The Old English Dramatists
Feb 2024 · Otbebookpublishing
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119
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About this eBook
Excerpt: "When the rule limiting speeches to an hour was adopted by Congress, which was before most of you were born, an eminent but somewhat discursive person spent more than that measure of time in convincing me that whoever really had anything to say could say it in less. I then and there acquired a conviction of this truth, which has only strengthened with years. Yet whoever undertakes to lecture must adapt his discourse to the law which requires such exercises to be precisely sixty minutes long, just as a certain standard of inches must be reached by one who would enter the army. If one has been studying all his life how to be terse, how to suggest rather than to expound, how to contract rather than to dilate, something like a strain is put upon the conscience by this necessity of giving the full measure of words, without reference to other considerations which a judicious ear may esteem of more importance. Instead of saying things compactly and pithily, so that they may be easily carried away, one is tempted into a certain generosity and circumambience of phrase, which, if not adapted to conquer Time, may at least compel him to turn his glass and admit a drawn game. It is so much harder to fill an hour than to empty one!"
About the author
James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) was a towering figure in 19th-century American literature, known for his versatility as a poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lowell was a Harvard-educated intellectual who became a leading voice in the American Romantic movement. His early life was marked by a rebellious spirit and a deep commitment to social justice, which would later permeate his literary works.Lowell's poetry and essays often tackled pressing issues of his time, including abolitionism, which he fervently supported. He used his sharp wit and eloquent prose to criticize slavery and advocate for the rights of African Americans, aligning himself with other prominent abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison. His involvement in the anti-slavery movement was not without controversy, as his outspoken views sometimes alienated more conservative contemporaries.In addition to his activism, Lowell made significant contributions to American literary culture through his editorial work. As the first editor of "The Atlantic Monthly," he helped shape the magazine into a prestigious platform for literary and political discourse. His tenure as editor of "The North American Review" further solidified his influence, allowing him to mentor and publish emerging writers, including Henry James and Walt Whitman.Lowell's diplomatic career also deserves mention. Appointed as the U.S. Minister to Spain and later to the United Kingdom, he used his position to foster cultural exchange and promote American literature abroad. His speeches and writings during this period reflect his belief in the power of literature to bridge cultural divides.Modern readers might find Lowell's life intriguing for his fearless advocacy of progressive causes and his role in shaping American literary identity. His legacy endures not only through his own writings but also through the generations of writers he inspired and supported.
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