The owner couched, his ware behind, X For why? He saw no use of life To chafe "So much hard cash outlaid XI "This novelty costs pains, but-takes? Cumbers my counter! Stock no more! This article, no such great shakes, Fizzes like wild fire? Underscore The cheap thing-thousands to the fore!" XII 'T was lodging best to live most nigh Wanted no outworld; "Hear and see XIII My fancy of a merchant-prince Was different. Thro' his wares we groped Our darkling way to-not to mince The matter-no black den where moped The master if we interloped! XIV Shop was shop only: household stuff? What did he want with comforts there? "Walls, ceiling, floor, stay blank and rough, So goods on sale show rich and rare! 'Sell and scud home,' be shop's affair!" XV What might he deal in? Gems, suppose! Good, better, best, star, moon and sun! XVI Which lies within your power of purse? XVII Howe'er your choice fell, straight you took His study of the "Times," just swang XVIII Then off made buyer with a prize, Brightened apace, for rest was earned: XIX And whither went he? Ask himself, XX Because a man has shop to mind In time and place, since flesh must live, All stray thoughts, fancies fugitive, XXI I want to know a butcher paints, XXII But-shop each day and all day long! From where these sorts of treasures are, There should our hearts be-Christ, how far! T JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (1819-1891) HE position which the Atlantic Monthly holds among the magazines of America is due in a large measure to its first editor, James Russell Lowell. His keen business sense, his Yankee shrewdness, and his knowledge of the American people made him an ideal editor. Moreover, his sane judgment produced a remarkable critical ability, tempered by wit and humor. Another characteristic which aided him in his social and business contacts was his diplomacy. He had a faculty of understanding the point of view of those with whom he conversed. Hence he soon became famous as a speaker and letter-writer. The United States Government requisitioned the services of this born diplomatist as its representative in two of the courts of Europe. In 1877 Lowell was appointed Minister to Spain; in 1880 he was transferred to England. In the latter post he did much to bring about a better understanding between the two English speaking nations. He was extremely popular because of his ability as a speaker and delivered many addresses on political subjects during the four years he held that position. His interest in politics dated from his early years, but it did not bring him widespread attention until the publication of the first series of The Biglow Papers in 1848. In these papers he expressed his ideas about the Mexican War through the medium of the Yankee dialect of Hosea Biglow, a typical New England farmer. Lowell later said concerning this war, "I believed our war with Mexico to be essentially a war of false pretences, and that it would result in widening the boundaries and so prolonging the life of slavery." The Pious Editor's Creed was the sixth paper of this series. Lowell continued his attack on slavery in a still more serious manner in the second series of The Biglow Papers during the stirring years of the Civil War. The poems were preceded and frequently followed by prose comments which have been omitted here because they are too verbose. In these papers Lowell crystallized the opinion of an influential section of the American public. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED I du believe in Freedom's cause, I du believe the people want Fer I hev loved my country sence My eye-teeth filled their sockets, Partic❜larly his pockets. I du believe in any plan O' levyin' the texes, I go free-trade thru thick an' thin, I du believe it's wise an' good An' orthydox conditions; |