Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/458



is a son of New Hampshire, who has been for about twenty-years a prosperous merchant in St. Louis, Missouri. In early life he learned the art and mystery of printing newspapers, and was, for a short time, an editor. He has written several long poems for special occasions, which are well sustained, and is the author of many short ones which have the merit that finds favor with those who wield editorial scissors—directness and sweetness. Mr. Hott is now about forty years of age. He has practiced prose writing with success, and has reputation as an orator. Most of his poems have been published in St. Louis magazines and newspapers.