SELF-MADE MEN OF LETTERS.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3174, 22 April 1879, Page 1

SELF-MADE MEN OF LETTERS.

James T. Fields writes an < interesting letter describing 'BayaiidiTaylbT's first appearance' in rßoston' 'It rtbinds me of how many ■thwe'are <distinguished in American literature without the aid of a college education, Bayard Taylbrwas a poor 1 printers' bo^.jind lie beciine the most ver^atile;6f^our"K«hprs^ ( »ith a 'reputation in both", c^jiti^epts,' an^a position .of the liiglies£\ranjSc,' oothiu l public estimation and, in,tliat of, his associates. When h& came to Boston, 34; years ago, after emerging from<oDsc.ur}ty,;.into favor through' his own efforts, the two men who were most active in taking him by the hand were James T. Fields, himself then only recently a. bookse-lers' apprentice, and Edwin P. Whipple, who was superintendent of a Bostoa bc^ts • room. Many other examples, ( both earlier and later, will doubtless£^6dtir v to your readers. -The whole array of eminent women who have done so much for our national reputation would, of course, bo included In the" 1 jst. Maria Brooks (Maria del OecideSte) who was so praised by Southey, and whose reputation is lately, revived |n Harper's, Magazine by Z.B. Gustafson—Maria Brooks was the wife of a Boston.tailor. From her,, down to Mrs Stbw&and her later sisters, the list ■W< a strong one? Take, too, ?<tbejyoung writer* of- Boston: to day/ William D. Hqwells, like Bayard, Taylor, began life in a printine officer and never had the advantage of a university. T. B. Aldrich got his education only in tlie schools and in trade, except what he obtained by Belfqalture>vA9^jG:.;^'i^throp:jis'not a college educated man. P. H. Underwood, the projector,and;ono.of the first editors of the Atlantic Monthly, and a very scholarly man in taste and achievement, ought to be added to this list of those who were not- dependent upon a college educa-ii6n.—-Hartf6rd!Ooura Inti>! ,