Immediately upon his return from China, he entered again the traces for hard and long literary work. He had written poems, and snatches of poems, verses, and couplets in his spare hours as a traveller, and his note-book and guide-books were full of such impulsive2 productions, written on the margin3 and on the fly-leaves. Those scattered4 compositions he desired to reduce to satisfactory and convenient shape for publication. Some of them had been written on the seas, some on the Nile, one in Spain, one in Constantinople, one in Jerusalem, two in Gotha, and several in railways and steamboats. The thought of publishing them in the form of a book, was suggested to him by one of his intimate friends in New York,—either Mr. Stoddard or Mr. Ripley,—his intention having been to publish them from time to time in some periodical, in much the same manner as he had contributed to the “union Magazine,” some eight years before.[243] But he had sufficient appreciation5 of his own genius to act promptly6 on such a suggestion of his friends, and the first few weeks after his return were occupied with that work, in addition to the work of arranging and correcting his unpublished letters to the “Tribune.” When he had completed the “Poems of the Orient,” it was published by Ticknor & Fields, of Boston, as a companion volume to the “Rhymes of Travel,” and “Book of Romances,” both of which were united in one volume, in 1856, under the title of “Poems of Home and Travel.” In the preparation of these poems, he was greatly assisted by the kindly7 and discreet8 criticism of his friend Stoddard, which he not only acknowledged in the remarkable9 dedication10 “From Mount Tmolus,” but mentioned it to his relatives with expressions of thankfulness. The public owe a debt to Mr. Stoddard for his generosity11 and hospitality to Mr. Taylor, as well as for the beautiful poems and truthful12 biographies which he has written. A true man is a friendly critic, if a critic at all. Such was Richard H. Stoddard.
Mr. Taylor was then called into a new work by a curious public, who wished to see the man who had wandered so far, and had seen so much of this great earth. Hence he was repeatedly called upon to lecture in various cities of the Eastern and Middle States. His financial condition was not so prosperous as to preclude14 the possibility of future needs, and as the invitations to lecture were accompanied by very liberal[244] offers in the way of remuneration, he accepted many of them. It was, however, an uncongenial occupation. Public speaking had never been recognized as one of his great gifts, and the great masses who gather on such occasions, gather more for amusement than study. They wished to see how he appeared. The ladies desired to know if he was handsome, well dressed, and what was the color of his eyes and hair. The men wished to see if he had become a foreigner in speech or manner. The boys wanted to hear bear stories, and the girls of wild giraffes and affectionate gazelles. Not that the public desired to hear pure nonsense; but that it wished its lessons very much diluted15. The polished essays of Mr. Taylor, with their poetical16 language and refinement17 of expression, were of little or no account, and a view of his portly physique, and the right to say that they had seen him, and heard him, satisfied the greater portion. To him, such audiences were not agreeable. Whenever he could find a friend like O’Brien or Stoddard, he enjoyed reading his own productions; but to be set up as a show, had in it no such satisfaction. Being also very much engaged in preparing his books of travel, and in writing for the “Tribune,” often writing on the railway trains, and in hotels, he was weary, and could not enter into the labor18 of public teaching with the zest19 which might otherwise have been expected of him. Yet, in point of numbers, and financial returns, his tour, during the winter of 1854, was successful,[245] and the harvest for the season of 1855 promised to be still larger.
In addition to the work already mentioned, he had a great number of private correspondents, whose letters he answered with astonishing punctuality. Men in Egypt, China, England, Germany, California, and the United States, sent him letters of inquiry20 about the best routes, and cheapest outfit21 for travel. To which he replied as fully22 as he could, always remembering the like favors done him when in the printing-office at West Chester. There was a large number of friendly acquaintances in many parts of the world who desired to sustain a correspondence with him, and, often, his desk at the “Tribune” had piled upon it as many as fourscore letters, brought by a single mail. It seems incredible when we think of the amount of writing Mr. Taylor did during the years of 1854 and 1855.
Owing to the great amount of work which could not be postponed23, and the fact that the “Tribune” had the moral right to his letters before he offered them for sale in the form of a book, the last of his three volumes of travel did not appear until August, 1855.
At one time, he entertained the idea of publishing a book of songs, and consulted with his publisher concerning the probable success of such a volume. But having had his attention called to the fact that the veriest trash answered the purpose of musical composers fully as well as sterling24 poetry, he abandoned[246] the idea. The thought was probably suggested to him by the writings of Thomas Moore, whose “Lalla Rookh” was frequently brought to mind while Mr. Taylor was writing out the chapters of his book, wherein he described his visit to Agra and Delhi in India. The objections which he found to a volume of songs, seemed equally applicable to single productions which might be included in such a category, and he not only suppressed many he had written, but cautiously cut out verses in such as had been printed, before he allowed them to be published again. He went so far as to request that the song for which he obtained the Jenny Lind prize in 1850, should be kept forever out of print. Some of these are said to be among his papers in Germany, where his body now lies, and the writer sincerely wishes to see them all in print at a day not very remote, together with the epistolary poems and friendly sonnets25 which have been sent by him to the distinguished26 scholars and poets who enjoyed his friendship. It will take time to gather them, but, when collected, will make the best of reading, and will show the joyous27, simple, sincere character of the poet, as no amount of prose can do.
As early as October, 1854, Mr. Taylor conceived the idea of building a summer residence near the old homestead at Kennett. It may have been a purpose entertained in his youth, for he often mentions, directly and indirectly28, in his early writings, the scenery and the people about his home at Kennett. But in that[247] year the idea appears to have assumed the form of a possibility, for he wrote to one of his old schoolmates, who resided that autumn in Jersey29 City, saying that he began to see his way for a house of his own at Kennett. The letter set in circulation the report that he was soon to be married; but he had kept his own counsel so well, and held aloof30 so studiously from the company of ladies, that none of the gossips could possibly hint at the person of his choice. This loyalty31 to his home and desire to return to it like a weary bird to its nest, was a beautiful trait of his character, and testifies strongly to his natural goodness of heart. For it will be found that the noblest men of all ages and professions have loved the homes of their childhood, while the selfish, narrow, barbarous, and mean, universally regard their early associations with neglect or contempt.
A touching32 scene arises before the writer, as he reaches this theme, and the tears will come to the eye and cheek! Away in that German land sleeps the son and brother. The romantic home at Kennett, stands cosy33, yet stately, among the winter-stricken trees. Inside are the dear ones whom neither years, nor honors, nor wanderings have induced him to forget—the father and the mother in the mansion34 of their son. There is the sister, whose feet, after years of absence, tread again the paths of home. There the visitor feels the gloom of a distant death. Windows that flashed with light; drawing-rooms that were[248] made charming by the cheerful faces of the great and good, are now suggestive of sadness and disaster. The cold winds shake the dry vines, and cry around its cornices. The loved ones are there,—waiting, waiting for him to come home! He never disappointed them before. Why comes he not? Why do not his letters come with the mail?
And fall thou drear December rain!”
Ah, we know the meaning now of those sad words. For we have lived them too!
Ever looking forward to the time when he could give his parents a more luxurious36 home, feeling most keenly the rapid strides of time, as he looked upon their whitening locks, unwilling37 to prosper13 alone, and promoting ever the welfare of those he loved, he strove with an unchangeable determination to accumulate sufficient money to build a house near the old farm, that should be a home for all, and a resting-place for himself. To this, in part, was due his incessant38 work through the years of 1854 and 1855. His books brought him a considerable return; he received a reasonable compensation as editor and lecturer, and he had lifted the load of debt which the “Ph?nixville Pioneer” had bequeathed to him, but which no one believed he was able to pay; and could look forward to a competency and, perhaps, to wealth. Yet, in all his work, there was a cheerfulness that seemed to give rest while the[249] work went on. He often indulged in fun, was ever joking with his friends, and indulging in playful pranks39 with his acquaintances. Usually, however, his facetiousness40 was itself a method of self-discipline,—a different kind of work. He used to visit his friends whenever an evening could be spared from necessary labor, and spend the hours in writing and exchanging humorous burlesques41, acrostics, sonnets, and parodies42. Sometimes he would “race” with his literary friends in writing lines of poetry on a given subject, and although, as he afterward43 acknowledged, he often came in second best, yet he enjoyed the sport and the satisfaction of the victor none the less. The same fun-loving, mischievous44, kind-hearted boy, who enjoyed writing extravagant45 verses, and sending them to his schoolmates, walked the streets of New York in 1855. Time had given discretion46, sorrow had given reserve; but the fun bubbled out whenever the waters were moved. His mirth was less ostentatious, but not less hearty47. Loving a bottle of beer, or wine, for the sake of sociability48, for in his younger days it was universally considered a necessity, he never drank to excess, nor was ever regarded by his companions as an intemperate49 man. Envious50 simpletons have sometimes accused him of intemperate habits during those two years; but so well-known and frank was his life, that it would have been then, as it certainly is now, a waste of time to deny so absurd a statement. So-called temperance men are often the most intemperate[250] people known in public life. As temperance, in fact, consists of temperance in all things, as well as in the use of intoxicating51 drinks, the real temperance people of America will discourage alike the excess in the use of stimulants52, and that excess in the use of epithets53 and misrepresentation, which, by the resulting reaction, encourages the use of that which they wish to prohibit. Intemperate speeches, like intemperate laws, and intemperate drinking, are to be condemned54 and avoided by all who believe the Highest Moral Standard known to man. It is exceedingly intemperate to circulate a falsehood about any person, and especially of one of our own American family, who has done so much for our nation, and “never wished harm to any man.”
It had long been Mr. Taylor’s wish to take his sisters and brother to Europe with him, in order that they might enjoy those scenes which had pleased him so much; and he had often mentioned, in his letters to them from abroad, how much more he would enjoy the advantages of travel, if they could be with him to share in his pleasure. He was too generous to desire the exclusive enjoyment55 of anything, and was especially anxious that those related to him should reap the benefits of all his labors56. Hence, in the spring of 1856 (not without correspondence with one in Gotha, however), he arranged his plans for another series of excursions in Europe, and persuaded his sisters and brother to accompany him.
[251]
It was during those two years of labor that he made the acquaintance of many of the distinguished literary men of Massachusetts, and in one of those years—1855—he secured the acquaintance and friendship of William Makepeace Thackeray, who visited this country then for the second time, and delivered his long-remembered lectures on the “English Humorists of the Eighteenth Century,” and “The Four Georges.” So well known, and so much respected had Mr. Taylor become, that he was sought by the great of both continents, and when he departed for Europe, in the spring of 1856, the kind wishes of thousands of America’s representative men and women went with him, and a welcome awaited him on the shores of England from as many more.
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1
intemperance
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| n.放纵 | |
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impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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dedication
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| n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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preclude
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| vt.阻止，排除，防止；妨碍 | |
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diluted
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| 无力的，冲淡的 | |
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poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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sonnets
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| n.十四行诗( sonnet的名词复数 ) | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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pane
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| n.窗格玻璃，长方块 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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40
facetiousness
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| n.滑稽 | |
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41
burlesques
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| n.滑稽模仿( burlesque的名词复数 )；（包括脱衣舞的）滑稽歌舞杂剧v.（嘲弄地）模仿，（通过模仿）取笑( burlesque的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42
parodies
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| n.拙劣的模仿( parody的名词复数 )；恶搞；滑稽的模仿诗文；表面上模仿得笨拙但充满了机智用来嘲弄别人作品的作品v.滑稽地模仿，拙劣地模仿( parody的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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44
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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45
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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46
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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47
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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48
sociability
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| n.好交际，社交性，善于交际 | |
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49
intemperate
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| adj.无节制的，放纵的 | |
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50
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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51
intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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52
stimulants
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| n.兴奋剂( stimulant的名词复数 )；含兴奋剂的饮料；刺激物；激励物 | |
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53
epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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54
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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55
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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56
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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