The Biglow Papers | Page 5

book, which may offend at first many persons otherwise most capable
of entering into its spirit. I mean the constant, and so to speak,
pervading use of Scripture language and incidents, not only side by side
with the most grotesque effusions of humour, but as one main element
of the ludicrous effects produced. This undoubtedly would be as really
offensive as it would be untrue, from any other point of view perhaps
than that of a New Englander bred in the country. The rural population
of New England is still, happily for itself, tinctured in all its language,
habits, modes of feeling and thought, by a strict Scriptural
training--"Out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh." Look
below the surface and you will see that there is no irreverence whatever
beneath Hosea Biglow's daring use of Scripture; only that "perfect love
which casteth out fear;" that the very purpose of the whole book is to
set up Christ's Gospel as the standard by which alone all men are to be
judged in all their acts. We may disagree from him in the conclusions
which he draws from Scripture; of his earnest sincerity in enforcing
those conclusions we cannot doubt.
It is satisfactory, indeed, to think that Mr. Lowell's shafts have already,
in a great measure, ceased to be required, or would have to be aimed
now at other bull's eyes. The servility of the Northern States to the
South, which twelve years ago so raised his indignation, has well nigh
ceased to be. The vital importance of the slavery question is now
thoroughly recognized by the great republican party, which I trust is
year by year advancing towards an assured victory.
For that victory Mr. Lowell has done knight's-service by his other

works, as well as by the "Biglow Papers." I need not do more than refer
to these, however, as they have been published in a cheap form over
here, and I believe have circulated largely. In his other poems he is by
no means so equal as in the "Biglow Papers;" but I cannot help thinking
that (leaving out of sight altogether his satirical works) fifty years
hence he will be recognized as the greatest American poet of our day,
notwithstanding the contemporary judgment which has in England, and
I believe in America, assigned that proud place to his friend and
predecessor at Harvard College, H. W. Longfellow. To any reader who
has not met with Lowell's Poems, and who may be induced to read
them after a perusal of the present volume, I should recommend "The
Vision of Sir Launfal," "A Parable," "Stanzas on Freedom," "The
Present Crisis," and "Hunger and Cold," as specially fit to be read in
connexion with the "Biglow Papers." It is only by looking at all sides of
a man of this mould that you can get a notion of his size and power.
Readers, therefore, should search out for themselves the exquisite little
gems of a lighter kind, which lie about in the other poems comprised in
the volume. I am only indicating those which, as it seems to me, when
taken with the "Biglow Papers," give the best idea of the man, and what
his purpose in life has been, and is.
I will not think so badly of my countrymen as to suppose for a moment
that "The Biglow Papers" will not become the intimate friends of all
good fellows in England; and when we have really made friends with a
book, we like to know something about our friend's father; so I shall
add the little I know of the history of James Russell Lowell.
He was born in 1819, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, so that he is some
years younger than our own laureate, and we may hope to get out of
him many another noble work, though we shall get no more "Biglow
Papers"--at least I fear not; for the sort of inspiration which finds voice
in this way comes, I take it, only once in a man's life. And moreover,
this is his own conviction. In a letter which I received from him as to
the present publication, he writes: "Friendly people say to me
sometimes, 'Write us more "Biglow Papers;"' and I have even been
simple enough to try, only to find that I could not. This has helped to
persuade me that the book was a genuine growth, and not a

manufacture, and that therefore I had an honest right to be pleased
without blushing, if people liked it." He was educated at Harvard
College, Cambridge; and, in fact, has never lived away from his native
place. He read law, but never practised; and in 1855 was chosen to
succeed Longfellow as Professor of Modern Literature in Harvard
College. He has visited Europe twice;