CHAPTER X.
PERSONAL.
THE critic, after a careful analysis of the character of Joel Barlow, would probably rank him, first, as philanthropist; second, as statesman; third, as philosopher; and
fourth, as poet. His philanthropy crops out in every line
of his writings, in every act of his life. His letters to Washington, to the citizens of the United States, to Monroe, while abroad on the French mission, and his
Fourth of July oration at Washington, give evidence of
broad and liberal statesmanship. His philosophical turn
was most apparent in his private letters and intercourse
with familiar friends. As a poet he was certainly respectable. His "Hasty-Pudding" would be an addition
to any literature, and in all his poems are passages that
show the inspiration of the true poet. It is as the pioneer of American poetry, however, that he is worthy of
the highest honor. He was not a voluminous writer, the
following being, it is believed, a complete list of his published works:PERSONAL.
| I. | "The Prospect of Peace," a political composition, delivered in Yale College at the examination of the candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, July 23, 1778. 12mo, pp. 12. New Haven, 1778. |
| II. | "Elegy on the late Titus Hosmer." 8vo. Hartford, 1780. |
| III. | "A Poem spoken at Yale College," 1781. |
| IV. | Imitation of the Psalms of David, translated by Dr. Isaac Watts, corrected and enlarged by Joel Barlow. To which is added a collection of hymns. The whole applied to the state of the Christian Church and religion |
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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: Life and Letters of Joel Barlow, LL.D., Poet, Statesman, Philosopher:With Extracts from His Works and Hitherto Unpublished Poems.
Contributors: Charles Burr Todd - Author.
Publisher: B. Franklin.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1972.
Page number: 289.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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