Bliss Perry, The American spirit in lierature: a chronicle of great interpreters

[170] Maria White, and did magazine work in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. He was thought by his friends in the eighteen-fifties to be “the most Shakespearian” man in America. When he was ten years out of college, in 1848, he published The Biglow papers (First Series), A Fable for critics, and The vision of Sir Launfal. After a long visit to Europe and the death of his wife, he gave some brilliant Lowell Institute lectures in Boston, and was appointed Longfellow's successor at Harvard. He went to Europe again to prepare himself, and after entering upon his work as a teacher made a happy second marriage, served for four years as the first editor of The Atlantic, and helped his friend Charles Eliot Norton edit The North American review. The Civil War inspired a second series of Biglow papers and the magnificent Commemoration Ode of 1865. Then came volume after volume of literary essays, such as Among My books and My study windows, and an occasional book of verse. Again he made a long sojourn in Europe, resigned his Harvard professorship, and in 1877 was appointed Minister to Spain. After three years he was transferred to the most important post in our diplomatic service, London. He performed his duties with