and

I drew

good

of

stars

the mountain

prancing

my

was

hills

fastnesses

windmill

nante," everywhere charging the

party, and wherever

on

the

as

in the

away

figure,mounted

midnight

and

soles

the mountain

among

woeful

The

fiddle

dwindling shoe

the

I rode

Virginia reel.
of the

the

the clatter of

lassies danced

and

knight

music

hustings,there

to

the

VISIONS

AND

8l

DREAMS

with poised lance and

charge of the enemy
visor down.
I deluged the tall cliff under a flood of "mountain
eloquence,"which poured from my patrioticlipslike molasses
the
I mounted
pouring from the bunghole of the universe.
American
eagleand soared among the stars. I scraped the skies
and cut the black illimitable far out beyond the orbit of Uranus,
and I reached the climax of my
with a hypertriumphant flight
bole
that eclipsedGoldsmith's
metaphor, unhorsed the foe and
I received

left him

the

stunned

"I stood upon

I wrote

the field.

upon

in the

frail reed in my
A mad
country, I love thee!'

the seashore

sand, ^My

I soared

Thus

and

with

hand
wave

rushingby and wiped out the fair impression. Cruel wave,

treacherous
sand, frail reed, I said, I hate ye ! I'll trust ye no
but with a giant'sarm
I'll reach to the coast of Norway
more,
and
and pluck its tallest pine and dip it in the crater of Vesuvius
write upon
the burnished
heavens, 'My country, I love thee!'
came

and

I'd like to
Between

with

the

anecdotes

played

any

'durned'

long

intervals

see

like

its part.

the tombstone

basket

The

rub

wave

that out!"

of argument

speech grinned
my
full of 'possum heads.
The fiddle

people did

of the demolished

the

rest, and

upon
words:

tender

knight these

"Tread

I carved

softly 'round this sacred heap

guards ambition's restless sleep,
Whose
greed for place ne'er did forsake him
Don't
mention
him."
office,or you'll wake
"

It

I reached
colossal dome

goal of my visions and

whose
splendorsare shadowed

that flows

the

and
branch

by

the

shrine
of the

uproar

of the

of Mt.

Congress

Vernon.

under

that

in the broad

river

dreams

I sat

amid

parliamentary strugglesof

of the United

"

States.

the

fusion
con-

the lower

"Sunset"

Cox,

humor, convulsed the HoTise and

shook the galleries.Alexander
tering
Stephens, one of the last totof the glory of the old South, still lingered
monuments
the floor,where, in bygone years, the battles of his vigorous
on
manhood
were
fought. I saw in the Senate an assemblage of
the gi'andest
since the days of Webster and Clay. Conkling,
men
the intellectual Titan, the Apollo of manly form
and grace,
thundered
there.
"Plumed
The
Knight," that gi'andincarnawith

his beams

of

wit

and

82

LECTURES

of mind

tion

and

and

Edmunds

jurist,Mat

magnetism,

Zack

TAYLOR

and

there

Thurman,

learned

"the

noblest

bandanna

his famous

with

glory.

and

brilliant

the

there.

of his

zenith

the

at

was

Chandler

Carpenter, were
of them
all,"was

old Koman

L.

ROBERT

OF

Hill, the idol of the South,

and
and
highest type of Southern
Lamar, the gifted orator
and
Garland
there.
Morgan and Harris and
chivalry,were
Coke
were
there,and Beck with his sledge-hammer intellect.
of opposing gladiatorsmore
It was
magnificent and
an
arena
witnessed
in the palmiest days of the
ever
majestic than was
handkerchief.

The

There

Empire.

Roman

Ben

giants

were

they clashed
Capitol trembled

the

and

Senate

the

in

those

swords

in

thrilled in every

E'ation

the

in

measured

and

shields

when

days, and
debate

immortal

nerve.

But
of

how

like the ocean's ebb

two

my
short

burst

the restless tides

are

dissolved
glory soon
the country" for only
I "saved
view like a dream.
He
My competitor proved a livelycorpse.
years.

These
politics.

from

flow

and

forth from

of

scenes

the tomb

grandeur

like

and

locust from

Capitol with "war

buzzing to the National
to dream
went
buzzing back to the mountains
and there a new
sycamores,
vision opened before
new

ambition
me.

his

on

another

came

wings."

again

kindled

was

saw

its shell and

the

under

in my

soul. A

capitolrise

on

Cumberland, overshadowing the tomb of Polk

of
and close by the Hermitage, where
reposes the sacred dust
Andrew
Jackson, and I thought if I could only reach the exalted
then
State I would
of the old Volunteer
positionof Governor
and happiness. But lo!
have gained the sum
of life's honors
another son of my father and mother
was
dreaming there under
the same
old sycamores.
had dreamed
We
togetherin the same
trundle bed and often kicked each other out.
Together we had
visions of pumpkin pie and pulledhair for the biggestslice.
seen
Together we had smoked the first cigar and togetherlearned to
the bank

play

of the

the fiddle.

Relentless

But

fate had

the red rose, mine

from the wormwood

decreed

that "York

of

our

must

manhood

contend

clashed.
with

caster"
Lan-

roses,"and with flushed cheeks and

his shield bearing
we
eagerlyentered the field,
free
of principles
the white.
It was
a contest

in the "war

throbbing hearts

the dreams

now

of the

and

and
gallof personalities,

when

the mul-

VISIONS

titude

of

and

loud

many
cleared away
of the

hustings,a white rose on

bosom, a red rose on every Republican breast,
tilt
wilderness
of flowers,there was
a
many

partisansgathered

every Democratic
in the midst of

huzzah.

I looked

the

upon

"Man's
Cuts

a
a

the

at

But

vanquished knight
ever
taught me :

mother

83

DREAMS

AND

and

vapor,

caper

"

when

of

clouds

the

war

had

drooping red rose on the bosom

thought of the first speech my

full of

down

woes

he

"

!"

goes

triumphed, but the shadow is fairer than the

mile
is marked
at every
substance.
The pathway of ambition
with the grave of some
sweet
pleasure,slain by the hand of
sacrifice. It bristles with thorns plantedby the fingersof envy
climb the rugged heights,
behind
lie our
and hate, and as we
us
before us tower
still greater heights,scarred
bloody footprints,
Like the Edelweiss
by tempests and wrapped in eternal snow.
of the Alps, ambition's
pleasuresbloom in the chill air of perpetual
frost,and he who reaches the summit will look down with
plain of life below and wish his
longing eyes on the humbler
The

white

feet had

rose

wandered

never

from

its

warmer

MAN

TO

THE

and

sunshine

sweeter

flowers.

FKOM

But

let

the world
and

THE

us

not

that

we

CAVE

forgetthat
dream, and

climb

the weary
steeps, and
pursuit of our dreams.

in the

"kISS-OPHONE.""

it is better for
that

tread

we

leave
For

our

us

and

the

better for

thorny paths,

bloody tracks

behind

in their extravagant

ceptions
con-

lie the germs

of human
government and invention and
tive
discovery;and from their mysterious vagariesspringsthe moof the world's progress.
Our
power
of dreams.
The
rude tribes of
until

caves

and

unholy
hygiene. It
stone

by

would

Here

was

smells
dawned
lie

Sir Isaac
and

unwashed

some

on

were

primeval

that
savage dreamed
in accord with the
not

upon

his MIGHTY

law

of

that

that walls could be built in the form

And

lution
evo-

in

damp caverns
principlesof
one

flat

little mud, aided

would
gravitation,

the birth of architecture.

dwelt

men

intellect that

top of another, and

E'ewton's

civilization is the

hold
of

thus from

them

gether,
to-

quadrangle.
the magical

84

LECTURES

dreams
" "

ROBERT

OF

John

Howard

vibrates

evolution

sweetest

evolved

was

of man's

touched

Payne

TAYLOR

barbarian

of this unmausoleumed

the best and

L.

civilization.
tenderest

the

in the great heart of all humankind

of

cottageswhere

vestal

fires and

virtue

where

chord

when

immortality his song of "Home, Sweet Home,"

the grand mansions
and palacesof the rich do
There
happiness and nobilityof this world.
humble

gave to
thank God

and
not
are

dwells

that

he

hold

all the

millions

resides in the warmth

contentment

the home

of

and

like

purity
perpetual

summer.

Antediluvians

The

for

prong

plowboy
It

and

all the

was

beam

the

or

beam

his
same

plowed
and

the

to

the scratcher.

Adam
But

for

no

choice

whether
some

noble

stick,with

forked

other

had

sleepy ox

with

the

scratcher ; and

of prongs
"Buck"
was
Cincinnatus

hitch

yoked

to

dreamed

the
to.

the
of

plowshare,genius wrought his dream into steel,

and now
the polished Oliver chill slices the earth like a hot
knife plowing a field of Jersey butter,and the modern
gang
leader
and
umbrella'd
its
wheels
the
plow, bearing upon
gloved
of the Populist party, plows up the whole face of the earth in a.
singleday.
! Its noiseWhat
less
a wonderful
workshop is the brain of man
and moulds
in the impondermachinery cuts and carves
able
material
of ideas.
It works
its endless miracles
through
the brawny arm
of labor and the deft fingersof skill,and the
world
forward
rubbed
his lamp
moves
by its magic. Aladdin
and the shadowy genii of fable performed impossiblewonders.
The dreamer
of today rubs his fingersthrough his hair and the
travagant
genii of his intellect work miracles which eclipsethe m-ost exfantasies of the "Arabian
saw
Nights." A dreamer
the imprisoned vapor throw open
the lid of a teakettle,
and, lo!
steam
a
pufiingfrom his brain. And now
engine came
many
of Corliss
beautiful as a vision of Archimedes
a huge monster
in movement
and smooth
a
as
wheeling planet sends its thrill
of life and power
chinery.
mathrough mammoth
plants of humming
of the steel-bound track shoots over
The fierycourser
hill and
through the fields of
plain like a midnight meteor
carried about in his
A dreamer
heaven, outstrippingthe wind.
and
launched
brain a great leviathan.
It was
upon the billows,
the

burnished

to

one

"

"

86

LECTURES

and

ning,

battlefield

the

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

become

will

hot

so

and

unhealthy

that

Some

"He

who

Will

never

fights and runs

fight another

Icarus

dreaming

will

perfectthe flyingmachine,
the swift Pegasus of the air

wings of
light-hearted
societygirlwill sail
the aluminum

upon

"Behind

The

love

rainbow

I think

the

to

; the

the end

from

the soul of Robert

of

is allowed,

one

into

Ferris

wheel

; all men

the government

run

and

hand.

at

near

"

BEAUTIFUL.

love, and

the song

no

will be

THE

the

moon."

will

women

OF

of

song
than

beauty sweeter

where

and

the stars,and

among

in the

of time

DEEAMS

I heard

cloud,
man

will be converted

will be bald-headed
then

dark

some

Make

away"
day.

tenderness, and
a

Burns.

nightingale. It
I heard

song of
of the

sadness,and
breathed

was

deepestpassion

It was
sea.
surging like the tempest-tossedwaves
the restless spiritof Lord
Byron. I heard a mournful
melody
of despairinglove
full of that wild, mad, hopelesslonging of
bereaved soul which
the midnight raven
mocked
that
a
at with
"

bitterest of all words

of
blazed

the

forever

out

brilliant

but for

Then

"JSTevermore."

"

but

moment,

ill-starred

w-as

exalted

the weird

was

Poe, who, like

dazzlinga hemisphere, and

in the darkness

It

and

ody
thren-

meteor,

then

went

of death.
lifted into

the

serene

sunlightof

I listened to the

spiritof faith pouring out in the songs

of our
immortal
own
Longfellow.
Milton
I walked
Paradise
With
the scented isles of long-lost
and caught the odor of its bloom
and the swell of its music.
He led me
through its rose brakes,and under the vermilion and
flame of its orchids and honeysuckles,down
to the margin of
the limpid river,where
the waterlilies sleptin fadeless beauty
and the lotus nodded
to the ripplingwaves
; and there, under
arch of orange
a bridal
blossoms,cordonned by palms and manycolored flowers,
I saw
vision of bliss and beauty from
which
a
peace

Satan

as

turned

away

with

an

envy

that stabbed

him

with

pangs

VISIONS

unfelt

before

in hell.

It

AND

87

DREAMS

earth's first visiou of wedded

was

love.

Shakespeare was broader than them all.

There
is no
depth which he has not sounded, no height which
walked
He
in the gardens of the intellectual
he has not measured.
gods and gathered sweets for the soul from a thousand
unwithering flowers. He caught music from the spheres and
brain
fields of light. His
a
was
beauty from ten thousand
His genius gathered and classified ; his imaginamighty loom.
tion
The flyingshuttle of his fancy delivered
spun and wove.
and philosophy the shining threads spun
of wisdom
to the warp
from
the fibres of human
hearts and human
experience,and
with his wondrous
woof
of pictured tapestries
he clothed all
a
thought in the bridal robes of immortality. His mind was
resistless flood that deluged the w^orld of literature with his
glory. The succeeding poets are but survivors as by the ark,
into garlands
and, like the ancient dove,they gather and weave
only the "flotsam and jetsam" of beauty which floats on the
bosom
of the Shakespearean flood.
But

of

the horizon

lightfrom

O, Shakespeare,archangel of poetry! The

wings drowns
of the whole

the stars
world

and

flashes

thy glory on

thy

the civilizations

"Unwearied, unfettered, unwatched, unconfined,

Be my
spiritlike thee in the world of the mind
No
its flight.
leaning for earth e'er to weary
But
fresh as thy pinions in regions of light."
"

All honor

to

philosophers,and painters,and
the world!
They are its honey

the poets, and

of
sculptors,and musicians
bees,its song birds,its carrier doves,its ministeringangels.

VISIONS

I walked
the
and

with

and

Gibbon

and

GLORY.

DEPARTED

Hume

through the

sombre

halls of

past, and caught visions of the glory of the classic republics

empires

that

still eloquent with

of

OF

flourished
the

genius lingersthere
gone.

long

ago

and

whose

very

story of departedgreatness. The

still like the

fragrance of

roses

dust

is

spirit
faded

88

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

thought I heard the harp of Pindar and the impassioned

I thought I heard
the lofty
song of the dark-eyed Sappho.
and
rushing on in the red tide of battle,
epic of the blind Homer
the divine Plato
discoursinglike an oracle in his academic
I

shades.
The

spoke

canvas

paintedand

Phidias

and

marble

the

breathed

Apelles

when

carved.

from
him
chisel his dreams
Angelo and saw
mortal
I saw
the marble.
Raphael spread his visions of beauty in imthe
colors.
I sat under
the spiritof Paganini's power;
I thought I
flow of his melody turned
the very air to music.
of Divinity as I listened to the warbles
in the presence
was
I stood

and

with

and

murmurs

violin,and
The

I said:

sea, the

heads
and

the ebb
Music

is the

of music.

I believe

dreams

airs of mirth
rivulet

and

the

rollingbillows

born

tempest and

of the

of the angry

concert

them

The

great theatre.

there

sat

on

tinklingbell

The

to

their richest

of

the

thunder

and

the

musicians.

the grassy brink of

twilightof evening. The

caught their

ocean.

nature's
I sat

Mendelssohn,

I think

musicians.

man.

tain
foun-

the very

Mozart, and

that

to

his

stolen from the purling

gladnessand joy were
spiratio
rippling river. I believe their grandest in-

and

were

are

all the great masters

nature's

from

God

gift of

dearest

forest,the field and the meadow

Schubert,and Verdi, and

sweetest

flow of the silver tides from

and

mountain

woods

shadowy

greenswardbefore

passing herd

rang

in the

stream

up

around
me

the

ering
gathcame
be-

me

its stage.

was

curtain, and

dying day and listened to

who
of nature's musicians
sing as God has taught
sing. The orchestra opened with a grand flourish. The
all alone

katydid led

in the hush

off with

trombone

of the

solo ; the cricket chimed

in with

and
played on his violincello,
hig
the jaybird laughed with his piccolo;the jar-flyclashed
tinklingcymbal, and the woodpecker rattled his kettle drum.
swelled to grandeur with the deep bass horn of the
The music
his E

flat cornet;

the bumblebee

big black beetle,and

leading violin. The

sank

into soulful sweetness

mocking

bird's flute

with

brought

the oriole's
me

to

tears

Li

eS

H
o

,"3

CO

in

VISIONS

of

rapture, and

The

but

tide of

the buzzard

soft and
renowned
the

his alto

want

me

fight.

to

horn, and the locust jingledhis

melody

rolled

along like

his baton

lowered

89

DREAMS

owl's fife made

the screech

blew
tree-frog
The

AND

and

bourine.
tam-

sparklingriver,
sank

the music

into

gentleflow, when Signor "Bullefroggio,"the worldbasso,hopped upon the stage and sang a melody from

and Dreams"
"Eocked
opera of "Visions
of the deep jugger-um." Then
the renowned
new

in the

"

dle
cra-

tenor, Ilerr

"

Von

"Grasshopper,"appeared on the stage with a hop, skip,and

a
jump and rendered his difiicult but merry lines,composed in
his honor by his admiring friend,Professor
Turkey Gobbler.
But while he sang Professor
Gobbler
slipped up behind him
with open mouth
and Ilerr Von Grasshopper vanished from the
forevermore.
footlights
In the midst
of the concert, from
a
neighboring field,a
mountain
swain
homeward
his weary
on
plow horse passed.
The plodding steps and jinglingchains kept time to the music
of the orchestra in sweet
accompaniment with the plowman as
he sang his simple love song:
"

lonesome
lonesome
valley, in some
place,
doth
his
bird
Whur
the night
notes
to increase,
whistle,
waist are
I'll think of purty Saro', whose
so
neat,
sweet."
than
be
with
better
to
For I want
pastime
no
my

'Way

down

Then

youth

had

him

saw

in

saw

some

lassie

paused
sliphis

before

standing among
the door

Hollyhocks. The

happy mountain
"something,"and heard

around

arm

of

the

home.

cious
suspi-

boot.
The lassie vanished
smack, like the squeak of a new
the hill,and as he vanished
in the cabin, the lad vanished
over
his hat in the shadows

he swung
the birds
on

away

That

drowsy summer
night I sleptin
to

rooms

the
love among
by a band of

above

my

to

listen to his song

dream

mansion.

my

of

meadows

as

And

it died

eyes

on

blooms"

I was
naded
serehollyhocks. ViTiile I dreamed
mosquitoes,and this is the song they sang

dear, lie still and

slumber

"

Holy angels guard your bed

Heavenl}' 'skeeters' without number
old bald head."
Buzzing 'round your
"

(6)

sing.

I closed my
and
clover

But

pillow:
"Hush,

to

air.

the

"garnished
and

their heads

inclined

continued

and

LECTURES

90

THE

There
and

is

curious
and

South,

no

land

was

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

PREACHER.

FIGHTING

earth

produced such quaint

characters as the great mountainous
regionsof the
yet no
country has produced nobler or brainier
on

which

has

men.

When
mill

barefooted

my
of the mountaineers.

the Mecca

was

old grist
grandfather's

boy

They gathered there

religion,and to drink

rainy days to talk politicsand

"mountain
Wheezer
a
was
tall,
dew," and fight. Adam
spindle-shankedold settler,as dark as an Indian, and he wore
a
broad, hungry grin that always grew broader at the sight of
fat sheep. The
most
a
prominent trait of Adam's
character,
stood
his
love
of
his
He
next
in the
to
bravery.
mutton, was
mill one
day with his empty sack under his arm, as usual, when
Bert
Linch, the bully of the mountains, with an eye like a
and said:
walked
to him
"Adam, you've
rooster's,
up
game
the

on

bin a-slanderin'
seized Adam

He

like

tossed
door

Bert
like

prong

opened his

whale.

of

through

like

away

his

mouth

the

knocked

and

grand father's
burst

He

is the
Bert

from

dog

has

the

door

his first

was

of

it

as

house,

spouted meal
and libertyand
of the mill
hat

plug

the

the meal

it

he shot out

hands

dry

under

enemy.

and

one

He

ran

He

he went.

quarter of

made

mile

away,

covered with meal

sitting-room,
horse,frighteningmy grandmother
and
old lady screamed
shouted,
Adam?"

matter,

Linch

is down

Adam

replied,

to
yonder a-tryin'

raise

me."

every

preached
began

world

there 'durned'

But

It

the

fuss with

breath

thrashin'."

into the

panting like a bellowsed

almost
into hysterics. The
"That

him

squalland

to

surge for
feather.
Then

and

in

backed

tail in

coat

the creek

the hill.

"What

and

rocket, leaving his old, battered

bee line for my

on

made

He

a-gwine to give you

the throat

by

Adam

spout.

an' I'm

of me,

sermon

his ministrations

his

day.

of the mill
in

that

with

Brother
on

"neck

the

Billy

Patterson

following Sunday.

of the

woods," and

he

powerful discourse,hurling his

againstSatan and sin and every kind of wickedness.

He denounced
whiskey. He branded the bully as a brute and a
his batmoral coward, and impersonated Bert, having witnessed
anathemas

LECTURES

92

world, I
which
him

looked

up

give

it

toot

an' I seed

knocked

that

parson,

you

awav

her

he mout

"

feet to

help her

down.

Don't

set

a-hearn

toot

''WAMPER-JAW'''
The
the

sideboard

Prohibition

his blazin'

me

of those

candidate

AT

into the

lips,and
fence

cut

Christendom.

The

an'

corner

the

said

meeting. We all know

trumpet." The old man's wife
out, and

husband
you
or

said:

"Now,

word

dispute John's

that

two."

THE

good old
of today

JOLLIFICATION.

times

would

into

spasms.
full of the juicesof corn

most

I beam

in this

glassdecanters
apple. The old 'Squire of the mill "deestrict"
sweet
buzzing friends as any flower garden or

with

trumpet,

ground." "Tut-tut,"

the very taters out'n the

"Don't talk that way
old parson.
you didn't hear Gabriel blow his
to

TAYLOR

raise his silver

Gabriel

shuck

jumped

L.

fiftyfeet long,to

about

was

ROBERT

OF

industrious

bee

that

thrown

have
It
and
had
cider
sucked

sparkled
rye
as

and

many

press
at

in
the

reached
His mouth
"Wamper-Jaw."
red as verinlaid with huge gums
and was
milion,
as
from
to ear
ear
of lightning.
and when
he laughed it had the appearance
re-election to his
On
the triumphant day of the 'Squire's
when
lovely and "the goose hung
great office,
every thing was
by a largecrowd of his fellow-citizens ;
high,"he was surrounded
looked
and
Thomas
Jefferson, in his palmiest days, never
attired
He
was
grander than did the 'Squire on this occasion.
the choicest product of his wife's
in his best suit of homespun
stripes,
dye pot. His immense
vest, with its broad, luminous
like the lines of
checked
the rotundity of his ample stomach
of
half-finished map
latitude and longitude,and resembled
a
States.
His blue jeans coat covered his body as the
the United
the face of the great deep, and its huge collar encircled
waters
cover
the back of his head like belts of lightaround
a planet.
splitting
The
regalinghis friends with his latest side'Squire was
jokes. Old "Wamper-Jaw" threw himself back in his
denly
chair and exploded with peal after peal of laughter. But sudand said:
he looked around
"Gentulmen, my jaw's flew
out'n jint." His comrades
all over
seized him
and pulled him
the yard trying to get it back.
Finally old "Wamper-Jaw"

sideboard
'Squire's

was

old

"

VISIONS

mounted
O'Shanter

and

mule

his

with

like

rode

heels

pounding

doctor,who

to the nearest

93

DREAMS

AND

Tarn
The

miles

lived two

away.
it popped back

into
jaw a mysteriousyank and
rushed
back to join in the festivities
socket.
"Wamper-Jaw"
splitting
sidefilled again, another
at the 'Squire's. The
glasseswere
told, and another peal of laughter went
joke was
'round, when "Wamper-Jaw" threw his hand to his face and
another hasty
said:
"Gen-tul-men,she's out agin!" There was
But in the years that followed
ride for the doctor.
"Wamperdoctor

his

gave

Jaw"

was

occasions

he

How

merely

few

visions and

Fallstafiian

rise above
forever

flapsare

ear

lighted
soup bowls,whose
fat things of this

horizons

and
flesh-pots

of the

never
aspirations

of the first nitude,

magof the marching centuries!

whose

are

the

bells:

dinner

tintinnabulation

fabric of

viands
a

of the

and

vision"

"

I think
I have

seen

lived

him

at my

vanished
a

"

wreck

of these

one

champion

the

batter-cakes
he left "not

once

was

he

foretells

bells."

dinner

there

mountains

native

gluttonousdreamers.
world.
Many a time
the

are

ing
forward, listen-

inclined

The

my

life !

stars

The

What

and

there

plains of

lowest

bells, bells, bells"

of pleasure their harmony
world
a
bells,bells,bells" bells,bells,bells"

"The

In

the

on

highest,and, like
lightupon the pathway

earth, and whose

for the

dream

BELLS.

DINNER

THE

OF

dreams

hilarious

the most

his gums.

multitudes

What

On

the

reach

ever

shed their

with

showed

millions

many

aloud.

laugh

to

TINTINNABrLATION

THE

How

known

never

old

of the

eater

table,
grandfather's
"like

the
but

baseless

day,
dertook
unfortunatelyun-

behind"

"

one

voracityof his sharklike appetite,he

of an immense
for the retirement
too large a contract
doAvn his esophagus for about
It scraped its way
slice of ham.
His
inches and lodged as tightlyas a bullet in a rusty gun.
two
apple suddenly shot up to his chin, his eyes
prodigiousAdam's
protruded,and his purple neck craned and shortened by turns

in the

like

trombone

in full blast.

He

scrambled

from

the table and

LECTURES

94

pranced about the

grandfather sprang
the back

which

but

ham

the

yard
the

with

swallow."

hit,you

from

table

the

with

again

William?"

shouted

'durned'

thing'sgone

broad

old

gulp

to

soul,and

the

laid on,

experience,well

his

at

shell

place at

"Is

down,

it

Haynes,

the

glutton illustrated the

fools

Mr.

the ham."

old

pleasuresof

the sensual

down

dislodgethe

and

ham

this
hard

clapboardof

the

but

nothing

can

like

his face.

on

Winchester

room

seated

"Yes,

man.

vividlythat

the

was

grin

pleasepass

"

who, in their efforts

of

corner

he

William, when

"Now,

poi)pcdlike

it

moment

the

thought how

world, choke

the

into

mortar, but in

hit and

He

shot

William

rifle.

long and rushed into

William," said he, "get down

got down.

William

the

into

out

ran

man

dry hide,

on

in

feet

three

"Now,

it drawn.

all-fours."

your

about

plank

mallet

old

The

budge.

Avouldn't
a

of

like the blows

blow

after

blow

him

dealt

My

blind staggers.

with

horse

and

him

at

sounded

seized

room

on

and

like

room

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

the

restore

equilibrium.

PHANTOMS

little below

whose

visions and

tub.

"A

of

is crushed

cup

cheeks

of

dances

in it is

drunkard
from

the

of the drunkard
his

on

bed,

bed.

the

stupor and

and

In

I'm

the

drop

that

of

phantom

in

in the

beauty

quaff,and, with

in

the

on

that

ous
hide-

carried

of the

him

and

midnight

home

and

he

fix."

fix

"

hie. If you

awoke

ain't

of

the foot

tied it to

night

vision

laid him

his

from

monkey crouching before him.

"If you
revolver,he remarked:

devil of

devil of

still-

glows

bloomed

once

discovered the

of

good," but

the story of the

monkey

hours

for his

drunkard,

the grave.

friends

dead

monkey, you're in
"

His

procured

the

reaching around
hie

that

every

regaledwith

never

you

is

crimson

roses

of

the horizon

sake

devil; and yet millions

laugh, go staggeringto
Were

every

plane
by

for the stomach's

helplesswoman;

some

the

bounded

are

CUP.

WINE

glutton lies

dreams

little wine

tremblinghand
the

the

THE

OF

Then,
a

are

monkey

"

VISIONS

THE

95

DREAMS

AND

MISSING

LINK.

that
plane of the flrnnkard is the dnde
missing link between monkey and man, whose dream of happiness
is a singleeyeglass,a kangaroo strut, and three hours of
conversation
without
sentence
a sensible
only conception
; whose
of life is to splurge,and flirt,
and spend his father's fortune.
Out of the fullness of his heart his mouth
singeth:
A

little below

the

"I'm

"

I'm
swell
a
dandy
college can't you

"

"

from

Just

tell?

"

I'm

the

I'm

the

belle
beau
of every
swellest of the swell.

the

king

"I'm

"

all the

at

balls"
halls.

prince in banquet

I'm

My

daddy's rich

I'm

the

they

"

swellest

of

it well

know

"

swell."

the

NIGHTMARE.

for

Unhappily
there

is

dark

all the crimes

the

expulsionfrom

Julius

the

of

frightfulcomet

verge

on

of battle.
was

veiled

drank

nineteenth

hovered

emperors

stood

annihilated

the

Grand

aimlesslyabout on
fallen empire, as Hugo

vast

shattered

dream."

Army

stood

Distraught
like

and

by
the

the lost field in the

describes

him,

"the

The

the

on
sun

of

l^apoleon the

the dreadful
Old

the

but it went

power,

Waterloo, and

some

with

god

aghast.

glory and

Great, uncrowned, unthroned, and stunned

that

with

like

of

world.

and

he

clouds

was

rose

of his

kind
man-

Great

ISTapoleon
Bonaparte

and

red

cursed

conquered

horizon.

and

since

armies, like juggernauts,

centurv

empire,

the

of

its troubled

risingsun

in the

blood

the

dreamed

in shame

race

Alexander

dreams

been

have

that have

wars

his invincible

Kings

the

Here

all the

of historv.

the

of conquest

Austerlitz
down

and

and

of visions

steeped our

of fallen nations.

morninsr

dream

Eden,

marched

Caesar

the necks

over

have

sword

whose

monster

which

birth

the

since

life.

side to human

out

world

the

all,in

us

Guard,

gloom

that

somnambulist

shock
dered
wan-

palled
of

96

LECTURES

L.

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

INFIDELITY.

of

It is in the desert
where

where

is of

of life ; all there

span

virtue

faith is

trembles

tread,

to

crucified,that the infidel

is bounded

all there is of heaven

him

To

dreams.

by

falters and

hope

evil,where

pleasureand

by

this little

love is circumscribed

fleetingyears; all there is of beauty is mortal; all

and wisdom
of intelligence
is in the human
brain; all
of mystery and infinityis fathomable
son;
reaby human

few

there

is

there

is
and

is of virtue

all there

him

bv

is measured
end

the relations

of

in the

"tonguelesssilence
of the dreamless
dust," and all that lies beyond the grave is a
voiceless shore and a starless sky. To him there are no prints
of deathless feet on
thrill of immortal
its echoless sands, no
has lost his God, and, like some
music
in its joylessair. He
fallen seraph flying in raylessnight, he gropes
his way
on
flaggingpinions,searchingfor lightwhere darkness reigns,for
to

man

To

man.

life where

death

is

all must

king.

THE

I have

wondered

DEEAM

thousand

GOD.

OF

times

if

an

infidel

ever

looked

through a telescope.The universe is the dream of God and the

heavens
declare his glory. There is our
mighty sun, robed in
the brightnessof his eternal fires,
and with his planetsforever
Yonder
wheeling around him.
are
Mercury and Venus, and
there is Mars, the ruddy globe,whose polesare white with
snow,
and

whose

Who

other

knows

flowers ?

but

Who

by

is the

belted

and

there is

knows

of

of

with

and

seas

color is

only

continents.

the blush

be

of his

habited
Paradise,inby sin,untouched
by death ?
Jupiter,the champion of the skies,

vapor

lightand

Uranus, another

yet another

with

but that Mars

giant orb

prodigiouscircle

space.

and

now

may

the
In

clouds; and

jeweled with

the outer

eight ruddy

journey
rim

lonely Neptune
the

Saturn, haloed
moons

immeasurable

of

around

our

walks

the

and

sun;

system, and
the cold, dim

depths beyond

and

in the

stupendous world, speeding on

of his tireless

orbit cuts

gloomy pathway
of

that his roseate

sashed

bands

dotted

seem

blessed race, unsullied

There

with

zones

on

its
tudes
soli-

appear

VISIONS

millions
a

of

suns

thousand

of

of

suns

the

of

forms

ellipses,and

and

silver

palest
The

and

"

the

from

countless
these

systems

speeding

belt

that

white

and

sparkles

his

gulf

like

mighty

life

there

no

sails

there

Are
with

ours

cannot

not,

life

universe

no

Where

those

on

be,
is

is

to

love

be

dream,

human

flaunting

our

own

Oh,

where

lie.

of

no

seas,

walk
of

all those
there

experience

of

those

light,no
mighty
is
is

God

of

germs

are

us

been

has

the

is

heavens
of

stars

holds

suns

the

out

What

how

many

of

bounds

God?

in

this

And

spheres
wings

to

radiant

orbs

Are

cleave

If

share

to

in

phantom,

is

fields

hearts

in

circling

now

throng

summer

Surely

are

light ?

of

us

does,

ours

are

all this

of

river

these

dream

this

floods

holds

which

it cannot

like

wreaths

years.

is

of

each

to

to

spans

It

as

divine

those

see

planets,

in

far-away
forms

no

if

ends

intelligence

eyes

that

worlds

of

crystal airs,

those

of

concourse?

and

no

diamonds
and

system

conception?

there

of

cles,
cir-

"

the

them

which

Way

light

from

million

two

Milky

suns,

removed

from

What

standing

suns,

far

samers
gos-

morn.

spiral

of

we

flecked

dewy

of

contains

comes

If

are

the

that
so

than

the

of

innumerable

Divine

which

Sahara

and

more

call

we

millions

multiplied
that

for

stream

grasp

light

millions

and

hues

phantoms

I say

crown

space.

phantoms

Did

matter

be;

to

yet

its way

on

into

them

quadruple

at

shields, and

they

are

white-hot

the

that

suns

it is

what

of

oceans

and

and

like

fields

our

those

among

crowns,

resolves

telescope

dot

the

walls

light,

black

like

stellar

black

in

us

the

gorgeous

of

filmy

that

trace

we

their

star, the

of

patches

spider's loom

the

beautiful

distant

of

triple

frontier

the

on

most

innumerable

and

commingling

colors

reach

not

sparkle

that

double

could
curtains

the

spangling

are

archangels

like

beyond

with

It

There

different

flaming
look

God.

light

constellations

the

shine

their

that

There,

years.

profound,
jewels

distant

so

97

DREAMS

AND

place
there
and

is
the

am

is my

King.

universe.

The

tremble

stars

the

in my
are

and

with

throw

between

walk

in

sweet

solitudes.

all the

the

glow

bright

shadowy

glance

in

spring

from

and
The

me.

glossy
and

for

me;

the

lips of

to

herald

glory,

my

dreamy

"Long

sing
I
brook
are

of
all the

with
souls

me,
are

their

valleys

live

the

King!"

and

whose
in

love

my

on

the

with

beat
the

the

for

in the

palace

of

brink

of

river

of Adam
to

beautiful.

grant
fra-

pastures,
with

milk

stolen

from

banners

to

of

while

gold
the

away

curtain

the

that

brush

the

all the

birds

that

that

joyous wings
and

for

and

purple mysteries

groves

notes

time

hounds

their

love

leafy bowers,

daughters

hearts

flaunt

royal

the

burdened

their

cool, green

all

I dwell

laughter,
sons

the

sweetest

King.

hills unfold

of

princely

my

honey,

me

that

sound

leads

green

with

to

deer

the

for

gaily

from

lips

wild

at

and

blossoms,

my

The

fields,where

warble
am

sweeten

covert

crag

glint and

that

the

bellowing

my

the

fluttering to

come

clover

in

All

uniform

and

hours

summer

glimmering
air

of

singing

trout

and

from

and

their

mine,

are

minstrels

game

lowing

come

flowers.

the

shout:

and

bees

the

for

major

breath

the

with

red

in his

herds

crag

tangled

imperial

my

fox

cliff to

speckled

of

gloam

there

pools.

and

copse

drum

plays

and

that

and

gardens,

the

in

sand
thou-

on

to

view

landscapes

bubble

wandering

unseen,

are

flowered

rest

from

leap

brimming

old

sly

that

my

blush

shady

The

band,

are

horn

springs

that

streams

to

and

and

sleep

royal hanging

my

and

I love

down

and

graze

and

glory

their
the

that

timid

the

domes

look

or

and

highways,

my

purple

angels,

fruited

are

thousand

hunter's

sport.

of

gorge

whose

flocks

the

seas

All

born

of flowers

the

All

the

on

are

jostle the

and

earth

pleasure,

my
oceans

the

at

peaceful

hills.

sunny

for

The

temples,

my
kisses

the

rapture

swing

presence.

the

upon

world

lines ; the

boundary

no

foot

my

gives light

sun

mountains

stand

to

I stamp

kingdom.

hath

realm

My

SONG

AND

LAUGHTER,

LOVE,

me.

the

love, by the brawling

of

equal Kings
Nature's
There

and

music
is

And

song.

crown

and

so

Queens
whose
of

sun-

LECTURES

102

shine

brow

for every

by day, a

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

of stars

coronet

by night.

the heavens

angels of lighthover above us all,and arch

and bring from the
of hope for all,
the rainbow
of the clouds the sparklingchampagne of pure
dreams
bless the lipsof all. All the delightful

The
with

vineyards
crystalwater to
that spread their
wings above the horizon of the heart, all the gloriousthoughts
of the brain, all the jubileesof
the heaven
that fly out from
joy that crowd the circlinghours of mortal life,are the regal
the royal heritageof all. There
are
giftsof God to mankind
there is beauty which defies
than were
ever
sung,
songs sweeter
vapory

"

the brush

even

of

the

saw

tiptoeon the
darkness of night.
hide

in her

them

Then

her reach

saw

bosom,

and

and

deep

tribute

of

with

throbbed

forest

of

for

all.

us

crimson

bow,
at the vanishing
gather the stars

up and
bend
down

then

straws

and

me

and

tickle

lighttillit woke with laughter

A thousand
and with song.
bugle calls from the rosy fires
her coming; a thousand
of the east heralded
smiling meadows
kissed her garments as she passed, and ten thousand
laughing
waved
flower
the
heart
their
of the
flagsto greet her;
gardens
the

slumbering world

for

shoot sunbeams

and

horizon

and

you

purple quiver

with

Morning,

stand

and

Raphael, for

of

bird

and

song,

welcome.

the

bright

life and

Young
rippled a melody
love,
radiant with hope and sparklingwith the dewdrops of exultant
hand
in hand, tripping and dancing in her shining
joy, came
train,and I wished that the morning might last forever.
waters

the

saw

splendor of

rival the
I

saw

her fillher

dreams,

and

lullabyon
her

again.
fell
the

The

asleep;

the dawn

dipper full

then

her

slipback

her silver crescent

Evening hang

wrap

lips,rock
to

the

gardens furled
of the

the

glory of

dewdrops

shadows

the weary

the horizon

the songs

of

with

of the

and

world

morning

the
the

sky, and
twilight;

her basket

full of

her, and,

with

rest; then

around

their flower

deep

on

to

and

saw

steal the stars

flags,and

forest melted

the meadows

into

sighs,and

melancholy waters
whispered a pensive good-night to the
drowsy birds and sleepyhollows. Life and Love, with a halo of
departing day upon their brows and the starlighttangled in
their hair, walked
in arm
the gathering shadows
arm
among
and wove
all the sweet memories
of the morning into their happy

LAUGHTER

LOVE,

evening
So,

I wished

and

song,

The

that

mornings

Till

SONG

the

the

come,

locks

raven

AND

evening might
evenings

white

turn

are

dream

His

within

looms

mighty

which

on

tint the earth

dreams.

The

dumb;

he

the

weaves

lightfor a moment
stop, let their
fly,and instantlythis beautiful world
and beauXy blighted,
with all its mirth
lie naked

dead

and

the cold bosom

on

human

it is with

stars

His

are

shadows

that
looms

let those

But

cease

to

all its bloom

of ours, with

hushed, would
eternal night.
and its
its spiritlooms

and
of

ings
even-

thoughts,

blissful shuttles

It hath

life.

; the

His

lightsand

colors divine.

sky with

and

God

and

sun

of

So

come,

mornings are the rapturous thoughts of

think within
We
His gloriousdreams.

The

and

go,

steals the stars in vain.

steals them
back again.

morning
evening

For

end.

never

snow;

as

The
evenings go, the mornings
Till hearts are
still and
lips are
The

TO3

music

throbbing shuttles forever deliveringto the warp and woof of

the shining threads of human
kindness,and
hope and memory
webs
of love around
hearts
our
weaving them into gossamer
and in our
homes.
Every tender word we speak,every blessing
into somebody's life;
we
bestow, is a thread of sunshine woven
from
and all the smiles and sympathies which
other
to us
come
hearts are threads of lightand love woven
into our
But
own.
let the loom

of love for

stop, let its blissful shuttle

moment

fly,and that moment

happiness will lie
and laughter will perish among
the
hea^'thstone
to

cease

dead

on

at

roses

the
the

door.
and

Ladies

Laughter
taking root

and

gentlemen, I
Song," because

in the

have

named

they

are

the

speech "Love,
my
all in all of life,

heart, blossomingin beauty

breathingthe fragranceof happiness in

All

are

men

chariot
and

the

Kings, but

rumbles

sighing millions

Love
the

over

are

every
is King of

of sweat

commerce

in mute

but

Kings.
of

worshipers.

haughty head before his throne and

the reverent
and gold; labor bends
folds its snowy
eloquent adoration

pays
knee

wings
; and

lips,and

home.

cobblestones

his

the

on

His

human

rial
impehearts,

Wealth

bows

its

w^ith jewels
penance
and counts
its beads
and
art

kneels

on

lows
the bil-

chisels down

the

LECTURES

104

breathless

beauty forth, a

TAYLOR

L.

shapelessmarble,

of

prison walls

oold, white

ROBERT

OF

Love.

to

prayer

dumb

leads

and

only despot against whose tyranny no nation

rebels ; his yoke is the twining of tender arms, and the crack
ever
Love
kiss.
is a regal anarchist; he
of his whip is a guileless
of mirth
bombshells
climbs the ladder of laughter and throws
Love is a royal minstrel ; he scales
into the palaceof the heart.
is the

Love

harp stringsof

the

the

on

The

on

dimples

Love, and

of

tracks

rides

lariat,lassoes

the golden-rodsand
among
the telltale
in the chin of Mirth
are

lurks

he

Love

soul.

down

strollinglovers and leads them

clover blossoms.

the

his silken

and, with
butterflies,

of

wings

serenades

and

song

the

among

that

roses

bloom

Beauty's cheek.
anarchist; Love

is

Love

is

Love
Love

is
is

Love

loves

the palace, and

Love
Love

loves

the

timid, and

loves

the

children, and

Love

loves

the

Love

loves the sweetheart, and

O, what

an

minstrel; Love

a
a

Love

banker;

is

to

King;
sing;

tramp;

Love

the

loves

Love

loves

Love

where

moonlight

the old;
verflow;

loves

loves

Love

camp

bold;

the

hearts

magician, and

wonderful

loves

beau.

the

what

tyrant King is

Love, the King of Kings !

and

on

the business
in

millions
knotted
and

faces in the offices and

at the careworn

Look

the

muscles

calloused

and

There

They

are

the innocent.

Love

hath

life there is

glow

of

labor finds its sweet

brook

of

vibrant

The

streams

Toil takes his

run

the

dry

gold to

mighty
his

power

moving

on

those

of the

heart, and

in every

name

has been

King

in the purple

yonder

dissolve

millions

and

vanish

obeyed, and

palace of Love, by

the brink

the brawling

of the river of song.

palace crumbles

other

the
and

brows

beaded

[N'ow look

in the

when

at

reaping for the helplessand

and

the

law

reward

soon

written

laughter,on

But, O, how

is

How

yonder

out

hands, coiningthought into gold

love story.

eventide.

the shadows

among

; look

fields,with

sowing

restless tides.

in every

and

factories

into silver.

sweat

of the world

marts

counting rooms

Labor

shrines !

leaves

And

how

surelythe

his task undone

or

Love,

home.

The

delivers

shuttle

bread, and

spend

and

day

thread; you

the

be

must

evenings at

your

deliver

must

the

butter.

with

the bobbins

grease

motion, you

of love in

If you would
keep the loom
flyingshuttle of industryby

105

song

and

laughter

always in its place. Art thou, O King?

into the
out
the light is smiling thorugh the window
When
darkness, and thy home is ringing with the laughterand song
of children within, art thou there to laugh and sing with them ?
And
when
the baby cries in the dead hours of the night,dost
thou meekly wear
thy yoke of love and walk the floor and
sweetlysing to thy screaming progeny ? What dost thou sing,
Is this the song?
O King, as thou walkest?
The

is

shuttle

"Baby, baby, dance,

Down

he

goes,

up

darling baby!

my

he

goes.

!
Ninety times as high as the moon
Baby, baby, dance, my darling baby !
cake and
shall dine on
You
wine,
And

eat

with

silver spoon

"
"

that rocker!"

"Confound
Alas!

often thou

too

champagne flows,and

art

found

night is very,

the

the

where

sherryglows
O

very merry,

King

and
!

gentleman vanish from his labors to a

carousal one
evening,and that night he went home as drunk as
with unsteady steps and slow,dreading the storm within,
a lord,
and softlysinging to himself as he went:
I

"I wish

The
met

him

wife

my

was

angel, far, far away."

an

Queen of the household, who

the door with

at

clock struck
you

old

truant

saw

and

one

home

come

to

me

face like

she struck
at

two

this hour

had
a

been

tomahawk

drawn
as

nursing her
"How

he entered.

of the

rage,

; and

the
dare

night?"she shouted,

in her anger.

"Why,

my
meetin',an' I

"Yes,
Look

at

dear, it was jis'ten o'clock

home."
come
rightstraight

prayer

the hands

meeting!
on

You

look

the dial of that

I left prayer

when

like prayer

clock;it

has

one!"
(7)

......

meeting!
just struck

I06

"Well,

now,

LECTURES

OF

ROBERT

madam,"

he

said,"if

husband, that's all

have
I

found

not

the
find

expected to

on

the thread

And

believe

to

propose

you

you'llbelieve your
right; but I shall certainlythink that I
amiable
spiritin this palace of love which

little dollar-and-a-half

durned

TAYLOR

L.

clock

before

arrival."
my
of love popped, and

the

loom

stopped for

several hours.

of

the influence

under
wife

old

uncrowned

An

and

in the door

let him

why

King went to his

King Alcohol,as

do you

he

"Why,"

burst

home

come

little palace one

usual.

band,
"Husdition?""^
con-

urally
pretty that I jistnat-

so

are

this drunken

night in

said,"my dear, you

said

and

into tears

every

His

night
unhappy

love to look at you double!"

skirted
I saw
a little slipperedand

dream

of

beauty with
tiny hanging garden

curls,peeping out from under the

sunny
in the
of a summer
hat, and romping and frollicking

ecstasy of

full of roses, her lips

happy morning. Her cheeks were
full of song.
The
full of laughter,and her heart was
were
the horizon
of her
little winged god of love stood tiptoe on
hearts ; and
at throbbing
delightful
eyes and shot golden arrows
life's

all who

within

came

The

morning

never

folded

of those

range

kissed

never

in its

arms

face

fell dead

arrows

"

in love.

beautiful;the evening

more

fairer form.

Her

life

was

less
end-

an

and

of sunshine

pleasure. She flitted like a fairy

and love stories
the poppies and pansies,and read poems
among
her happy companions,
under
the spreading trees, or, with
shouted
with girlishglee,and gathered ferns and violets and
the twitteringbluebirds
into garlands among
them
and
wove
bells down
by the riverside in the deep-tangled
tinklingcow
chain

wildwood.
And
darkness

when

the

brooded

sylvan carnival of the day had ended

like a gentlespirit
the world, there
over

lightsin the window^s

and

luminous

lanterns

in summer
jubilantthrong of dreams
lipped dreamers in pantaloonsassemble

dresses,and

with
all

hearts

attuned

aglow with
stringsbeneath

to

the

lyricsof

joy. Then I saw

the smiling roof

and

love

her

on

the lawn.

crowed

and

sweep
of home
and

were

saw

do^vny-

around

levityand
the

and

vibrant

tangle its

her,
faces

harp
tender

I08

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

''Lo'd bless my soul ! Jis' look at dat chile wid dat harp in
"De
'er han'!"
he shouted,as the melody died away.
snows
of seventy winters is on
dis ol' head of mine; but when
she

strings,she strikes all de chords of dis ol' heart

me
ag'in. De blossoms of eighteensummers
young
'er cheeks tonight,but it seems
is on
only yistiddywhen she
ol' wife,
little baby gal playin'aroun' de knees of my
a
was
Chloe, who sleepsout yonder on de hill close by de spot whar
ol' mistis sleeps. Don't you remember, honey, how yo' ol' black
used to take you on her lap an' tell you stories about
mammy
An'
till yo' little eyes got big as sassers?
de ol' bugger man
rabbits for yo' out uv
how she used to make
don't you remember
de wall wid her ban's,
de handkerchief,an' fro' shadows
on
an' rock you
'er
to sleep on
an' sing de ol'-time lullabies,
mo' black mammies
bosom
now;
every night? Dey ain't no
Chloe
is
an'
since
dem
died,honey,
yit,ever
happy days
gone;
a-rockin'
de
I'se been
yo' in
purple cradle uv my heart. But
dem
sweeps
an' makes

to stop rockin' some

a-gwyne
days. Some uv dese days de chariot of de Lo'd's gwjme
home
to de
low, an' den yo' Uncle Rastus is gwyne

de ol' worn-out

cradle's

folks an' to Chloe."

"Swing
Swing
And

I think

that

low,
low,

And

sweet
sweet

there

was

he bowed

his head

chariot,coming for
chariot,coming for
a

tear

stain

on

to

carry

to

carry

and
me
me

the cheek

uv

to

dese

swing-

ol' white

softlysang:
home;
home."

of Merriment

night.

But

the

dewdrops of

the

last long in the

evening cannot
lad from the outer rim
presence of the morning. A thoughtless
of the crowd threw a very ripe tomato.
It struck Uncle Rastus
the upper
walled his
on
lip and stuck. The old man
square
few times and shouted
with great dignity: "Lookey
a
eyes
! I's a great mind
'madus
to carry dis heah
hear,young man
This untimely
jistwhar it sets an' show it to yo' father!"
incident came
Avithin a hair's breadth
of eliminating Uncle
Rastus from the revelryof the evening; but a few more
quarters
pacifiedthe old man, and, yieldingto the clamors of the eager
de occasion wid a few variations
throng,he agreed to "dismember
de programme,
uv
jis'to pleasedat chile wid de harp in
'er ban'."
"Childun," he began, "dis is a strange ol' world we
lives in. De poor gitsrich,an' de rich gitspoor; de lean gits

fat,an' de fat gitslean

de way;
to git out
iiv
quitslaughin'to weep;
de fox

an' de wolf.

git 'im
wells
wid

drink

what
buckets

some

an'

goes

bucket

an' dar

him;

help in de bottom uv
around,, an' he heard
head

his

de

over

an'

Brudder
Fox

asked

Brudder

pulley,
bucket

one

Wolf

down

went

de

screamin'

for

a-prowlin'
a-screamin',an' he poked

Brudder

'Fishin' !' shouted

fish.'

de

uv

Fox, he jumped into de

drink, an'
paddlin' aroun'

well.

kind

here

over

viiiz

Brudder

well

a-doin' do^vn. dar.

well's full

de

chain

Brudder

he

dese

uv

night to

one

chain; an' when

git him

to

one

de

uv

de well

to

it, an'

down.

up

went

was

over

ends

goes up, de other

bucket
what
was
wid

Fox
It

pulley

boaf

on

IO9

gitsold,an' de old has to die

quits weepin' to laugh, an' some
it's jis'like Uncle Remus's
story uv

Brudder

SONG

; de young

of water.

has

AND

LAUGHTER

LOVE,

was

Fox

Brudder

what

Fox.

he

was

'Dis hear

'I loves fish myself.'

say:
Fox say, ^gitin dat bucket,Brudder
'Well, den,'Brudder
Wolf,
down.'
an' come
Brudder
Wolf
hopped into de bucket an'
uv

started

down, an' Brudder

an' as dey passed on

up

to

Brudder
'roun'

goes

An'

Wolf, wid
an'

goes

keerful

Fox
de

it is wid

Brudder

dis world

goes

up

de

hearts

Fox

Wolf,

an'

some

courtship,childrun.

de

gittin'in

an' started

some

prowlin' aroun'

about

hopped in his bucket

halfway ground, Brudder

grin: ^\h,

'roun',and

dat's de way

what

Wolf

say

down.'

goes
De

man
young
de girlshad better be

uv

dar's liable to be

bucket, case

fox

well,an' somebody's a-gwyne to git dro^vnded sho'. It's

an' politics.Dis world
jist'zactlyin love like it is wid religion
in de

goes

'roun'

an'

And

Uncle

Rastus

wonderful
human

'roun',an'

dey

flowers

wise

very

lion is de

De

correspondsto de

"

goes

correspondence 'twixt

race.

garden

looked

some

an' roots
breaks

lion is

up

into

king

all de
the

up

animal
de

uv

among

men

flowers,an'

garden

; de

heart

some

uv

yallerdog
"

like de bear

to hurt

you

"

sho'.'*

all bark
you

an'

no

"Dar's

hog

de

de
dat

man

into de

breaks

jis'like de hog

an' roots
de

an'

kingdom

dar's folks

of de

do\vn,"

goes

forest,an'

like
happiness; den dar's some
mad
an' buttin' dey heads ag'in'de
a-gittin'
like de

some

he continued

as

de

king

an'

all de

up

billygoat

"

wall ; an' dar's

alius
some

bite; an' den, ag'in,dar's

better lef him

alone, case

he's a-gwyne

LECTURES

no

And

illustrate this

to

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

proposition,Uncle

story of Uncle

Nicodemus

and

Nicodemus

was

a-wipin'out

his ol' rifle one

said to him

'What

you

bear.

the

He

told

said:

day, an'

the

"Uncle

Aunt

do, ISTicodemus V

to

a-gwyne

Rastiis

Dina

'AVhat

an' fetch you

in de woods
to do ? I'se a-gwyne
out heah
gwyne
bear for supper.' 'Yes, you's a-gwyne
to fetch me
a
a
bear;
rabbit or a
a
you'lldo scrimpscious well ef you fetches me
'possum.' An', sho' nuf," he said,"Uncle ISTicodemus went out
into de woods; an', to his distonishment, he met
a
bear, an'
blazed away
his ol' rifle an' wounded
at 'im wid
'im, an' de
infuriated animal
tuck after Uncle
Nioodemus, an' de ol' man
out of de w^oods shoutin' at de top of 'is voice :
come
'Open de
Dina
Aunt
door, Dina; open de door!'
opened de door, an'
^icodemus
on

de

darted

bed

in, an' she slammed

screamin'

like

to fetch

will

home

come

chickens

will

"Well, which
black

chicken

'What's

home

over

she

was

said.

could

git 'is

laughin' at, Dina?'

you
'Nicodemus
said he was
a-

de bear

fotch him

roost," said the old

to

come

Nicodemus

Uncle

as

bear,an'

me

fell

pant'eran' laughin' like

into fits. As soon

a-gwyne
bref, he riz up an' said:
'Bless de Lo'd!' Aunt
Dina
gwyne

it to, an' den

!'

man.

De

chickens

"Yes, sir,de

roost."

to

do you like the best

the white chicken or
Uncle
Rastus ?" interrupteda mischievous
"

"

the
lad

in the crowd.

"Well, it's dis

"De

white

with a grin.
way, childun,"said the old man,
chicken
is de easiest chicken
to locate on
de roost

after

dark, but de black chicken

'im.

I believes I
"N^ow

and

prefersde

after you

old-time

this is the song

he sang:

Langshang."
darky song!" shouted

the

"Nicodeimis,

the slave, was

of African
birtli,
lived long ago
old.
very
He was
reckoned
as
part of the salt of the earth,
And
was
bought for a bag full of gold.
'Twas
his last sad request when
laid him to rest
we

And

he

In

de

Wake

me

trunk
up

of

old

an

in de

morn

hollow
tree,
de broke
of de day;

at

Wake
to de great jubilee.
me
up
Dar's a good time comin'; it's almost
here;
'Twas
long, long, long on de way.

Oh,

run

Meet
And

me

and
at

wake

tell
de

Elijah

gum

gits

black

an

sing us

is de easiest hid

tree

Nicodemus

to

wake

down

Unc
in de

today !"

Pomp!
swamp,

revelers,

Uncle

AND

LAUGHTER

LOVE,

vanished,but the looms

laughter and song never

Rastus

the shuttles

of

lamps

out

went

in the windows

and

III

SONG

of love
ceased

wove

fly until

to

the lanterns

and

on,

the

dark

were

on

the la^vn.
The
in the

clock struck

two, and

the

boys

with

home

went

the

girls

morning.

tollingof distant bells.

The
evening of death had stolen the stars of hope from the
bosom
of the morning; the angels had
slipped in under the
that swept the
smiling roof and stolen a gentlespirit
; the hands
harp stringswere
silent,and the
cold,the lips that sang Avere
dazed and desolate youth who
had won
her heart and promise
He
left the grave in despair to drink his sorrow
true
away.
drank
until his face grew
purple and fortune melted away;
into
he drank until his body trembled
and his clothingcrumbled
The

rags; he
the door

drank
of

until

home;

heard

frenzied

and

the

old father

mournful

the

his idol from

drove

rolled

years

The

on.

changed again. A tramp aimlesslyplodded his weary

out in the wide, wide
world, with no shelter but the sky,

scene

way
no

changed.

scene

friend
Did

door

Mother

ever

you

see

Earth.

beg a benediction
this wandering boy

"

of

not

of

and

love, but

for love ?

"somnambulist

the

was

tramping by

tramp

to

cared
He

but

His

of bread

heart

at

your

"What

in the grave.
a
dream;" he was

shattered

pausing
was

in rags, a seedy poem,

a tattered
song, crumpled by the
of fate and thrown
basket of oblivion.
into the waste
His

romance

hand
life

was

endless

an

stroll,and

he

was

the

of many
haymow and the sweet forget-me-not
of the woodpile and
the fragranttouch-me-not
stood

knee

days will

deep

again."

come

of the summer's
He

sister in

The

old

butter

up

one

and

Israel,and

said:

of winter

snow

He

toiled

over

"Young

and

asked

many
; he

the

garden.

it."

was

He

"Summer

sang:

to

the home

for

give you

crags

of
of

something

cold

snow.

to

good
eat.

and
lightbread,

this for

humanity's

"Well, madam," he said,"for the Lord's sake put

on

the cross-ties in the heat

humbly
out a largeslice of
man,

of

kitchen

and
sighed for icebergs

bright afternoon

lady passed him

solemnly
sake."

sun

sidled

old

in the

smile

little

LECTURES

112

halted

He

at

kill all the rats

rainy day and proposed to

the place for his dinner,
"Very well," said
bargain." He called his neighborsin to see

on

farmer; "it's

the

killing. The

on

hour; and

an

spade. Seating himself

his shoulder
the spade over

rats

your

for

he raised

fetch

"Now

one

ate

tramp

finished,he called for

of the room,

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

farmhouse

the

OF

stopped at an old fellow's door

and smilinglyproposed to put
dentist,
fresh apple pie for nothing.
hove

he had
and

to at

kidnapped

offered

both.

to

"All

his

at

Carlo ?"
made

dog

And

him

hands

the

and

of

say:

the

cowhide

and

told him

good

ate

and

said:

here

fool me."

to

from

dog

he threw

in the middle
shouted

he

was

set of teeth

in

tavern, leading a pug

undertake

tramps

ate, while

down

the

right,"said

talks when
and

make

talk, for I have

him

make

his

on

had

dog which
He
was
a superb ventriloquist,
way.
for
dog talk for a good warm
supper
the tavern
keeper, "but be sure you

cross-roads

he

!"

He

He

when

waiter

"How

do

which
The

sometimes

at his feet.

lookers-on

were

lifted

in

you

not

much

looked

He

like your
his voice into the mouth
of the

"Plenty of bone, but

smiled

tramp

supper.
dog and

meat."

astonishment.

The
"How

much

will you
take for that dog?"
keeper. "I don't want to sell him,"

eagerly asked the tavern

repliedthe tramp, busily
eating. "I'll give you fiftydollars for him," said the tavern
keeper. The tramp dropped his knife and fork,and feigned to
and said with a sigh: "You
will have to take him, old
weep,
man.
Fifty dollars is a fortune to me, but I would almost
rather die than to part with
counted
dog." The money was
my
The tramp handed
out.
the tavern
keeper the stringand started
for the door.
The
the
tavern
to follow,but
dog undertook
keeper held tight to the string. The tramp threw his voice
back into the mouth
of the dog as he departed and made
him
sold me, have
"You've
you?"
"Yes, Carlo," said the
say:
tramp ; "we must part ; good-by,good-by." "All right,"said the
with you both; I'll never
dog; "I'll get even
speak another
durned word while this old fool's got me."
And
the chuckling
tramp vanished
His
anchor

in the darkness.

fiftydollars
in

melted

little town

away that night,and he next dropped

and walked
into a little grocery
store,

where

they
him

handed

"Will

and

me

you

have

please take the

drink of whisky in
; and

said the groceryman

The

poured

tramp

started

the cheese and

cheese and

can

"Certainly,"

their stead ?"

the counter.

on

drank

it

down, and

"you haven't
give you back

the

groceryman;
I
Didn't
I did.

me

for the

"I never
the groceryman.
got 'em, did
"That's so,"said the puzzledgroceryman
;

crackers,"said

I ?" said the tramp.

"you

back

crackers

"Well, but you didn't pay

crackers ?"

and

minute, and

and

cheese

half full and

tumbler

them

of

worth

cheese

off the

cut

at

dime's

the bottle out

set

on," said
whisky." "Yes

for that

paid

he

"Hold

out.

called for

groceryman
looked
He

crackers.

the

said:
let

The

crackers.

and

cheese

whisky also,and

sold

113

SONG

AND

LAUGHTER

LOVE,

I don't

go, but

trade any

to

care

with

more

you,

my

friend."
And
out

tramped on
skirtingwoods

the tramp

through

the

Shorthorns
grass, where
played. On he tramped

blue
and
until

the

Evening

moon

rose

unfurled

and
her

in the
and

gTazed and

and

led him
fields of

cantered

farmhouses,

rags, and the

flag" that bears a million

his tatters

blue

horses

race

by thriftyfarms

silvered

"bonnie

dusty road,which
down
by shadowy

and

tramped, listeningto the katydid'slonesome song

and
and many
bark, catchingglimpsesnow
a watchdog'shonest
startled
then of lightsin the darkness, and shrinkingback when
he tramped,
the bushes by the roadside;on
birds darted from
stars;

on

he

of a tree before the

length he halted in the shadow
door of a happy country home, and, looking through the open
and Contentment
Love
he saw
into the lightedroom,
window
with
smiling faces, rocking to and fro, while Laughter and
until

at

Song

rolled and

tumbled

on

the floor.

It

was

his eyes and soul the

reflecting
upon
happy childhood,too bright,too beautiful,to
there weeping and sobbing in the night,like a
of heaven.
through the lightedwindow

memory

O, memory,

hast power
listen ; but thou canst

memory,

thou

mirror

scenes

of his

last ; and
lost

of

maze

own

he stood

spiritpeering

to lift the veil and

let

lead us back into

not
spiritlook and
All thy songs are
phantoms;
the fairylandof vanished years.
The melancholy tramp was
all thy faces and forms are dreams.
and dreaming ; and while he dreamed
only looking,and listening,
he heard the soft strains of a love song floatingout like the
the

LECTURES

114

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

air,which thrilled him and

He
with
its melody.
slipped under the
to call him
seemed
dow,
of another
shadow
tree, and, looking through the parlor wintiful
beaua
beheld a lover,with face all aglow, bending over
of flowers

incense

the

on

summer

girl,Avho played and

refrain

tell

and

wiped another
thought of lips that
and

that

songs

the tree

as

the

this

the sweet

was

the lovers

and

"Light

of

I love

I love

you,

I love

I love

3'ou,

air

the maudlin

in

hand, to

the

he swung

his hat

love song

gentle zephyrs sigh:

the

you.

drunk

was

where

bring:

echoes

danced;

love; the tipsy stars

with

stumbled

moonbeams

the butterflies swing,

the happy birds sing,

where

the sweet

the hills and hollows

Fairies from
I love you."
I love you,

very

behind

eye,

meadows
Dancing through the grassy
woodlands
the
leafy
Laughing through

The

still,

was

himself

he hid

happy

that

as

eyes,

you.

nodding pines

Through

heart

he vanished

as

my

his swollen

from

to her his

back

sang

of his frazzled

corner

walked, hand

and

out

came

life,the apple of

my

the

and

more;

no

told."

ever

dust, and

were

gate ; and the lad vanished,and

in the shadows

story

sweetest

flood of tears

sung

were

me?

love

you

gatheredup

listener

wretched

The

do

me.

that's

For

he

him, and

"Oh,

coat

to

sang

over

fell

and

fleecycloud

sprawling on the dreamy hills; the homeless and friendless

silence. But
the trees and there was
tramp disappearedamong
still the years rolled on, and the scene
changed again.
fate led

Eelentless
touched

me,

and

I could

brook
I

of tears, and

became

harrowing
I

saw

servant

of

cares

Love

enter

day ; and the

Governor, while

one

of

became
sorrow

"

called to

was

of

in the Babel

turned

laughter was

the river of song

and
to trouble

river of

servant

into

sighs.
to

the

State.
the

door
g-ubernatorial

old mother
the

resist its power.

tongues of contention

not

the confused
labor among
politics.The brawling brook

destiny

of sorrow;

into this drama

me

aged

sat

and

father

to

plead for

wept in the presence

told the

story of

Love
of the

love that

Il6

LECTURES

How
silent

it would

sweet

and

oars

be

sails unseen,

the islands of
among
thousand
harbors of

if

could

from

and

sorrow

who

the

destruction.

sails far out

the storms

and

to anchor

the

But

"

alas !
"

air is black

every
grapple with

dash

us

sea

every
with

shadow

the

boat,

the coral reefs of

among

is safe

man

the

in

on

this tide of life

It is best to

to sea.

come,

calm

are

No

we

and

deck,and

boat, with
to guide us

only convoy
might drop anchor

our

happiness,where
laughterand song

the sails of envy,

is green
flagsof merciless pirates,who

drag us

be

TAYLOR

in his shadow

Love,

with

and

L.

ROBERT

OF

skies

in
are

hug the shore, and, when

peacefulbay until the waters

some

blue.

happy children twine their littlearms

about his neck in the morning ; that was
the sunrise of love ;
and he went
smilingand singingto the fields. I saw them gTeet
face
him
his sunburnt
at the gate in the evening and
cover
with

old farmer's

an

saw

kisses; that

and

heaven

one

of the contented

shore

was

the

was

who

of
unconscious
obscurity,
battles that are
daily waged

hug

of

Avealth and

power.

the

circle of

narrow

of the

He
a

strugglesand

touched

and

reflected in his heart

millions

him

had
rural

at

far

last, and

the humble

out

on

soil,in

of the outside
led

love,

He
and

and
political
the raging

was

happy
cial
finansea

of

of life within

the meridian

tiller of the

of

and

in his home.

the great

reached

turmoils

of labor

reward

sweet

ignorance

utter

world.

But

from
away
great convention

him

tiny
des-

his little

tant
in a dispalace of love to be a delegatein a
wonderfully and
city. His brand-new
Sunday coat was
the
fearfullymade; it covered his body as the waters cover
face of the great deep ; and there was
blue jeans enough in his
pantaloons to bull the wool market; and, with his oilcloth
satchel

and

faded

umbrella, he boarded

the

cars

and

started

pilgrimage;and soon, with a great throng of his fellowhe went

plunging out of the darkness into the mighty
delegates,
as
city,which glowed and fiashed with a million electric lights,
deafened with
if the angelshad spilta basket of stars.
He was
its roar
and dazzled with its glory. He heard the symphonies of
of street cars
business and pleasure,and the rattle and rumble
ing
and innumerable
vehicles passinghither and thither and brushif they did
each other like bees in a hive, and he wondered
all their hauling after night. He
of a
lost in the midst
was
on

his

LOVE,

vast

multitude, and

like

out

needle

in

LAUGHTER

AND

117

SONG

he

whispered to a delegatethat he "felt

haystack;" and finallyhe dragged himself

of the multitude

and

landed

in the crowded

rotunda

of

but still in the ring." He

ten-story hotel,"slightlydisfigured,
hundred

the book

and concluded
arrivals,
hand
and
had
when
he
to try his
his name, he
registered
;
bent over
and asked the clerk confidentially
what
the counter
"From
five to fifteen a day," was
the
they charged for board.
?"
"From
five to fifteen dollars a day, sir,according
reply. "Which
saw

guests registeron

of your

the location

to

room."

"Do
open in speechlessamazement.
the clerk.
"No, sir." "Supper?"

"No,
here

sir."
on

"Well, what
book

our

do you
of arrivals?"

want

of

His

mouth

you wish a
"l^o sir."
?"

flew

wide

?" asked

room

"Breakfast?"

you registered
"I
the old man,

Haven't

"Well,"

said

And
he seized his satchel and slipped
jistarrive."
out in search of a boarding-house.
the music
The great convention
assembled; and there was
of
of bands, and the flauntingof handkerchiefs,and the floating
didate
flags,and the shouting of enthusiastic thousands when the cannamed.
Then
there was
the clinking
for President
was
of glassesand revelryeverywhere. But the old delegatefrom
unaccustomed
to the flowing
the humble
palace of love was
bowl ; and as the cocktails and toddies flowed,he began to get
rich and boisterous,and finally
went
staggeringdown the street,
both yellinglike panthers,
with a fellow-delegate,
in arm
arm
and swearing they could whip the whole
city of Chicago. But
the scene
soon
quietlysleepingbehind
changed,and they were
The
next
the iron bars in the station house.
morning when
the lost sheep of Israel,
down
their friends went
to rescue
they
sittingup on his
peeped through the bars and saw the old man
bunk of straw, sweetlysingingan old,familiar song :
believe

I'll

"Little

Bo-peep, he's lost his sheep,

And

Let

'em

With

don't

know

where

to

find 'em.

they'llcome
their tails hanging down

alone,

and

home,
behind

'em

"
"

look away;
in Dixie; look away,
"I wish I was
I'll take my
In Dixie's land
stand, to live and die for Dixie ;
"
in Dixie
South
look away
down
look away,
Look
away,
"

"Hurrah

for Jeff

Davis, by gosh!"

Ilg

LECTURES

went

in

arm

Dixie"

and

Doodle

aroused

exclamation

and

song

"Yankee
and

TAYLOR

L.

who
fellow-delegate,
gaged
stutteringgentleman from Maine, and they instantlyenand
no
in a hand-to-hand
casualties,
fight; but there were

This
was

ROBERT

OF

were

into the

arm

his

parted,and

soon

made

friends,

policecourt.

is
stutteringdelegatewas
put on trial first. "What
The
?" asked the frowning judge. "S-S-S-S-Smith."
your name
judge turned around to the captain of the police and asked:
"What
is this man
charged with. Captain?" "I don't know,
Your
Honor," said the captain,"but I think he is charged with
soda pop."
The

old

The
asked

old Soda

bills,and

Smith,

is your name?"
Honor, with not

"What

next.

came

Your

And

puts in his'n."

Pop Smith

so

the two

city government to a couple of ten-dollar

in arm, softlysingin the multitude,arm
ing
disappeared

treated

Smiths

"Plain

judge.

the

's's'as

many

of Dixie

son

the

togetheras they went:

Bo-peep, he's lost his sheep.

"Little
And
Let

'em

With

This

away

for
from

song

was

don't

where

know

their tails hanging

sweet

'em.

home.

they'llcome

alone, and

behind

down

happiness, for
Smiths
parted and

prophecy

of

and the two

dissolved,
unheralded
in oppositedirections,

"home,

find

to

home."

And

when

'em."

soon

went

the

vention
con-

whirling

but bound
unsung,
at length the old delegate
and

Dixie, with his satchel and umbrella,approachedhis little

gloaming, the frogs croaked "howdy do,"

and whispered "howdy do," and the old
and the trees nodded
mill wheel creaked "howdy do," and the whole face of the earth
And
home
do."
around
him seemed
to smile and
say "howdy
that happy evening when
half so sweet
to him
on
as
never
was
twined
about his neck again,and again his
the little arms
were
in the
covered with kisses,and he sat in the firelight,
face was
of his happy wife, and sang to his baby on his knee:
presence
palace of

love in the

"Little Bo-peep, he lost his sheep.

And
didn't know
where
to find him.
He
let him alone, and he's come
home,
With

his tail a-hangin' down

behind

'im."

Love,

Ladies

and

and

laughter

gentlemen, it

was

sad

his way
the
to earth and climbed
over
of a singleapple has kept this world
years,

and

it is still

the

on

119

song

day when Satan found

garden wall. The juice
sand
staggeringfor six thouold

same

since

Ever

spree.

paradisewas lost our race has been drunk with folly,and "little
Bo-peep" is always losinghis sheep, and don't know where to
find 'em.
with a song, sometimes
Sometimes
home
they come
with a sigh, sometimes
with
an
countenance, sometimes
open
tale hanging
with a sheepishlook, but always with a 'plausible
down

behind
The

'em.

uppermost

Pleasure

is the

of

the

youth

drimk

with

Look

at

of

the

human

the

the

desire

the

floods of

violets

dance

to

and

the

light and

brain

lilies,and

of

ribbons

How

How

delightfulgerman.
radiant
with joy!
dreams

of

and

graceful!
full of

How

exuberant

veins

makes

him

music, and

in the whirling and

the

pleasure.

golden hours of life away.

room;
color glowing in the ball-

listen to the rapturous flow of mirth

rustling of silks and

is

It distills in the

of mankind.

tempter

blood

in

thought

the

the

floating mazes

How

beautiful

phantoms

and

chanting
en-

life !
It is the bright
young
cliffs of laughter and
song to

youth leaping from

happy vales of pleasure,and breaking into pearls of follyand
of frivolity;
it is the drunken
the silveryfoam
hiccoughs of
of pleasure.
hilarity;it is the delirium tremens
from
the whirling of societyswells and
Now
turn
away
stream

of

belles under

brilliant

chandeliers,and take

peep

at the

country

dance, where blazing pine knots flicker and shine on buxom

See the fiddler tune
his fiddle for
maids
and rollicking
men.
of his
all is ready, he gives a few sweeps
the fray; and when
bow
the eager
strings,whose weird notes resemble the
across
mingled melodies of wild geese and yelping hounds ; and then,
throwing himself back, he darts like forked lightninginto an
That Little Foot, Sally Ann :"
called "Shake
old-time tune
'"Oh, where
I'm
going
Shake

that

are

to

going, Sally

you

the

weddin'

fast

Ann?
I

as

can.

little foot, Sally Ann."

Seeing the swinging of his

keeping "time, time, time, in a
clatter of dwindling shoe soles

bow

with

sort

of runic

on

his

the floor.

body to
rhyme,"
How

and

fro,

with

the

and
gleeful,

120

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

It is the overflow of
thoughtlessand free!
of merriment; it is
soul, a cloudburst of fun, a thunderstorm
at play.
rural society
a tear ; Mary's littlelambs
are
on
ence
existthe only period of mortal life,human
If youth were
endless song.
This
be a perpetual laugh and
would
an
giddy planet is its whirling symbol, with black-haired Night
and
beautiful
and
waltzing
Day forever swinging corners

how

How

glad!

the stars.

among

to

tunes;

you
there'll

play, and
into the
time

come

when

the duties of the

and
be

no

of

juiceand

corn

or

the

music

and

and

lambs

the

when

and

dance
will

lilies will

to

cease

be

verted
con-

reality;there'll
with
swing corners

cider of cold

compelled to

hoe, with

the

ladies

time, young

other

violets

hard

will be

you

handle

the broom

with

blood

the

to

time

come

come

will waltz

gentlemen, when
other

there'll

But

the

of the kitchen

cares

or

and there will be plenty of vinegarmixed

office,

All your ideals of life will change,

your sugar and honey.
anxious
hearts.
will fill your
other dreams
They may
higher than the tramp's dream of butter on his bread,

day
IN'apoleonwho will some
and the frontiers of kingdoms oscillate
make
nations shudder
But whatever
the map.
they may be,your bread will many a
on
will
time fall buttered side down, and many
a time
your plans
or

they

Whether
intoxicated
around

in

of

youth ever tipsy with pleasure,or manhood

with the spiritof ambition, or old age tottering
with follyand
drunk
all are
the stupor of memory,
it be

disappointmentsinnumerable.
"There
A lawyer said to his client:
You
must
play insane
your trouble.

doomed

of

dreams

their Waterloo.

with

meet

be the

may

to

is asked

you

"Are

only

; and

one

when

way
a

out

question

this sign and whistle.

make
in court, you must
A plea of insanitywas
promptly entered,and the

[Whistle.]
trial proceeded,and
stand.

is

length the prisonerwas

?" asked
is your name
the defendant
in this case

"What
you

at

the
?"

put

on

the witness

tle.]
lawyer. [Whis[Whistle.] The

the
"You
must
answer
rapped on the bench and said:
question,sir." [Whistle.] The physicians pronounced the
rendered accordingly. The
prisonerinsane, and a verdict was
and they had a triumphant
lawyer took his client to his office,
laugh togetherover the victory. "JSTow,"said the lawyer, "I

court

have

and

acquittedyou,

dollars."
made

I want

client stood

His

121

SONG

AND

LAUGHTER

LOVE,

fee; it is
my
looked at him

and

only twenty-five
and

moment

reply: [Whistle.] And victorywas swallowed

The
lawyer paid dear for his whistle,and his

only one

up in wrath.
bread fell buttered

side down.

he
overbearinglawyer once shouted to an old lady whom
was
"Madam, pleaseconfine
examining on the witness stand:
yourselfto the facts!" The old lady turned around to him and
said:
"Well, sir,you are no gentleman; that's a fact."
into his office one
An old darky walked
morning and said:
"Boss,I's a-gwyne to have a lawsuit wid Jones about a cow, an'
to know
I wants
to state de facts jistas dey is,an' den I wants
whedder
gain de case an' what you is a-gwyne to charge
you can
"All right,Rastus," said the lawyer; "I will be
fer de fee."
An

with

honest

detail the

you;
facts

thumbs

the

in

don't
and

I will

in

of his vest

armholes

I will

never

only charge you

ten

that

gain

It took Rastus
hour to
an
your case."
the controversy,and the lawyer put his

state

case

his eyes and back out

he said ; "but you can't win

and

go into the courthouse

dollars."
Uncle
Rastus

of the office.

to wall

"Rastus, if I

said:

no

case

for

"

"How

dare

'Sense

sho'."

me

me,

again,
began
boss,"

time in this
office and consume
into my
my
the angry lawyer. "Well, boss,"said Uncle
?" stormed

then,

you,
manner

come

de case
to
I tol' you Jones' side uv
books and bottles whizzing in the
there were

Rastus, "it's dis way:

And

de troof."
and

Uncle
And

Rastus

so

is "of few

had

business

and vocation
every profession
days, and full of trouble."
his

said to him

"You

are

one
patient

dying, sir.

Have

in life. Man

and

afternoon
you

any

the river ?"

"Yes," said the
you pass over
feebly;"I wish I had employed another doctor."
world

loves

us

if

we

succeed ; it

coldly

wish

before

The

air,

the horizon.

it is with

old doctor examined

An

on

git

despisesus
givesthe meed

if

to

press
ex-

patient,
we

fail.

of praise
and
pilesice around its benefactors,
to geniusonly when
genius is in the grave. But what do words
from a path no longer pressed
of praiseavail to lift the shadows
by weary feet? Why fill the hands of the dead with flowers

It

which

vou

rather

have
(8)

have
one

withheld

smile,one

from

the

tender

living? Who
word

would

today, than

to

not

know

LECTURES

122

that

million

would
to

Then

whv

makes
of

breathes

the

of

Stream

and

and

the

love

never

true

of

shores

icy

laughter

flow

love

of

flowers"
?

on

Love

than
?

For

its

life

and

the

soul

is

all

is

it

Who

love

mortal

song.

good;

of

flowers

"wilderness

the

coffin

his

upon

the

beneath

Gulf

with

beautiful,

heaped
among

upon

blossom

them
the

the

let

TAYLOR

L.

dream

sleep

not

current

warm

and

live

dreamless

the

sleep

be

M'ould

roses

rather

not

ROBERT

OF

there

of

is

happiness.
"the

But
to

tale

my

love

with

the

in

of

beautiful

he
but

town;

and
bell

be

there,

curled

his

sorrel

The

and

and

ever,

then

looked

at

smiled,
and

and

the

the

pantaloons.
and

he

dropped

old

until
the

and

congregation
bachelor
His
the

made

occasion

hope
garment

aisle

the

blushed,
looked

the

it

down,

flew.

like

of

and

pug.

assembled

observed
but

arm;

and

idol

style

tail

had

the

and

his

absent-minded

broke
it

was

bubble

of

the

looked

preacher

at

exploded
and

his

church

that

worshipers

on

destiny

The

more

triumph,

hanging

looked

like

swells

his

knew

with

the

faultless

him

the
in

he
in

looked

it

all

over

in

worked

plans

happiness.
and

fell

battle

for

changed

himself

diked

overcoat

overcoat

and

morning,

waited

his

which

Listen
once

his

first

victory

great

conquest

till

down

with
his

he

the

he

walked

observers,

of

bachelor

prepared
At

happened

moustache
of

Sabbath

and

excitement

than

win

to

hopes

bright

would

instantly

smooth."

run

old

enemy.

accident

his
one

rang

about
an

wrecked

and

powdered

was

did

absent-minded

girl

and

and

true

An

woe.

flounced

well,

of

course

maiden
at

into
his
in

all

it

and

ter;
laughday
everythe

air,

SENTIMENT
As

is the

Light
and

reveals

in

It

bursts

It

adorns

the

we

and

down

wild

divinity.
in

hangs
softens

on

every

horizon.

and

they
a

from

the

and

sombre

from

of

Milton, and

we

of love's

and

built

made

divine

first

the
his

presence

like

tread

bird,
music

and

upon

the

haze

and

cloud
; its

melody

the

sets
a

joy

light through

It

brook.

sea,

the

the

the

"

prayer

morning
all the

poetry

Adams

of
of

and

morning.

ideals

"Romeo
all the

and

shaped

the

dreams

and

Juliet"

the

oracle

world

are

lovers.

of
of

Shakespeare
love

It touched

poem

higher planes

to

hearts

touches

It

of Eden

and

is

lips of

soul

It

and

noon

from

from

and

smoothes

steals

violets

that

dream.

every

It

the

and

sea

passion.

the

of

and

Its warmth

in

smile

sigh

of

touch

mountains.

jewelled night.

flood

is its

human

from

forest.

sky

of

exalts

dreamy

of life.

and

ferns

harpstrings

winds,

the

feeling

It flows

It

from

beauty

liappiness.
Eves

the

It catches

stars.

the
human

of

in every

is

the

and

the

land

flutter

bow

of

the

The
is

pathway

morning

every

of

in

rugged

wings

drops
rain-

leaf

rocks

touch

veil

every

sweeps

from

song

whisper

chords

its

rain.

and

and

its

glassy streamlet, and

colors

the

hangs

Its

with

rose,

gathers

tender

thrill

of

gossamer

on

It

It

tear.

Its

wraps

influences

pillow.

evening

from

and

thought,

every

its

the

blade

floating clouds.

canvas.

dips

bosom

the

phantom

ministering angel

is the

its sweet

softens
star

air

landscape

in every

light are

and

every

falling

temples

in every
of

dew

the

on

of

solemn

visions

its

glory

texture

its miracles

distant

Sentiment

sheds

is

kisses

in

It

stars.

with

earth

of

the

trees

paints

the

the

and

world

It

builds

fantastic

on

the

band

universe

the

flight is

trembling
and

of enchantment

flowers

palette,

the

shining

and

fields
mirror

look

the

weaves

Its

glory.

sentiment.

is

its

storm

soul

It unveils

sprinkles the

lie in

the

unto

so

beautiful.

is in

rifted

the

its colors

cloud.

It finds

beat

and

ocean

the

eyes

pulse

through

and

of

mortal

its
the

light is,

the

angel

to

firmament,

wings

world

the

unto

in
the

whose

harp

126

LECTURES

of Burns

warmed

and

ROBERT

OF

his

L.

TAYLOR

the floAver of song whose

the honnie banks and braes of

geniusinto

fragrancewill lingerforever on
of life
of the beautiful in the stream
Ayr. It is the mirrow
of thought.
all the shores and all the heavens
reflecting
and charmed
awed
I stood before a great paintingand was
with
by the glory of the master's art. He touched the canvas
the dust of long ago
his pencil,and lo! Paradise
sprang from
and lived again.
chisel.
He
I saw
the wondrous
work
of the sculptor's
dreamed
dreamed
and modeled
and
again till his breathing
dream
of beauty stepped forth from the cold,dull marble.
I saw
of the bow turn his violin into a thing of
the wizard
spaired
passion. It laughed and wept and sang; it hoped and deand sobbed like a child ; it pleaded like a lover and sighed
like

maiden.

It echoed

beat
the battle field of love the drum-

from

of

hearts,the clash of tender

fluttering
musketry of kisses,and then fainted away
the summer
evening'slast sighthat shut the
Blaine play on. the passionsof men
I saw

into

the sweet

whispers like

rose.

the child

as

plays

thrill the hearts of his countrymen

toys, and Lamar
the plumed
his imagery and his eloquence. They were

with

its

with

plauditsof

the

their power.
and
thousands
with his inspirations

his

and

knights of opposing sentiments

world with their magnetism and
I

an

saw

His
songs.
music.
was
a

and

arms

charm

actor

actions
He

portrayedthe

I heard

the divine

rapture of love and

warbling bird,and in every

invisible harp. I drifted on
and

its surfs

dashed
every

flowed

and

passionknown

swell the dim

Banish

it from

the

light,for the world

lose its
would

melody,

be

as

dead

sands.

felt

world

and

Avould be

music

as

of sentiment.

shadow

the

tones

the
was

of

an

It
song.
the shiningrocks and
tossed

was

to

and
us

to

its

and

fro

And

in heaven
bereft

language,and

tongueless
grave.

on

of sentiment?

you might as well

desert. The sweetest

the fairest flower

to

on

earth

on

floated like

silver tide of her

the

thi-^life be worth

would

said, what

and

burst

his voice

every note there was

; in every trill there

broke into spray

golden

on

was

sing. In
pathos of tears

ebbed

It

Patti

the

and

grace,

side of life and

sunny

Dance."

in the "Shadow

dream

of
perfection

the

were

the

won

banish
note

the

would

all nature

127

SENTIMENT

Sentiment
and
I

holds the

that unlocks

key

the

opens the door of every heaven.

June
unbar
a
gate of roses

saw

and

sweet-scented

the

ing
night,bearpavilionof enamored
in her girdleof lightthe keys to a thousand
I
heavens.
her kindle a sun
in every dewdrop and wake
the dreamy
saw
hills into laughter and
T caught the odor of honeysuckles
song.

morning

forth from

gates of every paradise

came

and
meadow,
Iium

the

of

of

note

the

saw

the red

madrigals of

lark

rich with

bird

love in

sound

it

as

from

exultant

rose

the

of

glimmer

teeming bees

I heard

the

painted wings and heard the

the spoilsof plundered beauty.

his lute

and

thrush

the

trill his

tangledtree top. I heard the oriole ring

of the forest. I saw
the
his silver bells in the dusky chambers
of its
trail of a winding river and heard the low murmur
green
the rocks of distant rapids. I
dashing among
joyous waters
ming
heard the gleefulshouts and splashesof noisyboys at the swimhole under

hobblingby

with

of bait and

his cup

honey

song

of the bees

"Oh,

Hannah

So
In

ah

ain't

Dey

he cut

bumble

bee.

in his heart
I
lane

or

and

take

locust bloom.
and

to the

Then
and

as

the June

at

]ove son^

"

ah

true.

I could

die

him.

you."

in the clover and

him

to

rise,and
was

in the bumble

happy days when I was

I saw
a
sturdy farmer
he went

and

in his and
a

then

he

me

in the

and

back

the Komeo

of many
leave his happy wife
him

the

kiss her

swinginglimb

It carried

to the field I heard

And

rose.

down

sing back

down

sat

the warmer,
bee.

his sweetheart

girlishhand
jaybird sat on

I winked

with

you

tell which

her
A

wine

lady,
ah

only nigh.
Hannah
lady,
black baby is ah

love-sick lad meet

saw

me

fishingpole. The
he tangled his song

was

It invited
to

darkey went

his

baby

pigeon wing

difficult for him

was

at

the

no

Louisiana

Whose

And

love

good

If you
Tell me,

old-time

"

my

I do

on

An

spreadingelms.

the

got tangled in his veins,and

of June
the

it

June

shady

under

the

he winked

thirtyJunes
a shady lane.
at

the gate,

to her

swept

128

LECTURES

"Oh, when

the silver threads

I'll love

darling, as

Ere

that

snows

there's

no

Under

you,

kiss the cheek

life had crept

And

The

ROBERT

OF

snow

on

replace the gold,

old,
the
bloomed
its close."

where
near

so

TAYLOR

fall on
may
lovinghearts,'tis always
melt

never

rose

loving heads, but

there.

summer

of

by a little cottageon the

morning-glories
with his bride of fiftyyears.
hill sat an old man
He
put his
around
her and smoothed
her wrinkled
brow, and as they
arm
looked with dim eyes upon
the shadowy vale below
she sang
voice :
to him with faltering
an

"We'll

arbor

of

L.

sleep together at the foot,John Anderson,

beautiful

O,

my

Jo !"

enchantress

of

the sun, Eden-builder

of the world!
There
is a magic in
touch which melts the icicles in the veins of age and makes
tropicblood of youth run roses.

thy

dream-maker, voluptuousJune,

I drifted into town

in time to witness
of the

in the

the

gatheringtwilightof evening just

the overflow

of sentiment

in the

hours
closing

high school.

The

streets

bustlingwith

were

crowds, and

merry

I heard

the

I heard the
laughterof children and the music of a band.
chiming of bells,and a throng of happy schoolgirls
sang their
collegesong on the campus
"

"Oh,

listen to

the bells

merrily they ring!

farewells
They're chiming sweet
While
joyfully we
sing
How

Tra-la-la

Oh, listen to the bells.

Oh, hear the college yells.
Hip, hip, hurrah
rah, rah !
Three
cheers for ma
and pa
Oh, listen to the music of the bells."
"

"

And
of

when

the audience

smiling faces

had

assembled

I looked

upon

vast

and

bald
sparklingjewels. There were
heads, reverend and rosy, upon whose polished domes no fly
could lightwatliout imperiling
his neck, and no mosquito could
look without a watering proboscis. There were
doting mothers
sea

and

fond aunts

armed

with

smellingbottles and ready to

weep

I29

SENTIMEiNT

faint

the occasion

old fathers
might require. There were
with gold-headedcanes
and whiskers
There
glossy and gray.
the solemn
male and female,
was
professors,
array of spectacled
and terrible as a galaxy of the gods. Then
I saw
austere
a
legion of white slipperedfairies flushed with excitement, but
lithe and beautiful as the poet'sdream, and the air palpitated
with painted fans and heaving bosoms.
The grave old President
ascended
his throne, and there was
silence.
The plumparmed
teacher took her seat at the grand piano. There
music
burst of allegedmusic, and the lightof sentiment
a
was
began
There were
to shine.
essays and recitations mingled with solos,
hear a
duets, quartetts and choruses galore. Did you never
read her composition? If you
have not,
frightenedschoolgirl
The old presiat the fount of sentiment.
quafl'ed
dent
you have never
announced
"Miss
Felicia Rosebud," subject,"Flowers."
And
there floated out before the footlights
little blue-sashed
a
cloud of white organdy with a fluttering
heart in it. Her timid
the envy of the stars,and her lipswould have tempted
eyes were
the bees to jiltthe jealouspoppies. She held up her trembling
manuscript and thus gasped out her littlebouquet of flowers :
or

"When
dark

as

this beautiful

world

of

ours

had

rolled out

from

the

warring elements of chaos,a white-wingedangelfloated

down
from the purple hills of heaven
and scattered the fragrant
And
flowers.
when
first parents fell from their high estate
our
the sad, sighing winds
gathered up the tiny seeds and wafted
them beyond the barred portalof Paradise
lost,to springup and
bloom again to cheer our
hearts and gladden our
eyes with their
fragTance and beauty and to pout their sweet lipsto be kissed
What
is more
by the first golden rays of the morning sun.
beautiful than the modest little violets opening their glad blue
to greet the
spring and the dew-besprinkledmorningeyes
gloriespointing their purplo bugles toward the sky as if to
sound
reveille to slumbering summer?
How
a
lovely is the
statelyrose, and how bright and heavenly are the daisies with
their snowy
charming are the
petalsand hearts of gold. How
lilies of the valley. There
is nothing more
delightfulthan to
and down
stroll through the meadow
by the little babblingbrook
where
the bluebells and buttercupsreflect their images in the
clear

and

running water

and where

the birds make

music

in many

LECTURES

130

shady

Then

bower.

flowers,for they

ROl'.ERT

OF

let
the

are

cherish

us

must

we

purity and innocence.

love and happiness. And
of

emblems

tremblingon
leave

we

have

June

to tell us

come

part.
That
spoken is farewell.
lipstonight. But mingling with our

saddest

"The

flowers,the beautiful

the

They speak to us the langTiageof

the flowers of
dear schoolmates,
now,
that

TAYLOR

L.

word

our

is the

classic halls

these

word

is

tears

as

ever

consolation

sweet

the

that

will attend us through the coming

white-winged angel of memory
hearts the happy
fresh and green in our
years and keep ever
associations of our
schoolgirl
days. Farewell, farewell!"
the annual
was
program
JefferT. son
delivered by the Hon.
to the graduatingclass,

The
address

Shadd,

brilliant

the

and

sweets

of

realm

his bitters in the

of

many

gathered

had

Col. Shadd

SAveets of Life."

"The

on

of his

some

of

climax

politics.He had been defeated in every race for thirtyyears,

dislocated hip contributed
and his only badge of honor
a
was
since his retirement,
But
by a brickbat in a politicalrow.
dated

which
to

from

meditation

the

and

plume

And

his oratorical

introduced

and

him

Of

Ladies

! I
delightful

in the
is

in the

lances

deem

knee

and

at the

call you
charms

one

queen,

but

shrine

where

ladies ?

adorable

? Breathes
appellatioj}

From

such
who

graces

there

man

of
and

all the

bewilderingly
all my

labors

occasion.
pleasureof this glorious
chivalrywould have broken

cro^vn

noble

every

long

grandest. Of

victorious

past. The

of the
I

School

in my

me

is the most

this august presence

this
for twenty beauteous
the rose

sweet

and

for which

honor

an

radiant

periloustournaments

knight crowned
and beauty in
laurel

and

rare

soar

proudesthour

satisfied and

ambitions

all my

began to
Female
High

the

enjoyed this

ever

and

upon

this is the richest and

I have
high privileges

This

showered

entering

of

opportunityto
The old president

use.

of the

time

much

present

that this is the

I say

all the honors

career

rewarded

the

pinions for future

he limped forward

"Young Ladies,Sweet
speak but the truth when
life.
my
eventful

seized

he

devoted

w^ith the view

literaryresearch

field.

lecture

election,he had

the last

of love

twenty queens

evening.

symposium
would
pp dead

and

brows

knighthas

bow

bowed.

Did

the
the
I

of transcendent

withhold
to

I twine

the

tender

love,so insensible

LECTURES

132

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

L.

an' you jump a rabbit an' you pull down

on
go a himtin'
him an' your old gun busts and kills you instead of the rabbit 1
dent,
bust?
Does a dog ever
(How much time vi got?) Mr. Presi-

you

gun's a dangerous thing. It's like the old woman

band
it's dangerous without
said
lock, stock or barrel,for her hus(How much time vi got?)
whipped her with the ram-rod.
Mr. President, suppos'n a burglar is breakin' into your house.
Don't you have to load your old g-un ? Mr. President,the dog's
time vi got?)
Therefore, Mr.
(How much
always loaded.
the

"

President,the dog

useful.

is the most

question with

I leave the

vou."
Then

the

he unlimbered

Thus

his

President

"Mr.

and

negativewas
battery:

question. It's a
useful.
An' why

of this

serious

most

do

(Plow much

time
and

into the woods

or

Can

hickory?

shoot him

vi

with

out

the gun
Suppos'n, Mr.

climb
gun.

your

negativeside

the

is the
say the gun
useful?
is the most

question. I

to kill

dog

on

am

I say

got?)

want
a

Gentlemen:

the floor.

called upon

of the

champion

President,you
the top of

squirrelon

tree?

(How

'No, sir,you
time

much

vi

go
oak

an

have

got?)

to

Mr.

everythingyou've got ?
Won't
he pizen your dog? But, Mr. President, he can't pizen
time vi got ?) Of course, the gim is
(H'ow much
your
gTin.
?
useful.
What
the most
a war
are
you goin'to do if there comes
Are you goin' to turn
into a dog to fight? Mr. President, I
President,suppos'na

thank

you

for your

kind

judges decided
that it was
a "dog

The
and

The

Avants

man

to steal

attention."
that the arguments

were

evenlybalanced

fall."

watery jointedboy

in the

debatingsocietylacks

dence
confi-

wings. But wait until he becomes a Sophomore in

I saw
the university then watch the eaglesoar.
a
Soph, circle
upward above the most distant stars and sail far out in space
beyond the ratiocination of man, on the "The Ruins of Time."
I can
only giveyou a feather out of his wing.
"The
ruins of time,the ruins of time ! They are vast as the
in his

"

creation

and

old

as

the stars !

hoary monarch
surely digging the
the

forces of destruction

of the
grave
are

scythe and
of

of the ages,
glass,is slowly but

Time, the venerable

the

hour

universe.

His

silently
working changes in

tremendous
the

physics

133

SENTIMENT

of the

spheres that point to universal death.

Aye, the very
worlds !
phmetary spaces are filled with the dust of disintegrating
Star after star has forever disappearedfrom the glittering
stage
of the heavens
The
within
the memory
of ephemeral man.
those
mighty suns,
magnificent archangels of light that
illuminate
the deep profounds of the illimitable are
slowly
dying, dying, dying. The fieryhearts of their children,the
planetaryorbs,are slowdycooling,cooling,coolinginto the chill
of inexorable
death!
The period must
in the historyof
come
the universe when
its immeasurable
so
gloriousand
spaces now
so
tranquilwith lightand law and cosmic order shall feel the
awful
shock of an
and the
cataclysm in the wreck of matter
crush
God

of worlds.
has

Time

written

marks

limit

eternities."
my

alas!

and

man

he

when

the

oratory

soon

budding

and

the
are

flow^ers may

grow

brow

wrinkled
a

grave

of

Time, whose

the silent shore

on

got through there wasn't

the

the

colors of

the shadow^s

of the

hair

the

on

under

How
risingmorn.
the passingclouds of

drift away
from
the florid young
essayistinto the broA\ai and sober hues
we

Their

woman.

often

schoolgirlof

fade

how

sombre

How

noon.

and

in

limit in the life of matter, and

head.
But

gray

And

the

on

end

footstepmust
tottering

the

stilted efl[usions and

outcroppingsof genius.

commencement

who

bubbles

day bring societyprostrateat

The
over

orator

of the

flamboyant
sentimental
about

the

her feet

by her
The
goodness of heart and beautiful character.
downy lipped
who
the
universe
in his oratorical flights
Soph,
encompasses
yet hold in his grasp the affairs and destinyof a nation.
may
As
the gate of youth closes behind us and its music dies away,
other gates open
just ahead and we hear the din of real life
and see the world
in another light. Our
thoughts unfold into
and our
the full leaf of midsummer,
loves and hopes and ambitions
Sentiment
in full bloom.
is to the soul what lightis
are
to nature.
Light passes through a prism, and, lo! its seven
tiful.
colors stand forth like seven
angels the alphabetof the beauSo sentiment
passes through the prism of the heart and
character,
reveals all its colors in human
l^atural objectstear
and reflect certain rays of lightand absorb all the rest.
asunder
some

"

The

result is color.

The

leaf reflects the green

ray and

absorbs

the other six

the

are,

therefore,red
tint and

and

hue

forest every

heart

in every

goal of happinessis
To

the
and

who

man

of

in

of

every-day life.
stomach, and the

the

banquet.

lives to eat the science of gastronomy

than

The

poem.

of Mendelssohn.

the music

immaculate

plateand

As

the

wild

boar

whets

and

whets

backs"

laughteris

meat

His

fatten

than

gilded
a

breath

afar,and

the fat

so

horizon

man

the

sniffs

of his dream

sunrise of

twinklingbubbles
As

your
for the Master's use.
there

is

countenance

like the

heavenly temper

But

The

bell

is

and

cherish him
O, ladies,

feast,so

combat,

The

mance
ro-

with
"blue-wings;" its waters swarm
terrapin,and its landscape is blatant with fat

and
pompanos
and juicyflocks.

his

for the

his tusks

linen,is a vision

sniffs the battle from

for the festive board.

full of "canvas

his

horse

war

is

of the dinner

chimes

heaven, and the incense of the cuisine is sweeter

of June.

give

in field and

see

we

actions

and

is reflected in

its silver

dininghall,with

the

"

the bill of fare

melodious

more

of

they

in every imaginationthere is an ideal,

of happiness a dominating sentiment

the sentiment

Sometimes

yellow.

the rays
reflected rays

of color which

is reflected in the words

which

the

so

dream

all but

yellow according to

or

shade

And

day.

absorbs

flower

One

green.
absorbs

infinite combinations

The

reflect.
every

the leaf is therefore

"

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

except the red; another

rays

They

are

OF

LECTURES

134

ye

and

nourish

pot of

mutton.

him, and thus perpetuate

fatteneth

the farmer
husbands

of

sentiment,and

that

the lamb

their souls

may

for the
be

fit

paradiseof liquidsentiment where fragrant

bottles smile and luscious demijohns give forth delicious odors.
The
schoolgirlgathers her inspirationfrom the flowers, the
Sophomore from the stars,the poet from the fabled muses
; but
the Bacchanalian
dreamer
imbibes
his happiness from the Ely.sian spirits
that glow in amber
and rye.
He is a
juicesof corn
poet without verse, for his sublimated
imagery is beyond the
is as thin as the tail
grasp of language, and his timorous ideality
of a comet
through which we see the stars. In his florid imagination
he soars
'mid pleasuresand palaces"and usually steers
clear of "home, sweet
home."
of exIn his rhapsodicmoments
hilaration
is

"

he
to power.

He

rises from
could

buy

poverty

to

wealth

the universe

and

and
carry

from

weakness

the world

on

135

SENTIMENT

his back.

The

for

reason

unfathomable,unless
the sunken

his

and

rocks

the existence

of such

to be a red

is intended

nose

shoals of life to

buoy

above

against

the unwary

warn

is

character

destruction.

sure

The

beautiful

most

example

of this

wealth-producingpower

of old rye is embodied

in an old story I used to hear
Scramble
A
one
"galloused"fellow from Hard

his

met

day and said: '"Well,they say you'regoin'

back
to Texas."
"Yes, I'm just starting." "Do you think
you'llsee my brother out there ?" "O, yes, I'll see your brother.
"T wish you'd tell him, if you please,
I'm goin' to his town."
I haven't
that if he is ever
is the time.
goin' to help me, now
"All right,"said his friend.
"Let's
got a thing in the world."
friend

in town

go in and

one

take

drink."

togethera few times,old "one gallus"

said:
"If you see my
brother,tell him I'm doin' very well
I'm makin'
"Come
in
money." "All right,"said his friend.
and let's take another drink."
Finallythey separated,and when
the Texas
man
was
boarding the train the erstwhile poor man
staggered up to the platform and shouted:
"Say, if you see
my brother out there,tell him if he needs anything,by gosh,to
After

imbibed

they had

"

let

know."

me

An
street
a

old

scratch.

over

in

brightafternoon
feet high with

one

hundred

get
a

poet of the flowing bowl

one

sling.

could

climb

thorn

"Yes,"

down

wildcat

the next

eye and
"Hello!"
a

scratch ?"
comin'

But

swearing he
a

shouted
tree

he

said

on

he
his

climb

each

nose

feet

subdued

the
a

and

village

thorn
and

arm

appeared

of his

one

hundred
in

could

under

morning

blue knot

down

came

with

tree
never

age
band-

his

pals,"I
high and

rightarm
thought you
never

get

tone, "but I got this

!"
home

night "about three sheets in the

wind"
and said to his patientwife, "I'm not feelin' very well
this evenin'
I fear I'm not goin' to live long." "Yes, my
dear,"she said,"I think if you would drink less whiskey you
would
lengthen your days." "That's so, my dear; that's so.
I tried it last Sunday, and it was
the longestday I ever
spent."
reached
A belated old farmer
home
one
cold,frostynight
A

gentleman

went

one

"

"as drunk

as

lord"

and

concluded

he would

crawl

in bed

with

136

LECTURES

OF

L.

ROBERT

TAYLOR

and
the children ; but he made
a mistake
outside and went
in the chimney corner
and

her

awakened

by

dog

litter of

the pups
their little paws,

with

pups.

his setter

he

morning

him

he mumbled

into the kennel

sleepwith

to

Toward

crawlingover
and

crawled

half

was

scratchinghis face
out, "Children,for the
and

sake,quitkickin' the kiver off your father !"

Thus, ladies and gentlemen, the character of the drunkard

Lord's

other

sentiment,and, like
lie is indigenousto every soil.
He
is the ever-bloomingcarnation

quenches every
the red.
clime.

of mankind.
in all

We

cannot

say and
turfman

conceal

our

reflects

his nose,
He

true

blossoms

only

in every

in the conservatory
colors.

shine

They

everythingwe do.
The
thinks "horse,"talks "horse,"and laughs the
"horse laugh." A horse stands hitched in his thoughtsby day,
and often a nightmare gallopsthrough his dreams.
in the sweet
Sentiment
moves
impulses of charity.
the door of poverty to help and to bless ?
enter
Did you ever
we

There

was

in

in the basket

heaven

and
your arm
of the sufferer

hand
you slippedinto the fevered
kindled
heaven
You
of straw.
a
around

huddled

the

dying

in that coin

on

on

the

pallet

in every little hungTy heart

the hearth,and you saw
on

embers

through dirt and rags and glow in the tears of gratitude.

and
and holy sentiment ! Did you ever
want
That was
see
pure
misery shining in a cold and cheerless hovel ? The white wing
it shine

in the flour you

stored sunlightof sentiment.

of mercy

was

fresh milk

to

the

it to its shrivelled
Did

sent, and that

Did

squalidcradle
lips? That was

you
of a

ever

ton

of coal

carry

famishing

the milk

cup

child

of human

was

the

of pure,
and put
kindness

of wealth
had fallen and
the bloom
go where
fickle friendshiphad fled to other fields and flowers?

ever

you

false and

hope in the check and cancelled

joy blossomed in broken
mortgage you laid on the table,and new
"True
hearts when
friendshipis always the same
you said:
the royal purple
That was
in the sunshine and in the shadow,"
of sentiment.
One brightsummer
morning a good old-time black
There

mammy

said:

was

sunburst

of

stood

in my
presence
I
wants
"Governor,
my

man?"
whar

I
he

asked.

is,sah."

"He's
"What

as

Governor

ole man."

of Tennessee
"Where

is your

and
old

yonder in de penitentiary,dat's
for ?" "Well,
is he in the penitentiary
out

^tmr

$:"
-i

'"n
,

Great

Ash

f.

Tree

on

Alt'

Taylor's
Fiddle

Farm.
and

the

Where

Bow.'"

Hub

Rehear"ed

The

PLANTATION
THE

OLD

I sat
on

the

on

bustling

and

every

and

great

mart

beauty chasing

old

age

years.

and

radiant

the

anarchist

joy
I

the clown.
elbow

the

rub

against the

saw

the Christian
I

and

lynx-eyed

the

brush
thrift

jewels
of

face
dust

and

humility,
I

the

eternal

the

like

the

on

throngs,

moving

of

chariot

hot

jostle

the Gentile

heels

sharp-

pursuit

mock

of

skirts

kisses

and

pride

the

throw

the

tattered

on

the

at

vanity

flash

tear-stained

the

in

Dives

battling for
of

rumbling

hoofs

countless

saw

contemptuous
of

garments

greed struggling

power,

poverty begging for bread.

the

heard

the

Quaker

their

at

back

saw

silken

their

ambition

saw

wealth, and
I

and

despair,

sorrow.

the

in

on

throwing

glittering wheels

its

from

Lazarus.
for

flaunt

and

of

enterprise seizing opportunity

saw

success

shoulder

close

rushed

of

crushing weight

impatient competition

and

and

youth

saw

pleasure, and

of

infidel,and

the

acter
char-

mingling

veil of

king,

pouting lips of disappointment.

their

black

money

avarice

Mammon.

of

forelock, and

the

over

the

eager

saw

the

peer

touch

butterflies

under

wing-footed Mercuries,

gilded god
by

and

pass

Jew.

flit by like
faced

hope

and

mixing

down

of

phase

civilization.

and

bent

I looked

sea.

every

of life

of modem

along,

exultant

saw

beheld

condition

rainbows

the

shambling

and

below

streets

and

great city by the

grade

that

together in

in

balcony

PLANTATION

OLD

THE

stony

and

the

of

ocean

roar

heavy

wheels

streets.

and

the

heard

of

murmur

of

footfalls

of

multitudinous

breaking

waves

clatter

the

voices

on

rock-bound

art

and

shores.
There

broad

from
around

which

classic
a

sunshine

troubadours

land

hundred

danced, keeping time

the

it

was

of

Italian

from

the

of

pale
with

dreamy

by

touched

where

the

by
I

saw

Italy playing
and

on

white
a

to

his

melodies

little farther

hills of

leaf,

Castile

pavements
strel
min-

swarthy

fragile children
feet

nature

fountain, and

and

There

nimble

skies.

close
statue,

splendid avenue.

and
the

park

gifts of

flower, and

tree, and

and

little green

beautiful

in the

mingled
of

was

piano,

street

tripped
stolen

away

played

from

band

softer

and

of
airs

LECTURES

142

on

softer

ejed

stringsof

senorita

saw

an

in

him

fell under
to

pass,

a
a

and

Then
the

TAYLOR

guitar,while

sweet

dark-

the square

on

him

the martial

sultryair, and

bow

in front

and

he

seemed

motley throng. I savr

and save
a child who
a pickpocket,
gallantlymake way for the ladies
feeble

to

old

all the

melodies
there

of me,

in all that

tough, and club

dray ; I saw him
kindly lead a

crossing. I saw
they passed.
on

viol and

important personage

collar

L,

Spanish serenade and then received the

tinklingtambourine.
Irish policeman, radiant with red hair and resplendent
his brass buttons and
long-tailedcoat of blue,
shining billy in his strong right hand, proudly

swinging his
Avalkinghis beat
the most

ROBERT

lute and

sang
in her

silver dimes

OF

over

sports and

militarybands

of
was

man

the

crowded

as
politicians

came

floating

great tumult, for do^vn

the

walks,
gatheringeverywherealong the sideness
to witdoor and packing in every window
filling
every
and stronger
Louder
the brilliant parade of Tammany.
the tumult rose as the silent and solemn old chief went
by in his
slow-moving carriage,and there was the flauntingof flagsand
of huzzahs
all along the
and a storm
floutingof handkerchiefs
line as ten thousand
jungles
Tammany Tigers from the political
of New
York kept time to the music that flowed from a hundred
I

avenue

saw

eager

crowds

silver horns.
I

of
every extreme
of virtue and vice,hope and
saw

rags, of

glory and

shame

"

societyand every strikingcontrast

fear,joy and sorrow, of wealth and
fore
I saw
these pass like phantoms be-

me.

I left the

ing
balcony of the palace and loitered along the teemthoroughfares. I saw opulence lollingin elegantease and
feastingand drinking in luxurious dining halls and rich cafes,
while ragged children,
with hungry looks and watering mouths,
stood without and gazed through the broad and platedwindows.
I saw
gilded saloons,magnificentwith crystaland silver and
gold, and hung with costlypaintings,where wine flowed like
ruby fountains,and liquorsold and mellow enticed and tempted
alike the prosperous
and the poor, the learned and the unlearned,
the philosopherand the fool,the youth in his teens and tottering
old age.
There
I saw
drink bumpers with ward
statesmen

THE

OLD

143

PLANTATION

and perfumed and dainty swells clink glasseswith

politicians,
brawny and sw^aggeringchampions of the prize ring; there
innocent
an
boy just from the old plantation,with his
many
diction
his lips and his father's benemother's
last kiss still warm
on
still fresh in his heart, poured out his first libation to
tiful
the god of wine and entered the world of sin through the beaugate of temptation.

wandered, half bewildered, down

the avenue.
There
I saw
unguarded youth, charmed
by the
meretricious
glancesof fallen beauty and lured into the silken
web
of tinseled sin, where
remorseless
luted
guiltfeeds on the polhusks
of ruined
and blighted hearts, and I thought of
the story of the spiderand the fly.
The

scene

The

scene

changed, and

changed again,and I entered

I heard the
to the fickle goddess of chance.
wheel, and the rattle of poker chips,and
coin.

It

the sound

heard

half-uttered

was

on

click of the roulette

of

clink

the

golden
I

the coffin of fortune.

quiveringlips,and

groans from
muffled oaths from

teringsand
I

of the clods

dedicated

temple

the clenched

hoarse

teeth

of

mut-

tion.
despera-

Augiiish hovering there, silent and tense, like a

broodingangel,and beside her stood pale and haggard Ruin,
well,
with drawn
dagger pointedat his own heart,and he said : "FareO blissful dream
of happiness;farewell to the sweet
ories
memof a mother's kisses and a mother's
prayers."
The

died

day

lightof
of the

saw

was

livingGod.

aisles shone

with

the

temple

the elite of the

the

the

eloquenceof

keen-edged sword

shields and
thunderbolts

of the

cleavinghelmets
that

golden pipes of
on

Its broad

before

soft,rich radiance of the costumed worshipers

like a dream
of patricianwealth and glory. The sanctuary
redolent of flowers,and the vast assemblage sat motionless
under

the

night,the night vanished

Sabbath
morning, and I entered

beautiful

and
metropolis,
was

into the

the air and

were

the great divine

Spirit,now
;

now

forged in

bore

crystalheights of
of the jew^el
walls

me

song

upward
till my

of the Eternal

gospelMars, piercing
Olympian Jove, hurling

heaven
the

on

wielded

an

the great organ

he

as

; and

then

seraph of

out

music

his outstretched

from

the

fluttered

wings

to the

raptured soul caught glimpses

City.

LECTURES

144

The

ROBERT

OF

L.

pageant dissolved

and

tread.

explored the slums of

I walked
amid
that cityby the sea.
the squalidtenements
of
by hope, unhallowed
by love,and
poverty and sin,unillumined
where

sacred

TAYLOR

even

in the coils of
of

depths

trembles

mercy

to

debauchery, and

shame, but
God's

jewels are
of humanity.
cesspools
streams,

In

so

pallet of
had

Her

rags.

vanished

withered

and

from

the

of the

sky

above

Divine

eyes.

Was
not

this the

not

left its blue

the sinless
of music

and

invisible

in the

reeking

lay dying on
The

roses

its stars
of

glory about

her and

head.

All

looked

who

in her innocent
her tender

the vilest

lipsspoke

the solemn

on

scene

Did
I say majesty?
in rags.
chamber
of God's elect,and was

majesty

royal death

the storm

jeweled couch
an

was

angel?

an

soul ?

immortal

of life

of

hushed

There

Was
was

forever; and

a
as

flightI thought I caught faint swells

world; I thought I heard the rustle of

its

another

wings.

I looked

upon

the sea, and

in

these

I dreamed

sk}^is blue

dwells

and

caressed

spirittook

from

filthiest of

was

outcast

of rags the
the coronation
of
scene
gasp,

the

flower.

there

its aureole

set

this little bed

sigh,a

into the

child

clenched

cheeks,and

in silence to this

it not

the

had

love had

and the lowest

life,
blessingsupon her
bowed

her

degraded

hidden

of crime
hand

crushed

nothing left but

The
blessed sunshine
row
crept through the narstreet and hung enthralled in her golden hair,

lilies.

canon

white

manhood

pearls in

are

sometimes

of these tenements

one

motherhood

there

as

saw

above

the

and

of life in
shiftingscenes
of the old plantationfar
the earth below

quiet vales

and

is green

contentment

"

that
away,
where

sings

city by
where

peace
the
among

hills.
I wondered
when

nature

where
seek"

the wild
with

languishin crowded alleys,

to her landscapesof beauty,
away
bloom
and the sunshine
plays "hide and
days.
through the long surmuer

why thousands
is beckoning them
flowers

the shadows

would

toilingmillions would dwell amid the

stench and blackened
walls of misery and be slaves to heartless
untouched
fields and coolingsprings invite the
masters, when
happy home, and the virginsoil stillwaits for the plowman and
I wondered

his merry

song.

why

the

146

LECTURES

with

and

into the water

Did

darts away
hear

you ever
in a cabin

L.

ROBERT

bid him
flutter,

farewell

OF

TAYLOR

good evening as
like

an

arrow

the story of five fishermen

the banks

of

drops back

he

Southern

who

river ?

lived together
The

only
two
quilts.They all slept
sleepingarrangements they had were
togetheron one and covered with the other,and in the night,
wished to turn over, he shouted "Spoon !" and they all
when one
turned over
together. One day one of the boys went out alone
to

fish.

shoot
limb

on

climbed

He

tree

on

and

the bank

crawled

out

the stream, and

lay there,lookingdown, waiting

for a trout to come
positionwas so comfortable
that he Avent to sleep,and a mischievous
fellow,passingby,
knowing the habit of the fishermen when they wanted to turn
erman
over, shouted "Spoon!" at the top of his voice;the sleepingfishinstantlyturned over and fell ten feet "kersplash"into
on

over

in sight; but his

the water.
Did
orator

hear the tale of Mark

Antony, the
you ever
of the ISTile? He went
and the Romeo
of Rome

the

Egypt

one

day

dark-eyedqueen
"By

flounder

the

his back
and

as

gods,that

beneath

squared himself

up

on

the
and

with

angling

the beautiful

patra,
Cleoroyal barge
and he fished and fished,
unrewarded
by a nibble,imtil
the hours grew
dull and heavy; but the cunning queen
ceived
conunfolded
the scheme
a plan to change her lover's luck,and
side
the larboard
the slave secretlydived from
to a slave,and
hook and
of the boat and hung a dried herring on the general's
then gave his line a vigorous pull. "By Jupiter,"shouted
fish." "Take
Mark
Antony, "I have hooked a monstrous
care,
lord,and give him line,lest he drag thee into the sea,"cried
my
in

the

funeral

she chuckled

fish shall flounder

waves," cried
a

gave

at the feet of the

saw

behind

nothing but

the

on

her fan.

thy deck,or

impetuous

mighty jerk,but

laughing queen,
little dried

fell

and

Roman.

1 shall
He

sprawling on

when

he looked

herring dangling among

blandly smiled and dryly said: "He

fish while biting,
but between
his bite and my
was
a monstrous
jerk he has wonderfully shriveled,but he's the oldest-looking
the ropes

fish and
the

above

him,

he

he has the loudest

royalbarge."

smell

of any

fish that

ever

perfumed

THE

And

so

of the

earned

great cityand

and

he

cash

until

Antony sits
drops his hook in

fishes with

fishes and

shrewd

some

luck, takes the littlewad

when

147

PLANTATION

ambitious

an

many

OLD

his

the

air above

and

there

and

the smell of

is

Ladies

off and

and

dream

and

all

is the
It

dreams

our

of brick

environments

of speculation,
of

hard-

million,he

dangling in
shriveled hope,

an

empty purse

that is vanished.

and

ideals of the beautiful

change
ex-

finds

only the dried herring of a

nothing left but the aged look of

gentlemen,environment
character.
thought and human

The

little wad

him

sea

stock

manipulator,just to change his

givesthe line a heavy pull,and

falls at the feet of fickle fortune

jerksand

the

the

guilelessAntony thinks he has hooked

our

human

in

and

great moulder

givesshape to
of happiness.

mortar

which

wall

all

of
our

in the

developgenius and stimulate activity

the ideals of
but they contract
vocations of life,
in a thousand
of a dollar,and shape their dreams
to the circumference
men
of happiness to all the gildedforms of artificial pleasurewhich
alone can
buy.
money
mighty

cities of the world

quicken the brain and give it power to

grasp colossal problems,and fret continents with lines of steel,
the golden thrones of
and weave
the web of civilization around
kings; but they chill the nobler and better impulses of
money
Such

environments

the heart and

it cold and

make

sentiments

indifferent to the pure

and

tiful
beau-

of life.

cityswells and societybelles

whirling under the flaming chandeliers until the
coat tails of the swells jDoppedlike whip-crackersand the skirts
of the belles flappedlike the sails of a schooner in a high wind ?
That was
a piping gale of urban
pleasure.
Did

ever

Did

ever

you
swinging and

you
metropolis?
and

broadcloth

and

rarest

bowed

It

watch

attend
was

and

bevy

of

g-reatreceptionin the heart

gorgeous

of icicles and

scene

jeweled skeletons,arrayed in

silks of richest colors ; and

to

the

skeletons,and

of the

the

spectacles,
white slippers

the icicles and

skeletons

the tacles
specbowed
to the

and the skeleton and the icicles and

spectacles;
and discussed
and tricycles,
talked of their bicycles
the spectacles
and drank champagne and sherry,and got very
various articles,
with oysters and dill pickles;and the
and wound
up
merry,
icicles and

the

148

LECTURES

icicles and
with

OF

ROBERT

the

spectacles
got in
girlsin the morning.

the

L.

TAYLOR

their vehicles

and

That

cream

the

was

home

went

of urban

civilization.
Did

ever

gaze
Minervas
painted

and

you

on

gaudy throng of

bald-headed

ApoUos
speechlessrapture

walling their eyes in

before the garrishlights
of the grand opera ? How
the fans and
ribbons fluttered,
and the side whiskers
swayed and spluttered,
of Wagner shook the crowded
torium
audias the shriekingharmonies
! That was
the tuneless pandemonium of urban environment.
The
her

lover of

modem

day for her

sternlysaid:

one

and

haven't

time

female

lawyer began to plead with

and hand, but she motioned
him away
propositionin waiting,sir; I
your

heart
"Put

to listen to

an

todav,"

oral arcimient

"I

understand,"said the old-fashioned woman,

children are
studying for professions." "Yes,"
"my daughter is reading medicine and my
woman,
to be

old

the doctor

him

said

the
is

son

new

going

dressmaker."

An

will

''that your

bent

over

the

meet

soon

his deathbed

lay on

man

him

and

in that

said, "You

of Terrors.

King

cityby the sea, and

are
dying, sir. You

Are

you

afraid

to

meet

?"

"ISTo,"said the feeble patient; "I'm not a bit afraid to

him ; I've been livingwith the Queen of Terrors for forty

meet

years."
That

same

very

skirts and

man's

day

masculine

hat, walked

old woman,

into the

wearing short
telegraphoffice in that

cityby the sea and telegraphedher brother down on the old

ered
plantation: "My husband died this morning. Loss fullycovby insurance."
Ladies

and

gentlemen, I would rather be a worshiper at

nature's shrine,with my
cheeks and hands
all tanned
by the
summer's
and my
heart as lightas the wing of a bird; I
sun
would
rather watch
and
a
peacefulflock graze among the hills,
gather luscious fruits from bending boughs and purple grapes
from
staggeringvines,than to dwell in that city by the sea,
among

the awful

pleasureturn
I would
doA\Ti

on

of life
inequalities
"

to ashes

rather wake

the old

on

from

the
my

when
plantation,

where

the fruits of artificial

lips.
restful slumbers
the

morning

is

in

cottage

hanging

her

THE

banners
my

purple and gold on

of

hunter's

149

PLANTATION

OLD

the

and

horn

sky, and

eastern

fox

call my
eager
of autumn,
woods

hounds

to

down

take
the

chase

gather up my fishing
tackle in the afternoon and go angling for speckledtrout in the
for bass and
brooks,or trolling
brimming poolsof the mountain
salmon
in the w^hirlingeddies of the river, than to join the
hungry throngs who crowd the streets of that cityby the sea in
the wild pursuitof the almighty dollar.
the peaceful
I speak of the old plantationI mean
When
the maddening strife of men,
of rural life far from
realms
deep

in the

whether

they be

himable
with

God

and

or

fertile fields of the rich

and

of the poor, with

blooming at the door.

mean

where

the broad

cabins

roses

gloomy

the

dreamy

curtains

with

blade

festoons

the

winding

the

only gardens and springs,and

the sunlit hills and

the earth

or

streams

with

dells of the country,

and

leaf and

flower,

spreadingtrees

and

tanglingvines.
I

the environments

of the

farm, where Art is born and

Literature
drinks at the fountain
of the beautiful,and where
INTature rocks the cradles of poets and orators.
It is not always
Its skies are not always
a paradise,
yet it is always beautiful.
clear and calm, yet the sunshine
is brightestafter the storm,
and, like God's love and mercy, it is free to all.
mean

Serpentscrawl among its fairest flowers,and every bee that

gathers honey there has a sting. It has its thistles and its
thorns, and there are graveyards and trials and tribulations
down
the old plantation. Yet it is the storehouse
of sentiment,
on
solitudes the angelsof peace and happiand in its sweet
ness
forever
There

ley, and

dwell.

was

wedding

in the years

one

night far

that followed

down
saw

the
half

peacefulval
dozen curly-

headed

girlsromping around their mother's knee and a half

dozen
noisy boys diving like didappers and swimming like
ducks down
at the old swimming hole, or
fishingin the eddies,
or
yelling,or running rabbits in the briar field. They were
the fruits of the union of the plow boy and the milk maiden,
cheers for the Union!"
because I knew
and I shouted,"Three
who succeed and distinguish
that the great majority of the men
themselves

in the world

are

eountrv-bred,and but for the brawn

LECTURES

150

and

brain

the

ROBERT

the fresh blood

and

the grass would

by

OF

soon

L.

TAYLOR

that flows in from

grow

the old

in the streets

green

plantation,
that city

of

sea.

If

of your
want
to make
a
man
boy and
you
and brain and
take him
constitution,
away

muscle

of the

environments

farm, and

swelteringcity and

let him

him

turn

and

let him

convert

and

tumble

in the

air like

carry his big toe in a

of the barn room
and
of the well in search

hat

straw

in

from

loose

the bull-bats and

caper among
himself into a circus and turn

the
the

on

billygoats,
somersaults

cyclone;

him

give

let him

sling,and climb up and straddle the comb

yelllike an Indian, or explorethe bottom
and
of bull frogs. It will give him nerve

spirit.
Let

him

mix

buttingram,

and

It will

steer.

in

up

dog light,and

play Mazeppa

teach

him

the

shiver

the

on

lessons

back

of

lances
of

with

yearling

and

courage

self-

confidence.
Let

him

where

angels dare not tread. His grandmother

have hysterics
wear
may
every day, and his mother
may
in
of
the
final
mourning
anticipation
tragedy,hut fear not
venture

"

can't kill him.

you

Let

him

powder

under

mother's

the

hide

sew

under

put asafoetida

hour, for
Let

dog's nose,

up

the

the
in

him

legof

sofa

the

it will imbue

his heart and

Let

in the cat's

mouth, and flash gimstampede the calf with his

and

parasol.

Let him
and

put red pepper

learn

to

hang

his

when

soup,

him

slumberingfather's pantaloons,
his

and
with

big

sister's beau

receive

"thrashing"every

the doctrine

of eternal

be ISTature's lover and

upon

her

lipslike

calls,and

gather her
smitten cupid.

ment.
punishsongs

him

in

field and
daily keep tryst with her in the sunny
silent woods, and pillowhis head on her bosom
by the babbling
the blue bells kiss the marigolds in the lovebrook, where
the golden hours
to the
whispering breeze,and dream
away
sweet

lullabies of the robin

Let him

walk

overarching bloom
with

doves.

in her

and

the bob-o-link.

sequesteredlanes where

is melodious

with

red

birds

the hawthorn's
and

amorous

OLD

THE

splashed with red

buds and the dogwood blossoms
star with white the leafy robes
of May, where
the rabbits waltz by moonlight and the catbird
some
day may awake the
sings his sweetest
song, for in him
Burns.
of a greater Milton or the harp of a sweeter
muse
Like a poet Avithout a muse,
or
an
Apollo without eloquence,
unkindled
who
has
like a fireless jewel,or an
star, is the man
Let

him

go where

but

art

art of

the

mimicry

in his soul.

IsTature,and

of

For

what

what

is human
but

is Nature

the

God

brush

What

tangledglades are

of TTature

felt the touch

never

the

15

PLANTATION

has

paintedthe

ever

the sunbeam's

as

poppy

pencilpaints it?
beauty of the artist's painted dream
more
deftly imaged in the stream,
and trees and bending skies,
rocks
Where
rise.
its
Inverted
mirror, downward
by
What

Is not

his

Does
of

music.

long for harmony?

ear

his

Does

the

crave

eye

the very hills are thrones

beautiful ?
April carpets

"

"

and June
damasks
his cottage wall
violets,
the fields with orient pearls,and
with roses; the morning sows
skies with a thousand
shattered
the sunset
the evening glorifies

the meadows

with

rainbows.
Autumn

bounding pulse of Summer

death,and, lo! she falls to sleepon

of

kindlytouch
pyre

the

slows

of colors

as

Winter

Then
on

And

on

And
Then

stills that

her

lays

the

funeral

of heaven.

silent tread,

Autumn's

head,

his jeweled hand.

heart forever.

heart

o'er her
from

dream

with

comes

his heart

And

As

as

gorgeous

with

the

rears

vales

spotless tomb.
requiem swells,
his magic loom

her

it from
wreathes
With
crystal immortelles.

And

It is here
his

first and

It is here
into
flights

that

the

that

the

unfettered

best

his

and

impressionable
boy

inspirationsof

fancy takes wings

bright realm

of dreams.

thought
and

makes

and

ceives
re-

ment.
senti-

its first

LECTURES

152

L.

that he is first aroused

It is here
kneels

ROBERT

OF

ITature's

before

majesty

and

TAYLOR

glory,and
royal stroke of

the call of

by

receives her

knighthood.
great civilizations of the past

The

born

were

nurtured

and

husbandry. That rich agricultureborn of the

into civic greatness,
the empire of the Pharaohs
Nile nursed
whose
mighty ruins remain today the eloquent witnesses of a
daAAOi of history. The
the very
harp of
glory that marked
ers
pipesplayed by shepherds and farmOrpheus and the Pandean
that natal song
in the beautiful land of the Aegean sounded
animated
the
of a civilization whose
soul has inspired and
of all succeedingcenturies.
poetry and eloquence,the arts and arms
in the

lap

There

of

was

brilliant than

more

About

time.

hearts

now

of its

and

monuments,

and

gone.

clingsa

and
of

land

story of vanished

romantic

by lips that

sweeter

there

is

fragrance of

like the
from

of

throne

the cotton
of

Eves

and

nothing

walked

shade

amid

the

and.

left but

the

its tombstones

flowers

that

are

faded

livingebony and made

of wealth and
floodgates

the sugar

toil;and

hushed

are

departed glory,lingeringamong

tributary. It opened the

world with gold. Its realm

paradiseof

Adams

of my
nativity
flourished in all the tide of

its

deluged the
the

in the

ever

dust, and

are

It ruled

the world

and

holier

that

memory

that

any

its ruins there

made

dreams

civilization

once

the sunny

was

South,

kept by the dusky

rinths
magnolia-scentedlaby-

cane,

its

chivalry and

beauty

of

lordly

race.

It

was

Caesar, it

foil with
dissolved

corpse
of

proud

but, like great

imperial civilization,
ing
hundred
an
gaping wounds, and its bleedthe funeral
into ashes long ago on
pile
and

war.

I would

stir your

tonight;but

wounds

give you
before

not

our

glimpse
Caesar

There, half
trees,where

the

hearts

to

pity nor

let

of

golden days

the

gaping

lift the veil of memory

rather

me

recall those

of the

old

and

plantation

fell.

hidden

in the groves

mocking

twitteringbluebirds

birds

of live oaks

chuckled

and

and

magnolia

laughed, and

the

built their nests, stood the white-columned

tHE

of

mansion

OLD

life reached

master, where

the

PLANTATION

high

the

$3

tide of

splendor.
the snowy
cotton
to the horizon
And
were
stretching
away
alive with the toiling
slaves,who, without a singlecare
fields,
till
their hearts,sang as they toiled from earlymorn
to burden
close of day.
was
greetedby the laughterand
Every sunrise of summer
forth
in gangs and went
songs of the darkies as they scattered
in every direction to begin the labors of the day, and the music

baronial

floated back

the mansion

to

the

drowsy

lords and

The

negToes

of that

humorous

into every task

filled with their mirth

hour

was

were

imbued

the

with

firm believers in the

not

spiritof

their

on

and

musical

lived in the

ever

melody

wove

still rested

the most

pillows.
the most

world, and they

they performed;every
and

their

of

morning dreams

the

sweeten

ladies who

day were
peoplewho

of

race

to

leisure

merriment, and they

and
religion,

the Christian

of Almighty
providence

God.

were

There

those millions of slaves.

infidel among
home
of an old plantation
I sat on the veranda

was

an

in the

the

chiming
twilightof evening and
the responsivehymn of the
distant villagebells and
from
the
as
flockinghomeward
they came
negroes
fields singing.
listened

The

negro

quarters around

to

the mansion

ering
gath-

of the
weary
cotton

the shrines of

were

pleasure,where the dusky revelers gatheredevery

to play, and
pat, and sing,and
night,with banjo and fiddle,
dance away the long,happy hours.
I have heard them
play and sing until the very heavens
innocent

seemed
every

to turn

into sheets of music

moonbeams

star

w- as

note

and

dance until
them
I have seen
song.
with the
and pleasureof the bonfire sprung corners
them
I have heard
in the air.
laugh until the

constellation

the smoke

; every

was

nut
ripeningcorn grinned through the shuck and the tickled chestand chuckled.
The old darkies
burrs spread their mouths
and the kinky-headed
pickaninniesformed a circle around the
keeping time with the
dancers,and all pattedand sang together,
music

of the fiddle.

I have

heard

them

drumming battens,and
(10)

hum

to

flyingshuttles

and

to the music

of

beat time

the clank

of

whirlingbob-

snow

L.

TAYLOR

the

linsey.
And

the

ROBERT

great banks of cotton and wool melted away like

in June, and then reappeared in ponderous bolts of jeans

bins,and
and

OF

LECTURES

154

I have

then

snip of shears,and

of thread

till the last

the

in the

sewing

and

room

gratingof thimbles, and

garment

was

finished and

proof against the cold

made

were

them

seen

and

the

the black

heard

sighing
bodies

chillingblasts

the

of

winter.
And

the

then, in

dreamy days

of autumnal

gold was on the forest and the mellow sun

I have watched
mother
russet
fields,
my
chair knittingfor her
in her big arm
of her graceful fingerswas
movement
enchantment; it was magic in yarn, and
the floor.

on

capers

And

her

As

hair

and

the

they deftly threw

the

And

each

as

needles danced
like witches.
nimble
fingers flew

those

And

But

and

came

lines of

new

stitches,
stocking grew.

great white

autumn

her lovelit eyes grew

coming

dim

theyburied her
mammy,
there.

; and
on

the

and
hill,

have been said

may
the contrary, the old-time Southern

wave

what

caught him
that he
One

saw

the

rolled

across

sparks are
napping in the

as

silver in her

new

my

face, and
old black

father,too, is sleeping

by lecturers
darkey was

took no
earth.
He
green
he should eat or what he should

of trouble

to idleness

Lord's

the

morrow,

went

age in her beautiful

then at last,
with my

Whatever

on

glory,when its
poured amber on the
she sat by the window
as
slaves. The rhythmic
visible music; it was
the big white ball cut

or

novelists

to

ing
happiestbethought of the
drink,and not a
the

his

as
lazy heart. He was
prone
his master
to flyupward, and when
he turned ashey and protested
field,

the sickest negi'o in the world.

day an old-time planter,who was

was

lawyer as well,
from
home
and found
his darkies lounging about
court
came
and sleepingunder the shade of the trees,and he sternlycalled
them around him, with a thunderstorm
his brow, and harshly
on
said : "If you lazy,good-for-nothing
ing
niggersdon't quit loungand sleepingaround
here and get up and go to work, I will
quit practicinglaw and let you all starve to death."
a

THE

OLD

155

PLANTATION

one
night and gave the
lazj old darky got married
In about two
preacher a string of fish for tying the knot.
him and said :
months
the preacher met
"Rastus, how are you
and Aunt
Dinah
gettingalong?" "Well, boss,"Uncle Rastus
said,"I wish to de Lawd I had et dem fish."

An

ambitious

business
the

and

make

some

fine hens

and

lay, and

the old

on

money

neighboringchicken
a

concluded

old negro

go into the egg

the outside,and he visited

by moonlight and procured some

roosts

somehow

; but

rooster

he would

wouldn't

other the hens

or

discouraged. He was
sittingin front of his cabin one evening,when the old rooster
The
hopped up on the porch and floppedhis wings and crowed.
and said:
looked at him
old man
"Yes, floppingyour wings
here like an old fool,and you can't lay an
and crowing around
egg to save
Uncle

darky

your life."
Rastus
met

was

very

much

day and said:

cullud?"
"Nicodemus, do you 'spozeany of de 'postleswuz
"I'se not
sho 'bout dat, Rastus," said Nicodemus, "but I'se
powerful sho dat Simon Peter ^vuz no nigger,'cause ef he had
been,dat rooster neber would a-crowed three times."
Old Uncle
moaned,
Ephraim's wife died, and the old man
and
in
the
and shouted,
and yelled,
finallyjumped
grave and
with her, but a big, stout darky jerked
wanted
to be buried
and

him

out

and

said

neber

held him.
"Turn

did lak to

Uncle

Rastus

old

The

was

the

shuffled into

said:

"Excuse

"It

is

came

Uncle

me,

word

around

in his wrath
here ; you

his master

in the

book, and

mansion

one

master, but what

healed

is

yo'

gwine

text

to

be

ef you

unto

Rastus

him

and

said,

man

he healed

thanked

It is dis: 'And
dem

and

Saturday evening

them

his master

"

'And

the

and

bowed

of

divers

de

multitudes

diseases.'

Mark

came

de

tudes
multi-

diseases.'

of divers

next

Bible.

fore,
there-

was,

himself

morning he rose before his congregationand

I'se got de dangerousesttext 'twixt the
congregation,
and

also

was

for his texts.

master

please,sir ?"
this,Rastus," the old

for tomorrow,

looked

man

enjoy myse'f."
a
preacher, and

me

preacher. He couldn't read a

compelled to rely on his
He

one

loose,nigger,and go 'way f um

me
see

Nicodemus

Uncle

said

"

out,

"My

lids of the

unto

him

words

of

and
de

he

text:

156

LECTURES

diseases.'

'Divers
in

world

de

hits
de

cuore

can

can

de

fever

de

smallpox,

divers

beauty,

and

and

golden

but,

in

dead

done

the

they

courtly

They
the

of

Niels

loiighthood

gits

dey

to

text,

thousands,

and

the

language

right

now

pox
small-

can

Sometimes

time.

in

de

is

doctors

earthly

dese
it

disease

here

of

de

dey
ef

text,
but

Nobody

you
Lord

de

divers."

queens

Marechal

hits

dis

Sometimes
ef

you's

de

cuore

The

thousands.

yaller

cuore

takes

of

tens

to

kills

fever

yaller

de

TAYLOR

L.

according

Now,

"

ROBERT

OF

as

was

lived
chain

mansions
wooed

were

and

among

shivered

ever

in
in

the

and

cape

won

jasmines

lances

in

luxury,

and

the

types

of

under

by

Caucasian
arbors

men

romantic

as

days

of

proud
when

flower.

ease

of

perfect

were

and

pleasure.

each

day

was

link

in

l6o

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

and who will prophesy an end to

fraternal,
the
Doodle"
fattens from
our
fraternityas long as "Yankee
tariff and "Dixie"
generouslyfillsthe
hopper of high protective
Doodle"
gets the fat and "Dixie"
hopper as long as "Yankee
gets the fraternity.
old darkies who
It is beautifullyillustrated by the two
bought a cow in partnershipand rented a pasture to keep her in.
But Uncle Yank
persistedin milking the cow and appropriating
the fence one
Uncle
Dick
all the milk.
poked his head over
"How's
dis, Brudder
milking away.
evening while Yank was
in partners, half and half?"
Yank; didn't we bought dat cow
all
"Yas, sah, dat's right." "Well, den, how is it you'sa-gittin'
with fire in his eyes.
de milk ?" Yank
"Lookey heah,nigrose
gah, I's dun 'lected fuh to choose which end ob de cow I takes.

stillwe

But

are

"

I takes de hine
hear
de

half ob de

Now

cow.

walk

from

yoahselfaway

to feed youah end ob

go to work and gitup somethin'
de comand a secedin' frum
and quit youah nullifyin'
pact."

and

cow

Doodle."
whisper a secret in the ear of "Yankee
is squeezing
the West, and the West
is smiling on
hand, and we may yet have the equilibriumof government
which
will give to each section a fair division of the

let

But
"Dixie"
"Dixie's"

me

milk.
The

scenes

shift,and

may

it is the

for

change tomorrow,

of

conditions

the

may
interests which

of

community

today

rules the destinies of Nations.

The

perpetuityof

of the sections

harmony

fat to all alike.

always
An

must

shouted
politician
once
I know
no
North, I know

I know

no

"You'd

better go an'

I think
believe

West," and
the

they are
River

boy

was

the very
is

boundary line

from
no

the

the
and

South, I

know

barefooted

between

The

Potomac

the North

and

the Ohio
the

East.

gallery,
lines.

The

the eastern

marks
and

no

the

right. I believe in sectional

safeguardsof the Republic.

sectional line which

"Fellow

stump:

boy yelledfrom
study gog-er-fey."
a

of the great West.

the

and

will be sectional lines.

old

Citizens

We

Republic depends upon the peace

and upon
the equal distribution of
recognizethe fact that there are

the

sissippi
Misdary
boun-

constitute

South, and

each

l6l

DIXIE

of these

great sections thus divided

is

of

column

strengthand

in the triple-pillared
Temple of the Union.
power
with
Yonder
stretches the i^orth and the East, glittering

spired cities,crowded with busy millions,singingthe songs of

the loom, and groaning with
with the spindle and
progress
and politics.It is the emporium of universities and
wealth
flourishes
which
It is the colossal pillararound
prizefighters.
a civilization whose
triumphs are the triumphs of cultured brain
and cunning hand, and whose
mand
statesmanshipand codfish comof the world.

the admiration

"Beyond
'Where
On

the

shining trail of

Sunset's

rising marts

'Father

of

Waters,'

gates unfold

radiant
and

the

of gold,'"

sands

mighty pillarof the West, around whose base there lies

shadow
has
whose
another vast empire of territory,
and under
and marvelous
civilization,
gold-crowned
leaped into life a new
and silver-sandaled,
holding in its right hand the sheaves of
and plenty and in its left hand
the funnel-shapedcloud.
peace
The snoAvcappedRockies
its w^atchtowers and the tornado is
are

looms

the

its carrier dove.

Doodle, and richer than

sweet
the prairiedWest is the empire of my ovm
Sunny South,
the land of flowers and tears,of beauty and of sorrows, the land
it is still
all its sufferings
With
of griefsand broken columns.
of
and bloom
all the verdure
the garden of the gods, where
Around
this majestic
Lost"
home.
"Paradise
have found
a
tion,
pillarof our Union there breathes still another proud civilizawhose
with the laurel and the lily,
whose brow is wreathed
bloody sword is sheathed,and whose face is turned toward the
morning.
isphere
Behold, then,this imperialtriumvirate of the Western Hemthis mighty trinityof empires,unfettered
by tyrants,
undaunted
by kings. "Wherever the eagleslead them with forces
joined the planet will tremble and the Nations of the earth
must
quail.
fairer than

But

the Land

of Yankee

"

Thus

the American

Union

is divided

into three

tions
great secand the sections into States,and these sections and States,

with

all their

varieties

of

climate,and

fruit

and

flower,and

l62

LECTURES

landscapeand river,and
innumerable

variations

It would

South.
nor

do

not

all

is the law

lines

all North

nor

all

to be all winter

seasons

of

islands of

the

and

snow

and diversity
diversity,

the stars

lightin

fall,and

into flame

the blue

the streams

ocean

to run,

and

of the
and

the

It wraps
the North
in
It robes the West
in the splendorsof
shine.

to

sun

ice.

of

It kindles

the rain to

blow, and

to

mantles

the landmarks

are

like
glitter

It makes

winds

for the

good

of the universe.

them

sky.

be

be

to

country

our

summer.

Sectional

makes

TAYLOR

mountain, blendingwith the

thought and feeling,and loves,and
gi'andsweet song of National
up one

of

for

not

L.

lake and

hopes,and memories, make

harmony.
It would

ROBERT

OF

the

It weaves
all the colors of the rainbow
into
settingsun.
and clothes the South in garments of perenpicturedtapestries
nial
beauty. Diversityhas given to the land of Yankee Doodle
the heaviest purse and to the West
the broadest territory.But
who will chide me
for lovingthe land of Dixie best.
I love it best because

it is my
sectional

native

land.

I believe not

in

patriotismwhich loves home

I would
better than any other spot on earth.
despisethe Yankee
does not love the rocks and hills of New
who
England better
and palms and dreamy landscapesof the whole
than all the roses
lines,but

sectional

South.

I would

sixteen

pounds
if he

her

of silver is
a

owns

his sweetest

warbles

the

loathe the Westerner

and

melodies

song
hunt

pear

and

bough

the

and

bush

does not

pound

one

and

best.

the

There

the

the

'possum

with
the

darkies

crimson

believe that
of

pecially
gold,es-

mocking bird
still sing their old

and

the

when

of Yankee

cherry and

like showers

the

the

coon.
sun

There
doth

kiss

princelyappleglows with deepest

the magnolia bloom
except when

the land

frost from

plum

as

and

and

there the orange

blightedby

good

as

of Dixie

queenly peach flushes

cheek,and by her side

red ; and

who

silver mine.

I love the land

But

time

in

of

ruby

Doodle.

every
and

of

kind

of

There

the

berry bend

pearl. There

the

tangling vines embossed with purple

filled
grapes that hang in clusters like a million crystalglobes
with melting pulp of honey,
with blushingwine, and bananas

hills

and

are

festooned

with

pineappleswithin

whose

purplish cones

cool fountains

of

163

DIXIE

delicious

cantaloupesyieldingluscious
of salmon
meats
with pulps of deep
hue, and huge watermelons
carnation
flowing with glory-hallelujah.PomegTanates hang
like ruddy moons
and lemons like golden globes,and sometimes
a
"nigger"hangs, away down South in Dixie.
I would
not be offensively
sectional,but God has made the
South
her

juicesflow.

the best.

He

There

has

are

his floods of sunshine

poured out

valleysand

her

upon

hills with

dimpled
shadowy coves,
green
birds
flutter and sing and brightwaters
nal
ripplein etergay
Doodle
and sets on the
melody. The sun rises on Yankee

where

West,

but

South

in Dixie.

he

When

Columbus

world

new

had

is at the full meridian

loomed

full

his

on

in the

if he had

Yankee
made

Doodle
a

he

would

bee line for

to the astonished

that

anchored

down

glory,away
tropicsea,

and

view, he little dreamed

discovered the frontier of the beautiful

I think

and

anchor

dropped

of his

land

the

that he

of Dixie.

sightof the frozen shores of

immediately shifted sails and
there,on bended knees, declared
in

have

Spain, and

Isabella that he had

the Korth

Pole,

Cortez
spectacles.When
and De Soto entered the wilderness
of America, throbbingwith
gaudy wings and ringing with wild music, no wonder
they
dreamed
of the El Dorado, whose
sands were
and
whose
gold
pebbleswere
preciousstones. They were
exploringthe beautiful
land of Dixie.
I think if they had dropped anchor in Buzzard's
Bay, when the immortal Joseph Jefferson was in his prime, he
would have greetedthem there with his famous
toast, "Here's to
your good health and your families
may
you all live long and
prosper,"and they would have abandoned their search for the
it

sidewhiskers

discovered

wore

and

"

El

Dorado

and

their lives

baited

their hooks

with

anglingfor silversides,
as the

gold bugs

sage of

and

wasted

Gray Gables

now

angles.
Ponce
fountain

de
of

Leon,

alias

youth away

it,for down among

in Florida,there is

searched
"Pontha-daily-o^\^l,"

down

the bananas
a

and

Doodle

fiftydollars

now
a

restore

and

in Dixie.
oranges

I think he found
at St.

to his memory.

monument

where
"Pontha-daily-o\\Ti,"

Yankee

South

the
their

sickly sons
youth at

"daily-own."The

Augustine,

It is the Hotel
and

daughters of

ten dollars

fountain

for the

of

"pontha"
youth is surely
a

164

LECTURES

there,for
he

native told

the oldest

saw

TAYLOR

ridingalong one morning and

earth standing in the chimney

was

lookingman

on

said he asked

He

crying.

comer

he

me

L.

ROBERT

OF

him

the old fellow said his father had

what

the matter, and

was

"

for "sassin'

him

whipped

his

grandfather.
is the richest country in the world.

Dixie

enough to sweeten
bounty or
years,

thousand

ribbed

the

among

of miles

in

clouds

and

continuous

one

Doodle

crowd

each

where

park

boast that the

may

reflection of the fires of her furnaces

only the shadows

Kentucky, and the milky

stars

sky

been

never

for

other

the

haa

axe

gleamed.
Yankee

and

have

that

ore

pick nor jarredby his dynamite. And

primeval forests of timber trees that lift

with

lofty tops

hundreds

of

mines

and

is rimmed

She

bounty.

no

the miner's

by

is skirted

their

never

inexhaustible

with

touched
she

tions
sugar plantaDoodle
for
the tooth of Yankee

rich

are

Her

are

of the cotton

but
factories,

and

of the
way

borealis is

aurora

horses

race

is but

the

only the

the shooting

of Tennessee
the

picture on

fields of Dixie.

Doodle, which
mighty is the Niagara of Yankee
leapsfrom its loftyprecipiceand roars like an eternal storm, but
thousand
there is a river whose
volume
is mightier than a
as
a summer's
day. It
Niagaras and w^hose waters are as warm
flows noiseless as the sunlight for more
than three thousand
ing
miles through the cold and turbulent waters
of the ocean, waftGreat

and

its miraculous

upon

half the world.

It

current

for

weaves

and

warmth

England

health

chapletof

and

life to
and

verdure

and the rose,

Erin with the shamrock
flowers,it crowns
green
and flingsa mantle
of perpetualbeauty on
the vine-clad hills
of France.
Its soft airs lingerabout the Orkney Isles and make
them
cluster of sunny
a
jewels in the midst of inhospitable
northern
that kindlier
seas.
And, still bearing in its bosom
shores
born of brigliter
nature
on
climes, it breathes in mercy
that touch

the frozen

It is the wondrous

givingpower,

zone.

Gulf

that rolls out

Stream, the vehicle of the sun's lifein

majesty from

the Southern

shore

of Dixie.
1^0 wonder
with

the invincible armies

the sword

to

of the North

prevent the divorce

argued so
of Dixie

quently
elofrom

t6i

DIXIE

this Union.

For

is Dixie.

Nation

flag,and

Talk

to

not

the blue.

of

Liberty,and

ashamed

of

race

of

were

the heart and

We

and

There

is

the dead

with

the

blood

The

is

ashamed

lived

Vernon

ashamed

l^sTewSouth.

no

We

not

are

of the

the earth

on

ashamed

and

grandest
and

Monticello

of Shiloh

Murfreesboro

South.

of the spear

scar

of Mt.

and

not

New

no

is the

She

West?

new

not

cheek

the

Doodle.

There

ever

in

of the cheek.

or
are

American

of the

dimple

of Yankee

who

not

"

are

white

the

unto

so

who

soul of the old South.

Hermitage we are
and Chickamauga
We

jewels are,

is the

most

We

women

ashamed

not

are

She

North

new

of the old South.

men

and

of the ISTew South.

me

heard

Whoever

is the red

She

in the shirt bosom

pin

the

crown

of

some

of the Goddess
diamond

the

unto

as

and

and

of the

It is the old South

printsof

Mission

Atlanta

historyof

and

Ridge
burg.
Gettys-

and

the

the

old

South.

resurrected

the nails still in its hands

from

and

the

stillin its side.

of

chivalrystill runs

in the veins

of its

people

God forbid that there ever

shall be a New
may
virtue and honor and courage of tlie old South are
for me.

South.

The

and

There
there

are

elements

new

the West.

The

the South

with

Southern

outshines

the negi-o

and

Corbett.

improvement

an

Abraham

has illuminated

race

and

the

the West
But

Lincoln.

And

cipation
eman-

with
loath

am

Daniel

on

and

North

gentlemen,justas

the North

of Sullivan
is

civilization,
just as

civilizations of the

colored

has adorned

believe that Sullivan

modem

in the

the modern

names

that Corbett

of

emancipation of

of muscle
immortal

elements

new

are

good enough

Webster

the
to
or

I fear that the

colored

gentleman has thrown but little light on the

labor problem of the South, for as soon
he begins to learn
as
"hie,haec, hoc," it's goodbye "gee,whoa, haw, buck."
I know
doubt
as

that

if the world

his memory
never

shall

will

are

new

ever

perishedwith

that which
Where

there

is the old-time
?

see

elements
another

the downfall

Southerner

Slavery is dead, and

forgetthe

visions

I have

who

of

civilization
of

brilliant

as

slavery.

would

I thank
seen

but I
civilization,

God

banish
for

it from

it,but I

of the cotton

fields.

l66

LECTURES

OF

L.

ROBERT

TAYLOR

stretchingaway to the horizon,alive with toilingnegroes, who

tillclose of day.
sang as they toiled from earlymorn
mansions
shall forgetthe white-columned
I never
risingin
bloomed, and the orange
cool,spreadinggroves, where the roses
their sprays of sno^vy blossoms, and the gay palms
trees waved
shook their featheryplumes.
and pride revel in banquet halls and feast
I have seen
pomp
I have heard the soft,
the luxuries of every zone.
on
voluptuous
swell of music, where
youth and jeweled beauty swayed and
floated in the mazes
of the misty dance under
chandeliers.
glittering
the lords and ladies of the plantation,
There I have seen
their thoroughbreds,fleet as the wind, dash away
mounted
on
and vanish like phantoms in the forest in pursuitof the fleeing
fox, where the music of the running hounds rose and fell and
fell and
the

from

rose

of

chiming

hill to hollow

thousand

and

bells.

from

hollow

was

king

Cotton

hill like

to

and

sat upon

the

ebony throne of slavery. Every day was a link in the golden

chain of pleasure.It was
a superb civilization which
produced
the peers of Webster
eloquentthan Everett

statesmen
more

as

great

as

marched

ever

and

Seward

Wendell

or

and

tors
Sumner, oraand soldiers
Phillips,

to battle.

the mansion
were
lightedby
quarters around
negro
of
with the music
night with bonfires and the hills resounded
The

and the merry

fiddle,
songs and laughterof
the
the older darkies,as they circled around
dusky young
dancers, and whiled away the long summer
evenings.
I have heard them play and sing until the very stars seemed

the

banjo

and

to twinkle

and

smoke

to

of

their music.

flame

in the
ears

the

corn

them

seen

of the bonfires

air.

I have

with

laugh

until the
the

till the

and

the trees

I have

heard

shuck

their leaves.

dance

corners

swung
heard
them

grinned through the

laughtertill they shed

till the

I have

beams
moon-

big ripe

shook
them

with

preach

trembled.

earth

one
planterwalked into the mansion
bright
ceny.
morning and preferredcharges againstUncle Rastus for larHis poultry yard had been raided and there wasn't a

chicken

old

pompous

left

on

the roost

correspondedwith

hurryingto

and

Uncle
fro and

to tell the tale.

Rastus'

l^o. 14

great excitement

The

of the thief

track

shoe, and
among

there

the

was

darkies.

I 68

LECTURES

dinner

The

ROBERT

OF

tooted

horn

TAYLOR

L.

bright summer
day and there
A fragrantold darkey said to

one

rejoicingin the cotton field.

his son, "Ephraham, git on dat mule and ride him to de house."
^'Excuse me, fodder,"repliedEphraim, "dat mule flungme
over
a apple tree
conyis-tiddyand I isn't a-gwyne to have any more
wid
'im."
"Oh, well,den, stan' back,yo' ole daddy can
gulgions
ride him ; I 'spise
to see a nigger afeard of a mule," and the old
mounted.
The
mule
threw
himself
into the shape of a
man
was

rainbow
and
a

and

The old man

shot into the air
gave a few bucks.
down
with a crash.
His head plowed the ground like

came

shell from

his eyes and

Krupp

nose,

whenever

"

you
thus the

And

white
merriment
of

and

gun

and

he got up

said,"Now,

a-throw

see

masters, and

wealth

the songs

of the slaves

and

dirt out

of

son, dat's de way

see, my

you

he's a-gwyne
enjoyments and

rubbing the

you jistgit off."

and glory of the imperial
and

sermons

mingled togetherlike

the

mirth

and

joyous waters

sparklingriver.

The
and

outside world

slave.

can

"Uncle

Tom's

for the cruelties of

many
mole

Cabin"

cruelties

the true
was

few.

It

There

were

hills into mountains.

the

know

never

an

was

relation of master
indictment

of

which

novel

the

inflated

cruelties almost

as

less
heart-

of 'New

England when the witches were

burned at the stake,but they were
exceptionsto the rule. The
master
kind to his slaves,
and historydoes not record such
was
devotion as that which
exhibited by the slave himself when
was
he stood guard at the door by night and worked
in the field by
day, to protect and feed the white women
and children of the
as

South

while his

for the
Let

master

was

far away

on

the battle

field,
fighting

perpetuation of slavery.

whisper again in

me

the

ear

of Yankee

Doodle:

The

South

and

and

taught this benighted race faith in the livingGod,

believe they will yet bear the gospel of Christ to Africa

wake

the dark
Not

continent

long ago

I buried

had

He

child he often
He
time

from

have

had
I

seen

been

led me,
never

him

gashun, you'llfind my

one

the slumber

of ages.
of the last of our
old

kies.
family dar-

preacher for fiftyyears. W^hen

togetherwith my brothers,to
learned

the art

rise in the
text

of

reading.

pulpitand

somewhar

say

was

his meetings.

But

"My

many

conger'twixt de lids of de Bible

169

DIXIE

would

warm

of

ratiocination

the

his theme

with

up

When

we

The

thousands

under

brother

my

in the

was

the trees,and

years of
robe,
wardmy

Rufus

always

are

was

crat.
Demo-

a Republican,
candidate,he was
neutral.
againsteach other, he was

minds

our

they

drafts

evening and

one

came

man

South, and

candidate,Uncle

candidates

were

old

last twenty

treasury and
upon my
of old-time darkies still make

masters
their former
upon
I was
honored.
When
a

When

the

During

man.

sightdrafts

his life he made

just as

"
And
then he
agan and agan.'
until he plungedout far beyond

be born

it reads,'Yo must

whar

with

sat

wandered

in the

twilight
togetherto the

me

back

footed
happy days of the past when he was a slave and I was a bareboy. He reviewed many a ghost story he used to tell us
around the hearthstone of his cabin in the happy
in the firelight
long ago. And there was many a joke and jestand merry peal
of laughter. But as the shadows
thickened
around
the old
us
darkey grew serious. He spoke tenderly of my father and
mother, and his old wife, and all the old folks who had gone
before.

With

tearful

departed,and
"You

leaned
not

may

upon

The

next

And

as

time

it

left

his staff and

again. I
descendingfrom

he

But

me.

said

paused as

he

has had

me

see

of de Lord

chariot

he

eyes

heaven

visions of de

two
to

bear

me

away.

Rufus
is a-gAvyne home."
your Uncle
I thought I heard a
in the darkness
away

comes

he hobbled

song:

"Swing

low

Swing

never

low

caught up

him

"

beautiful

to

fell from

the
time

him

upon

carry

week

for the last

his brow

him, his simplewords

me

me

home.

me

home."

had

passed the
steppedin,and was

will

the

come

black

the dews

time, with

and

the shadows

of faith in God

were

impassionedeloquencethat
brilliant Ingersoll.

when

the South

man-servant

will build

for his

of

of death

the most

than

lipsof

the old-time
(11)

to

carry

into heaven.

fallingaround

to

for

to

faithful old servant

life's evening condensingon

The

coming

again. Before

low, the

I looked

As

chariot

sweet

saw

chariot swung

chariot,coming for

sweet

more
ever

monimient

and
fidelity

devotion

LECTURES

170

master, and

to his

she

has

simg.

But

these

civil

swept

and

in flame
South

The
Saxon

been

the land.

The

The

severed.

The

throne

ebony
mansions

hurricane
of

were

dissolved

of

slaverywas
shattered
by

and

vanished

staggered,the century reeled.

purest and proudesttype of the Anglo-

and

erect

for the lullabies

Union

all,but the

stood

race

TAYLOR

billions of wealth

smoke.

lost

L.

white-columned

shell,and

and

shot

relations have

the

away,

ROBERT

the old-time black mammy

to

fell upon

war

OF

amid

defiant

and

its charred

ened
black-

ruins, the flower of his country dead at his feet,the earth

sword
His
red beneath
was
him, the skies black above him.
his

broken,

crushed ; but

country

without

he

throne

was

he was
less
no
palace had perished,
he was
stilla master.
a king. Magnificentin the gloom of defeat,
versity
adHas
he not mastered
poverty ? Has he not triumphed over
no

less

ruler.

of war,
and

at

and

and

enthroned

stand

look down
like

upon
fresh and

South

Atlanta,risinglike a seraph from the dying embers

Knoxville
spreadingher wings among the mountains,

iNashville

Go

his

rebuilt the ruined

and
Look

Though

amid

the

upon

her

of old Lookout

crown

and

great universities

leges.
col-

and

Mountain

Chattanooga,blooming in the battle field below

print
beautiful flower blossoming in the huge foot-

of death.
If

stricken

our

of their dead
the miracle

only
bank

almost

sorrowful

of

the

peoplehad
there
of

would

day

memory,

sat

down

now

be

in
no

; Richmond

and

Mississippilike

Memphis
the

chre
despair at the sepulthriftyBirmingham,
the James

on

lie dead

would

crumbled

would

of

ruins

be
the

on

ancient

Memphis.
is mightier than the sword, brains are
money
bullets,and we are winning back the prestigeand

better than

But

old

South

"

not

with

the

weapons

edged implements of peace.

when
I speak for the South
criminations
about
We

have

and

the war,
grown-up

the
letters,

fathers

recriminations
and

Southern

of

I say that
of the grave
outrage, and

high in
families,and

men,

but

of war,

church
with

we

and

glory of

with

are

the

the

keen-

tired of the

reverend

tic
luna-

the negro problem.

and state, learned
in

fortunes

already made.

171

DIXIE

who

the

remember

cannot

of buzzard

make

him

of

which
coal
the

confronts

and

black.

them

chained

mountains

pair of

and

iron

problem,

as

and

of iron

and

Cavalry, and
saddled

old

them

soldier

Bill

was

money

and

think

it not

much

get him

lope he

Bill

on

once

said

he

kept

him

he
he

and

rode

"git out

of

lope,and

out
ever

out

with

his

about it that
back

race,

built

the

beds

them

of

clean

feet every

Yankee
she's

day

He

"prudential"reasons.
beyond the lines one day
him

said he
and

thought it was

the slowest

both spurs

the

into Bill and

back

and

go

Yankees,

he said he

gone

measured

and

he couldn't

But

never

wheeled

Bill wouldn't

from

the Yankees

saw

he

on

But

popped

may

think

Dixie

jumping forty-twofeet

of
struggles

he

He

on

he knew

got
him

Bill had

out

to

of

not

studying

before) and

jumped forty-

jump.

Doodle

I trust

gan's
in Mor-

for

camp.

and

horse's

His

the fastest "boss"

was

sword, but
away

effectually
as

as

the Yankees.

he said he

night (Billhad
next

stretch

of the wilderness."

in his life.

saw

lope. The old fellow got

how, and rode safelyinto

But

their eyes

the measureless

the home

on

distanced

Bill to

calarruped him

he went

of

reigneth,who

buried

solving

brains.

in the flank and

foragingexpedition. And all at once

coming. They opened fire on
called

Yankee

are

we

and

Lord

the

as

sure

and

our

heels tomorrow.

the old Rebel

name

and

between

race

supremacy,

their spurs

keep

will distance

We

the

problem

stock

Dixie, the rival they despisetoday will show

coal in

but

It is the

is the

sweat

smile

may
to

wire, for

and

muscle

with

Doodle

warn

that

for industrial

Dixie

problem

and

energy,

the

two

silver

problem, the grain and

cotton

our

and

Yankee

on

and

no

manufacturing problem,and the educational problem.

is engaging
There
is only one
race
problem which

Doodle

but

improve
the gold and

It is

is

negro
and
his condition

shall

we

all,white

us

problem, the

thought
that

how

to
politicians,

There

country apart.

our

better citizen.

and

phthisicylecturers

orators,

keep the two sections

problem, except as to

tion
outrage is the inven-

Southern

war.

in God
peace

every

is

only going

in

not

of

war.

lope,

jump.

that the rivalries of the future

and

The

hand

will be

of secession

LECTURES

172

OF

ROBERT

L.

be lifted up again. The

line.
and Dixon's
side of Mason
will

hand

mailed

the torch.

with

threatens

Cassius

and

Brutus

plays too deep

and

part.

fell,under

Caesar

as

strong

the

bloody hands of its own

the smoking daggers. If that
South
will be the Antony to

Capitol,and

of the National

dome

Gold

falls it will fall

Eepublic ever

If the

red

The

the other

on

is reaching too far

power
hand
of anarchy too often

of centralized

the lines of states.

across

lies

danger now

never

The

TAYLOR

will brandish

the

the
day shall ever
come,
the clutches of treason.
snatch libertyfrom
If you ask me
:
why the South will be the Antony, I answer
I
American
has the pure
blood.
It is the only section which
that anarchy cannot
live on
Southern
soil. They will
answer
dark

make

saddle with the

pop like a new
the necks of the despoilers
of their homes.

its neck

breaks

the
preserve
the equilibrium of the Government.

Let
and
is

all strive to

us

glorious,but

lion in the
Mason
the

yawning

and

bravest

honor
our

across

which

the breast of the

has torn

chivalryon

there, but

suns

been

it is

the

longer

no

the best

up

it is the red

now

Republic which

the

marks

scar

of

unity of

country.

down

flagsand

the forts and

field of

bloody

smelted

leveled

glory,where

prancing chargersonce

; where

the hostile guns.

and

the trenches
courage

proudly

shimmering epauletsand bright swords

of charging bayonets at uniform
of

patriotism

has

swallowed

once

bloody lipsand

has furled the battle

the

sections

progress.

line is still

of death

the

Sectional

always

that

rope

of all the sections.

divided

Time

pits on

Dixon's

chasm

national

of

harmony

is and

hatred

our

has closed its

once

Time

of

pathway
and

Time

sectional

same

rode

and

rifle

highborn

the front

with

where

sands
thou-

gleaming;

sands
angles reflected thou-

the shrill fife screamed

and

the kettledrum

heavy tramp, tramp, tramp of the shining batallions

in the
the infantrydeployed into battle line and disappeared
as
teries
of smoke
double-shotted batand flame; where
seethingwaves

timed

the

unlimbered
their
ten

fieryvomit

thousand

on

the

bristlingedge

into the faces

drawn

sabres

of the

flashed

and

of

battle,and

reelingcolumns;
ten

thousand

hurled
where

cavalry

173

DIXIE

hovered

for

moment

the flank and

on

then rushed

ful
to the dread-

revelry.
The
scenes

curtain

has

dropped long

of carnage,

and

until

is

healed

and
Blow

there

time

and

bugle,blow

call the matchless

left of

mournful

these

upon

beautified

has

nothing

monuments

ago

and

but graves

war

and

comforted
and

lands
gar-

preciousmemories.

! but

thy

shrillest notes
and

of Grant

armies

Lee

can

again

never

carnival

to the

of

death.
Let

the silver

trumpets sound

the air with the music

who

ensign of
the N^ational

"Oh,

heads

the land

Let

ruined

of

who

who

in

wore

flag.

clasp hands

rejoicewith
robed

and

her skies with

But

flingit

the free, and

bow

them

and

South

rend

folds of the gorgeous

the breeze

to

shout

and

sing

hymn:

salute the ISTational

blue

and

Republic

the veterans

Union.
the

the

and

peace

Let the veterans

kiss the silken

them

the star-spangled banner

O'er

Let

Let

jubileeof

Doodle.

of Yankee

the blue.

wore

the

her

scorn

shall

wave

brave."

of the

the gray and with

It is the flagof the
with

the brave

them, for time

of

inseparable
wore

adorned

hath

and

the

gilded

hope.

frown

or

uncovered

who

men

fields in richer harvests

brighterstars
will

triumph
the home

to

see

the

veterans

of

hei

shattered

like solitaryoaks in the midst

armies, scattered now
of a fallen harvest,hoary with age and covered with scars, some
times put on
the old, worn
and faded
for a
gray, and unfurl
littlewhile that other banner,the riddled and blood-stained stars
and

bars.

bosoms,

look upon it and

for it is hallowed
with
To

last tear
as

the white

on

it and press it to their

weep over
recollections touching as the soldier's

bosom

of his manhood's

bride,tender

his last farewell.

They

followed

it amid

the

earthquake-throesof Shiloh,
where Albert Sydney Johnston
died.
They followed it amid the
floods of livingfire at Chancellorsville,
where
Stonewall
son
Jackfell. They saw
it flutter in the gloom of the wilderness,
where

the angry

clinched and

divisions

fell and

and

rolled

corps

rushed

togetherin

the

upon

each

other and

bloodymire.

LECTURES

174

the

bayonets,

They

saw

of
their

mixed

will

who

light,

sanctified

the

past,
old

war

"Hurrah,
Hurrah

then

and

flout

them

again

if

as

in

the

the

flood

of

is

the

by

air

of

blood

and

sing

for

the

for
bonnie

Southern
bUie

rights

and

once

flag

that

hurrah
bears

single

at

tears.

song:

hurrah,

tiny.
des-

time

last

bring

sometimes

they

above

waved

heights

for

in

it

it

dread

defiance

forever

glorified
it

wave

where

those

on

do^vn

upbraid

TAYLOR

Gettysburg,

at

colors

go

and

L.

crossed

faded

its

Then

it
and

and

Appomattox,

the

around

rallied

They

ROBERT

OF

star."

it

tears

more

to

One

clay pipe
air.

stole

As

of

yell

worlds

and

I dreamed

sails

the

the

hot

of

time

wrath

in

loving

fell upon

and

back

the

the
so

brushed

away

did

the

few

these

and

ugly

will
your

in

lend

bear

you

bones

the

of

dreams

not

the

human

press

in
in

full
brain

their

as

ears,

your

away

to

triumph
my

of

den

goose
a

fox

and

make

of

feathers

bucket

in

well

her

to

me

bubbles

l^ow

while

entertainment,
of

air, I

your
that

trust

will
will

"

to

your
Is

the

suffer

in
the

spare

feathers
not

and

goose,

dreams?

fly and

human

bleaching
of

was

hearts.

said

and

her

in

me

soap

duress
them!

dreams.

with

and,

washbowl

desert

loving

the

her

experience

blow

the

bless

God

was

followed

sun,

grave

under

here

come

me

on

there

took

and

the

amid

asleep.

the

to

as

I laid

as

pressed

not

we

break

to

"

fell

amusement

your

ladies

do

she

childish

this

cradle

soapsuds

have

bleach

den

for

my

pity
me

the

misfortime

who
that

and

Then

from

my

men

that

life ; for

all human

waste

silence, and
slipper

dream

tonight

be

it shall

patience

then

washbowls

break

blow

if

of

symbol

and

the

and

tears

my

joy

exploded
pity

of

forgives,

soon

throbbing heart; and, sobbing there,

Little

But

heat

burning

for

worlds, and

day.

the

tropical strokes

dream

of

wreck

that

yard

follows

and

the

saw

in

anatomy

my

my

and

shouted

felt the
of

groves

eyes.

my

equator

do^vnward,

love, which

arms

the

on

dreamed

seas,

and

of

ineffable

with

and

cent
irides-

universe

emerald

cap

washbowl

face

my

dew

mother's

bubble

soapsuds

the

as

off my

the

restrain

in their

summer

new

in

not

aglow

crystal airs.

far-away

the

could

all

gold

pulled

slipper

with

lap

splash

new

I broke

mother's

her

on

each

when

my

dream

gloriesof
But

their

on

bubbles

creating

was

space
of

their

try
coun-

father's

my
soap

sky,

into

castles

saw

bright wings cleaving

ecstasy of my

blew

and

imagined
out

barefooted

sunlight,reflectingin

earth

them

sending

countless

of

was

and

and

the

in

of

images

washbowl

yard

away

delight, for

beauty.
and

the

back

the

floated

they

colors
a

into

out

mother's

my

AIR

when

morning,

bright summer

boy,

THE

IN

CASTLES

bones

life
?

Is

178

LECTURES

Let

tell you

me

of Br'er

It

wuz

'Possum

one

chain

over

bucket

lo and

pulley,wid

de

an' he

Wolf,

uv

jumped
he

Br'er
Br'er

ax

jumped
an'

started

up;
de well, he

maturer

on

wuz

said

He

drink

footed
bare-

water.

uv

pulleyover it an' a
each end, so dat as one
an' vussey-visah. Br'er
up to githim a drink, an'
a

de

into
as

'Ah ! Br'er
some

'Possum

tom
in de bot-

wuz

he

bucket

Br'er

passed

it be

Wolf, dis world

goes

the

Wolf

Br'er

So

Br'er

in de

about

de

sum,
'Pos-

well

middle

an'
uv

an' said:

an'

up

some

child

at

roun'

goes
goes

down

of the

splendid illustration

Wolf

well's

'Dis here

down

wuz

in de

dar.

down

an' started down.

dat

drink,

down

peep

here.'

down
up

githim

back.

shouted

cum

wuz

he

he's doin'

what

dat

de well to

to

an'
a-yellin',

Wolf;

grinned

An'

whether

philosophy

it to

'im ; an' dar he

wid

'Possum

in de bucket

What

githim

to

up,

dat

'Possum

fish,Br'er

"

cum

he trotted down

'Fishin' !' Bre'er

"

as

bucket

down

went

his

he unwound

wells wid

uv

udder

de

Rastiis and

the foot of the hill.

at

TAYLOR

well, a-paddlin'around, screamin' fur he'p.

heerd

an'

Wolf

in de bucket

behold, it

"Br'er

full

de

jumped

uv

well

dese here kind

down

L.

to de well

went

uv

went

'Possum

Br'er

in his cabin

down

"Br'er

ROBERT

story of Uncle

and

'Possum

boy

OF

its mother's

an' round',
"

!'

dreams
knee

of
or

men

the

For
of

man

years,
world

"The

Sometimes

goes

we're

roun'
up

an'

roun',

an' sometimes

we're

down."

dreamers, and we pass from the miracle

of birth to the miracle of death, building castles in the air.
build them not of graniteand marble, but of the imponWe
derable
materials
quarried from the brain and the heart, and
ideals of the beautiful.
fashion them into our
They are our
we
dreams
of happiness.
the inhabitants of two worlds.
We
One is the old,material
are
We

are

race

of

world, which is the home

banquet hall of the senses, in
shadow

we

blow

soap

bubbles

and
whose
and

heritageof
back yard
break

our

bodies

of sunshine

the washbowl

"

the
and

of Na-

IN

CASTLES

ture's laws

THE

179

AIR

her lap and pounds us with

lays us across
her avenging slipper,
and then, at last,she takes us gentlyin
her loving arms
The
and we
fall asleepforever on her bosom.
other is the dream
world
of the soul,where
and
Love
wakes
Hope hangs a rainbow on the cloud ; where Fancy takes wing
and

until she

Music

opens the windows

keys, unlocks the doors

golden

beautiful.

civilizations

mines

adorn

we

of dreams
In

unveils

Art

all human

its fields

progress

gather every

we

enrich

every

life.

station in human

turn, the angels of happiness beckon

we

to

every horizon of light. Their wings flutter in every

life and break the sunshine
into stars.
They dance

hilltopand

the

every sheaf of thought, and out of it?

bring the jewelsof discoveryand invention to

the soul and

wherever

and

and

of sentiment

hidden

born.

are

Science, with

; where

of mystery

In this fantastic world

begins,all
flower

of heaven

mountain

of

crest

promise,and

we

pursue

In

us

it,

from

stream

of

on

every
their vanishing

forms

wilderness
of trouble,where
the
a
through many
lions and tigersof passioncrouch and spring and where
ing
frownfollow them through many
; we
crags of perilblock our
way
and dismal swamp
of sorrow,
a dark
spanning chasms of doubt
with cables of hope and rivers of tears with bridgesof dreams ;
follow them
we
deavor
through all the myriad paths of duty and enbreak out into strange and
paths which ever and anon
mysterious lands of the beautiful,where, footsore and weary,
"

we

rest

in

childhood, on
ever

sweet

some

touches
tides.

castle in the air.

the brink
the

of the river

no
blossoming fields,

It may

of

be

Song, where

storm

ever

tosses

dream
no

of

blight
the glittering

youth, where lazy flocks

bleat and browse and happy birds tangle their roundelayswith
the yodel of the shepherd boy in many
light,
a
dusky hollow of dewhere
swirlingbrooks leap from faraway purple cliffs of
laughter and come
romping and frolickingthrough flowery
and scented groves and break into pearlsand the silvery
meads
be a dream
of old age,
feet.
It may
foam
of pleasure at our
where
floatingdown to
phantom keels,with tinted sails,come
and we
loiter in cooling
the distant Isle of Memory;
from
us
faces of
the glorified
shades with old loves,and see once
more
long ago,

and

It may

be

feel the touch

thrill of kisses from

dream

of

of vanished

lipsthat

now

are

hands
dust.

and

the rapturous

l8o

LECTURES

And

O !
"

"

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

feast of the soul in the blissful Aidenn

one

smile

of

that parts the

that
tear
lips of Joy, one
trembles in the eye of Love, one
swooning note from the river
of Song, is reward
enough for every drop of sweat that trickles
from the brow of Anguish and every bloodytrack that Suffering
leaves on
the rugged trail of life.
Let us not forgetthat Happiness is the ultimate objectof
all human
action,and that Hope and Love are the angels that
toward
of the future.
And
the misty summits
lead us on
are
?
the struggle
not the victories worth
would
Who
not
press through the piercingthorns of strife
would
swords with
to pluck a flower of triumph ! Who
not cross
would
Who
Adversity to win the jeweled hand of Fortune!
dare the desert waste
of death to taste the sweets
of glory!
not
Who
would
and heartaches
of the day for
not bear the burdens
castle of home, where
the
one
evening in the sacred dream
vestal fires of virtue burn and where
confidinginnocence gives
welcome
with heaving bosom
!
and tender arms
Home, sweet home, the blessed shrine of preciousmemories !
It
The
rings with laughter and echoes with song.
very word
of mother, the sweetest
glows with love and breathes the name
ever
name
spoken by mortal tongue. Is it not the open gate of
paradise? Is it not the vestibule of heaven ? Is it not glorious,

dream,

one

all,to live in this beautiful

after

of

crest

the

sun?

And

When

the

vaults

and

the

rise dark

that

storms

cloud
do

not

way?
reflect in golden
the angels hang

Does

rainbow

the

burnished

the

splendors of

the

arcs
a

not

face

the

its bosom?

on

furies of tempest rush out from

the vapory
angry
their thunder-clad
harness
steeds to the chariot of

winds, does

troubled

o'er the

and

world

heart:

not

Love

-whisper on

be

Galilee

the

of

every

still?"

"Peace,
Temptation slipinto the paradiseof the heart
spellof a beautiful dream, does not Hope lead

"WTien Sin and

and
us

break

the

into the Eden

of another

us

glow

and

throb

of

snow

and

silentlysteals

I have

Spring!
shouted

for

flower,and

with

seen

dream

dreams

her

joy and built

the valleys
woke

?
?

Does
When

O, how
away,
kiss the naked
their
as

folds his tent

Winter
sweet

the

are

earth, and

castles of

from

all IN'ature around

not

leaf

the dead

and

and

lipsof

the hills
tree

put

on

and
gar-

CASTLES

of the

ments

when

the

theres'

volume

the wild
chorus
the

lilyand
tulipsdrink

the

of

I have
touched

story told

; it

when

oriole warbled

in the meadow

when

when

the

turn

thrillingwing, is tangled with

in the purple of the dawn.
somersaults
of joy when
Summer
turned

them

into

of sunset

seas

melody and the forest

everywhere there was but

song, and
the old,old

redbird

the

woodlands

the

full of

was

was

in

is music

fields and

the vernal

gold, and the air

into laughterand

beauty

garden
poppies blow;
in the

larks, on

the world

seen

poem
the crimson

and

; there

of bobolink

passion song

l8l

AIR

There's

rose.

romantic

thousand

THE

the dew

flowers bloom
of

IN

story of love.

turned

his mate

the

thicket

into

sweet

one

it at

music

out

tide
noon-

and

the

they built their

swinging castle in the air. I heard it where the mocking bird
chuckled
and laughed in the gatheringtwilightof evening and
the katydid crooned
in the orchard
and the cricket sang on the
the laughter of happy children
the
hearth, and there was
on
lawn, and down under the old oak tree the sweethearts were
to

in the

I heard

broke

tree

top

as

swingingand singing:
"Let

the world

ebb, let the world

the hour,

Sweeter

Swing, swing,

And

there

the

was

high,

now

Lazily, dreamily

to

sooner

to

and

sound

flow

go;

low,

now

fro."

of

kiss

in the

swing

as

they

swung.
"And

the

Cooed
Uncle

And
He

And
at

the

What
sweet

and

in the old

billed,and

Rastus

in the
is this

world
are

tears, a dreamy old

into the

the hand

light,and

sho'

cooed

Dinah, and

Aunt

the

on

overhead

tree

hoodooed

balcony of

said

"

heaven

and

winked

moon.

stories of love

pushed by

kissed

out

came

oak

billed and

sho' hoodooed,

was

the stars
man

doves
and

then

but
told

beautiful

"

swing, where all the

shadowy swing full of laughter

swing that
of

sweeps

Destiny ?

into darkness

We

between

swing
again
"

out

two

ties
eterni-

of darkness

82

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

"From

snowdrift

to

From

sunshine

to

L.

TAYLOR

flower,
shower,"

of the vanishing years; longing

through the changing seasons
for joys that will never
coveting power we can never
come;
reach ; strivingfor glory we
win ; consumed
with
never
can
with desire,delirious with passion,and
ambition,overwhelmed
racked with pain ; hoping and fearing,sighing and dreaming,
and
gathering garlands that wither and die, growing weaker
weaker

the

as

candle

fatal

to and
fro, until at last the
sways
socket and
shadows
and
silence hover

swing

the

flickers in

pillows,the dreams
generationwill laugh and

of life

and tomorrow
a
dissolve,
in the swing. They will
new
weep
into the world
as
dering
came
come
we
helplessand ignorant,wonand
at the mysteriesof shape and
substance,of shadow
change ; and the kind old Stork will tenderlylay them in loving
about

our

"

and

arms,

dreams

toss

football game

and
on

how
and

coos

the mantel
hands

chubby
window

each

unravel

to

Look

to

if

as

until

they

love,he

grows

the

among
One

that

vision

of the beautiful-

lightand

by

that

color and

and

come

devoured

frontier

young

by

go;
the

land

where

"

ing
followand

kissed

cannibals
and

of

frets

heavy

as

of slumber.

mother, with dainty foot upon

her cradle

with

blissful

song

the

into the

fairylandof

angels dwell,

far

away

the stars !
blissful hour

of the

sky, when

cracks

the welkin

Way.

almost

the fond

look how

"

Lured

the sweet

rocker,lulls him

dreams

the

enter

of his little knot of dreams

weary
his pillow until his eyelidsgrow

squirms upon
lingersthere on
Now

but

him

to

pettedand

he

to

of

dimpled baby, with heaven in his eyes, kicks

flutters in his cradle,reaching after the flowers
the pictureson
the wall, and holding out his
or
the sunshine
that streams
to grasp
through the
it were
an
angel'swing!

pinched and
and

little knot

us,

strong enough

are

startled eyes the forms

soon

to

the

tinted castle in the air?

with

did

of real life.

is this world

What

she

as

one,

"

lo!

he
"

with

lingersthere
he

among

the starry castles

with

startled eyes

lusty yellsfor

his castle in

wakes

again and
the Milky

184

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

feeble,and was thorougbly examined by

the doctor.
"Why," said the doctor,"you have no organic
trouble whatever; you
are
only weak and debilitated;and 1
for you a stiff hot toddy every morning."
prescribe
"I can't do that.
I never
took
"0, no!" said the old man.
of whisky in my life. I despisethe accursed stuff. And.
a drink
wife and little boy to see me
have my
besides that, I wouldn't
father

His

take

drink

became

"But," said
hot
pour

thousand

for ten

dollars."

take
doctor,"you must
water
every morning and tell them
you
the whisky into it and drink it down,

it.

the

are

and

Get

glassof

going to
they will

shave,
never

it."

know

about

In

three

weeks

the

boy

in

went

dead

run

for the

doctor.
"What's
"We

want

he shaves

and
storv

to

you

six

or

?" said the doctor.

now

seven

come

and

times

see

he's losin' his

pa;

mind;

day!"

slipperand be patientwith your little bouncing

from
bounding yell,for he will bound
away
you
enough ! If the world does not claim him, the angelswill;
then you
will know
the meaning of the Hoosier
poet's

O,
laugh
soon

the matter

spare
and

the

"Here's
Turn

his ragged

the pockets inside out;

See, his

penknife, lost
with

shut

Rusted

Here, with
Is

roundabout,
to

use,

apple juice.

marbles, top, and

sling,

string,

his deadly devil

With
As

its rubber, limp at

the

sparrows

Beeswax,

But

betrays

Back!
You
Over

is he
you
come

may

last.
past !
straps,

of caps

all, I

"

guess,

waywardness;

some

little coat, but"

the

Where
Don't

box

thing of

"Here's

the

buckles, leather

Bullets, and
Not

of

we've

hear

us

back,
wander

O!"
so?

censured

calling,dear?
and

where

orchard, field and

never

you

fear;

will,

hill;

Castles

You

in

kill the birds, or

may

185

air

the

do

Anything that pleases you !

Ah, this empty coat of his !
Every

worth

tatter

Every stain

white

the

As
And
Of

little hands
no

Beckon

tender

Be
Nature
and

will

with
soon

his childish

overhead

homes

"

Now,

instead

stars

the pockets
the

kiss,

pure

as

they

were

that play

but, absent, thus

more;

us."

the

boy; for

lead him
fun

and

away

if the

angelsdo

not

his toys and

from

and they will

frolic,

take him.

his marble?
be to him

soon

only preciousmemories.
will

He
on

the

boundary

line of real

oscillate between
will

be

soon

sigh in Cupid's castle in the

life. His goslingvoice will

and

dream

soon

fife and

bass

air.
soon

drum, and

his upper
lip
he will be eager for the

sprinkledwith hair, and

fray. He said to his first sweetheart as he entered the parlor

one
evening: "I'm going to kiss you before I leave this house."
And
she pouted her lipsand answered:
"Leave
this house instantly
!"
I cannot
When
I

as

was

greens.
if not

repress
I

was

gay

little story of my

little greener.

could be
cronies
But

we

"

who
were

and

jeans,
I was
as
green as turnip
were
just as green as I,
in that dreamy period of

country boy in

green as gTeen
I had two
And

youth :
my

teens

my

in the life of every

which
comes
sentimentality
watery-jointed
in search
boy. The world to us was a honeysuckle,and we were
lived in the neighlittle girlswho had once
borhood
of honey. Three
father,
sweethearts from babyhood. But their
our
were
to the
who
merchant, had long since moved
a
was
prosperous

little
and we
had not seen
our
city a hundred miles away
"tootseywootseys"for years and years; but the report came
back to us that they still loved us and wished us to visit them.
little
suits and squeaking boots and our
And
so, with butternut
boarded
the cars
wool hats with brims pushed up in front,we
and were
soon
primping and perspiringwithin five blocks of
"

"

the flounced
(12)

and

powdered enemy.

One

of my

chums

had

86

watch
bull's-eye
on

its hands

arrived.
we

about

and

our

entered

store

color

of

our

the

the size of
ears

felt that

We

and

on

we

half to get them

I took
; and

on

and

saucer,

dressed

not

were

each

TAYLOR

L.

kept our

we

eyes
for action

its ticks until the hour

bought

little ribbon

; and

another,green

ROBERT

OF

LECTURES

pair of

kid

It took

buttoned

we

enough, and so
glovesto match
bought white ;

One

neckties.

"yaller."

when

well

them

and

hour

an

us

over

wrists

our

gers
stopped the circulation,and our hands swelled and our finthe street with
our
fingers
strutted,and we walked
up
boots squeaking until they could have
struttingout and our
it

been

heard
Far

quarter of

mile.
lived

the hills where

we
among
And
there
doorbell.
soon

out

was
thing as a
loudlyrapping,rapping hard upon the
one
sad,uncertain rustlingof our sweethearts'
a

us

and

fantastic terrors

with

filled us

there

door ; and

such

no

of

tapping as

some

the silken,
thrilled

skirts within

mortal

no

was

felt before.

ever

the heavy door,when

our
we
began to execute
open swung
studied and practiced
bows, and the century reeled as we paused
But

only a pause, for in our excitement we made

to the parlor and flung ourselves into three chairs in the
a rush
and sat there blushing and perspiringin
distant corner,
most
in another
front of three sofas far
occupied
corner,
away
of beauty, who
by three little slippered and skirted dreams
beckoned
and begged us to come
across
only answered
; but we
blushes and more
the challengewith more
perspiration.We had
in the hall.

was

and

cultured

young
c
hildren
we
unsophisticated
and

answered

blushes
my

and

cronies

for the

not
we

used

more

in two, and

came

comrades

wide

flew

tempest and

the

carpet, with the

ah, nevermore!

the oaken

the least obeisance

we

to

not

And

know.

grinned

we

so

questions in monosyllables,with
perspirationuntil the paper collar of

hall,closelyfollowed

opened
; but

ladies,with

up into
singletrace of the
grown

their

routed
we

had

that the little country sweethearts

discovered
refined

It

as

made

never

he

by

and, amid
door.
we,

birds

to

sprang
his two

With
not

had

many

shore
night'sPlutonian
lamplightgloatingo'er,our
"

the

flirt and

pletely
com-

girls,
flutter,

stopped or stayed

minute

flown

broke

and

appeals of

of

one

his feet and

demoralized

the

more

before
and

"

out

into the

the velvet violet

feet have

pressed
"

IN

CASTLES

The

first battle of life is

Cupid's

castle in the

fair maiden's

And

there

is stormed

heart

unconditionallyto

air.

perilousfield

the

on

and

87

AIR

THE

is

no

taken

of love around

peace until some

and she surrenders

the

knight of the grapevineswing, when two

souls will heave a singlesigh,two hearts will swing as one.
And
He sees
so the trouble begins in the romantic
swing of a dream.
of beauty in it,somewhere
cot with a willowy form
a littlebrown
in the love-embowered

"She

future.

builds
its

And

her

rosy

air,

castle in the
is

stone

corner

solitaire."

Is there any dream

in life half so sweet
this? Is there
as
any castle half so fair ? Is it not the springtimeof the heart
the full-blown rose
of happiness?
"

gloriousthe

How

"Yet

"

That

ah !
"

that

youth's

world

be if

would

spring should

sweet-scented

vanish

youth

with

manuscript

the

ever!
could last for-

rose,

close ! "

should

Ah, that the thunder heads of trouble should rise to darken

life's happy morning!
For when
the solemn
vows
are
spoken
at the altar and
they start in real life together,we know there
and worrying waiting for her.
of him
is walking ahead
His
little knot of dreams
unwind
in the presidential
chair; it
may
into the
untangle into a plow line. Hers may be woven
may
silken

gowns

of

if Fate

But

social queen;
unravel
it may
clipsa man's pinions and casts

in

washtub.

his lot

on

the

plane of life,let him be a hero there, and add the

of human
wealth of a good name
to the sum
happiness; for it is
attain and
cannot
the climax of follyto grieve for stations we
for pleasureswe
cannot
enjoy. It is gloriousto aspire,but it
of envy
at those above
is cowardly to shoot the arrows
us; and
humblest

yet

all carry the

wing is broken

we

and

arrows

by

some

the

bow, and many

heartless

vandal

powerless to fly in the higher firmaments

Ah, we forget that humanity is only
chain
every

of

life,and

individual

that

there

is

of the race, which

of
a

horizon

an

who

ing
unoffendhimself

is

happiness.

link
of

in the endless
for
intelligence

defines his field of endeavor.

l88

LECTURES

And

we

ROBERT

OF

L.

be

forgetthat happiness may

the

smallest

and

the

and

horizon

narrowest

grandest; and

does not

TAYLOR

full and

as

it is

as

Nature

the

on

broadest

lessons to rivet

with

teem

complete on

brain
and
impress it on every heart?
every
the tinted
Is not the littlefish that flutters along the shore among
of ripplingwaves
shells in his shallow world
as
happy as the
truth

this

on

throne

whose

and

billow

is the

whose

empire is the
ocean?
Is not the flea,whose
is a shirt,as happy on
tent
an
itchingback as the elephantthat performs in the circus ? And
is not the divine mosquito as vain of her voice as Patti is of
hers ? And
she buzzes above your pillow on a quiet summer
as
evening, is she not singing to that frolicsome flea an old war

whale,

song:
"Hurrah,

hurree!"

"Hurrah, hurree!
bite him

And

I'll bite him

As

I go

who
a

castle in the air

of his sweet
shakes

from

flea;

jubilee.

knee,

call

Venus, which

above

the

horizon, as

Is not

the

monkey

we

important in his

as

little chimpanzee
locks and

his ambrosial

littlesnatch

the

on

star

dancing in the dusk

settingsun is glorious?
fond

the

buzzing through Georgia!"

see

nut

sing

to

the back

on

that radiant

Is not

We'll

You

skeeter

the

says

sometimes

beautiful

estimation

own

softlysingsto

the

as

in his native

the modern

as

we

cocoa-

and

as

societyswell
his

"gazelle"

soap

bubbles

love song ?

little chimpanzee,

"My

all this world

You're
A

branch

In

"No

I'll find

old

my

family

monkey

shine

to

for

me;

thee

tree.

for

me;

fine there'll be

wedding

In

high society,

In Zanzibar."

And
and
hour

surely that

breaks
of his

washbowls

barefooted
in

the

boy
back

who

blows

yard would

boyishsports and pleasuresfor

three

not

terms

give
as

one

Gov-

CASTLES

of his State.

emor

"With

Surely
find rest

the

and

of

face

when

curtain

lips as
the

States

that
plo"v\anan

cabin

impecunious youth in the

of heaving organdie and

fair and

as

sweet

meet,"

roses

Senate.

homeward

lectures

189

AIR

that

the lilies and

in the United

seats

THE

little armful

swing exchange his

quiveringribbons,

for two

would

Nor

As

IN

from

plods his

his wife

full of children

is

to
way
weary
the pandemonium

and

happy in his humble

sphere as the millionaire,with his engines pufRng and tooting
through the icebergsof his heart,with his restless days, his
sleepless
nights,his societywife, and no children at all to yell
around
him and pullhis leg and tousle his whiskers.
There
would
is happiness enough for us
all if we
only
it
when
There
is
it.
meet
contentment
we
recognize
enough
if

would

we

as

contented.

only be

If life is

If
it

ask the world

bubble
of

blubber

to

Avith you ?

dream, pocket the pieceswith

your

in the

air, and

laughter and

contented
truth

to

as

you

talk in your
An

get

song.

dwell

If

your

darkey

\vill

was

to

another

in the

tell

sunlight

palace,be

much

as

break

of the

and

by day

don't

Uncle

Rastus, who

Dinah
eyes

the

sermon

had

amen

The

old
wid

been

corner

night

one

in

playing cards
sound

preacher said
pra'r,an'

we

asleep,
:

will

ax

lead."

suddenly aroused

Rastus

of her

blow

you

open

closinghis

close dis meetin'

now

"It hain't my
Aunt

and

eyes wide

night before, was seated in

dreaming of his favorite game.

Uncle

float away

and

sleep.

Alley,and

Br'er Rastus

stumble

smile, and

Alley

the

"We

weep

forbids

Fortune

joyful dream?
why not keep
alone ? Why

you,

If you
a

it and

on

in Paradise

Keep

can.

old-time

Paradise

one

it

only a dream, why not make

laugh and the world laughs with
you
always laughing? If you weep, why not

came

lead ; I
home

from

jistdealt
from

badly swollen.

his slumber

and

ed
shout-

!"

meetingin

Paradise

Alleywith

LECTURES

1 90

is de

"What

wid

matter

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

dat

asked

Dinah?"

eye,

Uncle

l^icodemus.

"Well, sah, dar

down
Chloe, an' she come
arms
powerful keerless an'

named

slingin'her

an' knocked

eye

de

aisle

night,
to-

de church

uv

right i-n de
stopped to ax my

struck

nebber

She

senseless.

me

shouted

great big nigger 'oman

wuz

me

nohow.
like me
shoutin'
she doan
but jis'kep' on
'pologies,
I'se gwine ter shout myself nex' Sunday night,an' I'se a-gwine
in my
ter put a razzer
bosom, an' I'se gwine ter shout in de
"

direction
Let

dat

uv

all remember

us

that if

don't take

we

will take

of

care

down

The

farmer

them

"That's

trader:

"I'll not

after you have paid for

"Now, what is the other

"until
made.

And

catch him."
world

else in this world

it is with

so

had

the

old

kisses

being,and
within
to

endows

in his

each

his

labor with
another

in

fulfillment
We
all sail
the

are
our

higher

rise to

own

and

the

the horse

fault ?" asked

ain't worth
most

durn

some

to

some

after you
this

of

pleasuresof
catching them.

The

with

our

not

all born

kites above
firmaments.

dizzyheightson

dream

be

And

for art,

some

and

some

to

some

differeth from
for

harmonious

the

of God.
We
professions.

for the learned

the

dream,

happiness,each

star

one

conscious

soul to

think

to

"

of the sublime

for

search

differingall as
glory, yet all designed to

their hands

and

of mind

some

into

dust

for science and

execute,

trader.

of the

unconscious

with

"

man:

right; I'll keep him up.

tell you," said the old farmer,
trade was
him."
The
quickly

the powers
firmament, and to
us

horizon

own

command

from

us

two

all

get out of life lies in contentment

lot and in honest, hard work, for it is the law of God.
Love

one

his old sorrel horse.

this,"said

the trouble

worth

they are not

greatesthappinesswe
;

farmer

old

an

pasture, you can't catch him."

farmer, "he

the old

"Well," said

of tears

this vale

that the horse

him
is

loose in the

him

other ?"

is the

What

warned

of

"One

you turn
the horse

Said

Alley, the price of

him, and

told

asked

trader

horse

wily

grievous faults.
"when

pass

we

of

care

in Paradise

day,

through
ourselves,nobody

as

us.

and

shrewd

nigger."

tall timber.
what

We

cannot

all

cannot

fly in

dangerous thing it

somebody else's wings!

is to

192

LECTURES

do not

trout

the

swim

in the

crystalpoolsof
Be

ROBERT

OF

the mountain

in your
own
accordingto the size of your
and

be

sure

brook

under

firmament.

the laurel bloom.

Blow

bubbles
your
pipe and the qualityof your soapsuds,
break the washbowl.
Don't try to

don't

you

TAYLOR

mighty river,but glintand glance in

leader

L.

flyyour little feeble kite among the high snags of glory. There
are
persimmons of honor enough for us all and fish of Fortune
for every wing in the gloriousrealm of
enough; there is room
dreams.
Are

Rags
you

Thank

poor?

you
cannot

humble

God, poverty cannot

intellect.
Destiny

the

slave,but rejoicein

be

that
fledgeling

the dream

will

fetter the soul!

may

that in your

have

made

cabin

there

day rise above Adversity and

land of Prosperity; and, in his triumph.
flyaway to the summer
heart like a spring. If you
Happiness will bubble in your own
bear the burden
for the sake of love and duty, every
faithfully
pain will turn into a pleasureand every agony into a joy. We
all have as much
trouble as we
can
bear,but heaven despisesthe

may

miserable

wretch

who

some

unloads

his

like

woes

skunk

wherever

he

humanity hold its nose with his putrid stories

goes and makes
of sad misfortune,hard times, and the cold realities of this unfriendly
world.

Heaven

despises a

walking nightmare

and

Let us remember
that life is not real; it is
calamity howler.
of the substance;
only the symbol of reality;it is the shadow
it is a mysterious castle in the air built of dreams
dreams
which
prophesy immortality. Let us sit steady in the boat,
for we
We
are
floatingdown a river of dreams.
dream, and all
Nature
dreams
with us.
When
the frostywinds
per
begin to whisof approaching winter, what makes
the swallows
circle upward
and southward
take their flight? Are they not dreaming
"

of softer skies that bend

palm

gorgeous
feather

Are

they

Ponce

de

flock,or

not

orchards

when

among

and

the

building

Leon, where

billows kiss the sands

And

snows

the meadows

the

the land

of the orange
and
castles of sunshine
around

the

migratory snobs

the groves of Palm

Beach
and swallow-tailed
Yankees

castles in the air?

sing among

above

of winter

melt

bloom

Are

Who

apple blossoms?

?
are

those
Are

away,

the
the

of the blue
where

soft

flyhigh ?

what

makes

the

grant
they not building frawinged minstrels that
they not dreaming of

IN

CASTLES

happiness?
blossoms
of

makes

What

and

Frost

the

purple and gold in

fillthe world

the

prodigalJune
King of Autumn
Do

sun

drink

not

we

air and

of the

fountains

193

AIR

the face of the

beautiful?

of the

THE

cull the

his

flaunt
Are

banners
ing
dream-

they not

music

from

dreams

of

with

the

bling
bubfrom

God

Does
all
not
epic poems that lie scattered all around us?
life aspireto God, and does not every plant and flower teach us
within our
to dream
own
spheres?
and ShakeWe
all be ISTewtons and Keplers,Miltons
cannot
be great in the
and Websters; but we
can
speares, Calhouns
spheres for which God created us.
If the wrecked
hopes and shattered dreams that strew the
ment
teach us anything, it is that discontentpathway of mankind
above us are
with our
lot and the envy of spirits
that soar
the serpents that destroy the Edens
hearts.
of so many
human
We
the lists for the laurel wreath
enters
forget that whoever
the

of

bare

must

renown

his head

to drink

of the bitter cup

lips of genius in every age.
There

was

never

for
which

the

cup

of hemlock

was

of thorns

and

prepare
has pressedto the

in this world

that

did

pearl of truth that

taught the immortality of

suffering;there never
Socrates
price of agony.

soul,and

crown

Sorrow

victorywon

cost human
not

was

the reward

not
was

the

; Paul

of his dream

paid with the dungeon and death ; Christ

demonstrated
it,and perished on the cross that our fallen race
might taste the sweets of eternal life and eternal happiness. All
the blessings
to us through blood and tears.
we
enjoy have come
movable
old Gutenberg invented
Brave
type under the lash
and even
in the face of exile and death ; and what
of injustice,
floods of lighthave flowed from his dream of the printingpress !
What
rivers of knowledge ! What
Niagaras of happiness!
and experience,the philosophy and learning,
The
wisdom
land and every clime are
of every
ours.
Every library is a
book is a
and experience,and every
house of wisdom
treasure
preached it,and

volume
shadows
across

was

of dreams.
of vanished
the continent

standinglike

god

of the Parthenon.

We

open

and

them

turn

centuries pass before

of two
and

Lo,

thousand

dreaming

years
in marble

the
our

and

leaves,and the
We

eyes.

behold

among
Galileo conjureshis dreams

look

Phidias

the columns
into

lens

194

LECTURES

and

unveils

mankind

below

cubic

foot of earth

panting with
There

air

lens

and

all

reveals

a
world, each
drop of water
universe teeming with energy and

life !

is Herschel

looking through

innumerable
before

another

into

of

gaze

each

us"

and

astonished

the

to

dreams

conjures his

L. TAYLOR

ROBERT

above

heavens

new

firmaments

new

OF

white

of

suns

telescopeand

the

colors

many

dreamed

never

and

covering
disof

vast sysyellow and ruby and emerald suns

tems
of flaming orbs,moving in
conceivable
direction,yet
every
all in eternal harmony, until the shining pageant melts away
into patches of filmy lighton
the dark profound beyond. Lo.
and the dangers of
Columbus, amid the mutiny of his men
"

"

seas, discovers

imknown

place
is to be the birth-

world, which

new

of human

libertyand whose stalwart sons shall lead the

old world into the lightof a new
and grander civilization !
Yonder
is Dante
hells and
painting the horrors of seven
still dreaming of his angelicBeatrice
in song that will never
die; and Raphael dreaming in colors and callingforth his
the canvas
to set
charming phantoms of light and shadow
on
the whole world to dreaming; and Liszt and ]\Iozart and Mendelssohn
and Handel
and Haydn and Beethoven
and Paganini
dreaming in harmony, and with nimble fingerstripping and
dancing on ivory keys or deftlytouching the stringsof harp
or
violin,building castles of music in the air and bearing our
souls away
to their misty halls of melody, where
the gates of
heaven stand ajar,and we
listen to the symphonies stolen from
the seraphim and cherubim
of God.
But

look how

on

every
Look how
of

the sword

leaf and
the

war

somnambulist
I would

of

stains almost

grim specter of

and

then
of

some

vanishes

rather be

every

some

the Great
with

page

Napoleon

in the darkness

shattered

vast

Alexander

dream

gleams
blood !

human

rises

on

zon
the hori-

of disaster

"

"the

!"

Stephenson in history,liarnessingsteam
to the imperial car
of civilization,
than to be a Caesar,
power
with some
Antony standing above my corpse, with my bloody
mantle in his hand, and saying to the horrified multitude :
"See

what

Mark

as

rent

the envious

this the well-beloved

Through
And

he

how

plucked his cursed

the

blood

of Caesar

Casca
Brutus

made

stabb'd;

steel away,
follow'd

it!"

CASTLES

I would

rather be

like chained
than

to

upon

my

coat

tail.

be

brow

I would
and

the

be

the

Africa, or
on

be

to

of

the

of

crowTi

his cabinet
the hidden

from

of

United

the

feet,

mj

empire

an

under

wonders

my

of God

mind

of rocks

ing
tear-

or

of earth
South

shirt in

VII., tearing my

President

at

George Washington

from

out

Edward

bolo in the

Edison, holding the lightnings

an

Agassiz,interpretingthe

an

his secrets

air, than

or

195

AIR

Third, with

the boot

rather

THE

crouching and cowering

the veil of mystery

away

pants

hounds

and

wrenching

and

Franklin

George

IN

States, snagging my

Philippines.

the
the pages and read and wonder
at the bubbles
and the washbowls
and the soap
world has blown
it has broken
All that we
it has wasted.
gather from the vanished past is a
We

turn

golden sheaves of thought,a few echoes

from
of music
harp stringsthat are broken, a few lines and
walls and fallen columns.
of beauty traced on dismantled
curves
few deeds of chivalryto tell the story of some
a
departed Don
of earthlyglory and some
voted
deQuixote charging the windmill
Sancho
Panza
hugging the jackassof Fame.

harvest

of

dreams,

Where
dust?

Where

pride

the

and

where

Where
her

where, O
took

on

Where

Joseph

"pizen"

as

and

it
the

that is left of

and

now

are

And

the

murmurs

pyramids

back
and

his

out

went
ran

up

and, when

And
the

lightof
the Nile

to

com

the

And
Mark

panic

came,

moon

to

will

the mummies

in the air is

in the

cornered
the

and

swim

Moses

on

and

thousand

"Look

answer:

ga.-e upon

on

us.

locusts

frogs on

Cleopatra, who
the

Tell

plagues of

and

Egypt's

are

Memphis?

his "corner"

and

skipped by

Egypt's castles

o' hair'!"

his

of love

street

Where

and

who

hickory limb

of the great unknown

Sphinx

and

royal maiden

is

that

happiness?

Nile:

Thebes

Pharaoh

the Wall

on

laughter

hank

are

the

where, is beautiful

snake

Canada

of

grasshoppers and

is the

clothes

bulrushes

Antony

of

N'ations

of

dreams

waters

is old

of the

they ?

Where

glory?

lice,his showers

hung

are

pilgrim

Nile, where

hills ?

triumphs

all their

are

O,

"

Ask

all the

are

dreamers

few

the

ripple with
upon

the

; for all

'rag,a bone, and

196

LECTURES

Then
the

another

turn

wind

OF

that

L.

ROBERT

TAYLOR

leaf in the dream

book

of

time, and

ask

whistled

through the whiskers of ancient

Greece:
Tell us, O Classic Breeze, where
all those whiteare
robed dreamers
who once
flocked on the Aegean shores ? Where
Pericles and Socrates,
Demosthenes
and Euripides,Thucydare
ides and Aristophanes,and all that long list of immortal
"eses"
who
dipped and dyed and shook their wings in literature and
is Hippocrates, and
where
is
philosophy long ago? Where
Damocles?
Where
is Diogenes, that wise old gander who
ried
carlantern
around
in
broad
a
daylighthunting for an honest
that solemn
old gander who hissed at Alexander:
man
"Why
once

"

don't you

get

of my

out

all these

"Are

rest

from

Beyond

the

And

There's
But

Now

O,

K-rome!

shining

few

tail feathers

leaf and

and

the seas;

across

and

old

geese

spot of Greece."

let the curtain

R-rome!

Honorus

fleas,

Pleiades?

will wheeze

R-rome!

walls of Aurelian

flies and

nothing left of these

another

turn

of blissful ease,

fools and

the wind

?"

mighty Hellenes

in the heaven

Now
At

sunshine

Who

into snuff

Forum

rise

on

Rome.

ground thy frowning

? Who
pulverizedthy
? Who
pounded thy

Transitorium
Magnum and Forum
palaces and statues and triumphal arches into dust and made
phosphateof thy Pantheon, where once thy proud Caesars bowed
their jeweled heads before the gods ? Whose
foot tramped on
? Who
solved
disthy amphitheatersand made pulp of thy gladiators
thy shoutingmultitudes into ashes and snatched thy seven
hills baldheaded
? O, R-rome, thou didst drain the poison
cup
of unsanctified power
and stagger off the planet! Thy dreams
bursted bubbles,thy glory is a broken bowl !
are
Woe
the nation that wabbles
unto
of the orbit of rightout
eousness!
Woe

the

unto

man

who

staggers away

from

problems which God intended him to solve! There is no

in the gloriouscastle of civilization for idle brains and
hands.

We

is the snag
summer

are
on

resort

not

which

all born

for intellectual

endeavor, and

the
room

idle
this

kites get hung. It is the shady

many
of Laziness,which
imagines it has brains. We
so

CASTLES

IN

THE

197

AIR

The prayer is not,

strivingto dodge the plow handles.
"Where
but:
"O
shall I labor,O Lord?"
God, how shall I
field has driven
escape the plow handles ?" The dread of the corn
idiot to the pulpit and the bar and many
an
a fool into
many
politics.
A gawky boy expressedit when
he boasted:
"My mamma
workin'."
"How
so ?" said his
says I'm a-goin'to live without
"Why, she says I'm goin' to be a politician."
company.
A lazy,good-for-nothing
WTetch
read an
advertisement
posing
proare

all

to

of

secret

these words

were

"Go

I have

their

enough

in the

married

them.

"Uncle

in due

woods

morning

who
and
make

to

Rastus," said
today. What's

this work

the

morning', an'

jis''eluded

reveal

to

work.

The

dollar
which

card,on

the

hang yourself."
would
lose sleep all night serenading
too
were
lazy to get up early
fires for them
after they had

Colonel,"you promised
Rastus, "I'se got

I'se been

I'd put it off till nex'

to

begin

?"

the matter

"Well, boss," said Uncle

feelin' dis

dollar

he received

time

and

men
young
sweethearts

seen

in the

out

inclose

get through life without

to

promptly sent, and

was

would

who

one

any
how

sot

back

in

mighty tired
beginning,an' I
a

week."

"Why," said the Colonel,"this is Monday."

dat's so, boss; but de mornin's
half gone,
"Well, I knows
an' it's only a few days till Friday, an' dat's bad luck, an' I
sho' ain't gwine to work
a
on
Sunday; an' so I jis''eluded to
wait till I gets a good fresh start nex' week, sah."
is the only antitoxin for human
it is the only
Work
woe,
hope of happiness in this world and of eternal happiness when
the shadow
shall have passed from
to the substance, from
we
to the reality.
the dream
of indolence
is the great destroyernot only of
The microbe
but

men,

dream
is the

the tissue of every rapturous

stillsthe heart of every laudable ambition.
It

of nations.
and

bacillus

of

It breaks

Poverty

and

down

the

of

germ

Corruption

and

Crime.
When
Roman

Caius

Gracchus

Empire by

infused

it into

the free distribution

of

the

corn

blood
among

of

the

his peo-

198

Of

LECTURES

had

pie, which

extorted

the delusion

under

him,

been

that

O,

and

trim
tails

he

the

old

An

old

of wrath

And

Kentucky,

is full of kernels,

corn

of the

full of

their chins
of

out

"

Colonel
and

;"

corn

intoxicates

women

and

of corn,

the

the stars, and

their

the

men

gun.

staggeringdown

went

the

saw

the soul ; where

like meteors, with

over

the street

rise in her

moon

full in the face

me

glory,and
and

said:

get full yourself

; you

time

every

her

middle

wife broke loose in

Virginia Colonel,whose
he

home

came

his boots in his

night,with

found

late full of corn,

hand,

sleepingsweetly there.

of the floor and

till she awoke

hoisted

raised

and

up

his

entered

Silentlyhe
elbow

"

about

Colonel

two

sleptin

seconds
the barn

the umbrella
that

slippedin
and

room

down

sat

and

sake. Colonel,what are you doin'

just waiting for the
"Nothing, my dear
In

her

storm

in the

umbrella, and remained

her

on

and

the land's

"For

shouted:

?"
storm."
in

was

silent

shreds,and

night,dreaming

of

the

earthquakes

cyclones.
old

An
his way

to

Carolina
a

fence

corner

almost

Lord's

Colonel,one

cold,frostymorning,

and, knowing
stillhouse,

"William, I
I'm

the

to

month!"

and

toes

juices,

amber

suddenly paused and looked her

"Hie, you needn't be laugh'n'at

once

one

the

Tennessee

night full

and

giving

was

her

old

reigned in

mellow,

in

the Colonels

shot

that he

finally"turn

have

And

moon

they were

An

would

dream

dashing thoroughbreds move

over

go like

one

beauty

the welfare

promoting

was

life itself in sluices

Flows

the

TAYLOR

conquered nations around

did not

could

he

"Where

where

he

L.

from

that he

happiness of his country,

Rome
a
torpid liver which
daisies."

ROBERT

all

never

was

as

nigh

dead

night last night with

froze, and

sake,give me

in fifteen minutes."

I'm

on

the

proprietorwell, said:

in my
an

the verge

found

life.

overdose
of

good toddy as quick as

I laid in

of corn,

paralysis. For
you

can,

or

and
the

I'll die

^06

OF

LECTURES

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

enlightenns and of tlic Christian religionto guide us; the

wealth of opportunityto utilize not only our own, but the dreams
of all who have dreamed
before us, and to work in harmony for
the upbuilding of our
race.
It is the province of unfettered
cover,
Thought to invent and disof Art to design,and of Labor
this
to execute; and when
to

triumvirate
is this
forth
and

of power

imperial triumvirate
their

the

thunder
ores.

builds

that

the

in the furrow

ax

with

moves

pullsdown

treasures; that makes

plowshare flash

world

the whole

moves

it.

the hills and

gleam

; that makes

in

It

drags
forest

the

the

dynamite
with melting

the cliffs and the furnaces

flame
among
It is the union
of hearts and the union
of hands

that

bridgesand

and

spiresof
plenty.

launches

ships and

civilization in the air above

John

heaves

domes

the

the sheaves

and

shocks

of

Howard

chord
that
the tenderest
Payne touched
vibrates in the great throbbing heart of all humankind
when
he
Home," for within
gave to the world his song of "Home, Sweet
the heaven
of its four blessed walls the first bright and buoyant
of hope are
blown
and
about
stones
its sacred hearthsoap bubbles
are

What

built the love-illumined

is

man

but

mystery

castles of memory.
of mud
and mind,

miracle

spiritbird in a cage of clay,brother to

the parrot, akin to the angels,forever beating his wings against
the prison bars of flesh and bone, and crying out in plaintive
cracker!"
the cradle to the grave, "Polly wants
from
a
tones
forever praying to the Lord
to take poor
Polly home; but let
and with skeleton hand
the grim messenger
latch
come
begin to unParrot will drop from his
the door, and instantlyBrother
perch and plead with trembling voice :
"Oh, pleaselet poor Polly stay a little longer!"
What
a
strange infatuation of the jewel for its casket, of
the spirit
for its crumbling castle in the air ! What
a marvelous
and muscle, of love with ligament, and of
alliance of music
soul with common
clay! But banish the castle-building
power
him only an
of man,
take away
the soul and make
of the mind
of dust

and

animal, and

the

humblest

length of life
him, Methuselahs
In

to

dream,

around

creatures

the camel

and

; in size and

the

him
swan

are

his

become,

strengththe

ox

and

periors.
su-

pared
com-

the

IN

CASTLES

and

Samsons

elephant become

THE

201

AIR

Goliaths; the

hound

out-

can

him, the granddaddy-long-legs

him, the deer can outrun
can
outleaphim, the eagle and condor can outsee him
except
He
then outsee
when
it comes
can
to searching for a dollar.
smell

"

eaglesand

all the

drag a dead grasshopperto his

had the strengthof
the European plan ? If man
in proportionto his size,he could lay hold of the pillars
Capitol at Washington and instantlyadjourn Congress
land of song.
beyond this vale of tears in the summer

Did

you
little hotel on
an

ant

of the
to

meet

He

ant

an

of St. Peter's

the steps of Vesuvius

up

it into the crater.

tumble
A

watch

ever

roll the dome

could

and

in the world.

condors

Jeffries

in the

the

sportingworld agog
Corbett to sleep in fifteen
Fitzsimmons
when
he puts some
or
mad
hornet in a blackberry
brutal rounds ; but I have seen
a
boy with a singleblow delivered
patch knock out a meddlesome
daddled,
straightfrom his business end, and the boy got up and skew^ith a knot on his head, and the hornet returned
in
triumph, with blood on his glove,to his swinging castle in
prize ring

sets

the air.
of dirt and

yet this union

And

mortalityto immortality,makes
of God.

is the

Woman
and

woman,

divinity,this marriage
next

man

noblest,thank

the twain

the

are

to

the

the noblest

Lord; but

highesttypes

of

work

man

braces
em-

of this

ous
glori-

creation.
this world

When

of

had

ours

rolled

out

from

the
among
of Almighty

warring elements of chaos,and the hand

had stamped the face of infant nature
with ineffable
Power
God
himself built castles in the
then the Lord
beauty, it was
of a ruler for the land and the sea ; and, making
air and dreamed
himself the model, he fashioned
conscious
an
image out of the undark

and

dust and

called it

purest marbles, her

chose

finest

ignobleclay.

the

had

it the last divine

left it not

as

Praxiteles

cold, insensate marble

beautiful
David, which
(13)

earth offered her

young
yet he passed these by and
matter

was

artist in all the tide of

such

an

gold;

Never

station

by
given

The

man.

touches

left his
still
"

he

image
nor

could

as

not

of

exalted

to

such

time; for when

he

majesty and glory,he

of the

lovelyAphrodite
Michaelangelo left his
inspirewith the music
"

LECTURES

202

OF

L.

ROBERT

TAYLOR

; but

the dream

and

lo!

and,
throbbed

and

muscle

thrilled

and

subtle

of

springs of

action

of vital force

leaped
ened
quickflashed

sightlesseyes received the

dazzling splendors of earth

light and looked out on the

features
glowed with the divinity
sky; the dull,immobile
soul and
thought and the first likeness of the living God
"

stepped

forth

Filled

strayed by

of

whose

God,

trembled

soft air

The
with

at

his

garden

It

an

nial
perenEden

of

lightand color,
fragrant with the
the rhythm of the

poem

volume

smooth

was

of

as

joyous waters, bubbled

painted wing
every

all its
in

in
and

flower.

and

with

aflame

was

wings

gorgeous

and

resonant

happiness of earth's first son.

and purred their pleasures
sinuous, crouched
licked his fondling hand; and spotted fawns
the

songs

for

lambs

gamboled

rapturous

Tigers, lithe

in

leaf

in every

"

open

throat, fluttered

feathered

every

death

numbers,

murmured

tripping hours,

in

crystal river.

by
by sin,untouched
love and melody, an

lyric of

walked

he

wonderment,

and

untainted

dreams

living man.

with

bloom

tides

terpiece,
mas-

; the

focused
and

his

upon

red

warm,

currents

nerve

every

the

vein ; the

every

; the

through

and

awoke,

it

through

in every

Sculptor breathed

the Divine

and

feet; lions

the

fields around

daisied

him.

and

snow-white

The

bending his neck, browsed

great giraffe,

and

then, towering like the Matterhorn, poked his little head

the

between

of

grotesque

antics

efforts

determine

to

plunged

Adam

nodded

and

stars

whether

he

had

in

tails

two

tops below,

spheres.

bewildered

his
or

two

all Paradise.

"The
And

While

giggled and

All

Eden

Which

They
Led

with

rang

lasted

laughed
the

the

and

cocoanut

in the

winked

laughed

kangaroo

the

in the

lark chuckled

meadow

the

grasshopper

The

grinned

monkey

gray

all

weird, wild

at

tree,

clover;
the flea,

over.

laugh,

livelong day;

they laughed till the big giraffe

two-tailed

The

trunks,

spread throughout

laughter,which

fit of

of the

the music

to

puzzled elephant,

the

into

the tree

elephant away."

IN

CASTLES

2O3

THE

AIR

joy

around

this

But
of

tortured

for

another

he

caught

fall

in

in

sigh
if

their

her

he

was

bright,

one

found

smile

his

diet,

and

angels

the

But

sorrow.

images
power

They
God-given

and
to
w-ent

felt

looked

down

heard

the

her

ing
listenof

charm
her

love-lit

wandered

and

not

brain

was

to

them

mean

the
man,

woke

perpetual

one

made

of

Adam

smiling

tempted

and

did

the

in

hung

beheld

them

to

were

out

lost

change
the

their

children
of

destruction

nor

did

it

crush

dream.
from

Eden

imagination,

beautiful

they

willow^s

bower,

walked

the

life

them

memories

and
he

leaf

air.

the

and

hour,

Paradise

he

morning

Eve,

led

night,

while

in

smiling

evil

an

dusky

witchery

her

wave.

sweet,
the

heard

and

heaven

in

rustling

he

waters,

liness
love-

modesty
he

every

day,
must

her

her

spreading

tinkling

And

castles

smiling

in

until,

of

star.

building

ever

But
and

liquid

placid

some

twilight's

the

in

every

in

orchestra

waking

the

in

eventide

at

sat

in

the

every

angels

palms

great

mirrored

from

forth

rippling

the

from

smiling

presence

eyes

above

by

apostrophized

w'hisper

where

stream

the

lily,

into

longing

reveries

even

every
the

her

zephyr,

the

by

under

his

gality
prodi-

laughter

his

in

He
in

this

discontented

that

feet.

purity

loitered

he

passing

her

to

his

If

her

fair

so

her

at

and

by night,

being

and

him,

it, turned

vague

dreams

Niagaras

saw

If

its

rose,

every

laughter

of

every

green

and

he

worship

wandered

he

of

and

violet.

with

his

glimpses

down

every

In

share

to

none

him

self.

and

mirth

with

beauty,

and

signs

of

excess

castles

into

they
in

the

strange,

filled
air.

its

new

world,

Avaste

places

and,
with

with
liant,
bril-

TEMPTATION

evil that

only
in
and

cherubim

about

and

him

God

Almighty

to

and

against

his

throne.

swords

and

uncovered

of

his

and

ranks

the

black

and

death
And

had

the

with

gloom

fall

of

this

dreadful

the

with

flame

perfect
the

knew

that
of

millions

the

saw

he

took

reason

virtue

ders
thun-

shining

forever

dies

in

beauty
fountain

souls

shadow
and

God

he

he

had

be

the

subject

of death

dancing

dropped

like

on

to

the

and

of the

into

at

had

he

out

pour

power;

falling star

of

centuries, he

would

horizon

from

triumph

ruin

coming
his

back

in

the

corrupted

when

habitation

only

and

the

derision

with

looked

laughed

destroyed

through

And

temptation.
of

; I think

sumed
con-

accomplish

smiles

through

to

to

laughed

had

he

upward

first and

in

archangel,

he

earth's

ashes

had

first blushed

I think

the

ours

Power

Almighty

world
of

of

planet

the

when

future,

abyss

of

night.

Ever
with

done,

happiness

tainted

wing

eternal

laid

the

live

of heaven

life

mounted

tongue

for, looking down

wrought;

flaming

their

fallen

the

God,

new-born

subtle

from

exiles

and

youth

the

Paradise

revenge,

the

was

and

peace

for

of

the

work

that

when

where

of

and

beauty,

ambition

weeping

rebellion

their

beautiful

the hand

and

admiring

search

in

man

chaos

its

the

the

of

battlements

the

this

when

that

ineffable

of

presence

the

told

it with

stamped

allegiance

forever.

from

out

from

darkness,

outer

off

shattered

and

and, with

"

they drawn

batteries

smote

headlong
of

vault

are

we

rolled

wrath

them

lives

awful

spirits,

light

standard

the

scarcely had

their

infinite

around

flame,

into

throw

to

told

are

immortal

of

angels

them

We

Lucifer
of

host

tallest

rally

l"ut

hurled

into

he

the

"

spirit of

the

It is the

universe.

of heaven.

countless

serapliim

of the

kingdom

burning eloquence, persuaded

his

as

the

it kindled

that

drew

he

entered

ever

Writ

Holy

gi'eatdisturber

is the

Temptation

since

the

that

angels

till

reason

hesitates

of

awful

day

light for

he

supremacy

staggers from
and

falls.

has

Like

her
some

been

in

over

throne,

perpetual
man,

and

malevolent

warfare

arguing
with

with

virtue

spider

of

till
the

208

LECTURES

spiritworld, he

and

weaves

his fatal nets

and

L.

ROBERT

OF

forever

with

weaves

invisible

ments
fila-

all

along the
divinityof evil,

spreadsthem

and

snares

TAYLOR

life. He
is the very
pathway of every human
nates
veilinghimself in everythingthat charms the intellect and fasciLike the siren,he singshis song in every heart.
the soul.
and destroyer. Like some
To nations he is no less a menace
himself
invisible cobra, he twines
in every
capitoland lies in
is the most
He
wait for governments.
eloquent sophist that
of Lords, concealing his
ever
beguiled a Senate or a House
tion
poison in the very lilies of chaste speech and clothingcorrupin the
in the

There

story of

riding

death

page is
of the sombre

and

there

he

more

worlds

the brim
warrior

is

the

on

pale

He

read

and

go

"

like

nations

He

humanity.
is your history
temptation; every

in the shadows

There

is the chief procurer

of hell in the
is the ambassador
love.

immaculate

of shame.

commerce

of

court

liveryof

the fall of

the

to

to

his

there

because

in tears

of

necks

tribute

pay

man.

the Great

past is Alexander
over

is

volume

Every

pictureof

horse

compelling the world

sheathing that sword

it.

fallen

sword;
no

are

the gobletto
filling
and pressing it to his imperial lips,and the greatest
of all historyyielding at last to the temptation of a
to

and

conquer;

there

is Satan

staggeringoff the planet.

Caesar
ISTow look again, and there is Julius
turning away
of pleasure to climb the
allurements
from
love and the sweet
rugged steeps of glory; there is no boundary line to his empire ;
the world
is at his feet; but there is temptation holding up a
from
the forum; and just as he
and beckoning to him
crown

draft

of wine

and

proudly walks down the

of daggers around
him,
and

amid

death
his

the

snatches

tumult

marble

a
gasp, a sigh and
of the
consternation

and

Caesar's

hall to seize it there

laurels

his brow

from

crown.

There
Two
The
And

Oh,

Caesar
thousand
lizards
ravens

Rome

Temptation

lies, a

fallen

god,

years

beneath

the

sod.

he

bled,

creep

where

croak

is dust

above
!

still goes

Her

once

his

head.

glory
marching

gone
on.

is

flash

bloody mantle,
Roman
and

robs

Senate
him

of

209

TEMPTATION

N'ow

firingthe

But

the

when

lilyand

to

toward

France

empire

that is lost to him

There

o'er the

is your

music

from

traced

beauty

of

sound

puff of smoke
there

all the

are

lightof hope
And

so

and

dreams,
the

and

"

and

"

of

curves

the

"

blinding flash a
temptation standing
a

"

writing his

years

of eloquence

columns

name

to us

come

out

the

on

of the dark

poisoningthe springsof

to

sleeplessas

age,

pillow,awaiting the
the

slipping in through

whisper

world

to

age

every

then

waking

promises of

sweet

rises from

two

and

human

the

the

out

piness?
hap-

stars

exit of the

of

angel

opening portals
the coming day ;

billion couches

and

rushes

to seize the treasures

myriad gates of enchantment
glitterand glow in the phantom world of the imagination.

through
that
Above

the

gate there hangs

one

of fame

sounds

politics.And,

oh ! what

where
contending spirits,

of

armor

of

crown

glory,and

within,callingAmbition

cleaves the helmet

the

fallen

and

drawn

blood

that

myths

flies from

he

of consciousness

of

being

bursts

lines and

few

"

walls

of

love and

night,hovering over

and

dust

few

"

past but fantastic tales of the tempter blowing

distant

of

broken

are

"

of fallen nations.

tombstones
What

by

"

of vanished

dusk

in the

and
page
few
echoes of

go and read it,page

a
vast, shattered dream

stream

"

faded

forever.

imperial sword

an

distant

of waters, and

dismantled

on

but

jSTapoleon,
sea, looking back
dreaming of an

"

and

Waterloo

is the unthroned

in

waste

harpstringsthat
are
lipsthat now

from

the
sweeps
the cheeks of

history

is it all but

what

rock

on

which

nothing left

is

him

urging

into the grave and blanches

the clouds have lifted from

eagle chained

an

is the tempter

and

splendid conquest

hushed, there
sword, and there

broken

there

lieutenant

of battle is

roar

like

of

career

of the world

kings.

Corsican

of the

heart

in that meteoric
flower

frowning leaf,and

another

turn

of

passion,and

ignorance; where

hurled

againstshimmering

of wit

and

humor

the battle field of

to

battle field it is !
the

deadly

shields of

perforatethe

It is the conflict

descending sword
the keen

lance of
shafts

of

of intellect

logicpierces

of ridicule

rhetoric,and

frowns

the trumpet

are

flyingdarts

dignity.

It is the

LECTURES

2IO

is

when

But

silence and

TAYLOR

policiesof government. It is the

the universal struggleof mankind
din of the bewildering strife has

plash of ideas and

principles.It

L.

ROBERT

OF

the

and

the shouts

combat

for power.
lulled into

of the multitudes

huzzahs

of

died

have

revealingheaps of
far more
dead and dying men.
But
pitifulare the heaps of
dead hopes and dying dreams ; far more
patheticthan the limping
of a routed army
are
crippledaspirationsdodging
stragglers
there

away,

behind

and
profanity,

of

trees

liftingclouds

no

are

battered

and

bruised

Far

of reform.

the wilderness

seeking refuge in

of smoke

ambitions
solemn

more

from
the field
bearing the wounded
of glory is the long line of wounded
feelingsreturning on
stretchers to the shades of privatelife,with a hole in his reputation
and his pride in a sling.
and frenzied
frenzied politics
In these imperial days, when
are
in hand
finance go hand
together;when honor and reason
forgottenin the wild rush for gold and the power and position
and dyke the corruptingflood of
dam
which
it buys, who
can
than

Cross

the Red

litters

build
can
keep it in its channel ? Who
broad enough and strong enough to prevent its
a system of laws
ing
tides from sloshinginto our
capitoland finallydrownglittering
and

aggregated wealth

the

republic?

Has

sunk

or

politics the
of the hands
art

of

of

art

"

and

nation?

of the

conjuring
hair

free

government

Almighty

God.

Is it not

even

eye

different forms

convention, and
of

ear

It

reversed

w^hile he

the

black

into

in

of

art

it
the

changed

whispers

one

to

slipsinto

magic

great principlesand

in

hour.

That

in the

minorities,and

magic

word

and

art

the

of

is

verting
con-

of

name

of

ten
or

caucus

justice,and
magic

word

twinkling of

minorities

to

opinions and

policiesof government
word

; the

them

temptation in

temple

and, lo !

out

country

the

sleeps;

machine

waking

and whispers one

legislation,

upon
an

the

empire

an

Sometimes

listeningpower,

majoritiesare

of

duced
re-

scuttled

ever

of modern

art

wealth

the

into

sometimes

into the halls of

into the

that

sleepingsovereignswithout

the

mean

been

government

exquisiteart

clippingSamson's

thousand

of free

science

subtle

the most

to
state

the beautiful

not

"Money."

Oh,

an

jorities.
mavictions
con-

are
won-

211

TEMPTATION

word

drous

of

of marvelous

Money !
power
full of the music

Oh, ravishingsynonym

"

earthlyglory, so

and

In

it

with
marble

ent
shady groves resplend-

visions of frescoed halls in

are

matchless
and

the

that breathe

of grace

forms

Oh,

painted canvas.

in the

In it are reflected the stolen fires

"Money!"
flashingin diamond
pins,and the crimson glow of
set in gold ; in it are
banquet spreads,with crimson
amber

and

whose

beaded

billows

humble

mine
and

the

wield

pick

the calloused

hands

sugar

in the dark
that

shuffle,and

golden
in the

the sugar tree of

hatchet, and the

dead

hours

of the

home

at

excluded

from

division

of

Colonel

"

perilous

the enthusiastic

tudes
multi-

about

their

of Mammon.
and

wealth

glory

conspiratorsboil the sap into

night with the lanterns dimly

"

folks

of mint.

the hammer

burning. But old Hickory Shirt is not invited to

pulling nor Dr. Honesty, nor Esq. Patriotism,nor
old

liquors

and

swing

national

our

of

streams

mellow

yesterday twined the laurel wreath

overshadowed
by the gold-crownedgod

are

and

skies

sunset

shores
fragi-ant

on

the

Corruptiontaps
with

old

"

the beautiful

of the stars

but

who
brows

break

lost in the

are

axe

mash

sour

forever

who

men

forgotten;

are

of

seas

sculptured

evangelof

sweet

"

The

"

Money

wine

dream

the

Reform

and

General

the

candy-

any

of the

Welfare

are

the feast of treason, and

the

spoils. "On with

Temptation. "Let joy be unconfined

the flow of sap, and the

the orgies!" cries exultant
!"

And

there

is the clink

of

of the Capitol, and

brimming glassesin the very shadow
there is the jingleof golden eaglesas they rise from the jingling
table and sing the national hymn.
I would
the platform,but I canto be a pessimiston
scorn
not
repress

the

impulse

lengthening toward

the

interpretedto

death ?

the American

people?

while

of

of

prosperity?

Has

Van

Is he
will be not

some

the shadow

point to

east.

And

yet he slumbers
Winkle

Rip

to

Has
with

Has

is not
not

not

he not
not

day

been

slippingaway

from

been

drunk

too

Is not

the

lost in the Adirondacks

from

deep

sleepingtoo long
rise from

of his locks

shorn

the ballot in his hand

popular government

liberty

Constitution

our

all power
Samson

of human

his trance

on

to

his

the

jug

rights?

find the

of indifferen
And

gunstock

LECTURES

212

OF

ROBERT

L.

sovereigntyrotted from the barrel

but the skeleton of happiness lying at
of

But

what

For

Samson

The

tears

Thus

once

was

it

you

forty miles wide.

night and day to keep the
was

from

destruction.
and

almost

called Uncle
the wheel.

The

old

care

nations

and

weep

they sleep.

while

In

The

his wheel

MississippiRiver.
stood at
faithful j)ilot

there

from

who

at

his

loss of
his

was

darkey took

and

in the channel

steamer

dead

Ephraim,

sleep;

and

roustabout,to

it and

and
little,
sho

will

of the boat
there'll be

keep

off the I^orth

her
Star

square

waited

the ISTorth

danger of

no

dar."
and

to

But
looked

accident."

when
up

places

save

post until he

was

her
hausted
ex-

finallyhe
and

come

take

for instructions.

"'Now, Uncle Ephraim," said the pilot,"do you

Star yonder ?"
"Yas, suh, I sees de :N'o'th Star."
the nozzle

nothing

of the

stood

He

and

story of the pilotand his peril? There

the

great overflow

shorn

committed

hear

ever

side

his feet ?

and
power
lost his hair?

he's

are

crimes

at his

vain
that
Rip doth shed;
long; his dog is dead.

are

states

For

wealth

when

slept too

He

Did

doth

TAYLOR

see

the ISTorth

"Well, keep
Star while I sleepa
boss ; I
"All right,

the old

again,all

man

stars

took

his eyes

looked

alike to

out
in the
pilotwoke the boat was
away
guiding her around rocks and
country and Uncle Ephraim was
old fool,didn't
hills and sandbars,and the pilotshouted : "You
I tell you
to the North
to keep the nozzle of this boat square
Star?"
"Yas, suh, you sho did, but, boss, you'sebeen asleep
heep longer'nyou thinks you is. We's done passed the No'th

him,

Star

and

two

when

the

hours

ago,"

enough and virtue enough to

keep the keel of our national hope and glory in the channel, but
have
that we
the fear is in the heart of the thinking world
passed the N'orth Star of safety,and that,though we are gliding
smoothly now, God knows how soon we will be dashed to pieces
I

believe

there

is manhood

the rocks and

among
these rocks and hills
is

hills of

temptation.

I shall not

only a
tonight,but will name
class legislation;
another is imperialism; another
people; another
extravagance of the American
in the

whiskey

business.

On

the

eve

few:

discuss
One

versal
is the uniis the government

of every

great

LECTURES

214

the

struggleto

less

passes out

Every
and

every

then

"

and

with

OF

TAYLOR

brave and brilliant knight

a
many
hole in his valor and his pride in a sling.
is

walking petitionand a livingprayer,

until just before the next
tion
eleca lion
Today he has the world by the tail

officeholder is
is

L.

end, and

candidate

he

ROBERT

"

lamb.

down-hill

from
it gets away
him
and
pull; tomorrow
leaves him gazing into space with only the tail feathers of his
There
is nothing sure
in politics
glory dangling in his hands.
but temptation.
Two
old members
of the Legislaturefrom
at the
away
up
head
of the creek roomed
together in the capitalcity of my
native State.
both church
They were
members, but both loved
to rise before
liquor,and the habit of both was
daylight,say
their prayers
and take their morning dram.
John
rose
very
bled
early one morning, and, groping around in the darkness,stumthe legsof William, who was
his knees silently
on
over
saying
his prayer.
William
stopped in the middle of his prayer
and said:
"John, you will find the liquor there in the w^aslistand drawer
Lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from
evil
John, for the Lord's sake don't drink it all For thine
is the kingdom and
the power
and
the glory forever
John,
hand
that bottle
Amen."
And
me
google, google,
the devil cut the pigeon wing in the purple of the dawn.
ideals of happiness that light up
The multitudinous
the
brain of man
different in degree and form
the constellations
as
are
as
that lightthe heavens
above us.
In one
it is an office;
in another,a bag of gold; in another,the drama; in another;
a

"

"

"

"

"

wine

and

glory and
dream,

tunes

the

social

dominion

filmy

function; in another,
over

heave

human

the

wathin

his fiddle and

of the dance

But

men.

bubble

the leader
the

"

breast

"

the

laurel

wreath

of

in all it is
whose

the world

is that

king

dances

only a rapturous
filmy walls temptation
to

the music.

of all the evil

unfettered

lust for

But

passionsthat
gold. It is

Shylock of every age. It is the ISTero of every civilization.

It rides rough-shod over
and law.
love,and mercy, and liberty,
floats in every mart
Its imperial banner
of business and over
the nations
every capitol. The golden gate of greed through which
rush each day in search of the shrine of fortune
towers
high above all other gates of enchantment.

215

TEMPTATION

The church
is the supreme
temptation of mankind.
is tinged with the color of gold. Gold rings in the very

Wealth
of God

laughterand song of the social

jaundiced with it; and I think

realm.

The

eyes

of

are
politics

republiccould be lifted
would
dig up the golden
up to the celestial abode of the blest,we
and levy a tariff
Jerusalem
in three hours
of the new
streets
dustry.
inthe harps of the angels for the protectionof American
on
Look

how

the

if

temptationsof

our

our

great commercial

centers

depopulatingthe country. Look how the toilingmillions are

pouring out of the fields into the factories and shops and all
And
the arteries of trade.
why ? It does not pay to plow it is
and reap.
to sow
Everybody is scrambling
no
longerprofitable
In every brain there is an iron mine
for a salaryor a contract.
in every heart a pileof wealth and a palace. The
or
a furnace
angels of happiness no longer beckon from the landscape and
the stream, nor
solitudes among
but
call from the sweet
the hills,
domes
and glittering
they stand tiptoeon the burnished
spires
of the city and the town
with bags of gold in their hands, and
the eager throngs assemble
there to climb after them
sand
on
a thouare

"

"

ladders

of dreams.
But

the

And

down

Honor

If I

were

an

dream

the

And

ladders

air castles
tumbles

and

break,
fall,

happiness,

all.

artist I would

paint

composite picture of

in the heart of the great metroplay the scene

olis.
of
I would
hurrying humanity surgpaint a livingstream
ing
and
jostlingto and fro, and scorning and spurning and
I
trampling the helplessdown in the hot pursuit of shadows.
would
paint infatuated luxury flauntingher silken skirts in the
hungry face of penury.
of the palatialsalon gorgeous
I would
paint a panorama
with wealth and resonant
with the uproar
of pleasure. I would
paint pride and powdered vanity winding off the figuresof
the german
and
keeping time in a sort of runic rhyme to
the voluptuous swells of some
sweet
melody. I would paint
the manly form
of a clerk in the bank
down
the way,
with
flushed cheeks
and
beaming eyes, leadingthe dance with an
crime.

I would

2l6

LECTURES

OF

it takes

But

heiress of fortune.

L.

ROBERT

TAYLOR

open the door

the wine party,

golden key

to

the opera and

hundred, for it means
hundred
demands
for
the side,and
with a little poker on
a
which
only the rich can afford. Then I would paint a
money
dovm
I would
the way
in the bank
paint the gay clerk
scene
and
in a quandary and the tempter pointingto the cash drawer
a few
a
crisphills for a day or two, with
whisper in his heart
of the four

"

"

ledger fixed

the

bridged.
but

he'll make

"

But
books

almost

chokes

and

and

again

it in

trying to quench

deavor

finallyI

drawer; and
with

game

face

swollen

the muzzle

throbbingtemple.

And

I would

and

from

bowing

then

fixes the

I would
the

of

paint the

of

in the

the

fatal

pressed to

exultant

crest

ed-

vain

staggering

revolver

of

paint

back

and

eyes,

burnished

the

he

rising from

blood-shot

and

with

smiling

and

paint him

you

why, certainly!

"

put the money

into the shadows

back
his

would

"

last the sensation

at

"

will

Don't

it.

gambling hell, in

his losses and

retrieve

to

again until

he

fly,and

the hours

as

will be

course

takes

the bank

into flame

burst

to

of

"

he

as

right with

it all

is about

his crime
him

him

emergencies increase
again

embarrassment

the

will put it back

he

course

heart

his

worry

Of

it,and

conceal

to

tempter

vanishing

cloud.
Did

bird ?

only

said he

they

pulled off

had

pulledoff

about

won

his watch

like the woodcock

but
would
bird
wants

every

and

in the

this way

before

as

they

"

and

he

"

He

jiffy;

that; and

won

his
a

world.
it in

was

struck

the clock

they

him

it

"

won

to

ing
the mock-

poker

in the

went

struck

of feathers

near

had

and

he

and
of

game

stud, and

morning

began

anguish, and,

he

up,

the owl

when

little short

at his window

his

dollar

put it

sleepoff his trouble.

can't talk,but it can
to."
For just as he

bough
in

into

gentlemen, but

his little diamond

o'clock

two

lured

was

with

little game

twelve

he

He

the story of the drummer

hear

ever

you

feeling

room

perfectgentleman,

concluded

that he

"People say a mocking

it
good as anybody when

said:

He
talk

as

dozing off

was

to chuckle
as

he

and

could

mocking

laugh

and

bird
mock

remember,

in
him

it went

CO

lU

"
o

O!

TEMPTATION

217

"Shuffle,shuffle,shuffle;
Deal 'em, deal 'em;
Two
pair, two pair, two pair;
Three

And

Lord;

And

the dreamer
he shouted

to

And

through

open

And

the

And

threw

the

mocker

three aces,

aces,

Oh,

Oh,

the

the

aces;

lit upon

and

cover

window

went

but

emigrated,

he

you

bottle and

chuckled

he

shook

flew;

he

as

!"

shoe,

his little head.

this is what

and

floor.
laugh before

the

mocker, "I've heard

he lighted in a maple, and

he whistled to the drummer,

As

three

Lord!"

said

he

"Shuflle,shuffle,shuffle."

The
heaven

and

touch

Was

that has

heaved

not

not

with

angel fluttered in
the spirit
that has
And

he not

born?

writhed

heaven

and

between

good and
angels of lightand

hell,and

evil

in the hell of

swooned

not

so

where

the
And

is

when
that
of

wing

an

yet where

is
?

conscience
giiilty

in the hell of remorse?

are

ends.

never

For

is the bosom

joy when

am

did he not

thrill of heaven

where

of

myself

And

heart ?

rapturous dream

some

the soul that has

myself am

And

"I

sang,

philosopher?

the heaven

not

and

in every human
throbbed
with a

thought was

pure

has

hell."

responsivechord

the brain
some

poet sipped his wine

Persian

all.

we

And

Whoever

clingsto the pure

for he
ISTapoleon,

and

the conflict

sides Avith the

beautiful

life is greater than

from
the field and the gates of heaven

things of
has driven
temptation
stand ajar. Whoever

lines up

delivers love and

and

with

honor

the

angelsof

into the black

is

nothing
breathinghell.
Look
of

maze

sin

"

the

nor

you

in

heaven

and

hell.

after the

to the innocent

there

is

the social

phantom,

lies at the end

every-day life
There

walking
and

recedingrainbows

and

but

of the rainbow.

youth

of forbidden

on

in

the

over

gorgeous

finding the bag

of

the

ures
pleas-

the tinseled rainbows

"

with

and

the mirror

his gates of many

close behind the guilty.

fascinated
bent

devil

behold

is exultant

"

virtue

the other vicious passions

wild-eyedspeculationrunning

plodding business,not

(14)

less than

hang in the mist of dreams

tempter'striumphal arches

that open
And

more

and

of lust and

arms

around

race
thoughtless

that

darkness

of

colors

slow

and

colors of

gold

that

2l8

LECTURES

And

L,

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

ing
smil-

Dryden's hypocritewith holy leer,"Soft

there is

demurely looking down, but hid the dagger underneath

the gown."
dens
burThe hypocriteis the devil's dromedary, and bears more
of going to hell
of obloquy and contempt for the privilege
bears for the hope of reaching
Christian
than the humblest
and

heaven.
Yonder
starved

of

form

hovel

wretched

is the

half-

aged miser,

an

his gold and

Unlocks

with

his coffers

views

"Who

of

shadows

the

in

suspicious

eyes

dies."

it till he

counts

green-eyedenvy with his bosom full of serpents

Yonder
come
and
thirstingfor revenge.
scowling hatred
Mistress
Scandal, "the foulest whelps of
Gossip and Madam
utation
sin,"breathing slanders everywhere, and "at every word a repYonder

goes

dies."

lispers,
talkers, minion
throats by whispers."

"Long-breathed
Cutting honest

There
desolate

goes
home.

the

There

All there is of time

are

but

to
yesterdays

no

today.

in the billows of

drowned

himself

is

are

His

old Skull

family would
and

him

nor

tomorrows.

hope and memory

long tillhe will drown
tear, nor his neighbors;
gentleman preservedin

All there is of
rum.

not

Cross-Bones

his

staggering toward

drunkard

maudlin

How

shed
counts

a
a

prizeto win.
the lump is always leavened
But
by the smiling faces of
of character and
and women
piety and purity,and sturdy men
honor, forever winding in and out through the delirious excesses
of the
in the bosom
of mortal
and dissipations
life,and even
most
degraded wretch where temptation has done his worst,
alcohol

hard

there is still a
The

spark of

heaven.

greatest bulwark

of

civilization is the

of pure and virtuous womanhood.

that influence is to human
happiness when

And

beautiful

deadly

yet how

launched

on

fluence
in-

the side

of wrong
! Satan himself could not reach the heart of man
she
There
offered by a woman.
fruit was
the forbidden

until

stood,

LECTURES

220

and
the

shibboleth

the

graft

for

and

ring

the

abides

days

at

he

as

but

temptation

and

offered

for

legislation

the

and

hastened

and

liquid
he
him

quieted

the

adulation
born

was

by
with

struts

stands

the
traces

tx)

there

down,

The

convention.

loftier

acclamation

things

his

stroking
then

to

throat
he

than

amid

and

dignity

awful

to

opens

the
the

stuffs

him
his

realize

shouting

and

pours

and

then

left

his

praise
and
nate
nomi-

They
the

yelling
and

forum
the

tumult

forth

he

crop

greatness

reverberating
until

his

upon

and

rows

with

happiness.

whiskers

up

he

Beck,

ring

begins

he

mind,

mule

corn

leaned

and

mer
sum-

lazy

the

down

old

mounting

the

his

on

his

in

over

and,

lines

stopped

he

matter

until
for

and

and

office,

an

ment
content-

through

sung

the

farmer

and

plenty,

whispered

yesterday

only

has

slapped

and

plowed

with

He

old

prosperous

over

hearthstone.

turned

unhitched

is

running

are

his

him

and

plow

home

at

crowd

surging

the

in
cribs

whose

he

offices

trust.

There

that

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

has
his

quence.
elo-

SAM

UNCLE

This

versatility

of

the

Michaelangelo

but

he

had

tragedies
ambition

touching

He

him

But

to

before

add
the

upon

rise

the

the

begin
he

had

the

was

He

to

testimonial

eloquent

an

painters.

marked

have

led

word
ambition

abiding

which

SAM."

asleep.

of

is

Taylor.

Senator

tenor,

that

"UNCLE

fell

an

serious

more

masterpiece

unfinished

Cicero

his

life

productions

characters

great

fall

and

to

of

of
of

preparation
time

and

actor

an

was

to

to

unfold

nations.
this
it

ous
marvel-

the

modern

of

orators,

It

his

of

lecture

the

and

history

lecture,
from

humorist,

that

was

entitled

brain

he

SAM

UNCLE
back

Away
when
the

held

monarchs

spirit of

Bunker

Hill

colossal

his

hope, casting
visage
his

chin

the

and

sky,

his

held

stripes were
trembled

seas,

the

his

world.

the

of

tail

the

eaglolike
of

coat

of

red

blue

as

and

white

The

named

angels

and

over

was

boots.

his

fur,

comet

of

of human

hat

plug

our

flamo

His

claw-hammer

and

tread,

and

tury,
cen-

when

upon

the horizon

straps under

with

and

war

smoke

on

the

like

of

tocsin

tight-fittingpantaloons

down

under

the

stood

; his

stars

beyond

bell-crowned

down

swept
with

bespangled

vest
as

Avhiskers

with

eighteenth

the

around

shadow

the

from

out

figure that

surmounted

was

sway

sounded

strode

of

hours

dying

their

had

revolution

shores, there

own

the

in

yonder

earth

him

Uncle

Sam.
battle-born

This

fancy,
a

of

dream

Behind

his

his

falcon

and

from

His

mission

the

long, long
but

is

equality
itself.

armed

Its

Alexander's

every

have

It

banners

people,

cast

of

marched
the

but
for

the

awful

fateful

diminished
forth

the

to

plains

of

drawn

Pompey's

wealth, aristocracy, awd

power

the

of

spears

in

from

which

Caesar's

Pharsalia

when
the

mighty
Rome.

of

godlike

enough

not

of

man's

of water

was

coming
be-

was

their

cup

prophecy

legions,
shatter

last

there

and

of

it manifested

on

desert, when

with

the

has

ity's
equalheart

principle

feebly

god.

Through

the

brain

burning
sand

with

in

only

moment

centuries,

warring

smite

his

to

how

of

world's

Tyranny.

The

life because

his

fluttered
on

his

the

upon

preserved

man.

remnant

in

dwelt

had

of

of

of

force.

glinted

soldiers

king disdainfully

front

leaped

and

history,

radiance

fierceness
to

of

fitfullythrough

yearning

"

of

embodiment

culmination

the

was

the

suddenly

as

the

brazen

and

and

trick

no

"

the

was

deepest tragedy

method

old

He

was

democracy

years

with

as

He

resolve

of

accident

no

played dimly

flashed

eye

it had

now

vital

might

had

high

one

was

sword

man,

which

was

ghost.

slumbering liberty.

ideal.

the

aimless

wandering,

no

universal

ages

apparition

for
torious
victhe

common

host, representing
It

sank

LECTURES

224

into blackest

OF

TAYLOR

bloody orgiesof

the dire deeds

stars

Cromwell's

immortal

the

the

L.

reign,and
through the turbulent ages that followed it flickered but dimly.
In Shakespeare'sdramas
it found
matchless
tongues to sing to
the very

night amid

ROBERT

of heartless

head,

of Charles

warrant

could

bequeath his spiritto

lords

this

widely

moved

scattered

into

on

the

shone

with

those who

saddle
kings vaulted to the human
into the eighteenth century and
evening.

As

monarchs.

the First ; but

the death
not

and

and

It haloed

into

above

warning

the great Cromwell

followed

rode

on

Nero's

him, and

again rode madly

the twilight of its
"

of

kings and cavalcade

that epoch-making period,they smiled
gaunt hero looming above the discord
caravan

so

of
at

of
audacity of our
battle.
tion
Victory had not yet settled upon him, but determinathat never
itself in the length of his
yieldshad measured
firm,set jaws ; and had these mighty rulers been wise astrologers
they could have read a fearful prophecy from the stars that
that
on
sprinkledhis garments. Sad was the plightof mankind
figurein the ages, was
day as "Uncle Sam," a new
uncommon
himself in the thunder
of battle to begin his march
straightening

history.

into

Russia, land

reign of

the
of

Catherine

and

Turkey
Prussia

of cruel

of the

the

might

of his sword.

genius

bowed

was

Spain,
Third,

who

of Poland.

feasted

the wide

tigerover

great Frederick

had

the

ruled

vain

to

lift the

the

Theresa.

and

Romans

was
Inquisition,

strivingin

realm

acquired by

the iron will of Maria

under

relic of the

was

frozen

whiskers,under
out
carving the "stuffing"

battleground of

ancient

thagenians,blasted
the

life out

purring like

which

and

Great, was

"poling" the

was

Austria

the

Cossacks

the

by

Car-

Charles

weight

of her

sins.

Italy, prostrate and

her

dismembered,

was

paying

tribute

to

despoilers.
Little

Japan, cloistered

Buddha

and

the

amid

her

cherry blossoms,was

shiping
wor-

dozing

in the

sun.

China, the yellow giant of the Orient,

opium

smoke

of

was

strange and paradoxicalcivilization.

UNCLE

225

SAM

Egypt was a conquered provincesweating under the yoke of

a
Turkey. Egypt, once
empire rising from beyond
gorgeous
land where the music of harp and
the remotest
records of time
thousand
before they wooed
the glitflute was
heard two
tering
years
of unhalls of Solomon's
solved
temple Egypt, the mother
wonders
for four thousand
years the shiftingfootball
of political
aggression,kicked back and forth by the ruthless
fertile spot on
earth
rich trophy of
boot of war
the most
despoilingdespots plundered garden of vanquished tyrants,
Mexico
was
marching with her face to the ground, pricked
but
wonderful
The
by the bayonets of Spanish dominion.
barbaric civilizations of the Toltecs and the Aztecs had passed
of republicanpromise
like visions of blood, and the rainbow
hung not yet upon the clouds of her future.
France, unhappy country, was blindlyapproaching a vortex
tory
of slaughterand death which
would
melt the cold heart of histo pity.
From
the nations.
the mightiestforce among
England was
scowled
all Europe,
Gibraltar's frowning brow
her guns
upon
while her fleets and squadrons swept every sea ; she was
driving
the entering wedge of conquest into India's golden rim; she
and pushed the frontiers
had bayonetted France
out of Canada
"

"

"

"

"

"

of her American
Boundless
was

the treasure
So

her

was

dream

of

of the Mississippi.

the waters

to

dominion

and

bottomless

chest of her

the nations

were

westward

colonies

greed.
faring on June

lY,

1Y75.

The

divine

The
cold glory of
rightof kings seemed as fixed as the stars.
lightedthe skies of the fading century, while
imperial cro^^ms
of every
of poverty and misery fell in the shadow
the darkness
the essence
of treason,
The
doctrine of equalitywas
throne.
and political
dungeons, like black cancers, disfiguredthe fair
bosom

of the earth.

But

new

era

was

about

to dawn.

wings of imaginationlet us go back one

Sam"
thirty-five
years, and, standing with "Uncle
On

the

of Bunker

Hill, we

of characters

ever

look upon
the most
may
born in a singleage.

hundred
on

and

the crest

remarkable

array

Washington, in the forty-thirdyear of his life,

standing in the foreground,as, indeed, he must forever stand;
and by his side is Jefferson,
only thirty-twoyears old,yet comThere

is

226

LECTURES

passingin
the

his brain

the eternal

L.

TAYLOR

of human

chart

rightsand

all

principlesof popular government.

Alexander

ROBERT

OF

star, to

Hamilton,
Jefferson

meet

republicto

new

still in his
in

is rising,
brilliant
'teens,

clash of ideas that will shake

aa

the

its center.

the young
Beyond the ocean
we
see
nobleman, Lafayette,
in
the
of
the
French
court.
moving
splendor
He, too, is in his
but in his soul the Titans of libertyare holding council,
'teens,
and

shall

we

him

see

the belt of flame

again,riding in

which

shall encircle the field of Yorktown.

Old
in the

new

clouds

his

Ben

and

and philosophy
Franklin, the Nestor of wisdom
world, has already coaxed the lightning from the
with electricity.
winged his name

Playing about the door of a

eight years old. His hair
deep-seteyes are the windows

Southern

On

the

far-away island

rise to pour
kneeling hills are

in

Mediterranean,

their cataracts

the

sweet

Pensive
not

to

and

the young
silent,he

be like other

unfolding behind
wonderingly

on

those

forth

for that summit

their

footprintssince

him

only

shall
sword

as

the

paint him,
that is yet

little
of
the

where

tyrant which
for

when

children,even
well,for from
spring an

feet,for they

flightof

time

but

the

two

of

Think

began.

their

is

the brain
Look

have

men

delicate hand

doors

he

as

empire.

not

left
upon

jealoushistory
shall grasp

immolded, its might will smite

patriots'prisons,and

knee.

already setting

are

prejudiced and

that

where

fragrance of flowering

shall

renown

tall

child at his mother's

him

pallidbrow

thin,but

where

like other

Mark

son,
Jack-

into the sea, and

the

l^apoleon,a

men.

that

with

is not

is Andrew

is coarse, his face is

of courage.

mountains

vines,behold

cabin

the walls

dungeons

shall

the
of

fly

open.
What
ill-fated

France, where

tragedy in
Young
and
fair head

troupe of

the annals
Louis

the lime
shall be

actors

moving

are

the curtain
of

is

soon

behind
to rise

the
on

scenes

in

the maddest

men

the

Sixteenth

pit;

and

is not

his beautiful

chopped

from

her

dreaming
queen

shoulders.

of the

recks not

tine
guillo-

that her

228

LECTURES

Poor

Romeos

kind

every

beasts.

Robert

If

could

rise

fleets of
in

two

States

rhinoceros,

foot

one

with

pocket, leaving

the

still

lion

wart

hog

have

instantlyembarked

the

nozzle

would

touched

have

stood

"I

American

spiritof

love

every

in

around

the

the

from

the

each

wilds
and

the

deck

phantom

in

would

when

and

the

world

and

spirit

shouted
to

see

his

widowed

the

Kaiserine,

of

shore

on

python

and

the

Africa,

of

great inventor

invisible

some

of

another

fears

her

nursing

stood

great steamship

and

arm

busy

have

ex-President

an

particularly glad

laugh,
If

land

the

and

to

he

the

plauding
ap-

again

you

"

and

gathered
under

The

miracle,
all the

up

sky

every

telegraph put
made

telephone

Ben

Franklin

the

development

the

storm

Morse.

another

billions

stories

and

the

and

with
of

that

hope

them

whispered

tattling nations

smile,

and

and

lip

frown,

and

and

see

weep.

old

the

up

on

My

discovery

Tell

Thomas

spark

think

he

angel

'Hello, Morse
down

could

of the

cloud, I

call

air

the

world.

and

ear,

come

of

the

and

could

hippopotamus

genius wrought

strange

and

power,

evolution

"^ee-lighted."

am

to

fresh

distant

am

steam

the

if he

seen

tears, I think

her

on

have

under

on

the

angels :
I

in

rooting

of

foam,

into

seas

port with

still

of wild

hunters

witness

harbor;

deck

hyena

and

the

into

upon

the

great squadrons of warships with

and

ago

her

upon

with

standing

years

with

great inventor

every

steaming

come

United

the

see

swarming

York

Kaiserine

could

suffragettes,

and

today

engines churning

peace

ISTew

the

TAYLOR

Juliettes,

old

hunter,

dust

the

; if he

mighty

and

Fulton,

from

up

his dreams
their

of fortune

L,

rich

and

lunatics

Young

with

ROBERT

OF

at

starbeam

and

the

you

whole

earth

caught

seize

some

slip away

spend

invention
the

he

the

pearly gate

and

your

Jefferson

which

would

Can

to

come

an

are

country

hour

with

again

his kite

invisible
and
from
with

say,

enlightening
is

going

telephone
"Give

on

the

me

and

Paradise
me

from

earth

world.

Democratic'

"

ADDRESSES

While

as

Robert

Senator

Governor

of

Tennessee,

anniversary

of

Centennial

him

occasions.

important
at

and

the

from

the

with

people,

some

were

it

has

other

so

for

several

States

speeches
favorably

been

notable

decided

created

commented

to

speeches.

include

dredth
hun-

nessee
Ten-

This

ginning
be-

Tennessee,
months.

to

and

term

one

Union.

Governor"

other

the

l^ashville,

at

lasting

His

and

time,

the

third

his

celebrated

into

"Centennial

as

visitors

admission

and

serving

was

State

celebrated

1897,

1,

Taylor
the

its

was

May

on

L.

welcome

deliver

so

It

volved
de-

guished
distin-

addresses

much

on

them

on

enthusiasm

by
in

the

this

press
ume,
vol-

DELIVERED

ADDEESS

O^
MAY

Ladies

first century

Tennessee,

of

along

the

the

fort

of

the

of

faces

the

turned.

The

sixteenth

star

into

the

brave

scene

changes,

these

sturdy

and

from

the

from

glorifies the

of

in

race

rifles,
of

parapets

Sycamore

the

Sevier.

Shoals,
of

suddenly
around

emerge

of

toward

the

its

mit
sum-

the

Union,

into
of

leaves

Revolution

is

gleaming

ax

falls, and
to

of

the

the
the

see

forest

the

her

Deckard

at

mountains

flag

frightened

fall like

now

heart

hawk.
toma-

withering volleys

tide

the

in

glare

and

of John

upward

the

the

men;

tion
civiliza-

red

mountaineers

redcoats

and

the

sparkling images

their

pour

of

arms

them

see

fore
be-

from

like

the

thousand

now

is won,

is carved

State

scale

Winding

The

westward

her

stalwart

fire,they

foe.

battle

spread

new

thousand

review

torch

from

gathering

caps

reflecting a
a

of

see

the

warriors

smoke

fainting

Mountain.

the

of

hands

fields

see

serpent

foe, I

of

painted

and

jubilee

in

the

see

Kate,"

the

flames

forest, and

the

autumn,

the

approach

"Bonnie

in

first song

the

with

garnered

this

pass

of

rich

heavenward

Watauga.
the

in

years

hear

and

been

you

curling

and

the

fall

rifles

King's

like

eventful

coon-skin

rising sun.

base

and

thousand

into

the

join

to

Commonwealth

has

peace,

smoke

of

savage

thousand

vanish

heroes

outstripping

the

beleaguered

of

here

peerless

amid

baffle

and

deeds
of

pioneers,

the

fawn,

the

arts

blue

banks

life; and

see

the

see

mountain

the

of

night proclaiming

at

which

the

hundred

see

cabins

sky

for

of

history

the

stand

as

scenes

me.

the

DAY,

1, 1897.

the

with

all

in

eternity; and

rude

in

glorious

achievements

stirring

OPENING

Gentlemen:

and

The

THE

the

in

fruitful

Mississippi.

wilderness,
and

the

Tennessee

is bom.
The

gives
and

birth

Jackson

world;

roll

years

men

to

rise
like

new

up

and

on,

the

republic
and

of

thought.

revolutionize

Franklin,

and

republic

young

the

Fulton,

and

Men

of

civil

like

Jefferson

politicalideas
Morse,

liberty

and

of

the

Howe,

LECTURES

232

ROBERT

OF

L,

TAYLOR

I
I

and
up

Hoe, and

Whitney, and Bell,and Tesla,and Edison, open

highways for the march of civilization.

new

see

the vast

Indian

and

wilderness

of

America, the dominion

of

age
sav-

wild

beast,yieldingto the brain and prowess of

the Anglo-Saxon race
until forty-five
national flag
stars on
our
symbolize the strengthand power and unity of the greatest republic
this world
thousand
If

has

crowded

years

known.

ever

into

the achievements

see

of

singlecentury.

fathers,who died a hundred

years ago, could come
back from
"the tonguelesssilence of the dreamless
dust" and
the miracles that have been wrought ; if they could see their
see
children talkingacross
the ocean
and sweeping across
continents
in palace cars
swifter than the swiftest wing; if they could see
the modern
reapers sweeping like phantom ships through seas
of sunset
gold, and hear the music of the harvest song ; if they
could catch glimpses of the myriads of cities and towns
and
our

country homes

which

the habitations

are

people; if they could look upon this

City, risinglike a beautiful dream
to

shout

under

whose

join us

in

joy and
flow."
blessings

TENNESSEE

ON

is the natal

and

one

No

flag ever

record

the deeds

women

more

in the North
of

over

sigh for

the

the

shades

where
from
the

cool

am

sea.

and

men,

those

in the

of Tennessee,

heart

GOVERNOK'S

This
of the
land.

in the

day

DAY,

South

and
I

bom.

was

History

of Tennessee.

far

hundred

one

Union

poets have

sunshine

warmer

does

never

sung
When
I

sweeter

sigh to

not

of
am

flowers
rest

me

native Tennessee
mountains,
my
fall
blow
and where
bright streams
of

balmy breezes
loftyheightsand sing to
the

child

fairer

than

in

of Tennessee.

of braver

beautiful
I

Centennial

White

1, 1897.

sixteenth

Tennessee; when

again

to

day

ago the
floated

years

here

AND

JUNE
This

beautiful

of

ing
wings the nations of the earth are gatherthis gloriousjubilee,I doubt not they would
all
sing with us : "Praise God, from whom

for

ADDEESS

of seventy millions

the rivers and

the rivers

sing on

233

ADDRESSES

happiestlines of latitude and longitude

the
the dividingline between
that girdlethe globe. It lies on
the climate and products
and the South, and it combines
North
think that when
the Lord God
I sometimes
of both.
Almighty
from
and Eve
banished
Adam
Paradise, loath to destroy its
Tennessee

gloriesand

the

lies on

its

beauties,he transferred

all to

them

Tennessee;

fruits and

and

here, amid

its luscious

this

happy throng and give them

flowers,I greet
gorgeous
day
hearty welcome to the birth-

all the

in

party of the fairest queen

loyal sisterhood

of

States.
I would

the heart of any other

Tennessean.
I
I am
a

wound

not

Day and
patriotism,which loves
Tennessee

earth.

Union

because

But
the
is to

love

better

Tennessee
it is my

I must

of
pleasingproprieties

guests

especiallythe

demand

that,while

than

local

in

any other spot on

other State in the

any

this

gloriousoccasion.

in the

arms,

ladies.

we

The

of

name

not

My

get
for-

duty

Tennessee, our

of the occasion
proprieties
must
to Tennessee,we
give

tribute

pay

I must

delightfulduty.

forgetmy

not

than

believe

this is

home.

welcome, with opens

"

better

home

State,but

whose
praiseand glory to the great Commonwealths
and daughters have come
in our
to join us
distinguishedsons
like
jubilee. Although the first month of our great exposition,
and

honor

the first happy hour

ties
banquet,has passed away, the festivihave only begun. Only the first course
has been served.
viands and delicious herbs,the rapturous wines, the kisses,

The

the cakes

and

cakes
and

of the

and

creams

and

creams

all

"

kisses ; for South

for all the other

cakes; and

kisses,and cakes,and creams,

and
and

for each

today.

come

and

one,

every

For

North

Carolina,

Carolina,creams,

kisses

States

representedhere today,
and kisses,
and kisses,
and kisses ;
old and young, big and little,
rich

Tennessee
welcome.
poor alike,a genuine,old-fashioned
The past,with all its discoveries and all its gloriousachievements,
lies

what

here before

spreadout

another

century will unfold ?

opening before

future

me.

in science undreamed
of the

past.

(16)

see

the

see

of
sun

by

us

in

epitome.

I think

triumphs

see

in art

the artisans and

darkened

by

clouds

Who

can

tell

vision of the
and

ments
achieve-

philosophers
of

men

and

LECTURES

234

women

flying

electric

tubes

of

leaders
and

and

dukes

pauper

the

across

lullabies

singing

America

in

office,and

an

But

the

forget

to

make

them

South

shady

floods

who

the

we

her

for

and

story;

who

have

suffered

love

and

will

be

of

the

and

on

lican
Repub-

every

holding

free

home

and

pass

hand.

at

duty

the

women

Democrat

is

duty

of

rules

about

again

am

My

occasion.
and

girls

at

men

see

every

my

foreign

the

see

the
I

near

ing
bind-

millionaire

riding

forget

land

of

love

her
the

are

bird

brave

the

her

upon

and

hills

his

sings

the

come
wel-

to

occasion

are

true

God

fields.

and

sweetest

and

song,

pours
In

her

bright

melody.
if

speak

Tennessee

heroes,

people

and

pusson"

me

her

enriched

our

blood,

chide
of

her
we

the

eternal

mother

love

pension,

sunshine

will

made;

box

and
of

swarms

babies.

squalling

to

see

American

our

ballot

guests,

mocking

in

ripple

But

has

of

the

coves

waters

carriages

happy.

Carolina,

his

out

horseless

kissophone.

the

proprieties

distinguished

our

grain.

the

about

their

fields, cutting

"cullud

again

am

in

umbrellaed

the

millennium

the

and

gloved

two

through

drawing
every

I think

then

the

to

Francisco

self-adjusting, automatic

kissing

to

San

in

the

through

bloomers

in

the

see

entering

passengers

while

golden

counts

ocean

marching

to

and

of

emerging

sitting

song,

the

shocking

TAYLOR

throngs

party

harvest

L.

see

and

unattended

sweep

reapers

York

Populist

the

singing

started.

they

the

air.

New

in

before

hours

the

in

ROBERT

OF

for

the

the

because

her

died

together

to

sons

on

of

sake
of
her

and
many

the

sons

battle

forever

orators

by

we

the
of

field.

she

history

produced;

has

world

lina,
Caro-

North

the

live

her

people
the

for

she
shall

names

literature

bound

her

love

statesmen

whose
for

We

of

tenderly

in
and

love
sacred

Tennessee

we

song

poets,
cause
be-

her
ties

of

have

236

LECTURES

and

barometer

the

wake,

I love

The

brave

and

overalls
the

and

sweethearts

lady, I

would

with

world

If I

were

ladder, and
of
of

celestial
God

can

harps

to

there

than

in

he

is

graceful

as

in

for

him

only

not

other

sion
profesa

were

young

he

moves

the

because

he

is the

the marble

my

ideal

because
but

push,

ness
is less drunken-

any

If

preachers.

would

chisel from

it the

figure of

would

golden

paint
I

rungs
and

market

sell to

to

with

drummer

picture

would

ascending
the

the

drummers!

endeavor,
make

imagine

them
a

flyingthrough
and

on

because

paint

descending
the

of

Jacob's

the

with

hia

angelic
best

the

inhabitants

the

of

world.
bless

Christian

its

drummer

the

to

constantly enchanted

that

grip

the

painter, I

upon

the

footstool.

make

were

given

all,they love

are

grip, and

sculptor,I

I would

If

grip.

and

God's

on

the

drummer,

is

for

view; and, therefore,the

of the craft

except

marry

him

beaux.

carry

his snap,

man.

wings

their

who

sun,

prettiestthing

the

to

of the drummers

it said to the honor

those

he

above

and,

him

has

only

not

because

drive

made.

has

and

the

enchantment

husbands

under

line

he

lends

form

genial, but

love

he

happiness

drummer,

swallow-tail

homes

among

the

in hia

masses.

versatility;I

his

eter
thermom-

times

the

among

for the

love

Distance

their

and

women

in the

as

Be

of

made

gallant and

happy

wives

by

he has

for

is the

hard

when

of poverty

drummer

He

prosperity follows

When

prosperous;

sign

sure

the

sacrifices
world.

are

TAYLOR

society.

of nations.

nations

home, it is

L.

circles of fashionable

refined

most

ROBERT

OF

and

air, with
the

snorting among
"The

drummer

Round

this

Sweetly
Sells

his

is

the cherubim

to

sublime

more

the

are

they need

all

equal

vision
the

They

no

world

merry

like

seraphim.

innumerable

gripsacks in

clouds

wears

pink tights and

and

than

their

of
personification

their

gauze
Who

drummers
ing
hands, div-

porpoises in midocean?

golden
he

wings

swings,

laughs

and

softly sings,

goods

and

wares

and

things."

237

ADDRESSES

ADDKESS

M'KINLEY

AND

OHIO

OX

JUNE

DAY,

11, 1897.
Mr.

Ladies

Chairman,

uncovered

With

and

heads

President

of the United

the

throbbing heart

warm,

It has

been

and

lazy

dwell

States

in

all who

him

accompany

to

of Dixie.

whispered abroad
that

that

have

we

much

too

its effect is to render

the

shine
sun-

people

It is believed

thriftless.

who

men

and

the

welcome

patrioticpride we

States

South, and

in the

Gentlemen:

and

by millions of misguided
in the rural
suburbs,especially

Northern

our

Ohio, Michigan and New

York, that, in this warm
honored
climate, energy
evaporates. But our
guests

of

southern

complete refutation of the soft impeachment.

They shall see the triumphs of our brain and bra\\m and the
who
of them
saw
tangibleevidences of our activity.And some
ruined
our
country thirtyyears ago will certainlyappreciate
If they will only look,
the fact that we
have wrought miracles.
they shall be livingwitnesses of the victories we have won.
shall

The
sat

today

see

now

grass
the

on

and

memories,

the

of his manhood's
white

armies

of

tents

cities have

been

industrial

exposition,which

power

in the

track

of war,

between

and

which

Nation.
scar

unity

one

of

our

and

but, thank

token

like

of eternal

of

the

of

bosom

of sorrow,

and

; and

century

prophecy

bled.

once

the white

on

beauty

hills,new

this

splendid

glory

our

and

beautiful flower in the

brotherhood

and

peace

once

Ohio

God, it is

has closed
across

with

today,and

inseparable.Mason

swallowed

once

Time

of honor

is

blossoms

claspshands

are

still there;

is

quarter of

the

; in this land

shrouded

once

to

sections.

the two

the South

future,now

Tennessee

death

built in

heroes

where

of

Gray

the

monuments

bride ; in this land

ago Death

years

and

the soldier's last tear

touching as

the

bloom

few

the Blue

now

roses

but

of battle fields and

this land

where

where

green

grows

pale horse beckoning

opening grave,
In

up

its

no

longer the

the best and

country.

Dixon's
open

bravest

bloody lips,and

the breast of the

divided

and

the North

now

and

line is

mouth
sons

of

of the

it is the red

Republicwhich

marks

the

238

LECTURES

We

OF

ROBERT

guests with

greet our

L.

TAYLOR

ardent

the

hope

that

hour

every

mingling with our people may be as sweet as a song

and delightful
as a glassof sparklingwine.
I believe in these industrial expositions.
They are the flowera
of progTess ; they are
the bouquets of civilization ; they are the
brains
garlands of peace gathered from the gardens of human
and human
hearts ; and they only bloom in the most
enlightened
of the world.
centers
They deserve the encouragement of the
rulers of nations,because they are the conservators
of peace and
good-willamong men.
I congratulate
try,
State,and the South, and the whole counmy
of their

the fact that the ruler of the greatest Nation

upon

in the

bers
world, accompanied by the first lady in the land, and by memof his Cabinet, and others who
are
distinguishedin the
councils of the I^ation,prompted by their loyal zeal for the
happinessof the people and the development of our wealth, have
from the patriotic
stolen away
ington,
pilgrimswho still lingerin Washpining for the President's autograph, to listen to the

of Southern

music
I

them

pledge
in

our

borders

and
hospitality

courtesy; and

lapelsof

progress and
the honor
of

the
when

see

of the Lord.

the salvation

Tennessee

that

while

main
they rethe tariff question shall be outlawed
by our
question shall be strangledby our
money
they depart from us we will pin upon the

the President

and

each

of his

one

party

sweet

forget-

me-not.

ADDEESS

OP
ON

WELCOME

TEXAS

GOVERI^OR

BY
AT

DAY,

TENNESSEE

of

name

Texas.

There

Tennesseans
should

and

is not
than

another

not

of the "Volunteer

State in the Union

Empire

love Texas

the ties of blood.

State
We

welcome

to

better loved

of Texas.
are

the

State,"in

people,I give a cordial

of

the great

Tennesseans

And

by
why

bound
inseparably

old Sam
gave Texas
to lead the little republicinto the sisterhood of States,

togetherby
Houston

million

two

our

Governor

TENNIAL,
CEN-

23, 1897.

JUNE

As the Centennial

TAYLOR,

Tennessee

gave

Texas

Tennessee

Da\^ Crockett

to

teach

Texans

how

239

ADDRESSES

to die for their

and

in peace

country.

long list of

valor

whose

in

whose

names

added

have

war

ship
statesman-

the

to

glory

of this

to
republichas been givenby this old mother of great men
that State,which will soon
be the richest,
the most
prosperous,
and the most
powerful in the Federal Union.
I know
I speak, for mine
whereof
its glory.
eyes have seen

I have

from

Wichita

to

and

Texas

seen

Texarkana

Falls.

I have

to Galveston

and

felt the warmth

shall
Mar-

from

of its sunshine

rigorof its blizzards. An old Texan once told me it was

the quickestclimate in the world.
He said that an old farmer
was
drivingalong one day ; his team was composed of oxen ; and
it was
hot that one
of the oxen
fell dead from sunstroke,and,
so
while he was
skinninghim, the other one froze to death.
the

I have

looked

out

rollingprairiesof

the

upon

springtime,when the prairieflowers were

I was
sailingthrough the scented isles of
There

I have

sailed and

sailed and

in

Texas

in the

bloom, and thought

the

Paradise.
long-lost
across
landscapesof
of gorgeous
length,

sailed

through cross-timbers
a
typicalTexas sand bank, where the fleas
and has the flat
are
so thick that the engineerpullshis train up
the
he gets to the place where
loaded with sand ; and when
cars
and
sand has to be unloaded, he gives his engine a toot or two
the whole
thing hops off.
And
then from the sand bank of fleas I have dashed through
almost boundless
archipelagoesof fruits and flowers,and over
beauty, and
gorgeous
until I landed upon

fields of coal and

her

mines

great pine forests,which

world

the whole
the forest.
for

looked

out

wished

week

where
where

heaven.
the last

vast

horse

glad

am

her

and
to

women

Tennessee

of her

the cotton

acres

enough
making a gap
and

timber

oats

steer, with

for
in

eled
trav-

fields,which

duce
proI have

innumerable.

are

landscapes of
Texas

timber

without

out

lost in

was

and

all the

until

corn

privileges

same.

this

jump
are

is

the

welcome

the horses

the

or

the

way

through

and

acre,

upon
were

time

furnish

years

my

iron, until I

of

could

thousand

found

at

per

of the aforesaid
I

for

I have

bale

and

exhaustless

as

delegationof

further

than

beautiful

speciallyglad

survivingmember

of the

as

to

Texans

old Bill

ever

Mahomet's
receive

Confederate

to

to

nessee,
Ten-

jumped,
vision

her

of

bosom

Cabinet, whose

LECTURES

240

OF

in the

will live forever

name

Reagan
loved

well to

too

to

his country

I trust

John

H.

Texas

has

"

Texas, and whom

the loan.

return

ever

TAYLOR

historyof

loaned

Tennessee

whom

"

L.

ROBERT

that the

evening
twilight

be calm
and beautiful, and that the
his life may
reach far into the twentieth century.
may
Star State,"we welcome
Ladies and gentlemen of the "Lone
of

to

you

and

hearts

our

Ladies

REUNION,

Gentlemen:

and

of the South ? Every

I say welcome
to the men
throbs welcome
to you, and every loyalhome
in Tennessee
need

Why
heart
smiles

call of

eternity,crowding

shout:

"Welcome,

of

Southern

hear

roll
them

the soft Southern

of

of heroes.

I love

to

the

I love to

their banners
drenched

once

were

and

their white

wave

back

wave

breathe

sunshine

plenty.

fields

the cotton

soil,where

fields
of peace and the wheat
of gold from the hills and valleyswhich
blood

see

the

to

would

you

Dixie, under

banners

the

answered

Summer

and

would

you

her flood
out
pours
earth smiles with
the generous

skies,where
on

tears

thrice welcome!"

I love to live in the land

showers

air, and

the

the veil which

back

draw

if I could

I think

welcome.

separates immortality from this vale of

have
old comrades, who
vision of your

live

24, 1897.

JUNE

DAY,

CONFEDERATE

ON

EX-CONFED-

THE

EX-COIv^FEDERATE

AT

EEATES,

TO

WELCOME

OF

ADDEESS

homes.

with

air that

Southern

through jungles of roses, whispering the story of

Southern
from
deeds
of bravery. I love to drink
Southern
cooled the
babbling brooks, which once
springs and Southern
lipsof Lee and Jackson and Forrest and Gordon, and the worn
filtered

comes

and

columns

weary

to

live among

as

warm

of love and

touch

Southern

men

the Southern

as

I love

of brave

men

and

sunshine

who
women,

and

wore

I love
the gray.
heart is
where
every

every

home

is

temple

liberty.
to

listen to

the soul and

the

melt

sweet

the heart

old
and

Southern
awaken

melodies, which
to

life ten

thou-

24I

ADDRESSES

time

soothed

"mammy"
But

the oldago, when

the old-time black

of the happy long

precious memories
darkies used to laugh and sing and when

sand

O !

"

that

the music

"

children

the

slumber

to

thrills

is the

most

me

died

the lipsof many

Confederate
a
on
away
into the sleepthat knows
no
waking :
"I'm

Look
look

yonder

those

at

am

beauty ; look what Southern

wrought; see the victories of

have

the white

within

columns

soldier

you

brains
peace
of our

and

Southern

have

in God

strugglesof

and

peace

ADDKESS
Mr.

that the

ON

Chairman, Ladies

not

strugglesof
of

won,

the future

old

South,

will be the

war.

GEORGIA
and

hands

all resented
repindustrial
great
sition,
expo-

we

inspirationof the
you will receive an
will catch glimpses of her future glory.

I trust

he sank

as

glittering
spires;
and picturedtapestries

and
and

that

and

all the fabrics

of

melody

in Dixie."

flashingdomes
and

of art

the works

at

glad I

lullabies.

her

with

26, 1897.

JUNE

DAY,

Gentlemen:

day and week after week we have watched with

joy the tides of humanity ebb and flow through the gates of this
beautiful
White
City.
comes
Today a brightwave
rollingup from Georgia,bearing
Governor
of that
its crest the eloquent and irrepressible
upon
and
his gorgeous
staff of Colonels,
glorious Commonwealth
Day

and

after

bevy

of

beautiful

as

women

shone

welcome

our

honored

N'o tide more

upon.
gates, and w^e gi-eetour
and

Southern

music, and
hearts

and

with
all the

as

the

has

in heaven

sun

yet swept through

ever

guests with

all the warmth

hospitalityof

ever

and
our

smiles

and

shine
sun-

gladnessof
homes.

our

It is

It is the time
Georgia to visit Tennessee.
and is
when
Spring pillows her head in the lap of Summer
and honeysucklesby the music
lulled to sleep among
the roses
the souls of
it is the time when
of the happy harvest song;
lovers melt togetherin a singlethought and their hearts beat
beautiful

time

for

in unison

to the

rapturous melody of love

; it is the

time

when

LECTURES

242

the

children

happy

; it is the

fragrantwith
when
the

the

and

hope

L.

TAYLOR

the butterflies among

the poppies
home
the cows
in the evening
come

time

when

the

breath
bird

bumbles

amid

Here

ROBERT

love to chase

humming

bumblebee

OF

these

and

hums

blossoms; it is the time

the

woodpecker

drums

and

around.

busy
where

memory,

clover

of

of

life,amid
prophecies of the

scenes

the

temples of

future

blossom

the

welcome
the sons
and
triumphs of the past, we
and memories,
daughtersof Georgia, the land of monuments
the land whose
thought and genius have enriched the literature
of the world
lectual
Georgia, the home of Robert Toombs, the intelgiant of the old South ; and Alexander
Stephens,the idol
of the country ; and old Ben Hill,the gTand incarnation
of mind
and magnetism; and
Howell
Cobb, the true and great; and
of war
and
the evangel of peace;
Gordon, the thunderbolt
liant
and Grady, whose
genius blazed but for a moment, like a brilstar, and then disappeared forever,ere he had reached
the full meridian
of his glory. No
State in this Union
has
furnished
brains than
more
Georgia, no State has furnished
If our
industrial expositionis a triumph, we
more
courage.
two
must
not
forget that Georgia opened the way
years
ago
among

"

with

the

first great international

held

expositionever

in

the

South.
I think
Atlanta

that
its

was

jaspergate.
Southern

Georgia was
jasper gate.

I still think

bouquet,except

the

I think

that
this

gets drunk

and

of

whole

own

plantations,and

Majors

culture.

of its

and

Politeness

Colonels.
grows

on

we

love-

in the

call Tennessee.

watermelons

with

and

potatoes. It is the land

the wine

on

over

bowls

sweet

cotton

and

it is still the

it is the loveliest flower

Georgia is the land of

brittle pulps of deep carnation,and

around

that

"daisy" which
peaches and pears, and

'possumsand

of Eden

originalGarden

persimmons, and
where the grapevine

purple clusters
fills to

the

brim

It is the land
the trees

and

and

staggers
ing
the flow-

of literature

good

manners

bloom

in every home.
Down
in Rome
old justiceof the peace used to
a
pompous
yellat the darkies when they entered his court : "Take off your
hat!"
And
he had a parrot in the room
which
learned to yell:

"Take

off your

hat !"

An

old

darkey

entered

one

day

when

the

LECTURES

244

There

has

Tennessee,
to

always
and

Orleans

iSTew

England

at

of

The

to

glory and

tie grew

and

the Stars

on

Bars

his Tennesseans

noblest

bravest

and

and

the flower of Louisiana

fought and

the gray and

of Dixie.

the story of Louisiana's

know

We

put

marched

and

Louisiana

Zachary Taylor,led our Tennessee

hip to hip with the volunteers of
victoryon the bloodyfields of Mexico.

stronger still when

flower of Tennessee
under

to

tie between

Louisiana's

tie grew
stronger when
Rough and Ready"
son, "Old
heart to heart and
volunteers
The

Louisiana

TAYLOR

single blow prostratedthe lion of

American
eagle and punctuated the
with
in America
a
bloody period.

rule

English

tender

L.

Hickory"

the feet of the

at

last hour

been
"Old

since

ever

ROBERT

OF

and

valor

died

the

together

chivalry. It

is

glory of Tennessee's heroes on the

the part that was
most
pathetic page of history. We know
of
played by the Washington Artilleryin the awful drama
The grave of every gallantsoldier of that peerlesslegion
war.
within
itself of wild and
who
fell in the struggleis a volume
be a forgottengrave, unmarked
It may
thrillingadventure.

blended

the

with

and

lost forever

the

dust

of

and

fame

from

it is,it cradles
eyes ; yet wherever
knight as ever died in battle,and I

mortal

knightly a
think the angels of God
hover
the resurrection
morning. All
God

may

as

bless and

prosper

the

about
honor

it, keeping watch

to

the

heroic

until

dead,

and

!
living

which
splendid expositionis not only an object-lesson
and energy
reveals to the world
the triumphs of our
courage
and the glory of our
material wealth,but it is the loadstar which
section hither; and
these great
the people of every
attracts
gatheringswipe out sectional lines and provincialprejudices
and give birth to a better and broader
citizenshipthroughout
of our
the length and breadth
country. It brings the veterans
of war
togetherto live over
again the dark and dreadful days
souls and to tell forgottenstories which
were
that tried men's
It brings the young
the camp
told around
fires long ago.
once
togetherto talk about the happy tomorrows, and the glorious
This

years

that

are

to

come,

and

to

whisper

stories of war, but that other story which

down
then handed
through all the ages
love."

to

each

was
"

"the

other, not

the

first told in Eden,

old,old story of

245

ADDRESSES

Young

ladies

never

heard

again

to

There

shall

doubt

the

that

not

vanish

waters

from

the

But

handsome

Tennesseans,

of

hope

State
old

the

age,

the
professional,
is in

there

oars

of

faces

sweet

the

on

the

w'ith

the

silvery

dying

swan.

we

heart

tell

his

to

the

will

the

Colonels, or

the humblest
of

toiler
and

country

our

at

least
these

happy

safety of

it be

business

the

that

more

the

Whether

in

of

some

some

that

benedict, the

pride

of

have

deny
?

lake
and

song,

hearts

thus

homes

or

the

and

will be

him, there

around

listen

may

who

millionaire

every

don't

dead

hands

the

or

told !"

ever

especiallymy

happy

its

bachelor

will

and

And

in

rest

must

and

City;

me,

If you

that

in Tennessee.

homes

you

Louisianians, and

fair

White

mingling

song

story

lying

win

them, may

love

you

sw^ans

morning.

some

hear

the

sweetest

tell him

bald-headed

several

forms

light oi

the

this beautiful

will

as

and

bald-

and

Apollo, here,

fair

it back

not, beware.

have

you

gentle splash of

sweet

that

me

that's

must

you

you

the

If

told

never

you

you

Taylor sang:]

"O, tell

And

midst

legion, have

gondolas,

of

your

and

[Here Governor

For

confines

and

low

as

song

and

before

our

of bands

have

as

widowers,

all within

soft music

Louisiana

handsome

men,

bachelors,and

brilliant

story of love, and

young

moon,

and

this

shipA\Tecked brother

some

are

headed
the

the

of

youth

man

the

or

the

or

in the

the

land,

love

of

home.

celebration

is the

and

the

homes;

and

this

carved
side

of

with

the

victories

blissful

and

peace

richest, most
ever

Jubilee

splendid Centennial

This

out

of

of heaven.

the

and

we

most

wilderness,

for

won

which

have

welcome

our

beautiful
and

to

State"

''Volunteer

the

have

pleasures

patrioticpride

picturesque

we

of

the

our

country

blessed

guests

our

to

the

Commonwealth
sweetest

homes

246

LECTURES

ADDRESS

ROBERT

OF

KENTUCKY

ON

L.

TAYLOR

MEN'S

RED

DAY,

AUGUST

12, 1897.
Chairman, Ladies

Mr.

The
have
a

almost

and

Gentlemen:

numberless

vanished

from

century, and

the

tribes of North
face

of the

the great herds

have vanished

with

them

of

and

American
in little

earth

antelopeand
forever

gone

men

than

more

elk and
the

to

red

buffalo
ing
hunt-

happy

groimd.
The

story
is

story of the destruction of this noble

told.

ever

they came

started

to

to

sell,and

as

him

for

agreed

miles

day
passed through

of seven-up
hand
and
a

and

started

and

The

soldiers cocked
vanished

man

which

"Yes,"

as

old

his

arm

mounted

ridden

few

and
"Did

said the old

and

The

stakes.
man

had

in the devil did

from

won

the
Nevertheless,

The

The

won.

his rooster.

the guns

did civilization have

is

war.

gallopedback
not
we
fairly
"you won
man,
have

you

up

presented arms,

ag'in'

and

the

forevermore.

Civilization has

continent

his rooster

put up

demanded

fa'r;but what

under

the camp
the soldiers tackled
for that old rooster.
The old man

home, but after he

him, and he wheeled

the soldiers.

during the

old rooster

an

the soldiers

thoughtstruck

rooster
my
him?"

what

with

one

played and

camp
asked

win?"

he

game
take
to

the

town

was
game
his horse

old

possessionof this continent

they lost it is a revelation.

of the ages, but how

lost it as the old man
lost his chicken

He

to

in

mystery

They

to

How

is the saddest

race

game

up

is

the red

this

man

continent,but

againstit?
won

; the red

man

is gone,

and

the

ours.

establishment
I have

of

the honor

to

this

Improved Order of Red

welcome
today,is a beautiful

the noble traits of character which

belongedto

Men,
tribute

that vanished

race.

Gentlemen
cordial

of the

Improved Order

of Red

Men, I give you

greetingto this exposition. I will permit you to wear

paint and feathers on this occasion; but if you get
your war
too gay on
the "Streets of Cairo"
and frightenour
and
women
children with your faces and your warwhoop as you "shoot the

247

ADDRESSES

chute," I
give to the

shall

instantlyturn my Gatlin guns upon you and

world a practical
illustration of the process by which
vacated this continent.
predecessors

noble

your

But

do

not

dangerous to "white
the warpath
were
on
Smith"

intimate

to

mean

folks"

as

us, for I doubt

among
noble order who has not

in your

fair
conquered by some
around
the premises of some
pierced through the heart by
of white

race

and

men

then

captivityby
can

women,

and
pen

this is
or

whose

men

in

the smiles

and

Cloud
''John

that every

not

as

already been captured

"Pocahontas"
is now
prowling
"Powhatan,"

old

Cupid's bow;
vanquish a race of

can

and

conquered
of

tears

held

of fair and

race

be
for
red

perpetual

in

beyond the reach of

love is mightier than

always be trusted
gloriousproof that

to

eager

from

arrow

an

prowess

be

turn

is

your
presence
if old SittingBull or Red

and

that

innocent
the

rifle,

either the

the sword.

White

welcome

give Big Injun

man

ADDRESS

NASHVILLE

O^

welcome

heap

"

SEPTEMBER

DAY,

11, 1897.
Ladies

Gentlemen:

and

Centennial

Jubilee, sparkling with

laughter
with the music
of bands, bubbling with
and song, murmuring
of
the gleefulbabble of happy humanity, ripplingwith the hum
ows,
machinery, dashing in the sunshine and splashingin the shadof a peaceful stream
like the bright waters
still rolls on
Our

matchless

winding

its way
of

the flotsam

Many
of

and

beauty

libertyand
today

like
the

of

the fleet.

of

; and

it bears

the foam

its

upon

of mirth

and

shining bosom

merriment.

emblems
gaudy craft,flyingthe fluttering

peace, have

floated

phantom ship on

by, with
a

silken sails and

river of dreams.

flagshipNashville, freightedwith

brighthopes and

keels

and

squadron

joyous crews,
But

to the sea

sweet

eternal love

memories, and cordonned

pleasure,gaily leads

the

van,

the

fairest

by painted
galley of

248

LECTURES

The

and

chaste

Mark

as

deck

Caesar's

as

the

Banner

Governors

and

other outlaws

is

just the

by

of the

the hands

southern

of

there

of statesmen,
every

and

Cain,
every
are
fragments of
can
the Ameri-

And

city of

central

is the

Nashville

of

half

columns

the "Bashette."

same.

South, and she produces the best

State of the central

the central

the Rome

Cumberland,

hoisted, and

afternoon

gets there

Caesar.

Athens

on

patra
Cleo-

as

kings,susceptible

are

editors,in whose

newspaper
of Abel is

the blood

morning

men

of the

paradiseof

the

beautiful

is the cradle of orators, the home

She

iSTorth America.

Her

as

State,"the

"Volunteer

TAYLOR

queens,

wife.

Alexandria

is the

L.

are

but brave

Antony,

Nashville
of the

her

upon

women

ROBERT

OF

glorious. She is the nursery of

I have
read the biographies of the swiftest
horses.
blooded
fleet as the wind; but the sons
that were
in the world
racers
and Iroquoissay to the wind
Blackburn
and daughters of Luke
is great and

everythingthat

of

Uncle

what

said

Rastus

; and

also reckless of wind

a

hin

whut

heah, an' let somebody run

with

"Git

rabbit:

the

to

!"

run

out

de

uv

way

Her

good purse

are
politicians
hung on the wire,

is an ox team
compared to them.
lightning
have seen
magiciansshake empty bags, and

flash of
I

"

twinkling of
at
a

an

I learned

this until
full

bag, and

In

view

at

the

lo!

"

of what

that

of

I marveled

much
shake

can
politician

"Go

Greeley:

that he

politician:"Go

back-number

in the

"

twinkling of an eye it is empty.

I wonder
Southern
opportunities,

Horace

still more

I wonder

gold.

Nashville

of

I know

full of

were

in the

"

words

famous

man."

they

eye

lo !

did not

say

West, young
to the ancient,

South, Methuselah,

and

for

run

office!"
If you
I

what

me

that it is the

answer

Andrew

ask

and

Jackson

Nashville

has

only city in
James

the world

Polk

K.

done

ever

; and

that

that

had

ever

it is the

great,

was

an

only city

inaugurated a world's fair on its own

history that ever
hook and triumphed, just as "Old
Hickory" triumphed,by the
in

power

of native

Tennessee
results
Lewis

from
and

genius and

energy.

and

the South

this

exposition,and

all the

will reap

splendidcorps

the
of

men

golden harvest
name

and

of
women

of rich

Thomas
who

and
have

ADDRESSES

wrought

with

them

249

will be the synonyms

of courage

and

success

the

risinggenerations.
Let us all rejoicein this triumph, but let us not forgetthat
it is only the prophecy of the gloriouspossibilities
of the future.

to

and

to realize its

blessingswill

The

questionfor

Nashville

to solve is not

whether

and

cost

the

as

valleyalong

settle is the

problem of
and

country

and

energy

of wealth

God

people

to

and

power,

soil

solved

developand

and

to

the

greatest and

the face of the earth.

people on

South

and
silver,

Nile; the Lord

courage

our

the whole
water

and

copper,

effort.

make

as

that

world; but the problem for

the

elements

the w^onderful
richest

made

he

question when

the

and

climate,and

timber,and lead,and zinc, and

rich

century of merited

Tennessee

have

we

to

us

utilize

country the

our

I do not

most

perous
pros-

believe

that

the advance
was
ever
guard of
politicianor statesman
industrious
aged
encourcitizenship,
prosperity;but an intelligent,
ing
by justlaws and stimulated by a liberal government, backany

with

endeavor

honest

sufficient volume

of money

to

meet

increasingbusiness and increasingpopulation,

and happinessin the homes of the
will always foster contentment
and will insure the perpetuityof the
poor, as well as the rich,
the demands

of

government itself.
There

is every

upbuildingof a mighty
sition
busy people,and this splendidexpohere for the

condition

city,teeming with a million

The
be done.
is an example of how it may
of America, without the perilsof ice and
Klondike
is here that the great fortunes
It will cost
billions
when

we

Dixie

God

(16)

lost

many

by

of the future

long,weary
the verdict

will be herself

bless Nashville

years

of war,

are

the

is the

snow,

and

it

to be made.

of toil to
but

South

wun

day

back
will

the
come

again.

and

Tennessee

and

our

whole

country !

LECTURES

250

ON

ADDRESS

ROBERT

OF

MEMPHIS

"Queen

This

greetingis

TAYLOR

AND

SHELBY

SEPTEMBER

DAY,
The

L.

COUNTY

14, 1897.

City" of the Cumberland

gladly greets this
and
royal throng of Memphians and the sons
daughters of
Shelby County today, and gives them welcome, thrice welcome,
to the shrine of Southern
hope and glory.
with

nor

the

with

not

deceitful

cold and

smiles

that

bows

formal
conceal

of

the

strangers,
of

agony

the

millionaire's

folk,
puffed-upfamily when they see their country kinsoilcloth satchels and squeaking shoes,coming to spend

with
a

month

the Centennial

at

welcome, as

when

mother

to share

and

twin

; but

it is with

sisters meet

alike her

and

warm

to celebrate

blessingsand

rapturous

the natal

of

day

benedictions.

brate
why should not Nashville and Memphis meet to celetogether,not only the birthday of Tennessee, but the
of her sons
and daughters in the
triumphs and achievements
first hundred
years of her life ? The glory of King's Mountain
is Tennessee's
glory,and it is the heritageof every Tennessean.
Orleans
The victoryof New
is Tennessee's victory,
for the sons
of Tennessee
bought it with their blood and bequeathed it to the
world as the priceless
legacy of liberty. Old Nolachucky Jack
John
Sevier.
Tennessee's
Old
Tennessee's
was
Hickory was
And

Andrew

Jackson.

Tennessee's

mighty

gave to Texas
that shattered

pultepecand

Buena

The

Lone

Sam

Star

Houston

the

drew

peerlessDavy

the

armies

Vista

were

of

of

Texas
his

sword, and

Crockett.

Mexico

nessee
Ten-

bolts
thunder-

The

Monterey, Che-

at

Tennessee's

when

rose

thunderbolts.

by the
page in the nation's historyhas been enriched
of Tennesseans.
If the second century of Tennessee's
life

Every
deeds
is

as

of
prolific

brains

and

the first has been, what

as
courage
from
stepping
prevent this matchless Commonwealth

can
power
to the front

as

the advance

guard

of progress

and

civilization ?

I do not

reflect upon
the old leaders in business,in the professions,
and in the field of politics
I say that the twenwhen
tieth
of modern
mold
and fresher
new
men
century demands

thought to grapple with

Most
river and

the

of the old leaders

are

restingunder

problems
of the

which

South

the shade

confront

have

of the trees

mankind.

crossed
in the

over

the

paradise

ROBERT

Of

LECTURES

252

TAYLOR

L.

by the skin of her teeth. Memphis is the

but now
and then she enjoys a sensation.
of enterprise,
paragon
Her
genius long ago banished yellow fever from her borders,
not with antidotes and nostrums, but with floods of pure
crystal
water, spouting from her artesian wells,and with her new
tem
sysof
healthful
which
has
made
her
the most
of drainage,
one
she carries

sometimes

spots in the world.

splendid expositionis unique and

beautiful.
Yonder, close to the Parthenon, stands her Pyramid,
tation
the habisilent and solemn
as
a pyramid of Egypt; but it is not
within
of mummies;
its slantingwalls it is rich with
the flowers of thought and the fruits of labor,and it is alive
civilization.
of modern
with the busy hum
which
I look upon
the scene
When
greets us all today my
Tenheart beats with a quick pulsationof pride that I am
a
It is the
It is a gloriousscene.
and a son of the South.
nessean
bow
of promise which
country, and in
spans the future of my
the vista beyond the angel of hope beckons
our
people to a new
and
of prestigeand power
to the paradise of permanent
era
peace and prosperity.
contribution

Her

ADDKESS

to

this

SEPTEMBER

DAY,

IRISH-AMERICAN

ON

21, 1897.
If I
of

his
would

its

on

were

spiritno

power
to the home

and

I would
If I

were

pathos of

his life

can

I would

would

the shamrock

cradle

of

Isle,the

the

who

ever

eloquent with

canvas

lived,whose proud
tion
whose
loyaltyand devo-

and
no

tyrant

can

ever

crush

picture,''Ireland."

the

threnody of

for the Emerald

make

conquer,

melt

the world

touch

the heart

poet, I would

song.

weave

would

of free government

my
the mournful

ficing
Irishman, sacri-

an

of Emmet.

name

people

ever

write under
a

figureof

ideal

my

the altar of his country, and

on

pedestalthe

bravest

the marble

chisel from

it the

painter,I

of the

deeds

would

make

and

hopes

carve

If I
the

I would

hero,

I
sculptor,

were

Ireland's
and
land

heroes, the nursery

of

the

of

and

wrongs
rose

to

into

of martyrs

liberty.

tears

with

humanity
Erin's

woes.

the
with
I

garlandsof glory
and

memories, the

253

ADDRESSES

Tortured

in

and

the fruits of their sweat

dercd
of

the avarice

by

keen

and

sons

other land

and lords in every

on

povrer, driven like the leaves

of
winter
winds, this sturdy race

daughters have been

earth,homeless only in the land of

Erin's
the

robbed of
scaffolds,
toil,scourgedby famine and plun.
murdered

of heartless

the

before

autumn

and

dungeons

where

scattered
their

over

but princes
nativity,
is the

merit

the face of

of the

measure

man.

is the battle field that has not

Where

by
glorified

And

where

Irish blood ?

baptizedwith

and

courage

been

Irish

is the free

strengthenedby Irish
?
brains and whose wealth has not been increased by Irish brawn
flutters the spiritof Irish chivalry
the flagof war
Wherever
is there,panting for the battle and eager for the charge.Whether
it be Wellington leading the allied armies at Waterloo, or ^ey
have

councils

whose

country

been

not

Houston
it be Sam
following the eagles of France; whether
at San
Jacinto, or Davy
crushing the armies of Santa Anna
Crockett
courting death at the Alamo; whether it be Andrew
Jackson

New

at

Orleans,

of

Stonewall

Sheridan

it be Phil

ville;whether

god

or

in the thickest of the

war

Jackson

in the

fight,or

at

Chancellors-

riding like a
Cleburne
leading

saddle
Pat

works
hope and dying at the cannon's mouth on the breastof the foe,it is the same
unconquerablespirit
intrepid,
of inspiration
which
flows like a stream
sublime
courage

forlorn

of

of old

the heart

from

Ireland

to burn

greatestleaders and

to

forever

fire the
on

souls of the

the altars of

of peace is unfurled
over
nations of the earth, this same
English-speaking

^Vherever

Celtic blood
and

the banner

has

the heart

loom

which

mankind.

It

mighty
whose

dream

fragranceof
brain

been

liberty.
the progressive

irresistible

present,shapingthe destinies of

pires
em-

republics.

It warmed

for

ever

world's

will
roses

of Oliver

of Edmund

Burke, whose

brain

was

of glory for England and

tapestries
inspired the souls of Swift and Sheridan,
lingerin English literature forever,like the
It lightedup the
that are faded and gone.
wove

Goldsmith, who

broke

out

in songs

than

sweeter

nightingale. It kindled the soul of Tom Moore

into flame,and, like an angel of lightfrom the realms of dreams,
the
lol
he swept the burning stringsof Erin's harp, and
the song

of the

"

"

LECTURES

254

whole

dust

was

thrilled with

world

but

long ago,

his

in every Irish heart

asked why our
If I were

fired

that

from

secession
it

was

K.

Irish

the

and

our

have

Mexico

thrashed

; and

Constitution

Irishman

broken

half

finallyput

arms;

this

was

Calhoun,

and

rightsunder

the

the North

the

on

floated

sea, and

strange island.

on

of

one

self,
him-

dragged

He

confronted

water, and

the

from

dead,

of

preach

to

English

C.

of John

shipwrecked at

the shore

to

spar

was

crutches.

on

once

was

as

President,James

of State's

this which

was

the South

pension list and

An

it

of

It

breakfast; it

before

the doctrine

to thimder

impelled him

Henry

the power

the lion in the Irish bosom

that woke

veins.

our

Irish-American

nerved

to

in

Patrick

of

heart

this that

Polk

blood

Irish

wrath

English

the effect of the climate

much

so

of

predominance

it is the
this

It is not

answer:

melodj. The body of Tom Moore

spiritlives in his songs and breathes
and happiness in every Irish home.
Southern
people are so impulsive,I

its

hope

should

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

the

natives.

have

"And

government

you

here?"

asked.

he

"Yes, sir,"repliedthe native.

"Well, then, begorra,I'm ag'initl"
the
impulse is,first,

Irish

The

next, the determination

he undertakes

himself

to

ordered

and
hours

""Where

him

'^is,

sor;

into

all over,

on.

and

gave

hazards,whatever

and

to

him

wagon.

of axle grease

box

In

about

three

sweat.

Honor."

Your

ghreased all

hired

the farmer.

get it greased?" asked

I got it

drippingwith

been, sir ?" asked

and

America

the wagon.

grease

the
ghreasin'

did you

Ladies
me

you

"And

run

farmer

and

to go

have

"Oi've bin

wheels

The

farmer.

Cork

from

came

once

returned, weary

Pat

liberty,and,

do.

to

Irishman

An

all

accomplish,at

to

of

achievement

over

the farmer.

except the things the

I couldn't get to thim."

gentlemen, my

digression.I

am

about

Irish

impulse

to grease

except the things the wheels

run

is about

this
on.

to

plunge

occasion
glorious
The
delightful

255

ADDRESSES

task

assignedto

Commonwealth

of

give welcome,

is to

me

the

in

of

name

the

Tennessee, to this splendidgatheringof Irish-

Americans.
I

especiallypleasedto perform this task, because Irish

blood runs
in my
veins.
Irish
an
My great-grandmotherwas
and spoke the Irish brogue ; her pigsgrunted Irish,and
woman,
her turkey gobblersstrutted like Irish policemen and gobbled
in the Irish tongue; and she had an
old "nager," and he wag
am

Irish, too.
I
I

proud of

am

are

of the

proud

am

opportunityto give you welcome,

Irish blood ; but

my

for under
citizens,

all American

am

the

prouder still that we

ample folds of our jflag

of birth is neither

the accident

the passport to power

of trust and honor.
to the highest positions
Lincoln

began life as a
Johnson, as

Andrew

mule

as

poverty all

of

heard

have

driver

it is not

God

bar

nor

ner;
tansplitter
; Grant, as a humble
field,
an
apprenticeto a tailor;and Gardren
But these chila
towpath in Ohio.
to the presidency of the republic. I

on

rose

rail

it said that such

true.

because

men

these

as

made

Almighty

self-made, but

were

them

and

gave

them

their

in this land of democracy and liberty.

gloriousopportunities
self-made man
There
of whom
I have
is only one
in this Union
and she is Irish,too.
knowledge, and that is Dr. Mary Walker
"

I trust my
Irish- American
out of this short address
noble

deeds

It is

enough

have
to

friends
the

national

can

in the

of

that

say

to

the

fraternal

morning star,
then

day;

blazed

lost forever
Eathcr

mournful
lost and

names

melodies

mortal

our

of

own

of

was

of

sky

yet how

without

giving utterance
of Grady and Father
Kyan
orator,whose eloquencecalmed

wooed

the nation

moment

the

on

eyes

in the

Irish

hero

furled

into the fond

like

Grady, who,

peace;

despairinglove

flagthat

its stars; and

history.

"

and

love
for

from

Kyan,

for the

whose

names

all the pages of American

without
Irish names
the
our

Grady, the impassionedSouthern

the spiritof sectional hate and
embrace

Irish

for leaving

illuminated

breath

same

pardon me

long list of

glory w^ould lose half

give you a complete welcome

our

will

horizon, and

lightof God's
and

for

forever

the
was

eternal

whose
poet-priest,
the

cause

still melts

that

was

the hearts

256

LECTURES

of

Tom

Moore

the folded

over

ROBERT

of the South

grizzlyveterans
Father
Ryan, the
watch

OF

Stars

L.

TAYLOR

to the tenderness

of
and

Dixie, whose
Bars

until the

of childhood

spiritshall keep

morning

of the

resurrection.
Ladies

and

gentlemen, again

give

vou

welcome, thrice

welcome.

ADDRESS

GERMAIsT-AMERICAN

ON

DAY,

OCTOBER

6, 1897.
Ladies

and

Gentlemen:

ISTot long ago

I stood

here

amid

thousand

fluttering
flags

and

citizens.
The
greeted a gi-eat throng of Irish-American
red, white and blue, mingled with Irish green, seemed to kiss
the harp of Erin and eagerlycaress
it,as if to conjure its silent
stringsuntil they should breathe the soul of music here as they
breathed
it long ago in Tara's hall.
blend
Today the gorgeous colors of Germany and America
of the fraternityof the great
togetheras one flag,emblematic
empire and the republicand symbolizing the truth that these
two
mighty nations are bound
togetherby the sacred ties of

blood.
God

bless the

Fatherland,the beautiful land of the Rhine,

around
whose
castles and templed hills there is a halo of glory
which the touch of years cannot
dim nor
the blightingbreath of
passing centuries destroy! The great rulers of Germany have
inscribed their names
men
high up in the temple of fame, her stateshave never
been eclipsed,
her armies are walls of bristling
and her navy
is a floating
steel,
magazine of death. She is the
home

of literature

On

lightsof

the fountain

of

music; her universities

learning; her philosophersand

and poets, are the evangelsof God, who
orators, her composers
have led mankind
upward to higher planes of thought and a
broader
horizon of happiness.
are

the beacon

and

this horizon

advanced

figureof Martin Luther, like an

fering
archangel,parting the clouds of gloom and revealingto a sufworld
the light and hope of immortality. I hear the
faint swells of distant

see

the

miisic

breakingon

shadowy

shores like

257

ADDRESSES

the silver surf of

and

forms

ethereal

some

of old Beethoven

Schubert

and

Handel

and

ocean,

and

Mozart

faces
glorified

the

see

and

and

Mendelssohn

and

Wagner and Liszt,revelingin the

brightworld of dreams, catchingmelodies from the spheresand
incense for the soul from
the harp stringsof heaven.
I see
Humboldt
and Kant
and Virchow, scalingthe dizzy heightsof
mines
of intellectual wealth
for
philosophyand opening new
coming generations. I hear the songs of Goethe and Schiller,
and hope and love into the hearts
pouring their flood of sorrow
and

homes

of all who

of the earth
victorious

tremble

armies

the beautiful.

cherish
with

terror

like

sweep

Frederick

as

phantoms

of

the nationa

see

and

the Great

fury

bloody

the

across

his

plain.
the

rumbling
and the
artillery

I hear

ingsof
and

of battle I

flame

and

of the first powers

L, upon his throne
the iron

above

these

before

with
sun

kingdoms and principaliti

the German
Empire as one
I see the Emperor, William

; and

proudly
genius and

in the front
devotion

stands

of the

rising now

star

dashing young

I trust, into

Bismarck,

his country have

to

still another

see

It is the star

visions

me,

and

people runs

the best blood

I do not

; and

of

stronger

see

emperor,

century of

new

happiness.

see

heroic

Sedan.

at

of

the line of

breaks

II., leading Germany,

and

peace
I

of France

armies

Moltke, the thunderbolt

Von

of the world.

the harizon.

William

old

immortal.

him

earthquake; I hear the thunderthe smoke

of musketry ; and amid

establishes

prince,whose

rendered

an

roar

see

Germany, shatteringthe
mighty upheaval,which
forever

of

then

glory passing in
I remember

in the veins of my

like

panorama
that the best blood of this

countrymen,

commingling

civilized nation

of almost
wonder

review

every
that the union

under

the

of all these vital elements

and
has given birth to a new
power
and grander civilization
of peopleand developed a new

strength and

race

here

of

in the heart of this

new

world.

gentlemen,the horizon of America's future is all

aglow with hope and promise. The times are blossoming with
of in the cendreamed
turies
ever
opportunitiesgrander than were
men,
that are gone ; and there will yet ripen a har^Tst of statesand warriors,and philosophers,
and poets, and musicians,
Ladies

and

258

LECTURES

whose

triumphs
drowns

sun

We

the stars

and

poets whose

ing
triumphs of the past as the risnight in the lightof the morning.

of

greater than

as

Ladies

we

and

ADDRESS

go

marching

in it when

than

we

volume

AND

express ; and,
of greetingsinto a

and
and

it
air
and

million

BRYAN

"welcome."
from

There

the heart.

therefore,I have
singleword, and
from
into
fuse

this beautiful

fall into the hearts

more

that word

come."
is "wel-

perfumed
toss

love

means

of

million

and

world

condensed

audience

of all who

is
It

hearts

and

whole

in

nessee,
Ten-

bombshell

it from

and they come

forget-me-note,

sweet

DAY,

Gentlemen:

gathered welcomes
have pressed them
kisses.
I lightthe

explodesabove

and

8, 1897.

comes

can

I have

smiles

it

Mendelssohns

welcome.

are

NEBRASKA

tire of the word

never

and

on.

gentlemen,you

0:N^

meaning

of Germany,

Germany's
will spring

blood

Mozarts

Chairman, Ladies and

I

than

this German-American

OCTOBER
Mr.

the Bismarck

broader

deeper and

German-American

own

Schuberts

TAYLOR

than the songs of Goethe

and
songs will be sweeter
The
air of America
will yet be turned
into music

Schiller.
our

from

L.

the

Bismarcks

Ilumboldts

Humboldt,

by

will drown

will have
and

ROBERT

OF

lips;

my

scatters

of

in

the

floatingdown

their homes

their

and

country.
Tennessee

weaves

Governor

morning

star

of the

garlands of
and

it that

brow,
But

it shall not

crucify mankind

nor

I would

would

of

mar

welcome

tinguishe
dis-

frowning face
"press a
on

the

of centralized
of thorns

crown

cross

for

of

pleasure of

power
on

and

labor's

gold."
this

delightfulhour,

forget the proprietiesof this grand occasion, by

And
the
piercinggolden hearts with silver arrows.
yet when

nor

not

laurel

for Nebraska's

Bryan, the
people'shope, who, triumphant in defeat,

stillcalmly looks into the

warns

welcome

260

LECTURES

bless the

God
South

bless

God
I

Again
guests, and
of

hour
which

stay among

ON

just got

them, fresh
of Tennessee.
and

I have

and

East

the

North

the

and

welcome
with

one,

distinguished

our

the

that

hope
with

crowded

be

will

us

to

every

pleasures

ripen at length into preciousmemories.

AND

OCTOBER

9, 1897.

and

Gentlemen:

supply of welcomes.
fragrant,from the hearts

in

and

DAY,

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO

Chairman, Ladles
I have

TAYLOR

country !

whole

our

bouquets of
greet them, every

ADDEESS

Mr.

the

toss

their

will

and

West

L.

ROBERT

OF

I have

new

ered
gath-

of the

people
yesterday,

I gave away
million to Nebraska
a
million left today for Illinois. I had a half million

distinguishedGovernor; but, like our hopes of

his coming, they have wilted.
We
regret the absence of the
than combut our
of Illinois,
Governor
pensated
disappointment is more
by the presence of the bold and fearless young Mayor
will honor
of Chicago and his distinguishedparty, whom
we
And
Governors
here.
a hundred
as warmly as though there were
with my welcome
I propose to mingle politics
in this connection
Mayor Harrison, of Chicago, for
just long enough to nominate
of Illinois,
Governor
form.
providedhe will stick to the Chicago platextra

for your

Now
with

welcome.

my

Do

them.

you
side of the Nile and

the

Do

palaces? They

columned
to

performed this pleasantduty, I

that I have

are

there

see

out

see

you

yonder

yours today,and you

the only Egyptian

only perfectParthenon
into ruins
magnificentoriginalcrumbled

them, with

thousand

the

welcomes.

Have

you

will ceed
prothose whiteare

welcome

pyramid

ever

built since

at Athens?

looked

Take

in upon
of war,

the

from
the blightingflames
recovery
products of brain and brawn, the flowers of our thought and

evidence

fruits of
are

of

our

our

to
yours
to them.

the wealth
fields,
enjoy today, and

of

our

you

forests and
are

mines

thousand

this

times

our

the

They
come
wel-

261

ADDRESSES

Have

rose-cheeked,
red-lipped,
in
roguish eyes whole regiments of Cupids lie in
? Capture them
ambush, with drawn bows and poisoned arrows
if you can, young
haps
gentlemen,and welcome, heap welcome ! Perif you
cannot
capture them, they may
capture you and
seen

you
whose

keep you here, and

Ladies

and

benefit you

beautiful

our

will be welcome.

you

gentlemen

will derive

women,

of

the

City

of

Chicago,

the

great

informayour visit to us will be the tion

will gain as to the successful management
of an expoyou
sition.
It is true that you had a World's
Fair, which was a very

fair

from

affair,but it is only fair

to

that

say

tennial
Cen-

Tennessee

the

is the greatest fair this side of Jordan.

But

if this

declaration

offends

honorable

our

guests,

we

cheerfullywithdraw
it,and give Chicago the praisefor having
had the greatest expositionever
held on
either side of Jordan,
so

far

as

forget that
history of the

I must

But
We

know.

we

not

the

know
to

have

seen

from

the windows

join us

dotted

beauty

of her

Pullman

with

happy

towns

and

pursuitof

beheld

factories

read

the

and

when

of

as

her

historyof
I

and

glory.
palaceson

have

swept

come

these who

while

and

she

in contact

with

surround

me

I have
her

looked

her

has

the smoke
in

spiritof
her

her

energy

today,the mystery

tering
glitkle
twin-

from

the
But

and

perous
pros-

millions

the stars

produced

the

its

busy

seen

out

fertile farms

through
with

State.

our

development.

of
representatives

such

of

moonbeams

the

men

the

I have

pleasure.
machinery,

her progress

on

are
representatives

great metropolis,with

her

with

corners

swung

I meet

when

and

fortune

pondered

I have

whose

shining domes, teeming

the music

to

homes.

"Welcome."

today is

of the birth

Illinois in her

spires and
in

State

in the celebration

here

theme

my

her

air, and
when

developed,
people,and
and

ment
govern-

of her greatness

is solved.
I greet this
the

I trust

sriven

us

honor

they

will be links

togetherin
forever.

throng of

the bonds

of

Illinoisans
have

done

with
us

of steel to bind

and

hearty welcome, ant^

the help they have

Tennessee

inseparablefriendshipand

and

Illinois

brotherhood

2"2

LECTURES

TO

ADDRESS

ROBERT

OF

and

10, 1897.

Gentlemen:
Revolution

in their veins

nation

fall.

must

without

without

nation

the

is

dominion

over

and

man

man.
especially

"

A
a

erty.
daughtersof libroyalblood. Their

the

are

heritageis the continent,and they have

beast

AMERICAN

THE

OCTOBER

Daughters of the
Every drop of blood

The

TAYLOR

OF

DAUGHTERS

THE

REVOLUTION,
Ladies

L.

triumphant

proud

are

is

historyis

The

heroes

of

march
of

their

patriotism,and

opened the

have

and
civilization,

the nation

way
whose

for
ple
peo-

always produce

ancestry will

heroic

and
history,

without

nation

of the world

heroes

without

nation

heroes.

examples set by our Revolutionary fathers have never

and cherish the
been improved upon ; and as long as we emulate
historythey made, as long as we glory in the inheritance of
The

their
and
of

the
preserve
their virtues in peace, so
blood

the citadel

patriotismand

gloriousobjectof

the

kindled
on

the

hearthstones
lived

who

women

heroic

as

their

and
and

for the
wielded

that

in

war

be the shrine

long will America

of liberty.

to

the

upon

suffered
and

altars of

The

hearts.

our

as
truly
day were
esty,
their modself-sacrifice,

in that dark
in their

home, and

their efforts to make

it dise
parafields
and
tilled the

fought the battles and

ballot,they bequeathed a gloriousexample
who

men

the

Daughters
and

valor

your

husbands;

their devotion

of their

organization,as the Daughters

American
Revolution, is to keep the fires which were
by Washington and his heroes forever burning brightly

The
of

traditions

and

to

the

of the Revolution.

in awakening a deeper
upon your success
stronger interest in the history of the greatest struggle

congratulateyou

was

ever

fought.

The

destiny of the human

beyond the brightestdreams
the

the foundations

Upon

results of that
race,

and

of those who
which

they

and

in order

we
perpetuate its blessings

to

our

advanced
won

civilization

the victories.

built and

cemented

with

and
great republichas been established,

their blood

tears

have

strugglehave changed

must

maintain

the sacred-

263

ADDRESSES

of home

and

purity of public office. We must be true

to our
historyby remaining true to our heroes.
Daughters of the American
Revolution,it would be irony
for me
welcome
to say that you
here today. Rather
let me
are
God
bless you; you are welcome
everywhere, and on all
say:
occasions,to all the rightsyou want, and to do as you please.

ness

surrender

rulers

Tennessee

of the

accorded

the

the

ADDRESS

OX

'New

XEW

York

is the

heavy end of Xorth

the republic,and
flows

nation
and

YORK
and

back

and

of your

Centennial

to

being
loyalsubjects.
in

man

OCTOBER

State"

12, 1897.

of the Union.

; she is the

time

she

whale

mighty

the life current

the

arteries

of the Western

who

She

is the

great, throbbingheart of

throbs

through

forth

all the Jonahs

swallows

happy

DAY,

"Empire

every

the

Gentlemen:

America

trade ; she is the

which

and

world, and count

myself
privilegeof remaining one

Chairman, Ladies

Mr.

Nashville

and

within

come

of

of the

commerce

Hemisphere;
her reach ; she

stupendous Colossus of the world,leading in thought and

straddlingin politics.
The
York
is a perpetual expositionof the
City of Xew
of her grandest
triumphs of thought and industry, and one
She is the paradise of millionaires,
and enproducts is men.
joys
considerable
a
sprinklingof poor folks.
Xew
York
is not only great in wealth,great in population,
but she is great in the
great in all the elements of civilization,
knowledge of where the green pastures lie. Her relations with
is the

the South

remind

darkies

Two

me

of

an

old story which

the bank

of

has been

often

told.

river

an
fishing. One was
old darky ; the other was
The boy got a nibble,his foot
a boy.
The old
slipped,and he fell headlong into the surging waters.
and then plunged in after the drowning
darky hesitated a moment
for the shore.
boy. He seized him by the hair and swam

There
in
the

was

sat

terrific

landing his
scene

'"Old

man,

ran

on

but finally
the
struggle,

half-dro^^^led
up

that

and
was

charge.

patted old
a

noble

Rastus

deed

old

man

passer-bywho
on

in you

the back
to

succeeded
witnessed
and

risk your

said:
life in

264

Lectures

l.

Robert

of

taylor

the life of that trifling

that way
to save
boy." "Yes, boss,"
said Uncle Rastus, "I was
'bligedto save that nigger; he had
all de bait in his
We

pocket!"
old brother,and

the

love

hearts

our
open
bottles to the distinguished
Lieutenant-Governor

of the

from

we

for the fair

reserve

of whose
flowers

should

be;

that

lack

we

quick and permanent

But they forgetthat
soil in a singleseason
that

in the

people here

our

fatten

can

we

South

the

growth

brethren
not

are

and

the

our

our

son

they

welcome
tenderest

the
delegation,

people like
departed.

to

long after they have

Chairman, it is believed by

Mr.
that

visit will be

of the

women

with

smiles

sweetest

our

our

every
of the air

every breath
shall be burdened

us
among
But all of

people.

our

words

while

and

and

and

proud Commonwealth,

shall breathe

we

dew

ory
mem-

the

on

of the North

vigorous as

as

we

and

push necessary for the

development of our country.

snap
and

raise three crops of potatoes in our

cotton
; that our
grows without persuasion;
and pasture our
cattle
our
hogs on acorns
can

we

They forget that our persimmon trees yield

and that the 'possums hang like
tons of persimmons per annum,
the bending limbs of
sugar lumps of "glory hallelujah"from
round.

the year

the

and

aforesaid

the

They forget that

other half, and live
on

the

the face

of the

I think

that

point and

of
in
a

better

and

half

happier

the

and

time

than

of that

people

earth.

if

we

could

get

'New

our

friends

York

to

see

could soon
the money
to develop us, we
of the whole
government, feed and clothe the

States,have

is

one

branch

left to

money

throw

the

at

of business

in which

are

we

Northern

statesman, for many

other

the

rest

other

any

brethren,and that is politics.Our

is equal to the annual
politicians
crop of cotton
Now
and then we
are
weight,but in numbers.

our

produce

an

labor

can

birds,

all the time.

rest

There
as

we

furnish

pay the expense

entire United
and

same.

more

country

Majors
in

the

are

and

and

Colonels

world,

sulphurousarticle

"eU."

called

and

which

but

few

in time
sometimes

beginswith

are

as

vigorous

annual
bales

crop
"

not

blessed

with

chosen.

We

of peace than any

raise a little
we
"h"

and

ends with

"LI

1"

"

"
"J

.-3

"

LiSi"

MHta

266

LECTURES

richer fields

are

no

an

ideal

ROBERT

OF

L.

earth ; there is

on

city,Missouri

fairer land.

no

ideal

is my

TAYLOR

of

St. Louis

State,and

ia

Governor

Stephens is the diamond

pin on the shirt bosom of the West.
Long may he sparkle in the light of the people'ssmiles and
long may the people smile while he sparkles,so that there will
be nothing but smiles and sparklesand sparklesand smiles until
the angelsshall steal him away
to sparkleforever in the bright,
bright Missouri of the sweet by and by.
I have seen
political
pantaloons as large and coats as broad
and ample, but Missouri
the biggestVest of any
State
wears
in the Union.
Ladies

and

gentlemen, for

in the Missouri

there

and

daughtersof Missouri,for every

blessing,and for every ear of corn

sons

is

River

and water
every gallon of mud
is a welcome
for the
in Tennessee

I think

the

greatest achievement

accomplished is the
friendshipbetween the States
has

of

our

love and

brotherhood
nearer

we

of
shall

sends

Missouri

every gloriousshower
burst of sunshine.

devotion

of

God

bless

ADDRESS
Mr.

01^

Chairman,
About

our

splendid exposition

country.

our

the

the

ing
strengthen-

I believe

in the

approach it the
and universal happiness;
happiness is the ultimate

nearer

peace

we

labor.

the

distinguishedrepresentatives
and bid them be happy on Tennessee
soil,and
whole country with peace and happiness!

VERMONT

Ladies

third

and

for

give greetingsto

sister State

our

may

back

of the Union

for the fruit of peace is happiness,and

thought and human
objectof human

Again

our

her

Fo"

of stronger ties of

to universal

come

send

we

that

there

benediction.

us

of wheat

establishment

and

mankind;

bushel

of

18, 1897.

Gentlemen:

and
a

OCTOBER

DAY,

century ago

we

gave

Vermont

very

non's
bouquets from the canmouth, and she acknowledged the compliment with a
tongue of fire,which was not only eloquent,but persuasive.
But, thank God, the greetingsof civil strife are forever
warm

behind

welcome

us, and

to Dixie.

we

are

We

about

threw

to

step

her

over

the threshold

of

new

267

ADDRESSES

century,

reunited

hands

and

people,with

the ]!s'orthand

each

pledgingto

other

the South

eternal

ing
clasp-

friendshipand

brotherhood.
Tennessee

greets Vermont

with

today, not

bombshells

and

bayonets, but wdth blessingsand benedictions; not with the

bugle blast of battle,but with the melodies of peace; not with
smoke
and fire,
but with sugar and firewater;
not with cold steel,
but with
hot biscuit and
Southern
guished
hospitality. Our distinthe

comforts

find themselves

not

guests may
and

elegancieswhich

England provides for

hearts

and

cordial

them

welcomes

feelingamong

our

at

surrounded
the

here with

great wealth

of

home, but they will find

everywhere
people.

and

New
warm

will and

good

all

ternal
fra-

pledge them, further,that they shall see a revelation here.

They shall be the witnesses of our triumphs in peace, as they
of our
valor in war.
were
They shall see how the South has
arisen from her ashes by the courage
and energy of her citizenship.
"We

will show

within

them

the gates of this White

City

epitome of our
wealth and glory.

future
history and the prophecy of our
If I could,I would
the splendid Governor
escort
and his delightfulparty all over
of Vermont
the South,
that they might see the victories we
are
winning along all the
lines of industry and the harvests we
are
reaping in every field
of labor,so that they might sit down
around
their New
England
when
winter
locks
them
and
think
of
firesides,
in,
our
sunny
Southern
skies and
cotton
our
fields,stretchingaway
snowy
to the horizon,alive with
toilingnegroes, gathering the fleecy
the

and

crop
to

sing them

wealth

and

and

our

of

might
to

singing

the

old-time

the

that

long ago;

population,of
universal

remember

and

government
Boston

in the

beautiful

magnolias

bloom

and

to

beans

baked

lot in the

land
the

and

salvation

our

are

wonderful

as

of

our

used

increasing

in

education,
religion;that they

progress

the Christian

they

law-abiding,liberty-loving
people,loyal

might, perhaps, determine

and

think

they might

loyaltyto
as

us

plantation songs

of

Union
bid

adieu

of New

Majors

mocking

free.

to

to

they

the icicles and

zards
bliz-

England
and

birds

And

then

stay.

and

cast

Colonels,where
sing, and

where

their
the
shine
sun-

268

LECTURES

since I cannot

But

ROBERT

OF

show

them

my

o\vn,

land

native

ADDRESS

ON

FAIR

the Western

OCTOBER
and

AT

my

STREET

KNOX-

13, 1897.

from

capitalof

the

festivities of the

the

THE

the State

Centennial

to

mingle
people and to

people I love better than

with

come
wel-

to

Gentlemen:

gladly broken away

Knoxville's
jubilee.
deserted

and

Hemisphere,

AT

CARNIVAL

I have

I have

receive them

DAY,

TRADE

Cliaii'man,Ladies

join in

South, it givesme

Tennessee.

"

VILLE,
Mr.

to

GOVERNOR'S

AND

TAYLOR

the whole

pleasure than I can express

them to the garden spot of

more

for

L.

to

all other
day
their carnival
of peace.
in
I have
participatewith them
watched
with increasingpride and pleasurethe wonderful
dences
eviof our
country'sgrowth and development, blossoming
walls of our
within
the white
great expositionat Nashville.
But the flowers and fruits of thought and labor,which
delight
blossoming and ripening here today within the
me
most, are
They delightme most
granitewalls of my native mountains.
and ripen at the door of home.
because they bloom
a

To

spot

on

who

every man
earth.

Its voices
heaven.

Home

touch

The

of

neck, the

about

our

left

of the Paradise

us

mortal

eyes

I do not

be it

ever

and

why
humble,

from

and

of

like

of life.

storms

the shadows

are

tender

music

dearest,sweetest

the

Its smiles

that vanished

twining

home,

arms

all that

are

shattered

of

of

dream

is

from

hearts
it

long ago.
but
the mountaineer
is,

with

race.

the

libertyof

will appear

in his dreams

loves his

stronger devotion

Though

he may

of his native

the memories

the rifle and

by day.

shelter

is the

loving lips,the

the image
palaces,"

hills,and

our

mirth

know
so

heart,home

of love.

mortal

type of the human

and

is

the echoes

are

has

of the

than
"

roam

rocks

and

'mid

any

home,
other

pleasures

rills and

pled
tem-

friendshipsand loves,and
the forest,
which gladdened his youth.
by night and lingerin his thoughts

269

ADDRESSES

twenty years I have wandered

For
I have

witnessed

triiunphsof

in the

world.

wide, wide

civilization which

modern

almost

nent,
mighty cities of this contimillions in
ablaze with lightsand teeming with anxious
search of happiness; I have sat in banquet halls under the glow
of glittering
chandeliers,where music flowed,and wine sparkled,
and laughtermelted
and
into maudlin
pomp
song; I have seen
pride and haughty wealth and jeweledbeauty parade in splendor
blinded

me;

viewed

have

the

before their

in the national

heard

the

and

tossed

waves

of the

sea;

honor

in the

gift of

the

is

only

worshipers;I have sat

voice of eloquence rise

retreat

one

of

hollow

people in

where

hearts

I have

the

worn

highest

State; but there

native
found

and

the tempest-

fall like
times

my

ever

from

rest

"

three

I have

council

rest

the flattery

from

of politics,
ingratitude

the

ambition,rest from the strugglesof life,

is my
the allurements
of earthlyglory; that retreat
rest from
of the mounthe shadows
humble home, nestlingfar up among
tains,
the poplar blossoms,
where
the bees gather honey from
and
where
the voices of happiness echo in the sweet
solitudes,
where brawling brooks, leaping from loftyheights,break into
from

rest

the thorns

I have

ours.

seen

that

none

and

silveryfoam

pearls and
melody.
but

of

have

States broader
can

territoryand largerin wealth,

in

of braver

boast

men

fairer

or

but
greater cities,

seen

in eternal

to the rivers

rippleon

hospitable

more

none

than

women

I do not think there is

altogether,
under the American
sky that can compare with ours,
Tennessee
is the sixteenth daughter of the Goddess
than

Taken

ours.

; and

when

she

was

born

star

new

rose

and

State

erty
of Lib-

brightly
pale in the
the deeper

blazed

so

flagthat the other stars turned

reddened
with
presence of her beauty,and the stripes
and flouted the glad air with joy. She has grown
crimson
up
She pillowsher head
to be the loveliest princessof the South.
her own
shadowy mountains, the stars pin back the curtains
on
of the blue sky above her, and the angelspeep through and smile
the American

on

at

and

her

delight,as

dabbles
!No

she

tucks

her

wrapper
snowy
the
her dimpled feet in
brightwaters

wonder

the

outside

Tennessee, for she is the

world

sweetest

has

little

fallen

to

her

knees

sippi.
of the Missisin love

darling in

the

with

family.

LECTURES

270

broad

is the bride of

She

Tennessee.
of

drop
When

blood

their

protectionof
I

her

name.

read

the

record she has made

live

through

await

the

her

light from

will sit on

the
her

her

in the

and

the

I almost

wish

East

and
hills,

the

will vote, and

and

will be

she

the
She

I think

Maryville.

to

greatest institution of
carnival

will be

out

angel,the

an

will be

the millennium

day

every
send

will

Tatom
Eule

Tribune.

will be the hub

Clinton

from

will be the

Daily

women

tering
glit-

the reflection

Knoxville

except the holy Sabbath.

copiesof

which

the richest country in the world.

Tennessee

million

I could

hundred

with

factories,and

and

the

glorious

will be

for two

be red

for

triumphs

Tennessee

continent,and there will be

the

year

the

witness

to

Street will reach

University of

learningon

Tennessee

night will

hundred

seven

and

splendid towns

of

sky

honor

singlecentury

furnaces

glory. Gay

of her

in

population and

of

center

history of

spillthe

her

of

defense

in

of cities and

fiftymiles,and

The

love

sent

would

Tennesseans, who

coming century
great valleyof

This

her.
chain

of

princesseshave

and

kings

made

have

and all the

of the East
But
all the wealth
messages.
empire of the West could not buy the heart and hand of

tender

last

and

this summer,

her

TAYLOR

L.

States in the Union

All the old baldheaded

to

ROBERT

OF

at

near

hand.
It is not
the
those

who

what

we

its

enduringluster

build

impress our

even

patrotism and

development

States.
that

will

It is not

give

greatness on

our

to

and

to the

hosts

follow

that

threshold
era

beautiful

prophetof
him,

and

of the twentieth
of

the Smokies
I trust

that

of

the

mountains.

history
tions.
genera-

into

crumble

our

of

much

so

our

noble

deeds

of nations.

to all the

his advent

century will herald

happiness and prosperityfor

land

and

stitutes
con-

heart

coming

cities will

love of truth

that

and

it is the brain

country and humanity will survive the wreck

I bow

new

our

as

are,

we

perish and

will

ruins,but

what
and

State

and

wealth

have, but

and mineral

wealth

greatness of
make

Eiches

for

much

so

the

Knoxville

glittering

here

at

dawn
and

the
of

for this

ADDRESS

AT

ISHAM

MEMORIAL

THE

HARRIS,

G.

MEMPHIS,
Mr.

Chairman

SERVICES

IN

THE

Ladies

and

OF

HON.

AUDITORIUxM

NOVEMBER

TENK,

27

ADDRESSES

AT

21, 1897.

Gentlemen:

of Isham
so

G.

long and

million

flower

Harris
so

country and

was

drop

to

come

of love and

in the

v^'ell. If all the noble

from

roses

the

man

and

long

land, and

summons

the soul of music

call of another
world.

He

done

for his

man.

His

heart

He

loved

its oracles.
his creed.

was

He

lived

hero.
in the

bells

triumphant hour of the

tury
ringing out the old cennessee's
gloriousnoontide of Ten-

were

In

the

the trumpets of peace were

pouring
the summer
air, he heard the solemn

on

dro\\Tied all the melodies

trumpet, which
the shadow

saw

served

he

gather a
ever
tonight. What-

honest

an

lipswere

him

to

State,when the Centennial

and ringing in the new.
when
joyfuljubilee,
out

was

loyaltyto duty

came

he has

of Tennesseans

hearts

stormy life;he died

The

which

flowers,I could

were

else may
be said of him, he
the temple of truth,and his

his native

deeds

the grave

on

of the State

name

for his fellow

reverence

of

invisible

an

wing

of this
his

across

sweep

his face, his heart forgot to beat,

over
pillow,a pallor came
there w^as
tired," and
only a gasp, a sigh,a whispered, ''I am
tired eyes,
drawn
like purple curtains over
tired eyelidswere
folded on
tired lips were
closed forever, tired hands
a
were
breast.

motionless
The

mystery

^AHiat is life?
in the tree
cold

and

more

and

stiff at

its

among

is death?

the

and

the cradle

gubernatorialchair.

tell

its song

no

into the world

in the face

smiles
is life.

that

us

singing

the bird lies

sing

is born
and

bird

death.

child

The

fairylandof youth, and

youth wakes into manhood,,

into the sweet

its flow^ers.

life,and

babe

lightof day

they

Tomorrow

tree; it will
A

of

mystery
hear

we

that is life.

that is death.
to

the

in

Today

of the

his soul is afire with

of real

veiled

was

the root

glad eyes

from

life

they tell us

loving mother;

w^anders
dreams

What

they tell us

it opens
of its

top

of

But

soon

ambition.

He

rushes

from

the

wins

his w'ay

The

lightningsbegin

into the struggles

log
to

cabin

leap

to

from

the
the

272

LECTURES

but
at

stands

he

Shiloh

the

on

like

at his

where

the grave,

the

in his

At

last

from

his

highest

flag goes

down

But

the

country.

triumph,

than

power

the

the

when

of

smoke

peerless

him

see

Albert

shock

rushing

are

him

dreadful

Tennessee

rifted

the

to fall around

begin

to

kneeling
Johnston

Sidney

arms.

his

in

returns

TAYLOR

post; and

flower

through

bloody field,with

dying

L.

tlie thunders

lion

comes,

and

glorj

of war,

clouds

gathering

ROBERT

OF

be

to

before

ever

council

of the

blood

in

clouds

clothed

and
nation

until

clear

the

by

and

with

people

he

greater
in the

king

locks

raven

is exiled

away,

uncrowned

an

his

; he

tears

soon

sit like

to

and

white

turn

as

snow.

But

the

revelry
there

mirth.

is the

of the

melody

of

the

golden

fruits.

laughter

from

of

ashes

Poor
shall
better

death

to

shall

find

die ?

It

opened

to

of
the

The
of

laughter

mourning
of

song
child

the

our

Senator,

and

merriment

the

is the

soul

there

not

the

childhood.

the

golden

of

of

fruits

ers
gathand

its song,

Death
of

wake

and

plucks
manhood

the
to

world

be

blissful

the

in

live ?

no

face

it all of

Is

thy tottering age

life shall

glorify

so.

there

is infinite

There

"Peace"
his

immortality.

and

power

"Peace"

whispered

whispered

Senator.

spirit

sweet

smile

immortal

Christ, who

departed

thy

child, is there

where

heaven
where

Galilee, has

Poor

it must

this

blessed

light of

where

clime

life ?

shall

and

so;

beyond
of

bird

the

is it all of life to

man,

be

The

Manhood

hope.

of

tree

youth

must

of

robs

brighter

no

the

Is

waters

soul

from

matchless

our

blossoms

lips

the

in

immortal

life.

troubled

called

are

is death.

the

death

turns

there

tired

Somewhere
eternal

we

age.

where

Poor

face?

of

that

and

But

and

forever

world

God

of

us

the

are

the

lips of

bird, is

sing

coffin

cheeks

tell

youth

youth

the

on

as

soul.

joys

blossom

the

melody,

The

steals

thy

of

soul

the

on

They

and

again;

around

tearstains

muffles

of

stand

to

are

bird

shifts

scene

to

tired

to

the
eyes

the

bled
trou-

have

274

LECTURES

it and

upon

and, lo, this

hope and love,and

ADDRESS

TO

these

Majesties,My

present to

homage

to pay

I
archs

address
of

our

of the breakfast

and
slaves.
arms

table and

are

burden

; your

heroes

is

the laurel wreath

of them
the
up

unbottled

of your

the enemy

with

the Merrimac

They

both

corkers

of Uncle
Tennessee

Sam,
and

every

patrioticbosom

heart

that beats in this

welcome

greeting; every brighteye

our

of the

stones,
hearth-

willing

your

twining of

tender

of love.
of

seas

glory, to

with

war

welcome

sunny

beams

They

the matter

to

them.

curl and

with

are

from

bottled

Spain.

sons,

Every

and

and
little

beauty throbs

raven

love and

the corkscrews

with

of their noble

of mirth

sea

One

Spain

the other

ceive
re-

Santiago Bay.

proud

are

heroes ; every

the autocrats

are

are

uncorkers.

dimpled

to

mammies

that's what's

heaves

mon-

are

the supper
sisters and their

Czarinas

of the

in

and

Alabama

come

table and

grown-up

from

head

have

you

You

gunboat Nashville;

and

uncovered

because

it is the burden

the firstbombshell
of the

are

OF

blessingsand benedictions.

deck

frowning

with

hearts.

and

fresh

you,

VISIT

who
subjects

our

and

you.

VILLE
NASH-

OF

is easy, for it is the

to

come

today

Czars

light,for

God

these

Queens:

the dinner

daddies

yoke

your

and

of your

the

all the old

But

Two

rulers of

of

16, 1898.

renowned

the terror

are

You

sweethearts.

Kings

ings,
bless-

MAYNARD

Majesties.
kings and queens

and

bless

DECEMBER

of your

as

you
homes

and

THE

have

symbol
Take

CAPT.

royal presence

Your

to

table,and you

AND

Little

two

you

OF

snow

and

loyalty!

CHILDREN

OCCASION

CITY,

in your

and

lovinghands,

SCHOOL

THAT

I stand

their prayers
radiant
stars, the

of truth

HOBSON

TO

to

tokens

THE

LIEUT.

it with

field of

azure

THE

ON

Your

sanctified

colors from

gorgeous

TAYLOR

hearts,and, lo,these stripesof

and
sweethearts
wives, and sisters,

mothers, and

looked

L.

their innocent

pressedit to
Tour

ROBERT

OF

lock

waves

gratitude.

275

ADDRESSES

No

tribute

SAveeter

No

wonder

unto

come

the

and

me,

paid

ever

bubbling from

sparklingand

comes

was

Savior

forbid

to

than

men

the innocent

that

which

soul of childhood.

said, ''Suffer little children

them

to

not, for of such is the kingdom

of heaven."

Tennessee

gives her first

guests through the lipsof her
purest and

best.

song.
When
of

battles

cheeks

was

listen to

with

stories of

the

and

distinguished

children,because

I used

boy

her

to

them

excitement

with

have

little

welcomes

barefooted

and

burned

I would

She

welcome

love, laughter and

the

study

to

heroic
heart

my

it is the

deeds

pictures
until

my

flippity-flop.

went

of marbles
and toys and
all my
treasures
everything else,dowTi to the patches on my breeches and the
sore
And, sure enough, my opportoe, to be a hero.
rag on my
tunity

given

When

came.
was

ten-vear-old

than

hen

twelve

I became

hat and

Who

was

knows

hero ?

and

while

and

unseen

these two

of twelve

under

and

broken

have

of my

its sweetness

the

age

of

little wool

my

has

men

record

my

vanish

from

manhood

was

witnessed

been

circumstances,had

those

the desert

on

strugglewith Spain was

manned
by them and
navy,

as

running

the heart
"born

air,"the

and

short and

The

there

at

to

of the
blush

courage

applauded by

of
the

world.

whole

like

But

and

the valor

waste

young

owl.

approaching I pulled off

the fears of childhood

But

man;

an

sound

and

foe, they would

the

of

harsher

shadowy distance like Nancy Hanks,"

weeping and gnashing of teeth.
and Lieutenant
but that if Captain Maynard

at the age

Hobson,

hoot

heard

never

country, I

our

upon

hair in the battle of Taylost my

lor's
of the beautiful Watauga River.
W^hen

the enemy

"hit the dim

there

met

hero

the bank

on

I discovered

the

or

burst

War

had

lad, and

cackle

Ford,

and

the Civil

storm

cloud

on

was

nothing left

and

her army

Captain Maynard
bouquet

of rosebuds

"

and

did
splen-

gallantcomrades, hovered
the foe, and
and burst upon

burning

rollingback

Our

their

the horizon
but the

decisive.

in

dismay

Lieutenant

the children

wrecks

of

and

ships
Spain'sbattle-

defeat.

Hobson, I present you

of Tennessee.

276

LECTURES

ADDRESS

OF

TO
Mr.

TAYLOR

THEIR

ON
DECEMBER

and

and

the
glorifies

Gentlemen:

and

brightstars.
The

flagsof monarchies

islands

of such
be

of the

proportionsand
developed within

strengthand

its

of such

the circle of

public
re-

power,

its borders
broad

own

how

wondering

are

government

this great

upon

all around

with

sea

of the earth

great powers

VISIT

16, 1898.

turned
ejes of the Avhole world are
of civil libertyas, in its marvelous
the

HOBSON

LIEUTEN-ANT

MAYNARD

Ladies

pulls do^Mi

could

L.

TO

NASHVILLE,

Chairman,
The

it

WELCOME

CAPTAIN

AND

ROBERT

OF

stripes
a

nation

resistless force

singlecentury.

They

old theories of government

ing
exploded here, old creeds shrinkbefore the religion
of Christ,and old philosophies
vanishing
and glorilike the mist of morning before the sunlightof a new
ous

see

civilization ; but the story has not

draw

back

the curtain

of the

still greater

nations

future, I would

triumphs

I would

show

and

If I could

told.

show

to these

still more

dering
won-

marvelous

the trade
controlling
show
American
of the world; I would
them
commerce
ing
spreadits white wings above the billows and flyingfrom
to
ocean
ocean
through the peacefulportalsof the Nicaraguan Canal; I
would
show
ing
them
Cuba, the weeping child of the sea, burstof liberty,
and
into laughter and song in the loving arms
neath
Porto
Rico, the blushing beauty of the Atlantic,smiling bethe folds of the American
flag. But beyond Cuba and
Porto Rico I seek not to penetrate the veil. On the Philippines
achievements

; I would

half been

let the curtain

The

glory of

America

fall.

nation

our

them

is the

blossoming of freedom,

freedom

sprang from the blood of heroes.

the laurel wreath
and turn the air into

greet, with

arms

open

and

No

wonder

music;

hearts,our
overflowing

we

twine

wonder

no

heroes

and

we

when

they come.
Whenever
the

we

shall

sufferingthey

sacrifices

endured

; whenever

they have
we

made

shall

cease

and
to

the graves of the dead and weave

garlands
for the living;whenever
of honoring the
shall grow
we
weary
scatter

scars

flowers

have

forgetthe

over

of valor and

applauding the knightlycourage

of

men

who,

ADDRESSES

for the sake of

glory

will

Tennessee

brave
on

as

this soil

his native

because
faced

ever

but

mountains

the

to

will

perish

foe.

One

of these

its

sacred

pressing the

are

mouth,

among

heroes

his laurels

win
with

the

on

ocean

Spain was fired by a

gunboat which bears

of the

our
shipers.
wor-

soil of

the blood

it is sanctified with
a

war

deck

frowning

at the cannon'3

of

as

born

was

yet in his youth destiny led him

while

the first shot of the

from

freedom

feet of heroes

sacred

"

men

and

the

Tonight

face death

humanity,

fade

277

from

wave,

and

Tennessean
the

of

name

Nashville.
welcomes
to her warm,
Captain Maynard, Tennessee
you
receives her darling
throbbing heart, as a proud old mother
boy.
Lieutenant
Hobson, I wish I could spin the feelingsof our
them
to exinto words
press
people into shining threads and weave
our

is

only

of your
imaginary line

admiration
an

Alabama's

sons

Alabama's

boys.

and
that
will
and
when

and

Tennessee's

boys

are

would

"

like the IMerrimac

on

sons,

our

fightany day for Alabama, and I know

all one
We
would
Alabama
are
people,
fightfor Tennessee.
I hope
State is the glory of the other.
of one
the honor
Tennessee's gallantMaynard and Alabamans brave Hobson
to enjoy the blessings
live through many
years to come
whole
of all the people of our
benedictions
country; and
they die and their bodies shall be buried out of sight

Tennessee
that

between

Tennessee's

are

love to you. There

Alabama.
Tennessee
and

and

courage

the

"

shining deck

hope

of the

will be wafted
spirits
spiritboat Nashville.
their

"Come

to

the bridal chamber, death ;

Come

to

the

For

the first time

when

her

she feels

firstborn's breath

in consumption's ghastlj-form.

Come

earthquake's shock, the ocean's

The
And
But

mother,

thou
to

Hath

art

won

the

battles

Thy
And

in its hollow

The

terrible;
his sword

the hero, when

voice

sounds

thanks

storm

of

like

tones

of millions

the free,

prophet's word,
are

heard

yet to be."

"

to

heaveu

278

LECTURES

ADDRESS

AT

THE

AT

Ladies
Did

you
the dawn

STATE

DALLAS,

in

ever

of

the

and

horizon

L.

TAYLOR

INDUSTRIAL

TEXAS,

TION
EXPOSI-

NOVEMBER,

1897.

Gentlemen:

and

palace

ROBERT

OF

rise from

your

day, when

the

and

sun

hides

slumber

early enough

Morning

unfurls

her

forth

comes

banners

of

to

ness
wit-

from

her

light on

tlie

the

That
is
morning star in her bosom?
the emblem
of the glory of Texas.
How
times have you
many
sat on
in the hush of the dying day and watched
your veranda
the cloud isles of twilightdriftingin seas of sunset
gold ? That
is the symbol of the harvest time in Texas, and the Milky Way
is the shadow
the heaven
of her cotton
fields ; and the angels
on
dip water from the artesian wells with the dipper of stars which
in the moon
is the shining pichangs on the sky, and the man
ture
of Governor
I have

Culberson.
times

thought many

that I would

make

pilgrimage
across
boundary, but
and life was
her domain
too wide
The
too short.
was
engine
fainted
from
tarantulas
in
the
exhaustion;
always
whisky,
got
and I sighedto rest me
again in the bosom of Dallas
Dallas,the
beautiful butterfly
of the Southwest, under
whose
brightwings
bloom with perpetualpeace and plenty.
the broad prairies
understand
I can
why so many
longing eyes turn to Texas
and why so many
hearts sigh for rest in Dallas.
One is
weary
an
empire of glory,and the other is the glory of the empire.
Texas is the largestwaffle on the griddleof North
America.
She
is sweetened
with the honey of happiness pouring from
the bunghole of prosperityand buttered with
pure Democracy,
Woe
to the prince or
who
sticks a fork in Texas!
potentate
Texas

from

her eastern

line to her western

"

Mexico

tried

it

honey

of Texas

once

and

bent

double

with

spell of

San

Jacinto.
The
to death
are

her

is

poison to tyrants, and

her bees

sting

the invaders

of her soil ; but to those who love her and

loyalto the lone star that lightsthe pathway of her destiny,

cities,and

towns, and

hamlets, and homes are beehives of

rich with the honeycomb of smiles and welcomes.
hospitality,
The land of Jackson
sends greetingsto the land of Houston.

May

God

bless Tennessee

and

may

God

bless Texas

When

ADDRESSES

barefooted

Nature

sings her

was

the sunshine
bank

of

the

that

away

sweetest

and

dance

river

and

creeping like
southward

boy

mammoth

song
in the

shadows,

the

I used
of

caravans

snails,with

the wilderness

to

the mountains, where

among
and brawling brooks laugh in

up

watch

279

I did

The

landed

wagons

their

backs,

not

dream

then

ragged, rosy-cheekedchildren who crowded

the propheciesof the wealth and
were
covers
wagon
born on
glory of the greatest empire that was
ever
it was.

the

on

the

JBut

on

covered

their shells

of Texas.

sit

to

under

the

and
power
this nent.
conti-

their

preciousfreight
in the wilds of Texas.
The blue smoke
began to curl upward
from the cabins of the pioneers; the burnished
plowshare began
to slice the broad
nent
prairieslike a hot knife slicinga contiof Jersey butter; the reaper,
like a phantom ship,began
amber
to sweep
of grain ; the Texans
w^ho had read
across
seas
Milton's "Paradise
Lost"
gained;
rebegan to talk about Paradise
the little ragged, candy-haired children
into
grew
up
a

so

of the fairest

race

in heaven

born

w^as

to

were

upon
wdio had

cabins

more

whose

valor

The

the blood

of San

the cheek
of savage

hate

scalpingknife

the bravest

they

married

on

and

Jacinto

the

that

men

and

sons

the

sun

ters
daugh-

independence of Texas, and

the prairie,and another
generation
strengthhave given increased power
won

mighty Commonwealth.
spiritof the Alamo

this

and

women

shone

ever

of the heroes
there

caravans

the

the
glorifies

warms

brow

the heart

of

manhood,

of courage

and

and
dens
red-

today. The dark-visageddemon

which
the
once
lightedthe torch and brandished
and spread its flaming wings on the horizon ha?
of

beauty

here

vanished

from

Texas

forever.

Mexican

wrath

w'hich

once

rolled back

The

white-crested

billows

rolled up from
the south
calmed
wath blood,were

and

again,crimsoned
long
the land.
and the angel of peace is hovering over
and Tennessee
Texas
worship togetherand rejoiceas
people in the triumphs of the past and the promises of

of
then
ago,

one

the

future.
new

era

of

industrial

ment
growth and intellectual developThe
like
the
of
the
is breaking
glory
morning upon us.
ville
symphonies and hallelujahsof our Centennial Jubilee at Nashstill fallinglike the soft waves
of a summer
ocean
are
upon
A

280

LECTURES

glad hills

the
with
and

of

Tennessee,and

unutterable
the

ROBERT

OF

rapture
and

symphonies

L.

the

TAYLOR

revivingSouth

is

listening

the great industrial

song of Texas ;
and the triumphant
hallelujahsof Tennessee

to

mingling in one grand anthem of

of many
rivers that meet
praiseto God, like the joyous waters
and flow togetherand sing on
I have stood on the
to the sea.
umns,
platform of the great auditorium, amid the statues, and coland domes, and pyramids of our
splendidExposition at
a million
home, and I have welcomed
people to the bosom of my
of Texas

songs

State.

native

own.

away

; there

There

I have

and

miraculous

our

heard

them

pledge

there

I have

away

to her

and

; there

country

have

contented

of

and

with

hope

step toward
that the
But

joy

and

the universal

lightof

brotherhood

morning

we

stolen

dark-eyedqueen of
have againstTexas

thousands

of

our

of

to

in

her
a

love;

then
and

sunny

sure

cotton

go

pier
hap-

better ideas

her

of

South

bales,

eye and new

and steady

May

man.

The

swing

God

grant

and

corners

with

Texas,

greatestgrievancewhich

lies in the fact that

men

progress
I have

break upon this world.

soon
may
the festivities of old Tennessee

the South.

bravest

and

new

sweet,

witnessed

from
away
in the evening of her great jubileeto
the

I have

such

and

return

tional
sec-

seen

fraternal

with

new

luster

new

our

honor, and

us

own

our

heart; there I have

in her

I have

upon
of war,

homes

with

seen

drain the

brimming cup
fruits,and flowers

do

to

come

people and

our

lines melt

formed
prejudicetrans-

recovery from the ruins

their eternal friendshipand

rich farms
of

sectional

seen

astonishment

with

the West

seen

memories
our

look

East

sectional

patriotism;there

and

pride

watched

ignoranceenlightenedand

; there I have

into national
and

I have
sectional

seen

hate disarmed

the Korth

are

loveliest

we

women

have

loaned
and

her

she has

jewels except upon the requisitionof the

has tenderly sung
Tennessee
to Texas
"Oh,
Governor, when
where
is my
wandering boy tonight?"
My wandering friends from Tennessee, when I go back to
the land of your nativityand view the blue mountains
in the
which
springtime and summer,
change to bouquets of purple
I
and gold in autumn,
in winter; when
to billows of snow
watch
with ecstasy the shining streams
dashing down through
the valleys
I feel the cold breath of the shadowy gorges
; when
never

returned

our

28

ADDRESSES

npoii

quench
the

thirst from

my

beauty of gorgeous
and

waters

behold

wander

when

brow;

my

tremblingstars as that which

mysteriouspower it is that charms
where
the
and
the

when
a

and

of ambition

caresses

the

peoplefrom such a land.

this cloudless,
happy clime,

rapid transitions from

into the smiling faces of
the

in every
Texan, for

your

invites

\Vhen

evidence

of thrift and

prosperity;when I
people and see the shadows

poverty

your
smile,I almost

and

I look upon
magnificentcities and

solved.

there the unmistakable

towns, and behold

heaven

mankind

to

homage of honest endeavor,

the palacesof fortune and

and

universities

collegesand

what

our

illuminate
opportunities
temple of fame, the mystery is
where

your

not

of

above, I wonder

bends

its charms

reveals

world

new

border

the

cross

hills and

green

bubblingspringsand feast my soul upon

and look down through glassy
landscapes,
bending sky as soft and blue and radiant

with

But

the

among

to

look
of

pang of regret that I am

surely this is the land of promise to those who
feel

glory of wealth and the splendorof fortune. To

it is pumpthe farmer it is the garden of Eden ; to the politician
kin
pie; to the lawyer it is a large slice of the aforesaid and the
full of the paths of glory that lead but
same
; to the doctor it is
it is Klondike
to the grave ; to the merchant
; and to the preacher
dream

of the

"gloryhallelujah."
around
'Not long ago I swimg

it is

that Tennesseans

smilingwith

were

About

other

every

sweet
man

were

the circle in
either

covered
Texas, and I dis-

holding all

the offices or

prospectsof the aforesaid and the

I met

had

been

safelyinducted

passed between

us

did you
ago,"quoth he.

"Hello, old fellow ! When

"About
"And

two

how

years
are

you

come

to Texas

gettingalong?" queriedT.

fine,"he answered, amid

"And
what are you doing here ?" I
"Gosh, I am County Judge!"

"Powerful

(18)

into the

I confronted the old,

officialpower ; and when
Tennessee
grin, almost invariablythis conversation

goldenslippersof
familiar

same.

his smiles.
asked.

?"

282

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

But, ladies and gentlemen, if I should

and

of heroes

who

statesmen

which

old Commonwealth

I represent here

agree with me
you would
she receives from
which

long list
the grand

State from

to your

came

the

recount

today,I

am

sure

that

is entitled to the honors

that Tennessee
Texas.

congratulateyour people upon this magnificentexhibition

of the fruits of your industryand the products of your soil,and
will grow
in population and
trust that as the years roll by you
until Texas shall be not only the pride of the
wealth and power
South, but of the whole country.
I

ADDEESS

AT
TO

UI^VEILING

THE
MEMOEY

THE

OF

MAY

VANCE,

OF
HOK

N.

and

in

join you

life

whose

man

pressedhim

mother

began

B.

Zebulon

When

to

the birds
saw

followed
of

ASHE-

C.

paying
was

the last tribute

burst

of sunshine

of honor

toddle
and
him

from

Vance
to

people

the

bosom

smiled; and

soon

smiles

cheered

flower

burst

him

cottage among

all
the

to

of the State

flower, all

laughter and
along the journey
Carolina

magnificent capitalof the republic,where he

with honors
highestcouncil of the nation, crowned
confidence

he

into

the

the love and

when

happy home, prattlingto

butterflies from

footstepsand
hiunble

and

of his

door

smiled; and
the

born, the angels smiled, his

was

her

chasing the

in his

life,from

with

his

to

and

blessingto his country.

who

to

come

love to

B.

Gentlemen:

and

Ladies

ZEBULON

10, 1898, AT

VILLE,

MONUMENT

THE

which

he

sat

and
so

hills to
in

the

blessed

grandly

entered the Senate Chamber

until Death
nobly represented,
and laid his icy hand
the throbbing heart of mirth
and
upon
turned laughter into tears.
Never
again will his people be entranced by his eloquence;
never
again will the enraptured multitude listen to the music
of his voice ; never
again will solemn Senators turn away from
their dignityto delightin the glow of his genial spirit. The
and

283

ADDRESSES

warmth

of

joy

has

departedfrom

his

lipsand

the

lightof life
has vanished
from
his eyes.
The star that once
shed glory on
the "Old
N"orth State" has set forever.
A coffin,a winding
sheet and six feet by two
of Mother
and
Earth, a monument
precious memories
the

all that

are

humanitarian,the

is left of the orator

and

statesman

and

actor,

patriot,the pride of

his

countrymen, the idol of his country.

The
book of his destiny is sealed; his pilgrimage between
the two

eternities has

ended

in the tomb.

The

has

stopped the pendulum that vibrated in his

rejoicein the hope that his soul now
swings to
wings in the paradiseof God.
It would

today the

presence

noble

made

his

follyfor
enriched

have

immortal.

name

let

and

angel

the

They

fro

and

death

on

parade

to

me

traits of his character

of his life which

events

and

be presumptuous

angel of
bosom, but

the

us

in your

thrilling

historyof his State

thoroughly kno^vn

are

to all.

When

was

barefooted

boy, romping

of his fame

Tennessee, the first news

and

among

the

and

his yarns

old ladies sat

rolled

cackled

the

Apostle of
No

young
ISTo
and

ever

power

mountaineer

and

Sunshine

to

the

at

name

the

checked

velous
mar-

and

The

boys

merriment; the

his

on

was

Discipleof

the

triumphal

gloriousdestinywhich

withstood
foe ever
political
matchless
eloquence. They

his

anecdotes, and

his stories in the fields and

sturdy old farmers listened to

stopped their plows to laugh. His
the

as

people.

the floor with

on

the fireside and

at

tidingsof

the mountains

floatingover
campaigns used to come
ripplingwith laughterinto the homes of our
learned

the hills of

his

wit, and

the

lipsof

Human

ness.
Happi-

march

of

awaited

humor, and

his passports to the

were

all

the
him.

logic,
lature
Legis-

Congress while yet a youth in his twenties; and

older his power
he grew
developed,his wings grew stronger,
as
of the leading spiritsof his section.
Hi^
and he became
one
and

to

unparalleled,his

popularitywas
he sat at last
the

the great

ended,

war

opened

as

to

until the

when

receive

day

Governor

war

the

doors

him, where

of his death.

influence

he

of

and
invincible,

was

of Xorth
the

served

United
his

Carolina
States

until
Senate

people faithfully

284

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

all his

Through

long
and

waned

never

and
his

brilliant

career

devotion

for

his love
his

of humanity

country

never

Always ready with a charming story to tell,always

of fun, he was
the great
quick at repartee, always brimful
of the South ; and yet his logic
laugh-producerand side-splitter
Jackson
the sword of Stonewall
sas
at Manaswas
as convincingas
He
honest as
the guns of Dewey at Manila.
was
as
or
as
as
Lincoln,as eloquent as Daniels, as true
Davis, as humorous
rest,
and Forto the hopes that perished at Appomattox as Gordon
and Lee,
Wheeler
and afterwards
as loyalto the Union
as
cooled.

who

Senator
rare

and

the blue.

wear

now

Vance

ability;but
music

no

was

he

splendidthinker

always

half

was

so

looked

the

hours.

And

thus

his

the

bright side

as

to
hallelujahs

busy

life

was

of

statesman

of

things,
laughter

the songs and

folks who
gathered about

to him

sweet

of the merry
throng of country
on
every occasion with shouts and

happy

on

and

while

away

him
the

spent in adding

to

of human

happiness.
There is a prevailing
opinion in the world that those who
dare to light
others laugh, and who
have the power
to make
and shallow
of fun, are weak
temples of thought with windows
and ought not to wield the scepter of the ruler or sit in the
sum

of

councils

nation.

But

I have

been

never

able to fathom

the

philosophy. I do not believe that a heart of ice

I do not believe that a
is always the badge of a mighty brain.
It is true that
frowning brow is always the token of wisdom.
frown, but all who frown are not great. It is
some
great men
laugh,but it must be confessed
equallytrue that a few great men
rather trust my
that all who laugh are not great. But I would
of a laughing fool than in the
life and libertyin the hands
of a frowning tyrant.
hands
their rulers sincerelysmile and
IvTations do not suffer when
ruler
govern with love and mercy ; but God pity the land whose
self,
and rules with an iron rod, and God pity the ruler himfrowns

wisdom

of such

for the harvest

The

of Caesar

frowns

of his frowns

was

Romans,
of treason

of his frowns
made

is death.

nations

daggers,concealed

under

until the blood of Caesar

in the corridor of the Roman

quake;

but

the harvest

the cloaks

drippedfrom
Capitol.

of shuddering
the blade

285

ADDRESSES

Napoleon

and

frowned

trembled; but bis frowns

the world

the uncrowned

lying dead in pools of blood,while

unthroned
I^apoleonwandered aimlesslyon

France

"somnambulist

of

and

the
field,

the battle

dream."

vast, shattered

of

left the flower

only the propheciesof Waterloo, which

were

Washington eclipsesthe glory of Caesar,and the

beautiful reign of Victoria
record of
outshines the romantic
Napoleon's rise and fall.
The

life of

Bismarck
hearts

and

empire

was

libations of blood

of

"Iron

called the

to build

Germany.

Glory

and

yet the humblest

German

with

his songs

sleepsweeter

and

in his castle.
often

sit upon

not

of

dwell

I have

W^here
there

is

no

of

than

cot

the

cement

of

Bismarck,
sunshine

scatters

his smiles

with

sorrow

cost broken

will

Prince"

the "Iron

happiness does not

in a palace,for the bubbling soul of laughter does
the throne of the king,and from the mirthless heart

tyrant the milk

brow

the

peasant who

his humble

and

the throne

encircles

dries the tears

tonightin

Prince," but it

there is

to

come

of human
no

believe

that

kindness

never

laughter,there

love,life is

is

no

flows.

genuine love; where

desert of evil ; where

trembles

virtue

tread,where

where happiness is crucified,

music
hope falters,
is banished
from
its joylessair, and all that lies beyond is a
voiceless shore and a starless sky.
panions
Laughter, and love, and hope, and happinessare the comthe
of pleasure,the patrons and allies of civilization,
the evangelsof God.
handmaids
of religion,
They are the guardian
angels of every Christian home, the guiding star of every
the child in its cradle ; they
nation's destiny. They fondle
hood
lingerwith frolicsome youth; they minister to strugglingmanand soothe the pillow of age.
those who have given
rather be the humblest
I would
among
hope to the hopelessand happinessto the distressed of my race
hands
stained
with my
than to live in historyas a conqueror
to

with

blood ; I

innocent

would

rather

have

those who have loved their fellow man

among
of the "Iron
laurels that encircle the brow
rather

sleepin
bered, save by
kindness

and

some

those

upon

my

than

whose

hearts

lips I

have

I have

to

the

wear

Prince;" I would

quiet churchyard,unknown
in whose

written

name

and

unremem-

scattered

conjured

smiles

seeds
of

of

joy,

286

LECTURES

L.

ROBERT

OF

TAYLOR

"

to be confined

than
as

of my
glory.
There
is a

the turbulent

and

England
with

flows
of the

waters

health

sarcophagusof gold,with desolate homes

and orphans as livingwitnesses
widows

mighty stream,

day, which

summer's

Erin

and

monuments

my

for

in

the shamrock

beauty

on

the

its bosom

that

and

and

warm

hills of

on

It

of

them
;

weaves

green
of perpetual

Its soft airs

France.

born

nature

as

through
its heaving current

flowers,it cro%vns
flingsa mantle

and

rose,

vine-clad

kindlier

as

life to half the world.

linger around the Orkney Isles and make

seas
sunny jewelsin the midst of inhospitable
in

are

the sunshine

It carries

ocean.

verdure

chapletof

waters

as
noiselessly

and

warmth

whose

cluster

of

and, still bearing

brighterclimes, it

It is the
in mercy
shores that touch the frozen one.
on
majesticGulf Stream, the vehicle of the sun's life-giving
power.

breathes

It is the smile
and

makes

of God

the earth

upon
blossom

symbol of

It is the

which

the waters
like the

the lives of

the

warms

seas

rose.

like him

men

whose

memory

and
warm
today men
mingle togetherlike the waters of the Gulf Stream and flow on
of life,
weaving chapletsof
through the cold and troubled ocean
joy for the brow of humanity, crowning our race with blessings,
piness
flingingthe mantle upon mankind, and breathinghope and hapof
Stream
It is the gloriousGulf
world.
to the whole
souls which
has given to civilization its flower gardens
generous
honor

we

literature,its verdure

of

and

whose

"

and

bloom

music, its humanity, its libertyand

Its

breath

warm

the Grecian

woke

genialspiritsmeet

of
its

poetry and

rapturous

religion.

civilization into

life,which

of
and the songs
immortality the "Iliad" of Homer
ing
and the burnart of Phidias
Sappho ; it inspiredthe wonderful
eloquenceof Demosthenes
; it moved
upon the mighty brain
toward
of Plato, who turned the lens of philosophy and reason
heaven
and caught glimpses of the only true and livingGod ; it
kissed sun-crowned
Italyand encircled the Roman
Empire with
halo of glory; it impelled Michaelangelo to chisel dreams
a
from
the marble, and Raphael to spread his visions of beauty
gave

and
land
and

to

immortal
of the

colors upon

Rhine, and

all the great masters

the canvas;

Mozart

and

it touched
Mendelssohn

of the Fatherland

turned

the beautiful
and

Schubert

the air into

288

LECTURES

AT

ADDKESS

LOUIS.

ST.

BEFORE

ROBERT

OF

"THE

L.

MO.,

ST.

TAYLOR

JANUARY

ON

LOUIS

8, 1898,

TENNESSEE

SOCIETY."
Mr.

Chairman, Ladies
A

little more

his father's

and

than

log cabin

his

race
mounting
hounds, plunged

of his childhood

Gentlemen:

century ago

the border

on

horse

and

and

followed

the sweet

long he tarried
departure we first find
law, and

Far

up

vanished

from

of his

the

scenes

youth.

the way we
know
not ; but after his
him
in the little villageof Morganton,
on

North

State,"studying the profession

plunging again into the trackless forest.

then
the

among

of

out

came

State,and,
pack of yelping

his

by

associations

the hills of the "Old

of

man
young
of the Palmetto

into the forest and

How

among

North

Carolina

there

mountains

is

spring bubbling up from the earth which spreads into a still,

smooth
the inverted images of rock, and fern,
mirror, reflecting
and wild flower, and tree, and sky, where
the panther used to
and

come

the

drink

and

ivy and

watch

I think

the

hounds
and

under

up

the shade
The

around

of the trees

the

majesticTennessee
into the

the

the

destinyof

there

among

the
his

and

spring gathers volume

it until the brawling

steep declivities of the mountain

and

and

steed and panting

weary
he kneeled down
and drank

I think

to rest.

the

sweeps

the laurel

among

thirstydeer.
pilgrim youth and his

gloriousfuture.
that bubble

lie in ambush

for the

paused here

reclined

then

in the

Ohio,

and

rolls
Mississippi

youth who
hounds

at

drank
the

from
brook

of the

the

springs

pours

down

and

spreadsout
valleybelow, and the

gorges

River

dreamed

the
on

Ohio
to

flows
sea

the

springand

from

fountain-head

nessee
Ten-

into the Mississippi,

the

"

into

emblematic

of

of

dreamed

the

mighty

river.
But
at

of

the
a

little did

the world

lonelyspring in
which

career

would

know

that the

the Avilderness
some

was

day change

wandering
at

dreamer

the fountain-head

the destinies

of

tions;
na-

little did the savage

Indian
tribes of the South know, as
and torch in the face of civilization,
they brandished the tomahawk
that
than

whose
sword would
rible
terchieftain,
young
prove more
the resistless floods of a hundred
angry rivers,would

289

ADDRESSES

shiningtrail of waters westward

planet; little did the haughty British

follow

soon

from

the

the

he sat upon
pageantry of

his throne

as

do^vn
swoop
grapple with the

from

which

glory, that

an

strike

send

from

eagle would
to

uncrowned
liberty's

that
soon

and

ISTew World

in the

mountains

know,

the pomp

of the British
the power
shore.
the American

would

backward

the

monarch

amid

World

invading lion, and

in the saddle,would

king, enthroned

While

and

imperial power

soon

Orleans

in the Old

them

to sweep

blow

at l^evf

Empire

ing
reel-

the young
hero still rested there at the spring,unconscious
of the glory that awaited
him, I think he watched the
the gray cliffs and
I think he heard them

dashing westward

pilgrim waters

in the shadows

over

below, and

ishing
vanmuring
mur-

prophecy of broader streams

beyond, winding lazily
through gorgeous landscapesand rich valleys,
worthy to become
a

the

habitation

while

American

of the areatest

he watched

and

hoped

and

who

dreamed,

lived.

ever

I think

he heard

But
the

rustlingof the leaves and saw an antlered buck emerge from the
honeysucklesand sniff the air for a moment, and then, as quick
as
thought,dash away into the forest. I think he leapedinto
the sleeping
woke
the saddle and blew his hunter's horn, which
and

pack;

the

upon

and

hunter

his eager
of the chase rose

trail,and the music

from

rose

music

instantlythe

of

hollow

hundred

to

and

hill and

from

bells.

hounds
and

were

fell and

hill to hollow

Down

hot
fell

like the

the

roaring stream
for miles and miles bounded
the trembling deer, leaping over
rocks, springing through shoals and swimming the whirling
eddies in the vain endeavor
to elude the bellowingpack, which
closer
followed
with
in full cry, closer and
smoking mouths
of the evening began to
behind
him.
And
when
the shadows
and of destiny kindled
lengthen,I think the child of nature
of the beautiful Watauga,
his camp
fire on
the gi-assy brink
and, with his jaded hounds, feasted that nighton venison.
Not

far

from

chiming

where

slumbered

he

the

town

of

Jonesboro

in Tennessee.
nestles among
the green hills. It is the oldest town
It was
of, and
a
metropolisbefore St. Louis was ever dreamed
its old

log courthouse

lines of Missouri
the

young

was

were

temple of justicebefore

ever

immigrant lawyer

ary
the bound-

Here
of the world.
the map
in
career
began his wonderful
on

LECTURES

290

Tennessee,

entered

He

lived in it more

manly
hold

OF

than

ROBERT

the

Andrew

rivers; neither

TAYLOR

little

year, and
sports of the mountaineers.

the

L.

could

villageon
practicedlaw
But

they

his

journey,and

and

joined in

the mountains

hold

the

the

cannot

restless

spiritof

Jackson.

There

the

on

domes

and

The

another

was

pilgrimagefrom

Cumberland

where

of the Revolution

gleam

now

spiresof Nashville,the

war

Jonesboro

had

beautiful

been

the

to

tlement
set-

and

glitterthe
nessee.
capitalof Ten-

fought

and

The

won.

westward.
republicwas extending its dominion
Slowly,
yoimg
but surely,wild beast and
were
retreatingtoward
savage Indian
the settingsun
and Celt,overawed
before the advancingSaxon
and

overmatched

these

by

their brain

perilousenvironments

Jackson

began to
It

and

brawn.

It

here

was

that the sublime

powers
like the live thunders
of the

wake

then

the heart

on

the north

among
of Andrew

gathering

of the

the
wilderness;it is now
heart of the South ; it is the warm,
throbbingheart of Tennessee
and Tennessee
is the heart of the Western
nessee
Hemisphere. Tenlies on the happiestlines of latitude and longitudewhich
girdlethe globe; she lies on the dividingline between the two
On
the south are
the
regions of the world.
great agricultural
where labor toils
tropicalfruits and flowers and cotton fields,
bales by the millions into the
and sings and tosses the snowy
storm.

lap

of

ISTorth
streams

commerce

the

combines

them

both.

hickorynuts of

in the

same

Georgia plum

w^ooes

grove
the

on

mocking
bough and

bird
bush

and

where

on

grow

in

and

its
pours
nations.
But
South

fall

soil; the magnolia

the Northern

snowbird
down

her

cereals of the

of the

pecans

blushing peach

the

away

The

the l^orth

cotton, blue grass and wheat, all

the

the fruits and

are

Temperate Zone, where industry smiles

of
and gold into the garners
of amber

Tennessee
among
blooms

was

apple ripens;

of Delaware

corn

the
and

adjoiningfields;while

sing

and

chatter

together

in Tennessee.
Civilization

first

peeped over
the gorgeous
the Alleghanies and looked down
landscape
upon
below, she shouted back to the advancing hosts : "Lo, this is
Paradise
regained!" Is it any wonder, then, that this beauty
the shrine of
spot on the face of the earth long ago became
I sometimes

think

that when

heroes and

man.

Is it any
peerlessJackson

the

guided
The

world

knows

It is not

for

full of storms.
all

were

statesmen

He

live and

to

of destiny

the star
die?

history of this wonderful

here today. His life was
of war,

his battles

but

happiness. He was
rugged times in which he figured and
he led to victoryand to glory.

AVhether

view

the

him

where

race,

here

the thunderbolt

was

whom

horse

that

repeat it

fought for libertyand

we

wonder

romantic

to

me

rugged type of
the rugged men
the

the

the

human

in the fox

he

chase

deer

or

whether

king, or

was

29

ADDRESSES

hunt

at

or

him

view

we

of

enteringthe rude courthouse at Gallatin as United States District

his advent to public life by thrashing
Attorney,and signalizing
band of outlaws who
refused to be tried and compelling them
a
of the court, or as judge, leaving the
to submit
to the sentence
and
bench
at Jonesboro
collaringthe defiant Bean, who had
bluffed the sheriff and
his posse, or whether
we
contemplate
around
volunteers
him
him
gathering his stalwart Tennessee
and marching through the perilsand dangers of the wilderness
to

the fierce Indian

drive

guarding
met

the

sea, he

with
Legislature

the

British
the

was

tribes to the sea,

and

front

in the

Orleans,

them

back

while

confronted

him

in life.

He

he
the

across

invincible,unconquerable spiritwho

same

oppositionwhich

every

hurled

at ISTew

in his rear,

regiment

or

tered
shatwas

as

terrible on
the
politicsas he was
battle field. ]^o foe,however
formidable,could cope with him ;
could check his triumphal march
however
no
brilliant,
maneuver,
to the highestoffice in the world.
Like
House
and
a
sat
giant, he strode into the White
down
in the presidential
chair,and, liftinghis bony hand toward

powerful

in

the

heaven, while

of

arena

stood

his hair

his head

on

lion, he postponedthe Civil War

with

the

shall be
But

exclamation:

of

mane

quarter of

Eternal, the Union

century

must

and

!"
preserved
"Old

wielded
But

"By

the

for

like the

the

the

Hickory"
sword

passed away.

for country
of

dominion

has

the

The

and

libertywas
republicfor which

stretches
"From
To

Maine's

where

dark

pines and

magnolia breezes

crags

blow,"

of snow,

hand
dust
he

that

long

once

ago.

fought now

292

LECTURES

and

touches

where

the two

ROBERT

OF

great

L.

TAYLOR

that divide the world.

oceans

But

the

policiesof government -w^hich he cherished and

defended?
Where
is the equal and exact justice
to all,with
Where
the powers
and privispecialprivilegesto none?
are
leges
are

of States to manage
and control their own
domestic affairs ?
Where
is the protection
of the people againstthe oppression of

combined

power

Abraham

Lincoln:

and

by

Have

the

aggregatedwealth
"A

Jackson

is the ideal of

people,for

the people,

the

and
splendidsafeguards
established by our fathers ?

bridled

the money
since slippedthe bridle.

long

Where

people?"

drifted away from

of government which were

Andrew

of the

government

not

we

bulwarks

has

and

encroachments

power,
Andrew

but the money

power
Jackson
curbed the

of

but centralization
has taken
centralization,
the bit in its teeth and broken
the curb, and is now
plunging
toward
absolute
The
o
f
madly
monarchy.
policies our modern
to fix the price
government have given the power to a few men
of meat
and bread at the cost of production to those who
duce,
proraise
it
their
to
will
those
who
at
sweet
to
own
only
sume.
confew

control

men

live

the arteries of trade.

few

facturers
manu-

the

and the juiceof projuice of protection,

tection
is the sweat
and blood of the people. Money has become
and is manipulated by the gi-eat
a mystery to the millions,
financiers as the magician manipulates the coin.
He
holds it
up and says, "Look, gentlemen,look; now
you see it,and now
the people feel in their pockets,
you don't see it;" and when
on

their last dollar

is gone.
often the door to

Too

be

opened

with

Andrew

but

Jackson

enforcement

my

of

of

and

American

his

dreamed

never

power

hobble

from

of

positionscan

government

throw

can

and

earliest childhood

only

tion,
by injunc-

the lariat of

sovereignState

my

father

to

pray

and
to

people to get
Jackson!"

mother

straining
re-

paralyze the

would

down

on

"O

was

believe in

to

Creator

the

blessings.I

breathe this prayer:

Andrew

honorable

its laws.

sainted

Christ and

mercy

and

Chairman,

now

of

the Federal

now

order

Mr.

key

high and
gold.

of the

that

taughtby
the religion

universe

for his

I could

their knees

God, give our

persuade the
vently
tonight and fercountry another

ADDRESSES

ADDKESS

TO

THE

REUNION
IN

TENN.,

and

in its tireless

flower

the dust
and

the

sky

as

year,

BROWNSVILLE,

AUGUST,

1902.

has brought us again to

flight

of another

The

summer.

grass

grows

of

the full leaf

green
their

about

about
twine once
more
tombs,
heroes,the roses
morning gloriespoint their purple bugles toward the
if to

with

sound

reveille to

its sunshine

tears, its sowing and

hymns,

its

lies between

now

dead.

immortal

our

Another

shadows, its laughter and its

reaping, its cradle songs and funeral
and that dark day at Appomattox
us
ern
hope went down and the flagof South-

and

the star of Southern

when

AT

THE

AT

CONFEDERATES

OLD

CONFEDERATE

Time

293

its

chivalrywas furled forever. Another year has added whiter

locks to the temples of those old soldiers who wore
the gray, and
stand among
us
deeper furrows to their brows; and they now
of a fallen forest,hoary with
like solitaryoaks in the midst
age, covered with scars, and gloriousas the livingmonuments
But
to

not

are

we

and

manhood

of Southern

Southern

yet far enough

hills of

forgetthe bloody
died,and the fatal

courage.
away from

Shiloh, where

that awful

struggle
ston
Sidney John-

Albert

where Stonewall
Chancellorsville,
Jackson
to forget the
not
are
fell; we
yet far enough away
frowning heightsof Gettysburg,where Pickett's charging lines
rushed to glory and the grave ; we are not yet far enough away to
forgetMurfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, and Chickamauga, and
the hundred

field of

other fields of death

courage, where
and the truest

and

the flower of

of the true,
South, the bravest of the best
fought for the cause they thought was rightand died for the land
they loved ; we are not yet far enough away to forgetthe agony
the

and

the

of

tears

armies

of Lee

and

undaunted

and

their blood

when

the

tered
shat-

footed,
barehalf-starved,
weary,
their arms
in the gloom of defeat

unconquered.

years, the world

sacrifices of the brave men

ever

crushed

was

Johnston

"

thousand

shed

that

"

stacked
in rags
left the field of valor,overwhelmed
and

and

nation

When

will not
who

or

time

has

overpowered, yet
measured

off

and
forgetthe sufferings
freelygave their fortimes

the most

to

preserve
flourished in any land

so

and

in any

brilliant civilization
age.

the
and
that

ROBERT

OF

LECTURES

294

L.

TAYLOR

day sit down on our battle field and

write true history historythat will surpass the wildest dreams
of fancy that were
into fiction ; and poets will linger
ever
woven
and sing sweeter
our
ever
graves
sung
among
songs than were
will

Historians

some

"

before; for each

and

is within

monument

thrilling
adventure,and
the

as

bride,tender
I would

not

the

on

word

prowess

tells a story touching

bosom

of his

hood's
man-

of bitterness

againstthe men
under
the old flagto

the

They fought and died

men
Union, and they were

and

Southern

the blue.

wore

white

of wild

volume

his last farewell.

as

utter

tombstone

every

soldier's last tear

itself

valor.

I would

worthy

of

who
petuate
per-

Southern

not, if I could,rob Grant

chieftain,of his fame and glory. Every

head when
Southern
soldier ought to stand with uncovered
his
dest
all was
is spoken; for when
name
lost,in the darkest and sadof Southern
to Lee
moment
magnanimous
history,he was
and his famished
and shattered army.
Along the blue lines of
marched
the triumphant foe, when
the unhappy Confederates
the great and

noble

between

and

them

the conflict had

When
stood

him, the sky

scales of war,
down

in
His

was

shout

of

tears

of

silence and

of his ruined

soldier

ly
proud-

country, magnificent

His sword
defeat,and still a hero.
red beneath
home
in ashes,the earth was
was
had placed all in the
black above him.
He

and

despair to
slaves

no

of

gloom

broken, his

walls

only

was

Confederate

ended, the

the blackened

among
in the

there

their guns,

flourish of trumpets, but

victorynor
sympathy.

was

laid down

were

had

lost all

the
away
but he was

weep
gone,

honor; but he did

save

not

sit

passing years.
still a master.

Too

proud

he threw down
his musket
pine,too strong to yieldto adversity,
the waiting
and laid his willingbut unskilled hands
upon
and turned
his face
plow. He put away the knapsack of war
abandoned
toward
He
the rebel yell to
the morning of peace.
and the hustings; he gave
and the courtroom
the forum
enter
the battles of industry and commerce;
the sword
to enter
up
to

and

in little more

now,

desolation
reached

and

the

bright on

than

third

death, the land of

springtimeof

the

domes

and

of

monuments

century, the land

and

grander destiny,and

towers

of

new

of

memories, has
the

sun

shines

cities built upon

the

296

LECTURES

It is the
brave.

old land

same

It is the

Within

OF

old South

same

the borders

in the Western

TAYLOR

the

than

cotton

in the

Georgia

have

and

she raises and

idea

of cotton

made

eaual

goods;

of

wealth.

In

years

is

raw

thus

ago

there

was

not

spinning and Aveaving

only to Massachusetts
North

South

only

not

the

and

with

progress

of

millions

open to all who wish

like the rose.
A new
velopmen
de-

now

are

is second

making the South

but also in convertingour
of commerce
and trade,and

new

the dead.

the finest tunities

opporthe richest fields for enterj)rise
ever

Hemisphere

manufacture

from

of the

of this fair land of Dixie

help us to make it blossom

has already begun. Thirty
factoryin South Carolina ; today she

more

old home

same

resurrected

and

to come

L.

of the free and

for investment
known

ROBERT

Carolina
Carolina

the leader

in

in this

ture,
agricul-

material

into finished

saving to

our

mountains

of

and

cles
arti-

section countless
Southwestern

Virginia, Southeastern

bama,
Kentucky, East Tennessee,North Alawhere
the sunshine
plays hide and seek with the shadows
and where
rivers are
born, there is a beautiful valleysix
many
hundred
miles in lengthand from one to thirty
miles wide. Until
the principalproduct of that country
a quarter of a century ago
children.
The people did not realize that the north rim of
was
the valley was
almost
unbroken
vein of coal and that the
an
South was
exhaustless bed of iron, and they placed but little
an
value on the vast parks of timber where
the ax had never
ed;
gleambut now
the dynamite has justbegim to jar the silent hills
and the forests have justbegun to fall. Birmingham is making
the sky of night red with the glare of her furnaces,and all the
furnaces
new
cityof Roanoke
are
way up the valleyto the new
industries are
being lighted and new
developing;and Huntstol,
ville,Decatur, Chattanooga,
Knoxville,Johnson City,and Bristhe

on

the

pig iron

away
own

in
own
our

line,will
and

the

to be converted

soon

be great

logsof

manufacturingcenters, where

hardwood

into finished

that

are

being shipped
pass through our

now

articles will

will cease
to be the fools we
have
been
mills, and we
the past, buying furniture made
in foreigncities out of our
timber, and all the implements of agriculturemade from
own

Until

Arkansas

iron.

twenty years ago the

were

contented

sons

to sit

on

of

Louisiana,and
Mississippi,

their verandas

and

watch

the

297

ADDRESSES

"nigger" and

lazy mule in the cotton field and listen to the

melodies
of the old plantation
the mills of Mississippi
; but now
are
beginningto mingle their music with these melodies,and the
marshes
of Louisiana
and she
are
being converted into rice fields,
is making enough sugar today to sweeten
the tooth of the world.
Arkansas
is buildingfactories and opening her mines
and mineral
wealth and sawing down
her great forests of pine. At tlie
close of the Civil War
Texas was
but now
the howl
a wilderness,
of the wolf has given place to the whistle of the engine and the
whoop of the Indian has been hushed by the music of machinery.
From

his

Texarkana

sprung

up

and

El

cities and towns

prosperous
like prairieflowers where
the wild horse once
to

Paso

have

loped
gal-

the buffalo

grazed,and great geysers of coal oil have

solved the fuel problem.
idea of transforming
In the full development of this new
material
into finished goods lies our
raw
hope of regaining
our
our
prestigeand power in the management of national affairs,
and of winning back billions of wealth
which
were
wiped out
God grant that our
beloved old
angel of war.
by the destroying
be as happy in reaping the golden harvest of prosSouth
may
perity
in

through

the

the

name

lived to
and
of

see

to

come

sufferingand

years of the
And
now,
in the

years

of

woes

been

has

brave

adversityin

my

grizzledold

of the young
the dawn
of

eternityand

join your

the pledge of your

you
record you have made
and
their fathers.

the

true

sorrowful

In the

name

who

the gray,

wore

once

congi-atulate
havijig
you upon
brighterday for your battle-scarred

men
a

friends

You

must

comrades
sons

that

themselves
of

our

soon
on

the other

they

will

live up
women,

to

answer

ever

the roll call

side.

give

defend

the

to the traditions

of

both

and old,
young
and pray that as

implore the blessingof the Lord upon you,

the dews of life's evening are condensingon your
shadows
of the long,long night are gatheringabout
lingerlong in the twilight,with loving hands to
loving hearts to bless.

(tt)

and

past.

war-swept country.

she

as

brows

and

you, you
lead you

the
may
and

298

LECTURES

OF

ROBERT

SPEECH

UNDELIVERED

L.

PREPARED
OF

Fellow-Citizens

TAYLOR

FOR

THE

PAIGN
CAM-

1912.

ceaseless

flightof the circlingyears has brought us

to the close of another
quadrennial cycle,and we stand face to
face with another great political
strugglein America.
All is well for the National
God grant
Democracy in 1912.
be well for the Democracy of Tennessee.
that all may
who breathe this prayer so ferventlyas those
There are none
who have given the strengthof their manhood
and all they ever
had to its service. It is the pride of my life,
I approach the
as
winter of age, that I belong to that company.
The

times

Thirteen

I have

borne

its banner

from

the mountains

Mississippi,
proclaimingits principlesto the people.
Twelve
times I bore it to victory.
ligerent,
the old party was
But in 1910
"dissevered,discordant,beland rent with civil feuds," and I felt it my
supreme
and
divided
Senate
to
leave
the
appeal
party to lay
duty to
my

to the

down

and
was

and

their animosities

sheathe

more
togetherin
fightonce
a perilousstep, but

I threw

hat

my

in the
in the

I threw

myself
I thought I could
But the harmony

clubbed

their guns

it

ring,
fray,

settle

thing.
play.

the

wouldn't

band

on

I knew

cause.

common

with

themselves

They fought among

Democrats

their tongues of bitterness

each

their

other

all

horns, and old

along the battle

line.
It

was

my

thirteenth

campaign,

and

thirteen

is the

unlucky

number.
I

soon

different brands
But
thirteen

attempting to lead thirteen

of Democracy to victory.
fell at last,bleeding,at thirteen places,with

discovered

that

when

rents

in the old

was

standard

as

like thirteen
it looked to me
disaster,
Georgia and thirteen Hoopers were

Fellow-citizens,
you may

call

me

it trailed in the
hells had
elected

broken

Governor

if
superstitious

you

dust

of

loose in
of Tennessee.

will.

299

ADDRESSES

But

I would

spend

the

in

13

room

occupy

hoodooed

was

I'll never

And

be

in 1910,
hoodooed
agam.

day in a
palace; I

fence
would

in
they could get me
let me
give you a buckeye of wisdom
pockets,boys; I will give it to you

And
your

When
And

the

world

the

people get

is somewhere

There

number

That

But

what's

the

dreams?
the broken
The

What's

plenty of
strung again.

with

from

God

The
I

am

mourn

the

its

in

rhyme:

you,

you

wrecked

over

to

use

weep

hopes and
spiltmilk

over

dead.

us

misty summit,

with
and

tered
shatand

in 1910

The

present is

the fiddle of old-time

and

is before

future

The

about

stringsof harmony
dead, let it bury its

cream,

in

around

carry

mean,

fiddle

past is

to

thirteen.

to

use

against

turns

I would

sit up all night in the

section 13 on
a
sleeper.

before

smoker

before

corner

ours

Democracy

is

ing
gloriousopportunitiesbeckonall

we

have

to

do

is to climb.

of ISTations will do the rest.

not

here

to

shed

tears

the grave
the fourteenth
over

of my
with

thirteenth

hallelujahs
campaign, but rather to enter
and
with you in the prospect of a complete
to rejoice
on
my lips,
Democratic
cratic
triumph in Tennessee, and the election of a DemoPresident
I

of the United

of America.

but as a peace-maker,and to
agitator,
join in the effort to allaythe spiritof factional strife which has
of our
so
long disturbed the tranquillity
people and to stop the
forest fires of passionwhich have licked the very skies and wellState into the turbulent
of
sea
nigh driven the old Volunteer
am

not

here

States

as

an

Republicanism.
We

blame

Republicans for fanning the flames of

factionalism ; it is their only hope in Tennessee,
Democratic
and we
have a
played the game
now
They have skillfully
in our
State Capitol,and every
Republican Governor
ment
departof the Commonwealth
holders.
is teeming witli Republican officeDoes
the Government
at Washington, presided over
State
Government
with
by President
Taft, differ from our
Hooper at the helm ?
cannot

the

OF

LECTURES

300

Have

our

they have

so

ROBERT

people embraced
long condemned

TAYLOR

L.

the

doctrine and

destructive

as

to

policieswhich
free institutions

our

they deserted

Have

the sacred

thingsfor

fought and died ? Have they turned

principlesof personallibertyand the
in the Union

State

to

the Federal

by

control

its

Government

their fathers

their backs

under

other power

any

living

rightof every
unmolested
affairs,

domestic

by

the

on

inalienable

own

or

which

the sun?
If

aiding and abettingin the destruction

and
conceived by the brain of man,
ever

they have, they are

of the best Government

putting to

shame

open

Fellow-Citizens,we

the State

birth.

must

they

that gave them

face conditions
as

the last great

to meet
prepare
ideals and Democratic
Democratic

turn

of

listen to the voice

A

dawn

Republican

where

But

upon
Where

of

supremacy

is in

not

is that millennium

all those

Capitol and

our

of law

the "Good
reforms

and

order

Angels"

that

were

pletely
com-

are

we

of Andrew

rule in the land

the State when

are

Government,

reason.

Republican Governor
under

the

nessee
only in Tenthe Nation; and I come
today to appeal to the
of passion and
from the storm-swept forum
away

but in

people to

strugglefor

exist and

Jackson.
that

was

to

into power ?
blossom
the
on

came

to

fragranceon the desert air ?

Where
is that ladder of Utopian dreams
ern
set up by this modJacob, and reaching from earth to heaven, with spiritsof
the blest ascendingand descending,bearingbaskets of Republican
Democratic
Tennessee?
to
promises
These miracles were
for
wrought on the imaginationsof men
The promisedblessings
and they
came
never
political
purposes.
will

never

and

shed

and

trees

their

till we

come

the universal

universal

have

brotherhood

But, fellow citizens,it is

the discussion
for the

of

of
not

questionswhich

and
Legislature

peace,

universal

religion

man.

in
to engage
now
purpose
my
be debated by canwill soon
didates

for Governor

and for other

high

officesin the State.

five years in the Senate.
It is not
but it is the best job I ever
had.
It has not made
I have

bags

of

been

gold,but

it is the

highestpositionof

bed of roses,
rich with
me

trust

and

honor

301

ADDRESSES

gift of

wealth

I have

stood

not

of greatness and glory,I

pedestal

on

all the sordid

prize that above

State, and
my
of this world.

in the

have

but I have been faithful and true

galleries,
in the
I bring all the victories I have won
to the people,and
past, and all the things I have stood for in the Senate and lay
strike me
them at your feet,and pray that the lightningmay
the

played to

never

again.
My political
opponents
the

I go into

moment

Their

smile

for

canvass

smiles

on

glory and

frozen

are

campaigns, but

between

me

into

crown.

frowns,

their gowns
daggers underneath
for
sudden
Impatient, wait
use,
the goblins loose
And
Satan
turns
And

When

But

watch

at all before

candidate.

time!

boys,this

me,

only

"

I'm

nineteen

I didn't have

days to fightin.

I would
have made
but thirteen more,
for Mr. Hooper. But I'm loaded
number

thirteen

had

and

my

is

gun

feet

seven

any chance
If I could have

now

the

for the

unlucky
scrimmage

long.

and bowie
knives
with
revolvers
a
weighted dovm
plenty. My blessed Red Xecks and the boys from town and the
from
drummers
everywhere are spoilingfor the fight,and we
The wolves of
can
whip an army of wildcats before breakfast.
Republicanismand the goblinsof specialprivilegemust hunt for
and marshes, for we
take to the swamps
tall timber,must
are
in Tennessee.
going to have a mighty snake-killing
I

am

"We
creek

are

who

away
up at the head of the
in his brand
shad-bellycoat and
new

like the old farmer

diked

himself

from

flap breeches and joyfullywent to the circus.

and laughedhimself into spasms
lions and tigers,
and jokes of the clown.
And

finallyhe

full of snakes

glasscage

and

moment

with

one

visited the sideshow

then

seized
blow

tremendous

the snakes.

then

let in

and

the showman

on

ran

where

He

viewed

at the

there

was

the

pranks
a

large

variety. He looked at it a
handspike that lay at his feet,and
shattered the glass into atoms, and
in a jiffy,
The crowd "skeedaddled"

of every
a

in and

shouted, "What

in the thunder

LECTURES

302

are

doing?"

you

And

OF

ROBERT

the old

L.

TAYLOR

shouted

man

back

lie finished

as

job,"By gosh,I always kills 'em wherever I finds 'em."

It is funny to me
the Republican leaders attempting
to see
old game, to capture the State from Democracy.
to play the same
It is an unparalleledexhibition of unblushing gall,but when
of
the campaign is over
I think they will be in the condition
the old darkey who boarded
the train one
cold,drizzlyday. The
him
made
car
good warm
drowsy and his head reclined on the
wide
back of the seat and he slept like a log,with his mouth
A drummer
full on the view.
open and his big red tongue lolling
passing through observed it,and he reached into his vest
pocket and pulled out a ten-graincapsule of quinine and
emptied in on the old man's tongue. Uncle Ephraim awoke and
began to work his lipsin anguish,and when the conductor came
asked in a
through the car taking up the tickets,the old man
"I
frightenedtone, "Boss, is you got a doctor on dis train?"
sick?"
don't know;
"Yes, suh, I's pow'ful sick.'*
are
you
with you?"
"What's
the matter
"Well, suh, from the way it
the

gall'sbusted."

tastes, my
We

of the
champion snake-killers and gall-busters
they can't keep us down, boys; they can't keep us
the

are

world, and
down.
We
couldn't

the

mule

well, but

dirt,the old mule

every

climbed

browsing

around

in the

fell into

that

concluded

up
until he finallywalked

climbed
went

old

the

out, and

get him

fill up

and

like

are

time
on

out

they would
they dumped
it, and

he

of the well

in

in

They

him

cover
a

climbed

pastures and

green

well.

the

up

load

of

and

he

triumph
by the

and
still

waters.

here

But

hole of

splashingand diving again

humor, which

has cost

me

so

ming
in the old swim-

many

dogwood sprout of criticism.

I couldn't keep out of the old mill pond when
can't keep out of it now.
They say I am not
with

am

lucid

and
councils of the ISTation,

intervals,and

fountain

change
good cheer

cannot

of

was

serious

that there is not

boy ;
enough
dignity
a

I have
be true, but sometimes
may
to the people. The
all the time I am
true

bearing.

in my

leopard

ings"
"thrash-

the

to sit in the

enough

sound

That

his

spots, neither

that bubbles

in my

can

heart

repress that
like a spring.

LECTURES

304

with

like

solemn,
the

dynamite

as

ball

"Bob

are

whistled

White"

now

and

armies

tented
its
to

tune

his

with
of
mate

and
that

mountains

the

against
with

give
their

pitched

shocks
death

of
in

the

the
shade

grain,
air,
of

skies,

the
the

laughter

their

tents,

quail

treasures.

thousand

the

where

old

chuckle

now

grim

and

silent

leaned,

once

up

somed
blos-

have

towns

the

and

hearts

once

in

TAYLOR

towns,

explode

their

open

sullen

L.

paupers

pick

they

into

huge

ragged

miner's

Where
fields

and

cities;

into
and

budded

have

Villages

ROBERT

OF

now

apple

minnie
whistles

tree.

of

LETTERS

LOVE

LETTERS

LOVE

UNCLE

TO

SAM.

Johnson

Eoost/'

"Kobin's

City, Tenn.,

January 1,
Dear

Uncle

Sam:

one

of your

As
for

welfare.

your

as

fur

going

are

and

hat

plug

look

too

for

at

rate,

any

for

the

really

not

and

cream,

stomach.
as

sure

as

and

of

and

to

am

your
like

the

you
over

wing

Rico

would
and
for

and

and

not

will
be

turnip

and

'possum,

left

home

be

sweet,

be

paring
preI do

Manilla

ice

sour

on

your

nightmare,
sit down

to

and

greens,

as

but
;

you

content

to

man,

to

dessert

give

nobody

delicious

be

will

pudding

dishes

may

in

you

young

seem

indulge

to

as

never

Cuba's

Aguinaldo

hominy,

it is

that

that

colonial
are

you

to

canvasbacks,
and

pie,

pumpkin

men

apoplexy.

and
snore

are

you

dreaming

now

the

encircle

rings
and

of

ambition

corpulency

will

vest

Jupiter
fat

the

always

persuaded

am

doubt

of

with

have

you

grasp

ought

not

tions.
expedi-

old

you,

are

Philippines

Why

Bull's

No

belts

your

foreign

luminous-striped

remind
keel

John

ponderosity.

in

born.

that

and

of

envious

You

that

and

tempting,

me

aw^are

expand,

that

venison,

politicalpunch
I

Porto

is

to

with

gunning

your

implore

and

of

the
you

these

are

and

beef,

that
sure

you

hog

own

your

am

All

them

feast, with

believe

under

meat

have

you

but

ago,

drumstick

the

on

after

are

fear

much

very

happiness.

years

The

I
home

you

and

hundred

doubt

no

from

the game

represented

star-spangled gentleman,

whiskers.

away

sport before.

and

old

health

your

were

you

lean

anxious

exceedingly

am

been

always

ability to bag it;

your
to

have

chin

far

It is true
doubts

You

and

tall

very

nephews,

numerous

1899.

your
of

have

just
and

lean

little bit

British

of the

gout and

pre-

day

rotund

Saturn;

man

when

stomach

but

let

me

sometimes

308

LECTURES

TAYLOR

L.

ROBERT

OF

Uncle

for
Sam, you are a daisy. Two years ago you were
contraction
by a large majority; now
are
tearing your
you
that while you are contracting
shirt for expansion. I suppose
and

expanding you

will take

notion

after

awhile

stretch

to

yourself to your full length on the western

hemisphere, until
the mosquitoes shall roost on your big toe at Cape Horn, while
be all right,
It may
icebergsform on your whiskers in Alaska.
and you have about seventy-five
millions of nephews and nieces
who are for you, rightor wrong ; but some
of us hope that you
won't get too big for your breeches ; or, rather,that your breeches
won't

for you.

don't

We

want

become

to

you

quets,
ban-

are
opposed to your attendingtoo many
gay, and we
such as you have been revelingin ever
since last

too

We

think

the

banquet

by

small

too

get

love and

your

that

of

or

there

war.

and

veneration

glory.

Havanas

liver than

peace is far better for your

But
all these little hints are

jubileeof

the

a
are

I would

hogshead of
about

wound

not

good
feelingsfor

your

; but I confess

Honolulus

seventy four

prompted

for your

solicitude

April.

and

name

box

blushes

with

hundred

millions,nine

of

and

kinfolks who
thousand
of your
have good ground
seventy-five
for complaint. We
the stars twinkling and the eaglesflapping
see
their wings on the shoulders of your heroes ; we see the girls
all sigh for a few smothers.
and we
smothering them with kisses,
Our
all wear
stars
or
eagles,and
complaint is that we cannot
therefore we
have "equal blessings
to all,with exclusive
cannot
the city of Nashville
Not long ago I saw
privilegesto none."
open
was

her

and

press two of your

Captain Maynard, of the United
arms

fired the first gim of the

Lieutenant
Hobson, who set an
who

for

the

generations to

follow.

laughing

shouting bouquet of

children

who

greeted them

noon;

if you
keep time

could

have

heard

our

One

gunboat Nashville,
Spain; the other was

example
If

bosom.

to her

States
with

war

and

in

heroes

you

seven

of

daring and

could

have

little school

thousand

great auditorium

them

sing

the

courage
the

seen

at

National

high
airs

waving flags,you would have agreed with

and Dixon's line,except
that there is nothing left of Mason
me
that it is now
only the dividingline between cold bread and hot
biscuits ; if you could have heard the storm of applausefrom old
and

and young

with

which

greetedthem

in the

evening,you

would

have

LOVE

waved

your old bandanna

if you could have
jubilee;
that burst

have

rushed

heard
dead

the

as

heard

the

their

on

into the thickest

mackerel

sma'

3O9

in the air and

in kisses

speeches of

our

LETTERS

doubt

cheeks, no

of the

welcome,

from

joined in the glorious

shells
explosionsof the rosy bombfight. If
would

you

exhaustion.

But

you would
could have

you
have

fainted

as

the

banquet "in
had greeted our
the clapping of

hours"

We
capped the climax.
noble guests with compliments and speechesand
hands through the day, but at the banquet we
gave them welcome
with
and this,that, and
the
smoking quails and pompanoes,
and
other; and there was
popping of corks, and effervescing
that night. We
sparkling,and a good time in the old town
bade a reluctant farewell to Captain First Shot and Lieutenant
citizens of the
Merrimac, and went to bed feelingthat we were
greatestcountry in the world, and all heroes.
Good-by, Uncle Sam; take care of your health and chin
whiskers.
Remember
me
kindly to the American
eagle,give
love
of
the
and
Goddess
to
all live long
Liberty,
we
my
may

and

wee

Robert

prosper.

TO

Taylor.

POLITICIANS.

THE

Roost/' Johnson

"Robin's

L.

City, Tenn.,

February 1,
My Dear, Sweet
With
ranks.

Old

tearful

My

Angels:
and

eyes

tears

1899.

are

breakingheart

tears

of

we

have

I leave

gladness; my

your
heart is

shining

breaking

joy.

with

Somehow

or

other

paradiseof politics.You

wanted

but I

preferredthe

mellower

notes

time

fiddle

people.

fashioned

of

the

popular

airs which

flocked

never

am

me

and
aware

to

blow

together in

that

thrilled the hearts

trumpet,

your

softer tones
the
of

the

of the old-

good,
our

old-

fathers

angelicMajesties. Our country

and
is keeping step to the modern
boom-de-ya of ring politics,
and sky-rendingmusic of modem
waltzingto the earth-cracking
trips the light
political"Vogners." Our statesmanshipnow
are

not

in favor

now

with

your

310

LECTURES

fantastic

toe

in

the

imperial expansion
and

Common

folks
the

nor

they
a

tale

At

in

are

used

"skirt

imperiously

All

you

their

take

and

gentlemen
around
and

crowd.

the

shouted:

and

who

behind

that

beg

genuine happiness

contented

Many

center.

with

time

unadulterated

armful

of

I whizzed

cracker.

Who

"Boozard"
ever

awkward

there

swung

and

of

unfortunate

and

tails

coat

danced

and

midst

tender

of

to

be

the
So

But

If you
You'd
Where

Wage

could

see

has
I

think

of

my

I'd spent

my

whips, fists,clubs,

and

endless

strife with

every

scars,

life in

wars

stones

flesh and

bones.

of

whip
with
man

always
and

the

affectionate

jars,
and

set

was

bunions;

and

mortal

my

like

continually stepping

perpetual "ouch,"

fleshy records

whole

hypocrisy

same

now,

The

the

singlepair

popped

in

ambitious

compliments

in

eighty pounds

ingratitudeand

politicalballroom.
as

sincerity

shoes, and

"Carioncrow."

Signer

and

innumerable

my

I have

the

in the

of

I say

found

and

with

air and

the

when

more

ever

corners

somebody's politicalcorns
was

pair

one

your
must

barefooted

the

is

insincerityin

entered
so

in

have

hundred

take

crowd

sincere

me

for there
I

ladies

all you

are

skirted

not?

has

seen

stockings

politicianswear

people,

than

rose

cotillion!

and

room;

old

believe

will

for

barefooted

dear

by

bows

their

stockings will

you

the

fore,
there-

floor manager

shoes

the

no

; and

we,

I have

in the

and

You

treachery

I have

of

the corners,

slippered and

stockings.

high-class

resined

The

wear

center

them

you

and

people

baldheaded.

me

partners

who

shoes

am

the

stockings,while
I

so-called

fiddlers

your

gentlemen

that

who

the

beautifullyillustrated

is

platform.

in the corners."

But

this

the

"Get

wear

placesimmediately

M.

and

of the

expense

politicssnatched

dance,

places in

your

which

before

places on

ladies

will

until

the

at

understand

country

and

of

dance,"

condition

hear

to

took

shoes

TAYLOR

latter-daygold-standard "german"

cannot

and

jig it

L.

figuresof these new-fangled dances, and,

old-time

an

ROBERT

perilof the Nation.

the

music,

OF

so
on

fore
there-

recipient
daggers;

LECTURES

312

ROBERT

OF

L.

ment
jou bag in politics.It is true that the science of governThere
field for the energiesof the brain.
is a "wonderful

game

in its air for every wing; but

the mocking birds,and pitiless
hawks
is

TAYLOR

room

flyabove
croaking crows
circle to dizzy heights,
song of the linnet or bury

down
and stranglethe
swoop
It hath
his talons in the heart of the dove.

only to
of

glory,but merciless condors hover

the icy summit
will look down
on
below, and wish his feet had never

wandered

sunshine

and

sweeter

now

sunshine

and

revelingamong

shall

ever

stand

flowers.

before

am

again
Diogones

I will say to it what

"Please get out of my
sunshine."

me,

O, give the laurels

to

heroes, the

Palaces

to

the heads

But
In

and

power

love and
give me
happy cottage,
my

there ; and

"Robin's

from

its
the

flowers ; and
ask

what

it

said to Alexander

glory

to

if

Dear

warmer
warmer

politics
do

can

for

the Great

the great,

State ;
laughter my children
O, that's the life for

round

"

THE

BOYS.

Roost/'

Johnson

me

L.

knee,

my

Tayloe.

City^ Tenn.,

February 6,
My

of life

of

RoBT.

TO

plane

basking in

and

reaches

he who

humbler

the

the sweeter

me

its aAvful altitudes

1899.

Chums:

life is youth; and the happiest

happiestperiod of human
specimen of youth is a big, healthy, awkward, wateryboy, with his heart full of dreams, and his
jointed,frollicking
head full of schemes, and his pockets full of apples and things.
He is a bouncing laugh and a bounding yell. He is the beloved
The

of every mother's
old daddy'shome.

bandit

heart and

the

outlaw
delightful

of every

painted walls, and garnishedrooms, and

and water
and pastelles,
velvet rugs, and pictured tapestries,
cares
colors,and crayons in frames of giltand gold? What
he for frescoed
halls,and polishedfloors,and stairways of
mahogany? What cares he for all the chandeliers that shine,
What

cares

he for

SO

he has

libertyto

under
hills,

and

in the lumber
where

is

as

about

king, with silken curtains drawn

he for champagne and sherry,if he can
the bubblingspring,or hear the corks
of

couch
cares

from

listen to the wild

soul?
of

carpets of the meadows

flamingchandelier,and a placeto sleep

and old,dusty trunks,
the cobwebs
among
sweet
as
pillowedon the
though he were

room,

his rest

the green

on

romp
heaven's

313

LETTERS

LOVE

What

he

cares

What

soup?

of nature's

melodies

he

cares

songs

"consomme,"

for

for

lie down
of

so

him

and

prairiechicken," so

cares

he for "roast

W^hat

cares

he for all the "a la's" and

drink

laughterpop, and
that sparklein his
he can
get plenty

"sirloin,"so he has beef

What

What

to

eat?
?

he gets chicken

"de la's" and

"au

juses"

?
They are "vanity and vexation of
up-to-datemenu
wellto him, in comparison with a good old-fashioned,
spirit"
dinner, steaming like an engine, and
cooked, big-dishhome
bage
of boiled cabtempting his appetitewith the mingling aromas
and stewed
turnips,and mashed
potatoes, and smoking
and com
dodgersdodging behind the golden battlements
biscuit,
of fresh country butter,with big white pitcherssweatingon the
and pumpkin pieslaughing all over
outside of cold buttermilk,

of

the

the table?
If I wish

enough boy,I

to find a sure

do not

search for him

parlor,but in the pantry. I do not expect to find him in

does not lurk
the drawing-room, but in the dining-room. He
chickens
in the library,but in the back yard with his game
in the fields,
and white rabbits and Billygoats,
or
shoutingand
of his faithful dogs. The
shooting in the gloriouscompany
and
better than poems
is that a boy loves his stomach
reason
pictures;he loves nature better than art. The truth is,he is
nature's child; and the child loves to play close to the warm,
throbbing heart of his mother.
ming
furnishes him mud
Nature
puddles to wade in, and swimin the

holes to swim

at, and

hills to coast

in, and

warm

shade

kind

to

eat, and

other

joys which

But

soon

and lead him

(20)

in, and
on, and

streams

cool

in, and

to

"Molly

to

throw, and birds

to fish

in, and sunshine

fruits and

Cottontails"

to

to throw

hunt,

to

berries of every
and a thousand

bless his life.

the hour
out

stones

comes

when

of her nursery

nature

must

into the sweet

wean

her

boy,

gardensof fancy

LECTURES

314

and

tlie

facts

she

career,

from
and
in

and

TAYLOR

lie

the frontier

on

reality.To

him

his vocal

changes

prepare
cords and

of the fife to the mellifluous

little hair

beauty

from

of

his upper
lip,and
in the twinkling of an

his

That

destiny.

it unfolds

to him

word

And

of

his voice
bass

viol,

whispers one word

eye, changes his

is "love."

how

of cold

for his future

notes

on

heart, which,

his

dreams
of

land

first touches

the tone

puts

L.

fields of poetry, which

green

the border

"

ROBERT

OF

sudden

What

world

is his transition

the mud

tail"
puddle to the bath tub ; from the "Molly Cottonfrolics in the haymow
to the "Molly Curly-head;" from
the buttercupsand clover blossoms; from
to meditation
among
yellsto love songs ; from unrestrained laughterto sicklysmiles ;
from
text-books to novels; from
novels to the opera;
from
the
the moonlight to
opera to strolls in the moonlight; and from
lamplight in the parlor,where he sits behind closed doors in

session,and

executive

word

says

The

holds

hand

her

for

an

hour

and

never

world

is

bouquet

of flowers

to

the

boy

whose

heart

is full of love.
When
I

was

as

I ; and
we

I had
had

fond

the woodlands
of

green
until

cronies

two

good
played togetherwere
we

green,

around

turned

be kissed

were

we

of

were

green,

had

gold,aad

seen

sweethearts

of

teens,

my
as

Mary's

equally as
The
that
and

green as
fields in which

shaded
we

were

the sunshine

us

were

all very
love the

kiss the green mountains

and pouted their crimson

purple w'ith joy

again ; and in our jeans,and

sighed for love and

The

us

But

turnip greens.

they

who

right to be green.
green, the trees

fields into harvests

lipsto
we

a
as

green

little lamb.

jeans and
gay country boy in my
the green, green grass, and innocent

was

amid

our

greens,

kisses.

childhood,like

little birds,had

long
and
a neighboringcity,
the report came
like an echo from paradise that they still
to us
remembered
that we
might come.
us, and loved us, and washed
little
So, with butternut suits,and squeaking boots,and our
boarded
the cars ;
wool hats with brims pushed up in front, we
and soon
we
were
primping, and blacking,and brushing, and
perspiringin the hotel,within five squares of the flounced and
At length an
bull's eye watch
in
immense
powdered enemy.
since flown

from

our

the mountain

to live in

the

tremblinghands

the

hour

of

one

announced

comrades

my

that

reconnoitered
the
arrived,and we
streets, "wondering, fearing, donbting, dreaming
for

crowded
dreams

of

3I5

LETTERS

LOVE

action

mortal

no

from

country

had

ever

whence

to dream

dared

had

we

before."
there

come

Far
no

was

in the

out

such

thing

of

a
some
tapping, as
suddenly there was
one
loudly rapping, rapping hard upon the door; and "the
silken,sad, uncertain rustling"of our sweethearts' skirts within

as

doorbell,and

"thrilled

us, filled

before.

Our

hearts

swimg
w^hen we

reeled"

where
bows.

was

felt

never

heavy-paneled
the "century

the brilliant chandelier,

for three

rush

the

studied

our

had

we

hinges, and

in the hall under

put into execution

there

terrors"

throats when

our

noiseless

on

paused

we

Then

fantastic

with

leaped to

back

door

oak

us

chairs

and

practiced

in the farthest

ing
parlor,into which we dropped with a thud, blushand
perspiring in front of three sofas in the opposite
half occupied by three little slipperedand
which
were
corner,
beckoned
and
of beauty who
skirted dreams
persuaded and
answered
the challengewith
coaxed us to come
across
; but we
blushes and more
grinsand perspiration.The cause of our
more
dreadful
embarrassment
our
was
appallingdiscoverythat our
had evolved into cultured and refined young
sweethearts
society
ladies,with not a singletrace of the country girlswe used to
of the

corner

left,either in dress, conversation

know

; while

or

appearance
and, if
unsophisticated,

possible,
the midst of our
gain
struggleto remore
our
equilibrium the door opened again, and in stepped
three elegantlydressed young
evidently
gentlemen, who were
The city swell always
erstwhile sweethearts.
of our
the beaux
we

green and
In
than ever.

had

up

grown
awkward

eontemj)t for

has supreme
of love.

These

young
execution
our

men

in the game
country boy, especially

laughed

in

our

faces when

we

again
they

practicedbows, and
gracefullysat do^vn by the girlsand began to pour out great
kind enough, however, to fire
sluices of nonsense.
They were
a few
questionsat us, to which we repliedin monosyllables,and
put into

with

more

which
perspiration,

rain, until the paper

and

he

instantlysprang

followed

and

studied

by

his

two

ran

do"wn

our

cheeks

like the

of my
cronies came
in two ;
to his feet and broke for the door, closely

collar of

one

demoralized

and

completely routed

com-

3l6

LECTURES

amid

rades; and
ladies

to

vanished

remain

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

the

and appeals of the young

protestations
rush for the street and
a
longer,we made

forevermore.

all found
years rolled on, and we
and our
who made
hearts Edens
our

closer
congenialspirits
firesides paradise.
home,
of my
cronies became
and
One
a
splendid business man
of a great State; the other
private secretary to the Governor
became
a
judge ; while the cityswells who laughed in the faces
of the innocent country lads were
long since lost in the shuffle,
The

and

have

never

been

heard

say

aught

of among

those who

have

succeeded

in the world.
I would
the

not

cities and

which

towns,

for

country boy

never

discouragethe boys who dwell in

they have ten thousand
advantages

to

dreams

of.

emporiums of art and science,and

training;but
polytechnicsand mechanical
are

the

nursery

of poets and

I have

statesmen.

cities and

The
the

great schools of
country is the

the

something of

seen

both, and my observation has been that the country

place to raise a boy, where the green hills and beautiful
the great mountains
broaden
his views,and where
in

upward

toward

TO
"Robin's

scapes
land-

point

GIRLS.

THE

Roost/^

L. TaYLOE.

City^ Tenn.^

Johnson

March

The

is the

truly,
ROBEET

Dear

life

God.
Yours

My

towns

1, 1899.

Little Sweethearts:

prettiestthing I
surveyed had
ever

ever

saw

dresses; the

wore

sweetest

bow, and two

with angels in
little heavens
that looked like two
beheld wore
slippersand
'em; and the happiest thing I ever
tripped like a fairy on the horizon of life's blissful morning.
I add the dress, and mouth, and eyes, and slippersall
When
of beauty, sweetness, brightnessand
together,I have the sum

thing I
bright eyes

happiness; and

that is you.

mouth

never

like

see

crimson

you

that I do not

think

LOVE

LETTERS

317

of

rosebuds,and music, and love; and why should I not think

of them?
Rosebuds
the prophecies of full-blown beauty,
are
music
is the incense of the soul,and love is the soul itself.
In every human
breast there is a little throbbingworld,
wonderful.
It hath
ruddy as the planet Mars, and far more
but one
continent,upon whose purple shores the crimson tides
of life forever ebb and flow,measuring off the circlingyears
of
the

time.

We

paradise of
of virtue

call this little world

love.
and

its blissful bowers

happiness.

The

ruby gates

Its

truth ; and

are

human

voices

no

heart

of

heart.

guarded by

are

ever

It

the

in the rapturous hours

cleave its crystalair but

wings ever

no

the

of

is

phim
sera-

hood
girl-

angel wings ; within

heard

but

the voices

of

innocent

girlis a little palpitating

world
of mirth
and merriment, untainted
by guile,unclouded
by sin. It hath its fragrantrose brakes, where beautiful dreams
wake
and heave the bosom
with joy; it hath its bubbling springs
of laughterand its ripplingrivers of song ; and here love transforms
itself into a little winged god, with shining quiver and
silver bow, and flies away
of the eyes, from whose
to the heaven
fields of lighthe finds wanton
sport in shootingpoisoned arrows
at all the hearts

Do
has

you

been

an

that chance

want

me

hit with

one

his

within his range.

to come

to tell you

how

know
when
a boy
you may
arrows?
He
beginsto shave

of

Cupid's
make
a
desperateeffort to sprout

a
tache;
muspimpled face,and
he begins to wear
collars bigger than his shirt and a
necktie like a morning-glory; he has his trousers
creased every
day, and his patent leathers polished; he has a dreamy look, and
blushes whether he will or no ; he feels like a culprit,
and dare

look

in the eyes, lest you discover his secret

you straight
thought; he cannot refrain from sendingboxes of caramels, and
not

French

candies,and

wound

is blood

by softeningof
The

fruits in

season.

The

effect of

tne

amorous

poison,producing temporary insanity,followed

the brain.

merchant

and

his clerks let business

languish
while they play the game
of hearts; the young
law^-ersturn
from text-book^ to file their first bills in the chancery of
away
of court; the young
out
doctor cures
love,only to be demurred
his patientswith neglect,
while he prescribes
affectionate elixirs
to his darling"Dul-ci-ne-a del Toboso;" the town
swell nicks
young

3l8

LECTURES

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

his horse's tail and

buys a new
buggy, and when he has tucked
his hallucination
close by his side under
the silver spray of his
new
lap robe,there is a rippleof laughter,a crack of the whip,
and instantlya silk shirt waist and a cutaway
coat
"hit the
dim and shadowy distance like Nancy Hanks."
it is the law of God
But
that through the sacred portals
of a true girl's
heart only one
spiritcan pass at a time, to mate
with her spiritin the Eden
of love; and it is for her, and her
in."
If the spirit
alone,to say: "Come in, sweet angel; come
noble
and
who
is pure
and
genial
enters
good and true and conwith her ideals,and generous
to her whims, then there
will be
Two

and

how

matter

no

how

matter

with

souls
hearts

Two

thick

of love will bloom

the grave.
But
is admitted, and

dark

but

that beat

as

single thought,
one

the clouds of

that

lower,no
are
gather,the roses
and the fountains of happinesswill flow to
on
of a brute
alas ! too often the disguisedspirit
then the heart is Eden
blighted;it is love's
are

the troubles

sorrow

of life that

"

"

paradiselost.
Did

you

never

on

the

pat him
read

ass

Titania

I have

It is

jowl,

fair young
girlwed
did you
and
never
she wasn't

my

"Midsummer
Shakespeare's

in

the deluded

I have ; and

"Darling ?"
never

see

garlandsof

wove

it done

seen

for

common

many

girlsto

not

time

link their

good clothes,rather than with

drop these little hints in order to

vet

embarked

in the heart

and

hog

hear

tenderly
call him

her

wife,either. Did
Night'sDream,"

flowers for the brow

looks and
I

business

you

how
of

an

in actual life.

preciouslives
heart and
warn

to

our

with

good

brains.

girlswho

first know

have

the truth

spirit:for it is a sad spectacleto see a

the plaything
woman's
heart become
or
a mule
stall,
a pigpen,or
sadder scene
in this world, and
of an
idiot. There
is only one
with splendid possibilities
noble young
that is where
man
a
of a sillygirlwithout
husband
wakes
up and finds himself the
sloven or a
any heart at all,and has his pinions clippedby a

before

they

admit

scoldingwife.
woman

the

There

in these latter

is

great deal of talk about

days.

The

"old"

woman

is

the "new"

good enough

LECTURES

320

ROBERT

OF

L.

TAYLOR

Sleep and dream, and wake and dream again.

passing hour.
for the clouds of sorrow
will lower some
Be happy now,
day,
and some
day the troubles of real life will come.
Yours

truly,
Robert

TO
"Robin's

L. Taylor.

BACHELOR.

THE

Johnson

Roost/'

City, Tenn.,
March

My

Old

Dear

you

Solitary:

buttons ?
on
your socks ? Do you sew
your own
Why don't
long does it take you to thread the needle?
brush the cobwebs out of your soul,and straighten
up, and
mends

Who
How

get a good wife

do

15, 1899.

find

you

to do all of these

in

playing the

thingsfor

game

of

you

What

solitaire?

pleasure

Hearts

are

trumps, and you cannot play a happy game in this world without
should live alone. The world
a partner. It is not good that man
old ribs cracked
owes
you a rib, and you ought to have your
if you

don't

collect the debt.

old boy,and
Why don't you rig up your matrimonial tackle,
Your
old pantaloons look mighty
go angling for a "frau?"
without
lonesome
some
hanging there in that dusty wardrobe
Your
is a poor paradise
calico to keep them
room
company.
without

fair Eve

to adorn

it.

I know

what

with

is the matter

and dry goods

afraid of grocery bills,
you; you are
doctor bills,and curtain lectures,and the overthrow

bills,and
of your

independenceand freedom of speech,or else you are afraid to

and thus lose many
a goldenopportunity
by
"pop the question,"
of
'possum
simply looking at her and grinning like a basketful
heads.
Perhaps you have "popped the question"and got "No"
but remember
that "there are as good fish in the
for an answer,
that she is somewhere
ever
as
sea
were
caught,"and remember
in this wide, wide world "waitingfor thee, darling."
Comb

the

bear's

oil

Don't

expect her

on

of your
hair, if you have

feathers
your

to

out

court

you,

but

whiskers, and
any

hair, and

do the

put

spruce

little
up.

courting yourself.

Press
to
to

suit

your

and

gradually;

when

jou
is the time

for then
"kick,""kick" first,
show jour independence. A

Are
you

never

his

estate

When

independent

an

dividingit out

they were

kinsfolk,
justproportion,and complaininglysaid,"I

the old

hadn't

man

In
poor.
For a

either

she

case

to

man

among
received

wish

sometimes

died."

If you are
poor, you need
rich; if you are rich, you need

as

loves

woman

all other times

disgruntledrelative felt that he hadn't

one

his

is

above

Did
If so, for whom?
you accumulating a fortune?
hear "Private"
Allen's story of the division of
John

old bachelor's

an

true

she is determined

see

to money.

next

man

321

LETTERS

LOVE

is

good woman
good woman

a
a

to

success.

world

through the

pass

help you get

help you get

to

without

helpmeet

with
men
strange philosophy to me; and yet I have seen
noble hearts as ever
throbbed, full of splendidsentiment, and
a

in love with

the

live
beautiful,

Bacherlordom

is

ness.
days in singlewretched-

their

out

habit; the longerindulged in,the

harder

break, until its victim is so infatuated with it that it seems

impossibleto quit. He becomes "sot" in his ways, and all the
and
frills,
bangs, and bustles, and
gaudy shirt waists, and
to

flowered
and

and

feathered

all the

beauty
One

of the

mindedness.

bought

pair

astonished
fire and

his

him

move

attendant

of

you

If

all

become

of

glow

with

of children

domiciles

of

bed.

the

throw

his

men

think

the

should

societyand
the

lightof

would

soon

of old maids

of

home

went

which
him.

is absent-

bachelor
with

who
and

them

by throwing the glovesin

Of

get

he

course

the bed.

gloves on

is to

bachelor

absentminded

an

nieces

tongue will be
to

gloves,and

new

spittingon

wife, whose

not

heard

once

absent-mindedness

teach

fashion,

can

persuasive smiles
neither do they unmove

misfortunes

nephews and

in the fire and

cure

art

bewitching glances and

bestow

can

hats Avhich the milliner's

intended
The

the"

spit

to

best way

to

live, wide-awake, talking

reminder

constant

to you,

and

soon

rightway.
foUow

your
civilization ?

love and

plan

ringwith

be transformed
and

All

justsuch

of
the
the

life,what
homes

would

that

laughterand

into the silent and

old

thingsas

you.

now

song
sour

I do

LECTURES

OF

speakharsHy

or

322

not

to

mean

show

the

you

of your

error

ROBERT

L.

to wound

TAYLOR

but only to
feelings,

your

way.

happy home ; and

glow with happy
happy hands must keep

If you would
enjoy life,you must have
would
have
if you
a
happy home, it must

ring with happy voices ; and

and clean and plant flowers at

smiles

and

it neat

the

door.

is not merely four square

walls,
and
with
gilded;
pictures
hung
Though

"Home

Home

is where
with

Filled
Home

"

watch

go

calls,

affection
shrines
the

is where
is where

Home

I have

above

with

you
sentimentality.I

sentimental,and

am

is not.

that
on

death

and charge me
your nose
guilty to the soft impeachment.
up

but little respect for the

who

man

religionand patriotism; it is the

of love.
good society; it is the essence
Every

found

ever

the

I have

one

It is the soul of
of all

blood

plead

us.

love ;
to love us;"

to

one

there's

will turn

doubt

no

there's

builded.

dove

faithful

Sailing through the heaven

Home

hath

heart

the

from

its way

earth

to heaven

wafted

was

lifesoul
there

faced
sentiment; every brave spiritwho ever
led by sentiment
for his country was
to the battle field;

wings

of

reflected from
the heart
every beautiful picture is a sentiment
the canvas
chisel is the
on
; and every creation of the sculptor's
silent

image

of

sentiment.

power
to the altar to seal their

bride and

groom

sentiment

of love.

What

the

beautiful

world

is it which

vows

makes

It is sentiment.

leads

is it which

What

It is the pure

home

A\'Tiat

the

are

and
the

life and
flowers

the brawling
are
fragrant sentiments of God ? What
brooks and rippling rivers but the laughter and song of the
waters?
What
are
laughter and song but sentiment?
in thy heart there is an
My wifeless friend, somewhere
of religion,
angel sentiment sleeping. I appeal to you, in the name
and love, to awaken
and society,
and patriotism,
it,and
sentiment ; and it will not
let it flyout in search of its kindred
the aisle
and white swiss shall float down
be long until broadcloth
book of thy destiny
church
of the crowded
together,and a new

but

the

shall

be

dreamed
shalt

thou
hast
opened, revealing mysteries which
Loneliness
will quit thee there, and
of before.

walk

in sentiment

and

newness

of life.

never

thou

LOVE

Behold

the

with

widower,

323

LETTERS

pink bald head, his wrinkles,

his

his rheumatism!

and

wires

He
And

leaves

As

is the

what

to

wires

out,

the ladies all in doubt

is his age, what
he is worth,

whether

And

He

in and

he

not

or

of

most

to the hearts

of the fair. He

sugar bowl, and

swiftest old colt

the turf of

on

is the "beautifulest"

his share

always gets

in

moves
any
age who
all the
gay, he knows

popular man
and
society. Always light-hearted
cuts

the earth.

owns

of the

ant

in the

he

is the

sugar;

love; he leaves you

nigh

at

the first

quarter post ; he passes the swellest of the swell in the first half

mile, and
and

moon

in

comes

his tail

on

over

the home

stretch with

the stars,a winner

in

his nozzle
a

walk.

the

over

His

power

lies in sentiment.
You

are

good-looking as he, and are

Why don't you study him

as

much
of

good sense.
courting? It

therefore

is the law

of nature

that

endowed
and

with

learn

as

the art

all life shall mate,

I think nature
disobeyingthe law of nature.
is wiser than you, and you ought to think so, too ; and now
that
the beautiful springtime has come,
follow the example of "Bob
be
It will soon
White," and begin to whistle for your mate.
Bill and coo
time for the billingand cooing of the doves.
ye.
when
but
not
a
Longfellow was
only a poet,
philosopher,
are

you

he said:
As

unto

the bow

So

unto

the man
she bends

Though
Though
Useless

am

sure

you

is

woman

is.
;

him, she obeys him;

draws
him, yet she follows;

she

without

each

need

the cord

the

other.

little bending, as

well

and

at

as

when
somebody to follow you, especially
you
that you are
useless
night. I am
equally sure

some

ing
mendout

late

without

the

are

other.

Couple
live.

In

up,

the

partner your
swing,

get

your

mate, claim

your bride, and begin to

married
life, give your

delightfulcotillon of
right hand and swing halfway

round.

Swing,

swing

Yours

in the

swing,
KOBEKT

L. TaYLOE.

LECTURES

324

TO

L.

ROBERT

OF

DRUMMERS.

THE

April 10,

Route,

En

1899.

Fellow-Travelers:

Dear

My

TAYLOR

together. I am glad
able to put on the plumage of a "traveling
man,"
to be once
more
and to flock with the commercial
nightingalesagain. What am
? You
I but a drummer
sing in your flightof thingsto eat and
It is said that birds of

things to

wear;

deal

hardware;

use

flesh; I crucify

earthy;"mine
So

here

loving and

flock

that dreams
You

in

sometimes

wind, windy.
go, drumming

of the

drummers

laughing

and

of."

made

are

dry goods ; I
dry. You carry

deal

goods are
my
trade.
few augers in my
a
the spirit. Your
are
wares

are

we

feather

sing of "the stuff

peddle sentiment.

sell soap ; I
in notions,but

You

the
worry
the earth,

You

"of

and

humming,

and

beneficial to

our

singing.

blowing,
Fiddling and bowing,
Sampling and showing,
Hearts
overflowing,
Going, going, going" gone!

Puffing and

We

always gone,

are

families

in

more

but

"goneness"is

our

lends

"Distance

ways than one.

wives
and thus our

enchantment

and children and sweethearts

view,"
It is the
enchantments.
have fewer opportunities
to view our
un
only way we have to keep the loom of love in motion with a
York
little New
Exchange about once a month, and we always
and benedictions
in exchange for "the aforesaid
receive blessings
is nothing so necessary
and the same."
There
to the comfort
It has been thoroughly demonstrated
of a family as cash.
by
to

the

actual
than

home

loved

experiencethat our
they can do without
to

"iDother 'em."

"goneness"
"

idle brain
idle hands

we

are

at

is the devil's
are

cati

ones

do

without

cash; and, besides,we

is another

There
work.

There

is

workshop,"and

his drmnmers.

But

the devil oxit of their brains

and

it

better

never

at

good thing in

this

are

but

doubt

might

"an

that

be added

that

the real,genuine drummers

of commerce,
the
the gray matter
of business ; their
the active principle
are

no

us

nerve

of trade;

industryand

they

energy

are

shut

bring the angelsof happiness

LOVE

32$

LETTERS

a home.
They are the song birds of
many
and general
the carrier doves of peace and groceries
civilization,
furnishinggoods; they are the honeybees of thrift,and the

to many

merchants
the

heart

are

and

their

buttercups and
and joy, and
comfort

angels of
samples of
If I

were

all the

seasons.

sculptor,I

blossoms; they are

sacks
they carry in their grip-

clover

would

chisel from

marble

of progress.
I would
make
it the form and figureof
"loaded for bear."
with his gripsack in his hand

my
a

ideal

drummer

"

heard

the

drummers, and I said to

him:
"Sir, what are we all,in every professionand vocation
?"
The
of life,
but drummers
politiciandrums for votes with
the drumstick
of the American
eagle; the preacher drums for
souls with
hallelujahsand the beautiful story of love; the
farmer
drums
the earth and his lazy mule for bread ; the lawyer
once

drums

the

man

sneer

his

jury for

at

fees; the doctor

dnmis

for

health; the

lecturer drums

for guests; the

for passengers;
the hotel drums
"just for fun," and the devil drums us all. The

best drummer

is the

railroad

drums

drummer,
There

and

preacher,the

best-dressed

drummer
best-looking

the

is another

class of drummers

drummer

is the

is the lecturer.
which

was

about

to

forget;they are the editors who drum for hides and scalps. I
for
am
especiallyindebted to this peculiarclass of drummers
I still have some
of my
bald head, but
thank
the Lord
my
and come
hide left;and yet, when
I leave the field of politics
the road with the sure
out
enough drummers, the editors
on
get
always drum for me and fillmy life with happiness until I forand love the quilldrivers still.
wounds
political
my
I wish
But returning to the smiling subjectof this epistle,
for the drummers, because they
to say all the good thingsI can
deserve much
than they receive.
ters
more
They are the thermomeI see the drummers
of prosperityand depression. When
busy in the day and laughing in the hotels at night,and smoking
that times are good and money
is in
and spinning yarns, I know
circulation,and that the country is in good condition ; but when
I see the drummers
droop and look sour and talk sour ; when I
the road, then I know
them
but few and far between
on
see
and that hard times hangs like a pall of
that money
is scarce
gloom over the land. The best sign of prosperitywhich I have
"

"

326

OF

LECTURES

ROBERT

TAYLOR

L.

latelyis the fact that,with the return of the robins and

are
swarming like bumblebees
bluebirds,the drummers
among
of springtime; and I am
the fragrant bloom
swarming with
share of the honey.
them, and receivingmy
seen

of the merchant.

the brow

watches

drummer

The

If it is

cloudy,he knows that his prospect for a big sale is bad.

In my
trade,I watch for the brow of the skies ; and if it is dark
There
is nothing which
and cloudy, I feel very sad.
gives the
lecturer the nightmare so surelyand completelyas a rainy night;
dead as a drought ; and
there is nothing that kills a drummer
so
and

dark

thus
"This

world

I feel

But

we're

that

sure

roun',"

and

we're

sometimes

up,

get along about

we

life,both high

Human

roun'

goes

Sometimes

down.

well

as

low, is

work

for it is to
to hunt
way
a littleof what
you get each month.
ever
taughtme was this:
best

Little drops of water,

the mighty ocean
Make

your sand,boys,and bottle up

for the future,for "there'll come

rest

need
and

The

both.

happiness;

when

look

he may

things Byron

no

longercarry

ever

said

was

sweet

to

it;

think, and save

first speech my mother

the

some

the

silver

day"

sooner

all,your
heart,I would
all

dewdrops
when

you
dream
find

others; it is for

gripsack.

One

can

hope
the day

hear

truly,
Robert

If I

one

this:

Yours

you
find

of the sweetest

bark
the watchdog's honest
home
draw
near
as
we
Bay deep-mouthed welcome
will
mark
is
there
'Tis sweet
an
to know
eye
come.
Our
we
coming, and look brighter when

'Tis

for

and

time

you
isn't this,after

into every drummer's

blossoming there cherished above
could

leading to

is to hunt

of your

some

save

more

and

The

down

little grains of sand,

and the pleasant land.

Save

will

folks.

other

of seesaw
from
the
game
best thing for a drummer
to do is to be

and

The
cradle to the grave.
contented
with his lot until he finds the gap
down
better lot;the best way
to find the gap
the

as

L. Taylor.

328

to

keep

my
far

So

on

gloriousto

but

the classics of the

tunes

were

handed

every
is an

one

of them

echo

am

classics of Mozart
me,

from

I cannot

from

breathes
the

me

be

the shrine

worshipper at

and

plain country

down

it is difficult for

now

socks.

my

concerned, I

am

The

of music.
and

soul above
as

TAYLOR

L.

old tunes, even

those sweet

I hear

when

ROBERT

OF

LECTURES

Mendelssohn

persuaded to
fiddlers.

are

turn

The

my

grand
back

old country

the

the

days of the Revolution,and

spiritof liberty;every old jig

flintrock rifles and

shrill fifes of Bunker

Hill ; every "hornpipe" is a refrain from

"Old
Granny Rattletrap" is a Declaration

King's Mountain
;
of Independence;
"Jennie,Put the Kittle On," boils over with freedom ; "Jaybird
Settin' on a Swingin' Limb"
was
George Washington's "favoJefferson's masterpiece;
Thomas
right,"and "Gray Eagle" was
Breeches"
the Marseillaise hymn of the old heroes
"Leather
was
lived in the days of Davy Crockett.
who
and brave.
I never
the fiddlers are so patriotic
No wonder
would
not fight
a real,genuine fiddler who
saw
; but, mind
you,
I have

quit fiddling.
I grew largeenough to cast sheep'seyes at the girls,
When
heart and the blood of the violets
when
love began to tickle my
the vibrant
got into my veins, I began to draw the bow across
and I poured
stringsof the fiddle to give vent to my feelings,
I swapped
spiritout through my fingersby the bucketful.
my
spiritfor smiles at the ratio of sixteen to one ; I exchanged
clamations.
clogs for compliments, and jigs for sighs and sentimental exfelt the raptures of a
No
ordinary mortal ever
ever.
fiddler; the fiddle is his bride, and the honeymoon lasts forI fiddled
into

and

manhood,

sneered

at

me

I fiddled and

and
as

still I

until youth
fiddled,

fiddled

fiddler;but

the

and

I fiddled.

girlssaid

it

was

blossomed

Politicians
no

harm,

There
boys voted while I fiddled,and the fiddle won.
and tuneless hypocrite abusing and
old sour
is always some
denouncing "us fiddlers." I have heard them say that they
fiddler who was
"any account," and I have known
saw
a
never
believed that fiddlers were
who sincerely
dangerous to
good men
of opinion.
There
communities.
a
was
never
greater error
in wiggling the fingersthan there is in
harm
There
is no more
and

the

LOVE

LETTERS

wagging the tongue, and there is

in a good, law-abidingfiddle than
outlaw

that divine

in it than

there

some

great deal

there

There

instrument.

is in

329

hymns

is in

is

religion

more

folks who

some

music

more
infinitely

I have

heard

by

sung

old

dyspepticswho denounce it. Music is music, whether it be the

laughter and song of the fiddle or the melodies of the human
it comes
voice; music is the hallelujahof the soul, whether
vocal chords.
or
through fiddlestrings
Happy is the home in
which
fiddles and fiddlers dwell,and nearest
is the
to heaven
fiddlers and singersblend their music
church
where
in hymns
of praiseto Almighty God.
cultivated
musicians
I have
heard
laugh at the country
fiddler,and call his tunes "rag music;" but the law of compensation
the

in this realm, as
governs
country fiddlers laugh just as

efforts of
To

other.

high-classmusicians.
the noteless and

of the greatest orchestra

to

the cultured

ear

are

the

well

in every
heartilyat the

Neither

untutored

of the fiddle and

ridiculous

buzzingsof

can

the senseless

understand

the

grandestefforts
of sound ;
hieroglyphics
which

dance

the soul of the fiddler

bumblebee

sublimest

fiddler the

simple melodies

the bosom

other, for

as

are

out

from

but

the

discord.

why the virtuoso and the fiddler

should fall out.
Let the nightingalesing in his realm, and let
will all play togetheron
the cricket sing in his.
We
golden
fiddles in the "sweet by and by."
Yours
truly,
But

there

is

no

reason

Robert

(21)

L. Taylor.

LECTURES

330

TO

OF

THE

ROBERT

L.

FISHERMEN.
En

Dear

Route, May 8, 1899.

Brethren:
The
The
Of

blissful days of spring have

gladdest of the year,

purpling
And

banks

The
bend

is radiant
lurks

It is nature's
What

are

and

clear.

green ; the boughs of the trees

in the streams
fluttering
below, and

are

are

The

bees

humming among the

singing; the waters are laughing,and all
with joy. Love
rides on
every passing

in every
sweet

come,

fragrant bloom,

bright

of the brooks

flowers ; the forests

breeze and

hills and

nestingabove.

are

world

rivers

the trout

down;

the birds

the

TAYLOR

flower.

resurrection

glorioustime

are

and

to resurrect

beauty reignssupreme.

the

fishingtackle

dusty tomb in the lumber room, and the red worm

slimy sepulcherunder the sod, and to impale him

from
from

on

its
his

the hook

What
a
diving after suckers.
glorioustime to
and frolic on
the margin of the frollicking
stream, with
camp
skillets and lard,and streaked and stripedcountry bacon, and
plenty of onions and corn bread, and good butter and eggs, and
fiddles to play, and "niggers" for cooks ; big fat trout fryingin
the pan, black coffee simmering in the pot, and "snake medicine"
and

send

him

in the "chist!"

heaven

of the seasons;

it is the

of life.

What
And

and

It is the Eden

wait

joy to linger by the fishinghole.

fishingpole,
lazilyhold your
a

for the fish to bite!

What

delightfulthrill is the
And
when
thrill of a nibble!
you hook a two-pound bass and
eagerly undertake to land him high and dry, what beautiful
thoughts pass through your brain and what eloquentfiguresof
speech escape from your lipswhen your line gets tangledamong
the limbs ten feet above your head, and you see your fluttering
in the air,and then,with a farewell
prizedangle for a moment
flounce,bid you good evening as he drops back into the water
and darts away
like an arrow!
This is a splendid illustration
office who
for political
is sure
of the feelingsof a candidate
a

of his election.

air, and
and

He

there

is

victorydangling for

sees

then, with

farewell

"weeping

331

LETTERS

LOVE

and

from

flounce,it gets away

gnashing

in the

moment

him,

of teeth."

There is nothing
Fishing is the greatest sport in the world.
to the nervous
so
exhilirating
system as the shock of a "jerk,"
and there is nothing so relaxingas the sightof a vanishingperch
broken
your
of relaxation

with

in his mouth.

hook

There

is also

great

sittingon a snag five hours with bated

breath and baited hook waiting for an exhilaration which
never
known
I have
comes.
gentlemen to engage in this sort of
their reputationas fishermen
relaxation all day long, and save
old dusky
only by buying a stringof the finny tribe from some
that
wizard
of the piscatorial
art, and then swearing in camp
deal

they did

their little red worms."

it "with
of the

The

in

of

success

ultima

of

thule

laughingand yarning
ground
hands

some

is another

expectancy of

the sweet

of fishermen

advancing

to

ing
the fish-

morning with buckets full of minnows,

tackle and pockets full of cigarsand tobacco

in the

full of

tration
illus-

statesmen.

happiness is

gang

This

and
and

"sich like."

banquets in gildedhalls where all the

mingled sweets of the culinary art are heaped upon the table,
and where fairies glintlike speckledtrout in the crimson
depths
floods of "corn"
of wine, and painted devils dance in the amber
and "rye;" but give me
fisherman's
lunch and a fisherman's
a
appetitebeneath the spreadingtree down by the riverside in the
feet
at my
murmur
wildwood, where the waters
deep-tangled
revelers
and birds make
all the day. Let the red-nosed
music
sip their wine and chuckle over the triumph of their trusts and
combines,but give me a drink of sparklingwater from the cold
of
the hills. Let the men
mountain
spring and libertyamong
them not ;
millions have their pleasurein their palaces; I envy
let them
pass the gilded hours bowing and scraping on velvet
the pleasureof
silken sofas ; but give me
on
carpets and lolling
Poets

sing

may

the reel and

of

line,and

let

me

bow

and

scrape

on

nature's

and honeysuckles,and
the redbuds
among
the moss-covered
logs amid violets and bluebells near

rich

carpet of green,

loll

on

the

bend

of

the

and
tadpoles,

river, where
the

the

cranes

bullfrogsings his

bow
sweetest

and

scrape to the
Let histosong.

LECTURES

332

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

glory of heroes bringinghome their spoilsfrom

to my
a
triumphal march
own
conquered lands, but give me
happy home with a beautiful stringof fish. The hero will roll
horrible dreams
of blood and death,
and tumble
at night with
hear
Did
the old story of the family of five
ever
you
of trout four feet long,
but I will sleeplike a baby, and dream
brothers who lived in a cabin ? The only sleepingarrangements
two
quilts;they all slepttogetheron one, and
they had were
wished
covered
with the other, and in the night when
to
one
rians tell of the

turn
at

over
once.

fish;he

he

shouted

"spoon" to

One

day

of the

climbed

one

tree

on

the rest, and

boys

the bank

went

and

to

the

crawled

turned

they all
river
out

shoot

to

on

limb

lay there looking down and watching for a

comfortable
so
scaly victim to shoot at ; but his positionwas
and a mischievous
fellow passingby, knowing
that he went
to sleep,
the habit of the family, shouted
"spoon" at the top of his
voice ; the sleepingfisherman
immediately whirled over and fell
best way
The
feet splashing into the water.
to insure
ten
a
stringof fish is to keep wide awake when you are fishing.
I used to hear another
story of a crowd of jollyfishermen
over

the stream

who

went

and

into

agreement

was

in the heart of a wilderness.

camp
entered
into to the effect that each

solemn

one

of the

further agreed
cooking,and it was
who complained of the qualityof the cooking
that the first man
of the
should
be compelled to cook throughout the remainder

party should

take

his turn

of the party knew

none
outing or be expelledfrom the camp;
one
day when the "rashens"
anything about cooking,and finally
in bad shape,there was
nothing but some
were
rusty bacon and
All of the party ate and made
wilted beans for dinner.
faces,
the
"These
of them
but one
are
suddenly forgot and said:
The
last clause
nastiest beans I ever
tasted,but I like 'em."
saved

him.

I have
it very

this sort of

a time ;
politics
many
the people have to swallow
savory
unparty loyaltyby protestingthat

thing occur

frequentlyhappens that
thingsand preserve their

they "like
The

seen

in

'em."

best medicine

for

nervous

strain

and

overwork
mad

fishingrod and plenty of bait. The world has gone

subjectof money-getting and glory-winning.I love

the

is
on

the
clink

LOVE

333

LETTERS

myself,but only for what it will buy, and to help

"some
shipwrecked and forlorn brother;" I like a little tinge
of the happiness of others.
of glory,too, but not at the expense
I would
rather catch a fish than get a dollar any day; I would
of the dollar

rather
wade
on

be

in water

fish than

Philippines;I

the

on

I beseech

would

the commander

to be

Caesar; I would

dead

in blood ; I would

to wade

than

luck than
therefore

than

live fisherman

rather

wage war
man's
have a fisher-

rather

of the late

Spanish

brethren, to be steadfast

you,

rather

navy ;
abide in

and

It is my intention to join you soon.

boots.
peace and your gum
I have been fishingfor suckers all the spring; I now
propose
to
me

catch
a

seat

Trust

place for

Yours

save

the rock ; don't catch all the fish before I get there.
in the Lord and keep your feet dry, if possible
; don't

on

flow,

Robert

L. Taylor.

MOTHERS-IJ^-LAW.

THE

TO

Majesties:

Your

I have

because

always

he had

had

the forbidden

world

would

endure

now

of the

first

Satan

would

in-law ; and

have
even

him.

have

been
would

women

of

Adam,

If she had
All

eaten.

stillbe

been
the

dressing

stillbe clad in climate.

All the

the fruits of sin ; all sin is the

are

there

curb

not

would

men

and
transgression,

because

to

paradise; the

sunshine, and the

ills we

law

fruit would

be

now^

great charityfor the mistakes

mother-in

no

there

in

and

in the tent

me

fish.
you will catch no
and the waters
while the fish swim

or

swear,

Keep

trout.

some

was

no

kept
after

the first

mother-in-law

his distance

in Eden

if Adam

fallen,the Lord

had

man

outgro\vth
mitted
comtransgressionwas
had
saw

to forbid

been

that he

it.
sonwas

provided the third person,

her "mother-in-law,"to be his guardian
singular,and named
angel and watch him day and night. But it has been the habit
from time immemorial
to speak disrespectfully
of malicious men
the
as
of the dear old spectacledangels and to refer to them

prone

to

embodiment

fall still lower, and

of tyranny

and

so

the

he

of terror.
personification

LECTURES

334

heard

once

of

OF

in this world

ROBERT

who

man

L.

said

TAYLOR

that his

principalpossessions
mother-in-law,and

appetiteand a
that he had never
been able to satisfyeither.
A crowd
of boys dragged a cannon
down
to the river one
Fourth
of July and began to celebrate the anniversary of the
Declaration
of Independence by firingacross
the stream.
A
man
came
running, with his hat off and his hair floatingin the
air,shouting at the top of his voice : "Stop shooting,boys ; for
the Lord's
do you
wish
to
sake, stop shooting!" "What
us
stop shootingfor ?" asked the boys ; and, with a voice trembling
with fear, he shouted
back
to them:
"My mother-in-law
got
droMTied
afraid you will raise her."
there yesterday,and I am
I have frequentlyheard it said of sad and subdued-looking
I have passed along in life,that they were
as
suffering
men,
with

bad

husband

the

affectionate

sure

to

do

to do

he is not

in

of

^T)ossed"

these vicious

attacks

The

and

be

from

and

wives

our

my

wife, is

mother-in-law.

neglectfulof

of son-in-law.

case

his

wife,

he

is

nine

If

pretty

she

has

right to

spectaclesand

make

around

; if he

his

ears

his

own

has

his

face, and

him.

fireside and

right to

the

look

at

him

king's English
home

"stick her
it is her

nose

divine

with

and
selves.
themsaw,

ever

life

children,

her

of ten

out

to
to

over

crack

unkind, or

snakes

in his business"

even

from

hear

the

provide for
like

in his
and

rightto "lay down

his

top of her

the

cowhide

wantonly spends his evenings away

comes

all

Her

cases

is

sure

and

ing
that she is suffer-

man

mother-in-law; that is right. If he fails

family,

woman

happinessof
In

that

wives

best

my

urges

mean

are

purest and

appropriatelyand truthfullysaid
bad

if she

and

is

thing,he

our

upon

mothers-in-law.

most

suggests
and the

All this abuse

of

and

even

to the world

to prove

reflection

direct

sacrifice to the comfort

it could

ougJitnot to do
publicopinion; or

almost

pass

voice

he

the mothers

on
a

mother

of

of

tones

his mother-in-law.

sweetest

it is with

so

tenderest

to

come

of the wife

ancestor

leaves it undone

by

contemptible,and

has been

fear

thing,he

the

language that

it,out

except my

It has

that if the maternal

most

him

an

of mother-in-law.

case

everywhere
to

were

from

boots, she

her
the

fists in
law"

to

336

OF

LECTURES

Then

statesmen.

with

let

husband

her; let every

is Diana
and

cherish

us

TAYLOR

mother-in-law

our

Ephesians!"
in dealing with

and

feet and

fall at her

of the

glory,for

L.

ROBERT

Let

us

her

"discretion

be tender
"Great

shout:

give her praiseand

honor

is the better part

of valor."
advise

My

the

bachelor

to

two

get

band

God

of benedicts

Sweet

"Home,

pity

the

homeless

He

means;

he

has

father

and

husband

of home

and

threshold

mother-in-law;and

Take

man's

the white

up

and

learn

up the white

burden; join
lullabies

sing sweet

to

Home."

man!

the

does

is to get

mothers-in-law.

burden, old boys; take

happy

and

every

widower,

to every

man's

to

and

know

not

childless
the

what

mother-in-lawless

and

felt that rapture which

never

and
hears

The

laughterand songs of
flesh of his flesh,
have never
livingdisappointment,and

of

twining

son-in-law
the sweet

when

he

existence

there.

of his blood
his life.
has soured

of
the

crosses

voices of welcome

tangledwith

his very

arms

fills the heart

little children,
blood
been

tender

He
on

and
is

his

stomach.
]^o

is safe

man

Dear

old

this tide of life without

on

guardians of

head

I bow

wives

our

and

to you

and

our

mother-in-law.

homes, with

covered
un-

myself, sincerelyand

subscribe

faithfully,
One

of your

sons-in-law,
L. TaYLOE.

ROBEET

TO

THE

CANDIDATE.
En

Dear

Children

You

have

sincere

my

are

Along
Thorns
And

working

are

up

June

12, 1899.

of Hope:

Thorns

You

Route,

the

hid

among

path

you

the

and

tender

sympathy.

flowers,

tread,

in the passing hours,

thorny is your bed.
are

"in the hands

your

commiseration

boom.

of your friends,"and
Like
Caesar, you are

they are quietly

swearing you

LOVE

don't want
who

receive

to

The

offeringit.

are

you
You

but you

the crown,

it and
and

smile

more

save

337

LETTERS

graciouslyon
refuse,the

you

country from

your

more

and

wreck

ruin.

daggers of Brutus
and Cassius.
While your friends are tossingtheir hats in the
air and shouting,"Vive
!" the low and vulgar are
la Candidate
"tellin' a pack of tales" on you.
They whisper around that you
weak
in the upper
are
story; that you are not altogether"the
clean thing sweetened
;" that you are deceitful and totallyunreliable;
and "mangy cur;"
they call you "hog" and "buzzard"
the newspapers
skin you from head to foot,and the little whipper-snapp
carrion of your
make
You
politicians
good name.
dare not defend
yourself,lest you be branded as a bully. All
do is to smile and fight,
not with guns, but with wind.
you can
nervous

are

There
before
need

"sweet

are

prospects,

bells,and

new

donation, and
also millions
candidate

reticent;you

dear candidate.

you,

you

must

bear

organs
his share

and

will

soon

justcompleted

wait

the

course

book

burden;

the

you for a
there are

on

up" the "dough;"

unpaid for, and of
of

flowers"

sweet

of churches

Millions

"ante

the

birds

sweet

the committee

of church

must

fear

Antonies,
they press

your

will darken

agents
fountain

horizon,and it is your duty to carry a

will
to
subscriptionwork ; campaign borrowers
pen
haunt
hear
spirit,
you, softlywhispering in your ear : "Sweet
prayer." You must be ready to go securityand sign every
my
when
kind of bond
wince
for "your friends;" you must
not
and
twists it
enthusiastic
fool grasps you by the hand
some
your
facilitate

and

hear the bones pop

it until you can
intoxicated
ecstasies of laughter when
your

squeezes

into

stops you
blows

on

times

full of

ear

your

whispers

the street

to

you

before;

you

and
corn

puts his

arm

whisky

and

around
tobacco

must

go
fellow-citizen

; you

your

and

neck

juice,while

sillyyarn which he has told you a

must
provide yourself with Sunday

he

dozen
school

of
orations,Fourth
speeches,picnic addresses, commencement
Jefferson,afterJuly pyrotechnics,
flaming eulogieson Thomas
dinner talks at dollar banquets,apostrophesto "The
temporaneous
Press," exspeechesfor conventions,tributes to music, flights
of

eloquenceon the influence

anecdotes
for
side-splitting
on

your

tongue

"

yea,

of women,
men

verily,at

only;

bouquet acceptances, and

you

its very

must

have

end; you

all these

must

carry

338

an

LECTURES

affidavit

clear

face,and

ROBERT

OF

when

tell

you

conscience,else the muddy

TAYLOR

lies,do
political

it with

in your eyes will convict

is to possess the hide of
greatest blessingin politics

The

you.

L.

look

dagger-defying;and if you have

kind
it with
steel and hedge it around
with
a
heart, encase
frowns
and dignity. There
is nothing like dignityas a protection
who has no brains.
Throw
to the candidate
sympathy to the
dogs,if you would be "great;" it is looked upon by politicians
a
as
sign of weakness ; and if you have gratitudein your heart,
con"
strangleit,for the v/ord "gratitude"is not in the "bright lexiwhen
of politics.Stern old Andrew
Johnson
drove center
When
of favors to come."
he said : "Gratitude is a livelysense
told that a certain prominent gentleman
James
G. Blaine was
was
opposing him in his canvass, he said,with a twinkle in his
remember
"I am
surprised to hear that, for I cannot
eye:
a

rhinoceros,thorn-proofand

that I

humble

favor."

when

far, because

little too

upon

did him

ever

many

men

them, and who

have

career

But
I

was

who
been

I think

Blaine

went

politicsI found in my
appreciated honors conferred
in

true

as

Mr.

and

faithful

and

kind

to

in the morning; and yet in my

evening as they were
little Brutuses.
little sphere I have had my
Of course
somebody has to save the country, and it might
it for twenty
well be you
as
as
any other patriot. I saved
respectfullydecline to save it any longer
years, but I now
mind
I am
not
only an humble
playing Caesar; I am
you,
and Pompey, but I
State we
have both Caesar
In my
citizen.
cannot
prophesy whether it will be the red or the bald which
It is likelythey will profitby the
the block.
will roll from
and divide the empire and its glory.
historyof Rome
There
now
are
are
many
grave and vital questionswhich
people, and our candidates will be
confronting the American
them
the people
called upon
to
all, and
speak out upon
must
libertywill perish among
speak at the ballot box or
there
its worshipers. The
day is rapidly approaching when
me

in the

"

will

be

not

of
honest
trusts

good

work

drummer
who

men

will

soon

the

on
are

now

be thrown

business
localizing
laid off,because the

are

will be

road.

Hundreds

of

sands
thou-

making an honest livingby

the
out of employment, because

; hundreds
trusts

are

of thousands

crushing the

of laborers
small

manu-

LETTERS

LOVE

facturers ; thousands

of merchants

339

jobbing business

in the

now

job because the trusts will order the

The
retail merchants
the manufacturers.
to buy directlyfrom
when
dawn
coil of the serpent is tightening. The day will soon
the collar
will dare to enter politics
who
does not wear
man
no
of a trust; and the trusts
will not only control business,but
all camin this land of liberty. The trust will manage
paigns,
politics,
and the candidate
will be absolutelyindependent of the
people. All he will have to do when elected will be to draw
his salaryand shout:
Our country is
"Long live the trusts!"
will dare to
who
looking for candidates of courage today men

will

wake

soon

without

up

"

sever

the head

of the serpent from

its body,men

the

whom

upon

rest the duty

people can rely and upon whose shoulders must
of saving the republic.I hope you will prove yourself
the man
we
are
looking for.
Very truly,your fellow-citizen,

L. Tatloe.

Egbert

TO

SWEETHEARTS.

THE

Roost/' Johnson

"Robin's

City^ Tenn.,
June

Dear

24, 1899.

Sweethearts:

might always be as sweet to you as it is

today,and that the world might ever be as brightand beautiful.
in full bloom, and the air is burdened
For you the flowers are
with
delight. Laughter is on your lips,and
songs for your
I wish

love

life

can

every

and

hearts

gladdensyour

tongue
and

that

To

express.

you

grapevine swing

fillsthem
every

is

with
is

grove

sylvan

emotion

which

paradiseon

chariot.

the cherubim

To

no

earth,

you

the

and

seraphim
the purple
All the springsthat bubble among
of the meadows.
the rocks and
eddy
hills,and all the brooks that leap over
All things material
the shadows, sing to you of love.
among
of fancy
and you live in the bright world
become
spiritual,
flow through phantom landscapes of
where
rivers of dreams
humming

ineffable

birds

and

beauty.

In

butterflies

this

are

brightrealm

there

is

only room

for

two

OF

LECTURES

340

souls

hand

sweethearts

two

"

but

with

ROBERT

in

L.

hand

silence

there ; solitude and

and

"like

to you

are

heart

Every smile is a seventh

look a glimpse of immortality,and every
of happiness.
I could

tell you

how

feel.

you

welcome

are

applesof gold in pictures

heaven, every loving
moment
an
eternity

of silver."

I wish

heart, two

to

intruders

No

singlethought.

TAYLOR

know, but cannot

the morning and

in
rise from
your slumbers
express it. You
feel sick, but it is a different kind of sickness from

about

experienced; you
your heart,and

your

brain.

ever

It is

sick,but it is

are

indefinable

an

absent-minded.

you

flutter

sickening,honey-likeaching

sweet,

any

of sweet

sort

which

wish

makes

of

nervous

yon

constantlysloppingover with
imprison within the narrow
poeticthoughts which you cannot
confines of human
language; your heart is a poplar blossom of
emotions, and your head is a beehive of sweet thoughts; your
;"
appetitehas deserted you, and you are "palearound the gills
draws
its neck, which
your spiritfeels a lasso around
you out
through the gate and down under the trees to the spot where you
and

have
a

each other

met

of trouble

wave

what's
with

"Hal,"

else could

his upper

bundle

but

; and

"that's

To

hallucination?

his eyes her

of her
the "swish"

light,and to his ears

rustlingof angel's
wings.

of

the

lip is

cover

he is

of

beegum

her the fuzz

shirt front

of sins.

multitude

; to her

To

his bestudded

and

poem,

of sweetness

is

To

she

him

honey.

and

To

is

him

Dream
of

peacefulbreast

your

happy ; not

are

you

of daisies.
clover blossom ; to her the stars are a bunch
both all nature
is heaven, and all of life is tomorrow.

earth
To

be

there

collar
high-standing
a

across

Now

with

streaks

are

skirt is like unto

on

times.

Hannah," and that's what's the matter

It is a delightful
spellof hallucination. He is the
she is the "Lucy;" and when
"Hal"
meets
"Lucy"

and

ribbons

soul is

thousand

rolls

the matter

Hiram.

what

Your

on, O

youth ;

sunshine

dream

sweet

in the

of sentiment

exuberant

young

sweethearts

life.

moonlight

Dream

flowers will shed

Dream
of

in the

fruited

Dream

while

opium-scented poppies of
sweethearts.

on,

yet

their bloom

seek
at your

flowered
you

leafybowers

dwell

gardens
among

happy
careless,

to

wake

feet,the

in the

; dream

romance

and

life in the
nor

in the

too

soon;

of

the

realm

of

for

the

leaves will wither

LOVE

LETTERS

34

and fall around

you, and the

dream

The
pass away.
clover blossoms
will

will

soon

the daisies and

and

tasseled

Where

will

com

spring and

of love's young
ideal will melt into the real;

turn

soon

summer

be

soon

hay, and the

silked

and

ears."

fodder

to

"roas'n

the

the
happy twain are wont to stroll down among
daffodils and pansies,he will soon
be strolling
between
the plowof
handles,in the new-made
furrow, breathing the sweet aroma
the new-plowed ground, and dreaming of corn
dodgers in the
fall.
She
will desert her balcony to bend
the washtub
over
the back porch,and while she washes
his studless and collaron
less linen,
she will sadlysing:
now

What

peaceful

How

The

shadows

will

be

soon

except the house

will be due

Today

tomorrow

he will have

blue eyes
red eyes.

and

Dream

on,

with

perfumed

white

joy

and

all of life will be yesterday,

and
grocery bills,
he has red hair and

she

tinted with

teeth.

no

white

Today
blue

will have

taxes, which

dreams

Your

teeth ;
she has

lips and
are

now

but you will wake

to
the strugglefor hash.

hope ;

onions

and

companionship of the linnets and

orioles;you will soon
prefer the societyof your pigs and
chickens,and the bleatingof your sheep and billygoats.
will soon
sweet
turn
sour.
seem
Many things which now
You

on,

and

memory

hair and

and

"

still!

sweethearts

SAveet

enjoyed

once

lips; tomorrow

the realities of beefsteak

Dream

reserved,and

rent, and

tomorrow.

red

hours

their

sweet

will go

rejoicein

oiit of the

the flowers fade

and

of

youth

take

no

matter

if

the

ideal into the

real.

beauty vanishes;
wings,

cares

and

and

all its

troubles

no

But

matter

no

matter

if the

if

toms
phan-

fleetingpleasuresevaporate
come

no

if your
of
the corners

matter

gray, and the crow's feet gather at

become
wrinkled, and your cheeks
your eyes, and your brows
colorless and your bodies bent; if your love is true love now,
tender and true in the evening
as
you will still be sweethearts

heads

turn

morning, and you will walk

and weave
all the
the gathering shadows
in arm
among
tering
memories
of youth into the happy twilightsong of totold age.
love like this dwells in the heart,how
When

of life
arm

sweet

as

you

were

in its blissful

342

LECTURES

and

sweet

beautiful

OF

ROBERT

L.

TAYLOR

the lives of the

are

glorious exemplification

of

the

truth

sweethearts, and

that

what

''life is indeed

worth

living!"
When

I hear

her

husband,

can

see

of

the

the

in

of

heaven, there
be

brutal

heart

your

you

marry,

be

little

and

Eden,

every

as

might

you

snow."

be

that

in

will

you

quarrel

and

"where

land

death

will

be

in love

with

your

after

Hell

that

if you

; and

well

as

quarrel before

you

certainty

clash

tempers

nothing

you.

be

of

skin

If you

congenial spirit.

because
"but

for

she
few

deep

sweetheart

and

loveliest

is

days

specimen

lovable

of hair."

Life

is

and

will

full

of

If

you

fades.
of

symmetry
of

are

beautiful, you

soon

tiger symmetry

spiritand

to

would

be but

your

congenial, if

it down

set

If

maybe fight,after marriage

shovel

only

The

is this:
not

are

can

you

never

Find

the

in

never

would
an

saying.

; there

would

be

are

made

were

couple

silence

matches

in the

they

There

would

that

truth

there

wife.

sweethearts

to

fight after marriage,

only

of
If

and

sour,

"tongueless

ill-matched

an

home

Every

temperaments

quarrel, and

will

be

turned

the

word

tonguing

woman

it said

earth.

on

brawling

earth.

and

to

heard

is not

made

have

providing

I have

never

or

advice

My

new

in

paradise.

they

wife, or

incompatible marriage,

an

on

God

there

would

husband

hell

but

his

sweethearts

dust."

always

are

never

that

wisdom

heaven,

Matches

railing at

man

I know

dreamless

made

of

form,
of

and

to

and
a

that

trouble," for
are

grace

it is

flesh

soul, is only
elyseum

and

form

find

"rag

and

beauty

love

of

motion,

with

without
bone

congenial spirits;

has

so
mover.

gentle

and

is

your

graceful

love

your

in

very

blood,

heart
sweet-

hank

it is "ehellium"

uncongenial spirits.
Sweethearts,

that

you

may

not

choose
be

your

partners;

disappointed in

your

and

hope

and

choice.

Good-by, sweethearts,good-by.
Yours

lovingly,

Robt.

L.

Tayloe.

pray

LECTURES

344

still continue
the

with

forget. Our

to

Indian

attention

ROBERT

OF

and

TAYLOR

great forests

deer.

the

L.

If

disappearing

are

would

statesmen

our

give

the

protectionof timber and game, and less

the cultivation of
to the upbuilding of privilegedclasses and
people would have more
health,wealth and happitrusts, our
ness.
more

But

there

to

is

sly old

one

individual

of the forest and

field

the world, the flesh,

spiteof the politicians,
and the devil,and he is the irrepressible
and unextinguishable
fox, who still continues to dress in his red uniform, and who
still delightsto play drum
and
major for our yelping hounds
which

for

still lives in

Did

you never
the frost was

us.

day, when

cool; and

and
sound

rise from
on

the

did

you never
hunter's horn and

your

hounds

your

pumpkin

beds
and

the break

at

the air

was

of

crisp

prancing horse and

ing
to your
howling and whinyou, anxious to join in the

mount

your

listen

they gathered around

hear the sound
of other
gloriousjubilee;and did you never
horns in the distance,simimoning you to the meeting place down
end of the lane by the skirtingwoods ? Of course
at the
you
and
and
with
when
the
ing
mornjoy ;
just
have,
you gallopedaway
was
hanging her banners of purple and gold on the sky, and
the forest was
to her; just as
throbbinga tribute of welcome
the glad world was
waking with laughterand song, old "Drum"
and
"Fife"
opened on the point of the hill just above you,
"Bugle" gave a few quick and shrill yelps, and the hounds
huddled

as

and

struck

solo,"Queen"
thundered

the trail. Old

chimed

in with

"Trombone"

her

led off with

flat cornet, old

"Basso"

accompanying blast,and all the band began to

"Sport" and "Speck"
play. "Beauty" laughed with her piccolo,
blew

the

an

tenor

horns, "Blue"

and

"Black"

and

"Tan"

played

and
and fiddles,
and flageolets,
flutes,
and tambourines,and tinklingcymbals galore. There
triangles,
hearts and quiveringleaves,and the hills fairly
were
fluttering
shook with the chorus.
around
The wily fox circled and swung
the ridges,and the music
circled and swung
close at his heels.
Joy was unconfined,and the flyingmelody filled the air like the
The echoes caught up the strain and
incense of wild flowers.
passed it round from cliff to cliff until the beams of the rising
the

sun

alto,and

danced

there

were

in the tree

tops and swung

corners

with

the shadows

LOVE

At

below.

there

o'clock

ten

345

LETTERS

was

fox

in your
tired hounds

skin

hanging

eatingbreakfast at home, and your

barn,you were
were
panting in the kennel.
ing
Whether
it be hunting the deer,or chasingthe fox,or shootthe highestlimb of the tallest
on
out the eye of a squirrel
with the fish
or
flirting
tree,or courting the coveys in the fields,
in the streams, the life of the sportsman is glorious. Nature
and
to him, and he learns to love her more
reveals her charms
is not an
and her beauty. His memory
for her kindness
more
old, dingy garret full of cobwebs; it is

continent

fresh

ever

with
landscapes,skirted with cooling woods and
green
He
is not forever moaning
streams.
traversed with sparkling
and

shoutingafter
live meat
in the forest. He is not dreaming of gold in a little
counting-room; but he is
spit-spotted
old, dirty,sin-stained,
dreaming of the antlered buck, or a bear at bay, and listening
for the rustle of the wild turkey's
wings, and drinking in the
He
is not the somnambulist
of the deep tangled wildwood.
melodies
of roast lamb, and rich croquettes, and frozen eggin the tenth story of
nog, walking and screaming at midnight
and

groaning over

skeleton

fashionable hotel,with

some

but

up,

in his closet ; he is

and

and

the mountains.

mirror

Poets

glow

canvas

sportsman

its reflected

with

hears, and

and

sees,

lightsand
touches

poet'ssong, and walks among

dreams.
which inspirethe painter's
to the chase

shoot.

We

have

fellows,and I

of
The

are

in

as

will enable
success
men

(22)

shadows; but

the

substance

of

the shadows

like the

clay pigeon
to^\^l,
They are all good
be pretty good on the wing.
to such a state of efficiency

our

them

to amuse

after
are

very

season

me

or

in

two

match,
of hard
of

promising; some

"pro formances."
Johnson
City Barn

no

is "The
organization
for membership are
qualifications

our

the

the

hunt, I

trainingthem to
bring these amateurs

of the young
all promises and

Some

them

club

strong hopes of

I have

work.

gun

the bird

am

My objectis to
in the winging art
and

and

paintersmake

very
the lightsand

the

Next

and

in their songs,

nature

of the

the specters that crouch

feathered

phantoms of the stubble

springin the deep solitudes of

the window

yellingfollower

and

is the wide-awake

he

partedand

lace curtains

The
Door

name

Club,"

that the candidates must

346

OF

LECTURES

be able to bit

door

barn

L.

ROBERT

and

TAYLOR

cough up

$5 bill.

find it

We

genuine smokeless powder

and hitless shot,also breathless pigeons; but we are a little band
of busy bees,and propose to some
day vanquish the champions
difficult to

get a

We

quorum.

tbe

use

of the world.

outdoor

Finally,brethren,these
body

and

broaden

days

soul.

chests

our

and

modern

muscle

They give us
and

of

views

our

good for both

and mental
vigor; they
life ! they lengthen our

sports

lightenour troubles. They are

societyamusements, which womanize

are

far

than

better
and

man

our

manize

woman.

just received a note from a prominent member

of the "Johnson
City Barn Door Club" informing me that our
has absconded,and summoning me
to the chase,I must
treasurer
I have

As

hie

to

away

Farewell.

the woods.

L.

RoBT.

TEACHERS.

SCHOOL

THE

TO

City^ Tenn.,

Roost/' Johnson

"Robin's

Taylor.

July 24,
Dear

Pedagogues :
I wonder

if you are
books and

from
cold facts and
and
like birds

whole
to

just out

firmaments

dream

young
lesson

slates and

of

of
a

chalk

gence
queriesfrom every grade of intelliif you do not feel
curiosity
; I wonder

cage

of freedom

"

to

flyin

with
unconfined,

and

unfettered

and whole

forests of rest

in.

idea
was

months
all the weary
I
how
to shoot, and

you
am

have
sure

recited,and the last sentimental

the last oration

was

shade

munity
your peacefulimand blackboards
and

happy today in

not

figuresand

every

Through

it

1899.

moment

illuminated

the horizon

of unutterable

on

been
that

essay

happiness to

the

the

when
was

commencement

to

could

last

read,and
day,

you ; I
and you

collegedoors closed behind you

of summer,
haunt
in search of the old, familiar
grapevineswings and lounge on lazy lawns, you
that when

teachingthe

am

sure

started

swing

in

scarcely

LOVE

restrain

the

"Hurrah

impulse

for Old

The

swing

to

in the air and

hats

your

the

brightoasis

It hath

in the life of the fessor.

proof
gardens
pleasure;

groves of recreation and

it hath fountains of laughterand brooks of song;
spellfor the tired spirit;it is a bed of roses

brain.

shout:

Vacation!"

outing is

summer

347

LETTERS

always

feel like

bowing

it is

ing
breath-

for the weary

head in the
uncovered

with

The stone-cutter
chisels the rock
presence of the school teacher.
from the quarry;
the teacher cuts and carves
and moulds
in the

imponderable material
the chiseled stone

of mind

and

into massive

The

soul.

walls and

erects

architect builds
mansions

for the

physicalman, but the teacher builds temples of knowledge and

palacesof thought. None but the noble and the pure in heart
should
Mind

be allowed
touches

touches

teach,because their works

to

mind,

either to

character,either

soul,either

to bless or

It is not

to

beautifyor

adorn

or

to

endure

forever.

pollute;character
blacken; soul touches
to

to blur.

only the provinceof

the teacher

to lead

the child in

paths of knowledge,but it is also in his power to inspire

honesty and to impress the principlesof truth and virtue. A
community blessed with good teachers is sure to be blessed with
an
enlightenedand worthy citizenship.
the

I think
last half

there

has

been

in the
progress in education
other realm of endeavor.
The

more

century than

standards

higher

are

in any
than the old

standards, and

the methods

Our
institutions of learning
superiorto the old methods.
are
working wonders.
They are the blossoming of a higher and
and on
this rock rests the safety of the
better civilization,
a
are

republic.Xo country in the world

the buildingof schoolhouses and in
facilities as
third of
and

the

number

ern

We

have

so

rapidlyadvanced

the increase of educational

universities

not

more

alreadythe prideof

are

in

our

than

people

glory of our country. Our collegeshave increass'd in

and influence;our
publicschools are spreading everywhere,
it is

now

sections where

opportunityto
We

South.

century old which

and
stricken

the

has

are

brethren

only

in

have

most

remote

and

the poorest children have

even

taste the sweets

in the

th6

of

not

the

knowledge.

race

for educational

had

about

poverty-

supremacy.

century the

Our

N'orth-

start of us, and

they

348

LECTURES

in

laugh
I have

faces and

our

ROBERT

OF

comment

L.

TAYLOR

the

on

publishedin the

ignoranceof

our

of the North

accounts

magazines
portraying our murder

seen

people.
of

of the "King's Engplays and novels

lish."
Only a little while ago I saw in one of their periodicals
the picturesof the actors
and actresses
who
cent
are
amusing innoaudiences with a play purportingto represent the illiteracy
of the South.
It is the superlative
of slander and the acme
of
assininity.I have lived in the South forty-eight
years, and T
have never
heard the most
We
ignorant person say "we-uns."
have our provincialisms
cialisms.
; so has every section its peculiarprovinI have
to

This

do it."

heard
is

Bostonians

sweeter

no

expression: "I've done

"wat"

"what."

for

to the

done

This

ear

it."

sounds

hadn't

"You

say:

than

The

ought

the Southerner's

Philadelphian

says

us
as
an
funny
from
Southern
district planks down
broad
man
a
a
"which
?" when
he fails to catch a questionpropounded to him.
Many people right in the shadow of Harvard
College say "to
I might
"at home."
hum," which, being translated,means
I "hain't" got time.
a long stringof "sich,"but
name

when

to

as

illiterate

repeat that the ISTorth has

in this educational
the wire

their spurs

tomorrow

Southern
was

begun
to

immortalize

liliesof love
our
among
humankind
ever

us

their eyes on
the Lord
as

keep

in the

loves

broken

our

the deeds

their graves.
and
monuments
to
the story of the

There

lost cause."

thrill the

never

already

Oratory still lives

heroes

Authors

have

Poets

columns.

of Southern

over

with

and

scatter

to

the

will yet rise to write

gi'eat heart

grandestcivilization

of

all

this world

saw.

The

South

literature and
wealth.

will

some

day

blossom

in all the elements

Then

North, and the twain

and

to

beautifullyexpressed.

more

sing among

to

them

warn

teachers,"Literature
truth

the start of

years

flank,for as sure
its
country they laugh at today will show them
of our
distinguished
; for,in the language of one

and

reigneth the
heels

; but

race

hundred

clasp hands with

walk togetheras one

in art and

rose

of intellectual

she will
shall

like the

as

an

in

well

as

terial
ma-

enlightened

perfectpeace

unity.
There

is

let them

gloriousfield
enter

it and

of labor

reap

the

alreadyripe for
golden harvest.

our

The

ers;
teachclus-

LOVE

ters

purple in the vineyards

; let

are

the wine

We

proved

statesmen

warmed

has

shed

was

from

us

that

made;

We

grown.

the hearts

prevent
in

in the past that

are

timber

which

349

them

and

enter

gather for

The hills of the future are

abloom
with opporpress.
tunities;
let them
climb to the heights and pluck the flowers.

have

which

LETTERS

of

our

we

the

fathers,and
battle

beingas mighty

the material

have

have

hundred

on

have

we

the soil where

have

the

fields;and
as

which
blood

same

nothing can

have

we

of

dential
presi-

sunshine

same

we

in peace

out

been

brave

war.

Teachers, take

children

our

and

train them

for the future.

Adieu.
RoBT.

TO

BLUE

THE

"Robin's

AND

THE

L. Taylor.

GRAY.

Roost/' Johnson

City^ Tenn.,

September 22,
To

the Blue
Dear

received

and

Old

the

Gray:
of the

Veterans

invitation

an

1899.

to be

Past

Unhappy

present and

answer

ago I
to the toast, "The
Not

long

banquet to be given to the President of

the United
States and other distingiaished
sion
guests on the occaof the reunion of the Blue and the Gray to be held in Evansville,Ind., on October 10-13; and since I am deprived of that
Southern

Patriot,"at

pleasure,I have concluded to

A patriotis a citizen who
in the North
wore

or

in the South

the blue

write you

short love letter.

loves his country, whether

; therefore

who
every man
tried the souls of

and

every

man

who

he lives
ably
honor-

the gray
honestlywore
a patriot. The
men
was

strugglewhich
and the
Bine won
; the Gray lost ; but the boldness of the Blue
gallantryof the Gray placed us in historyas a nation of heroes.
be no brighterprophecy of a gloriousfuture for our
There
can
who
fought
country than the fraternizingef the brave men
It is too late now
to
each other under opposing flagslong ago.
settled by the sword; it is too late
were
argue questionswhich

in that

to

get hot under

the collar and

shout "Traitor !"

across

Mason

350

LECTURES

aud

Dixon's

poor

balm

hands
and

to

must

fathers.

and

have

recriminations

Union

sectional

by

TAYLOR

exist in

can

prejudice and

the union

of hearts

perpetuate the republicforever.

fraternal
if

The

sores.

divided
We

L.

ROBERT

Criminations

line.

for old

remain

we

OF

we

exist between

feelingsmust

are

very
only if

name

sectional

and

mosity.
ani-

the union

Fraternal

of

relations

the States and

the

tions
sec-

preserve the institutions established by our

I believe that these relations of brotherhood
between

the North

would

and

the South

being strengthenedmore
rapidly
and more
than ever
before.
The shedding of
thoroughly now
blood once
separatedus ; the shedding of blood is reunitingus.
When
President McKinley, a little more
than a year ago,
issued his proclamationcallingfor volunteers to fighta foreign
foe under a tropical
toed the mark
side by side
sun, Tennesseans
with the boys of Indiana
and Pennsylvania and
Ohio, ready
and willingto follow the broad stripesand brightstars of the
old flagwherever
it might float in battle,
and, if need be, to die
with their brethren of the ISTorth under its ample folds. Grant
in camp
and Wheeler
and Leo were
led at
together,Lawton

Santiago,and
proof of

Tennesseans

her

when

she sent

blood

for its

It is not
China

would

her

Juan

could the South

to suffer and

glory?
people that

ter
bet-

What

Hill.

give than
shed

their

its

of

makes

nations

great,else

the face of the earth

on

day;
to-

that preserves empires from

decay, else
prowess
have lived forever;it is not genius,else the dust

we

would

might

dark-eyedSappho
Homer.

and

be the greatest nation

of the Parthenon

art, and

San

on

into its armies

sons

the niunber

it is not

bled

loyaltyto the Union

triumph

would

Rome

are

and

not

mingle with

now

It is the virtue

and

with

of Grecian

the songs of some

modern
the Iliad of some

still be enchanted
charmed

the dust

with

patriotismof the peopleand their

faith in

Almighty God which uphold governments and lengthen

the paths of their glory. It seems
that the God of nations
to me
is guidingus anS shapingour
destiny. We have the numbers
and the prowess
and the genius;and if we
will Only continue
to fraternise aud clierishthe spirit
of national patriotisni)
we
will yet realize our
of libertyenlight"?ning
dreams
the world,
and
of

the
our

mighty deeds of the past

future glory as the stars are

will be drowned

drowned

in the

in the

light

lightof

the

352

LECTURES

his desolated

ROBERT

OF

country. My

L.

ideal of

TAYLOR

Northern

patriotis the
the blue until the strugglewas
who bravely wore
man
over, and
then laid aside the paraphernaliaof war
and went
home
to help
of the States,but the fraternal relations
not only the union
restore
of the sections.
My ideal of American
patriotismis the
of cementing
reunion of the Blue and the Gray for the purpose
all sections of our
Let the
common
country togetherforever.
in gray mingle the Eebel
veterans
yell with the shouts of the
in blue in giving a national welcome
to the great shipveterans
and navy-sinkerof the world; let the dew
smasher
sparkle on
flower ; let the
the Northern
hills and glitter
on
every Southern
dewdrops of joy moisten the eyes of valor and quiver on the
cheeks of beauty; let the whole continent be dewey with delight
when
sailinghome.
Dewey comes
a

Yours

truly,
RoBT.

L. Taylor.

UPON

ADDRESS

FAREWELL

OF

OFFICE

OF
On

AT

GOVERNOR
HIS

THIRD

January 16, 1899, on

high office of Governor

THE

END

TERM.

the occasion
and

FROM

RETIREMENT

from
retiring

inauguration of the
McMillin, Governor
Taylor delivered
Governor-elect,Benton
of the General
his farewell address before the jointconvention
Assembly in the Hall of Representativesat the Capitol. Mr.
President
Waddell
Taylor to the audience.
presentedGovernor
received with hearty cheers,and spoke as follows :
He was
I
about
"Mr.
to
am
Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen
and flyaway
shuffle off this mortal coil of politics
to the heaven
the

of

of his

the

"

think and dream

in peace,
of my native mountains, where I may
safe from the
safe from the sickeningstingof unjust criticism,

vulture,safe from the slimy kiss

political
and the keen dagger of ingratitude. I do not mean
to say that
all hypocritesor
all politicians
vultures or that they are
are
for the great majority of our
are
upright
public men
assassins,
and honest and worthy of the confidence reposed in them by the

talons

of

some

old

people; yet there

and reptiles
crawl
the
and

LOVE

LETTERS

black

wings

353

in the

political
firmament,
and hiss in every capitol
thank God !
; but
live thunders of eternal truth always clear the atmosphere,
will surelybruise the serpent's
the heel of justice
head.
this office with the rankling of dis"I do not retire from
appointme
and chagrin in my bosom, but, rather, as one
who
are

retires from

labor

happiness.

do

all the bowers

with

my

rest, from

to

of the future
lot in life.

peace,
somnambulist

of

of

hope bursting into

ringing with melody.

Three

times

trouble

from

to

war

retire the

not

all the buds

dream, but with

"

"

I have

to

shattered

bloom
I

and

am

tented
con-

the laurel

worn

honor, twined by the people of my native State, and

that is gloryenough for me.
"While
I believe the good in politics
outweighs the bad, yet
how thorny is the path and how unhappy the pilgrimageto him
who dares do his duty ! There
flowers except a few bouquets
no
are
snatched from the graves of fallen foes ; there is no happiness
except the transient thrill of cruel triimiph,which passes
wreath

like

of

shadow

"Every
trouble,for
lips. To me

the heart.

across

honest

who

man

runs

for

office is

candidate

for

political
victoryturn to ashes on the
there is nothing in this world so patheticas a candidate.
without a compass,
He is like a mariner
driftingon the
the smiling cliffs
of uncertainty,
between
waves
tempest-tossed
is a walking petiHe
of hope and the frowning crags of fear.
tion
ment
and a livingprayer;
he is the pack-horseof public sentiif he reaches
; and even
; he is the dromedary of politics
feel the beak of the \ailture
the goal of his ambition,he will soon
I am
no
in his heart and the fang of the serpent in his soul.
Never
again will I be inaugurated into
longer a candidate.
rests on
now
publicoffice. The ark of my humble public career
its peacefulsummit
of privatelife,and I stand on
the Ararat
dove of
the receding flood of politics.The
and look down
on
destinyhas brought me an olive branch from happier fields,
my
the fruits of

I go hence to labor and to love. I take with

of gratitudeand a soul full of preciousmemories
and

the

people for
of my

that I have

their

unwavering

friends
made

is

who
an

have
open

confidence

been
book

kind
to

in
and

all.

me

me

full

ories
preciousmem-

true.
am

heart

gratitudeto

"

The

record

willingto

live

354

LECTURES

by

that

record
I

honor

"As
in

the

happy
to

and
who

to

all.

us

now,

Benton

Tennessee.
Lord

for
all

baptize
Turning

have

only

and

love
who
them
to

and

to

with

the

Mr.

mercy

your

the

!"

all

you

deem

our

paths

of

your
and

hand

wife,

necessary
un-

"

to

happy

me,

affectionate

an

Christ

the
Chief

tive
Execuand

peace

love

farewell

Farewell,

Taylor

it

occasion

that

guide

mercy.

the

questions

happy

prayer

given
man

you

happy

Governor
have

soul

bid

view

in

public

on

you,

will
in

of

spirit

you

pronounce
on

sake

McMillin,

McMillin,

to

takes
mis-

people.

this

the

him

steadily

the

on

express

follow

whatever

Assembly,

to

me

for

views

my

for

mercy's

shall

of

happy

remains

it

kept

them

Governor,

farewell,

died
and

and

It

final

discuss

new

have

General

the

TAYLOR

by

happiness

to

further

our

die

presented

message
to

the

already

recent

my

and

L.

to

committed,

State

have

ROBERT

willing

am

have

may

of

OF

said:
and

and

!"
"And

heart

may

to

the