Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/11



T is an esteemed privilege to have been entrusted by the author of our national hymn, "America," with the original manuscript of his poetical writings, which cover a period of nearly seventy years, for the purpose. of presenting them in durable form, as a legacy to his countrymen and the Christian world.

As an ardent student of comparative philology, the poet prosecuted its congenial pursuit until he mastered fifteen languages, and rarely found himself at loss for words by which to convey his thoughts and wishes, the wide world over, without the aid of an interpreter.

An intense appreciation of Nature and country was stimulated by a rare religious spirituality; and this imbued his life and writings with a sympathy for others which embraced all mankind. A vein of quiet humor, hardly less delicate than that of his congenial classmate Oliver Wendell IIolmes, brightened all contributions to social and literary entertainments; but he never failed to season such playful sallies and apt allusions with the charity that "thinketh no evil," and seeks only how best to impart happiness to others.

It rarely falls to the lot of man to reach the advanced age of Dr. Smith with intellectual vigor, youth-