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nuals, " The Legendary " (1828) and " The Token " (1829). During the last-mentioned year he estab- lished " The American Monthly Magazine," which ran a two years' career, and became merged in the " New York Mirror." This weekly publica- tion, devoted to art, literature, and soci- ety, established by Samuel Woodworth, was at this time conducted by George P. Morris. Its most readable articles were extracts from Eng- lish periodicals. The accession of such con- tributors as Theodore S. Fay and Mr. Wil- lis, with other able writers, changed the character of this pa-

per and made it the

chief organ of society and literature. In 1831 both Fay and Willis departed for the Old World and became weekly correspondents for their journal. Willis travelled over the greater part of Europe and into Asia Minor. William C. Rives, then U. S. minister at the court of France, attached him formally to his legation, which gave the young poet great facilities for information and travel and an entrance into distinguished society. In 1837 Mr. Willis married the daughter of Gen. William Stace, commandant of the Woolwich arsenal, and in the same year re- turned to this country. They settled in a romantic home, which the poet named Glenmary, near Owego, N. Y., for several years dispensing open-handed hospitality. In 1839 the author made a brief visit to England in the interest of his private affairs, and in 1844, on the. death of his wife, Willis again crossed the Atlantic for the purpose of recruiting his shattered health. In 1846 he married the adopt- ed daughter of Joseph Grinnell, of New Bedford, and settled on a small estate which he called Idle- wild, near Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, seen in the vignette. From 1823, until 1842, with brief inter- ruptions, he had continued his connection with the " Mirror." A short breach occurred between him and Morris in 1839, when Willis united his interest with that of William T. Porter to publish " The Corsair," a short-lived weekly. The then unknown William M. Thackeray was one of its regular con- tributors. On the discontinuance of the " Mirror," Morris and Willis issued the " New Mirror," but, having no success, their paper was changed in form and feature and became the successful " Home Jour- nal," which still continues to prosper. Both edit- ors conducted it until the time of their death. Al- though far from being handsome in person, Willis became known as a man of elegant manners who dressed in the extreme of fashion. His early career as a writer was one of remarkable success. His scripture versions quickly became popular and they were quoted from the pulpit. " Absalom " and " The Leper " were especial favorites. Among his secular pieces, " The Belfry Pigeon," "Unseen Spir- its," and " Parrhasius the Painter " were included in most anthologies. As a prose writer of ease and elegance, Willis was justly admired. He was an observing traveller and knew how to present his ad ventures in glowing colors. As a man of society he attracted and charmed the fashionable world. To this day " Pencillings by the Way " can be read with pleasure, and his thoughtful " Letters from under a Bridge," written in the seclusion of Glen- mary, continue to attract the attention of readers. But the elegance of Willis's prose was occasion- ally marred by frivolous conceits and affected Gal- licisms in writing for effect by overstated simple truths, and he made merchandise of facts and opinions that he gleaned in private intercourse. These last transgressions eventually led to quarrels and personal encounters. Lockhart gave him a severe castigation in the " Quarterly Review," and, with Capt. Marryat, then editor of the " Metropoli- tan Magazine," he fought a bloodless duel. The ephemeral character of most of Willis's books is indicated by their titles ; some were evidently re- vised collections of old magazine articles. During his stay in England he contributed to " Black- wood," the " New Monthly," and other periodicals. His early prose works, published in London, at- tracted a wide circle of readers, but the author's ambitious poems, " Melanie," " The Lady Jane," and " Lord lvon's Daughter," were failures, as was also his novel, " Paul Fane." The two dramas, " Bianca Visconti " and "Tortesa, the Usurer," per- formed for several nights at the Park theatre, New York, strongly cast and well mounted, were with-

out dramatic vigor and failed to interest the public. Willis was a careful elaborator, who retouched his manuscripts so continuously that he frequently found it necessary to make a fresh copy for the printers. On various occasions Willis delivered poems at college commencements, and in 1844, at the New York Lyceum, an address on fashion which was attended by Cooper, Irving, and other authors and poets of the day. Many a struggling aspirant for literary fame received aid and advice from Willis, who, as Halleck said,

"was one of the kindest of men." Thackeray asserted that " it is comfortable that there should have been a Willis." Of his writings it has been remarked : " The prose and poetry of Mr. Willis are alike distinguished for exquisite finish and melody. His language is pure, varied, and rich, his imagination brilliant, and his wit of the first quality. Many of his descriptions of natural scenery are written pictures, and no other American author has represented with equal vivacity and truth the manners of the age." His publications include "Scripture Sketches" (Boston, 1827) ; " Fugitive Poetry " (1829) ; " Poem delivered before the Society of the United Brethren " (New York, 1831) ; " Melanie, and other Poems" (London, 1835; New York, 1837); "Pencillings by the Way " (London, 1835 ; New York, 1836) ; " Inklings of Adventure " (1836) ; " Bianca Visconti," a drama (1839) ; " Tortesa, the Usurer," a drama (1839) ; " Loiterings of Travel " (New York, 1839); "11 Abri, or the Tent pitched" (1839; London, 1840) ; " Letters from under a Bridge " (London, 1840); "Poems" (New York, 1843); •• Lady Jane, and other Poems " (1844) ; " Dashes at Life with a Free Pencil " (1845) ; " Rural Letters "