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Lowell, John, 1743-1802. A collection of poems by a young gentleman of Harvard Colledge & a young lady of Newbury, 1759-1760. HUD 2759, Harvard University Archives.

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This collection of five manuscript poems contains three poems written by an unidentified "young lady of Newbury" and two poems believed to have been written by John Lowell during his junior and senior years at Harvard College, from 1759 to 1760. One of the poems was written following the death of Daniel Treadwell (1735-1760), who had graduated from Harvard College in 1754 and was employed as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at King's College (now Columbia University) when he died of consumption at a young age in 1760. Two poems, one by each author, were written following the death of British General James Wolfe, a hero of the Seven Years' War who died in 1759 while leading the taking of Quebec. In addition, the collection contains a poem by Lowell about the Biblical story of creation and the fall of man, and a humorous poem composed by the female author, written from the perspective of a robin (bird) and requesting that a young gentleman, presumably Lowell, stop shooting at robins from his cherry tree. Notes in the manuscript indicate that several of these poems were published, sometimes unknown to or against the wishes of their author. The young lady's poem about Daniel Treadwell was published in the Hampshire Gazette on May 9, 1760. Lowell's poem about General Wolfe was published in Green & Russell's Boston Post-boy & Advertiser on January 1(?), 1760. The young lady's poem about General Wolfe was published in the Hampshire Gazette on February 22, 1760.

Biographical Notes

Prominent jurist and lawyer John Lowell (1743-1802) was born in Newbury, Massachusetts on June 17, 1743. He attended Harvard College, where he received an A.B. in 1760. While an undergraduate, Lowell excelled as a writer of poetry and prose. Following graduation, he studied law under Oxenbridge Thacher. He began practicing law in 1763, was admitted as an attorney in 1765 and as barrister in 1767; his highly successful practice extended from Newburyport, Massachusetts into New Hampshire and Maine. Lowell married Sarah Higginson of Salem in 1767; she died only a few years later, in 1772. He remarried, to Susanna Cabot, in 1774; she died in 1777. Lowell's third marriage, to Rebecca Russell, was in 1778. Lowell served as Selectman and Moderator of Newburyport, Representative to the General Courts of Newburyport and Boston, a framer of the Massachusetts constitution, jurist, delegate to the Continental Congress, and federal judge, among other notable positions. He was a member of the Harvard Corporation and a founding trustee of Philips Academy. John Lowell died in Roxbury, Massaschusetts on May 6, 1802.

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A Collection of Poems written by a Young Gentleman of Harvard Colledge & a Young Lady of Newbury ~~

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* Wise to project and steady to perform, To strike himself, or shun the impending storm; No dull Delays would check his eager Soul, His active arm no plodding Schemes controul;

N3 The lines above should be inserted before the 2 [last?] in pages.

* [?] these were small; 'twas Liberty he sought His Country drew his Sword, and 'twas for her he fought

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Written on the death of {General} Wolfe

While Raptur'd Bards, from every corner spring, And strive to paint the Hero that they sing, Shall Harvard's sons alone their praise deny, Nor crown his marble Tomb with one tender poetic sigh; Shall you the Muses fav'rite seat forbear, With the wide world your mournful lays to share, Rose up for Shame, imbibe your native fire, Nor unlamented let the youth expire. - This Stern rebuke Apollo sends from high Each muse transports it thro the echoing sky. Yet none attempts the Task; 'till frantick [?] Urg'd my bold pen the glorious Theme [engage?], Tho 'older heads can't equal his Desert? Yet a Young Bard demands a tender part, In pity to his Youth excuse his lays Tho' his faint voice but lisps the Hero's Praise. - No fabl'd muse shall patronize my Verse, 'Tis Wolfe inspires, 'Tis Wolfe that I rehearse; Not Mars alone could rival Wolfe's Renown, Unless Apollo lent his laurel Crown; The Gods of War & Wisdom both combin'd To form the greatness of the Hero's mind, Tho he was Brave yet Brav'rys but a part, Conduct & Brav'ry and Conduct both possesst his Heart, * * Wise to project and steady to perform To strike himself or shun th' impending storm Honour he fought for, Honour he acquir'd a Honour & Victory his Bosom fird.

No due delays could check his [caged?] Soul His active arm no plodding schemes control

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On the Death of General Wolfe

Yet these were small, ‘twas Liberty he fought, His Country Drew his sword, & Twas for her he fought. Thus in his Countrys Cause he won his fame, A Patriot Hero was his much lov’d name, And be the glorious name to Him apply’d. For which he conquer’d and for which he dy'd. While for his Troops the anxious Chief provides, The Leaden death his genrous Care derides; Long loth to yield the hero kept his ground, Mock’d the first Blow & Brav'd & second wound, ‘Tile the last fatal stroke decides the Strife, And left the Hero conqu'ring with his life. As Liberty his depenig breath inspired had all his conduct fir'd, So Liberty his dying Breath inspird; No pangs he felt but what his country gave Her fate a while detained him from the grave; Soon as the happy Conquest reach’d his ears And ev’ry gale the glorious tidings bears ‘Tis all I Ask the raptur’d Chief replies And to a gentle Slumber clos’d his eyes While guardian Angels water’d his latest Breath And snatch’d him from the greedy jaws of death AndStrait they Conduct him to a Vacant throne Which shouting saints proclaim to be his own There Marlbro’ greets him with his happy state And the great Howe the Partner of his fate.— But Still the glorious Champion never dy’d, His godlike deeds a mortal fate defy’d; Long

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On the Death of {General} Wolfe

Long as this Globe shall last Wolfe shall be known, And his achievements be with wonder shown, His name shall triumph & his deeds survive, As long as Praise and gratitude shall live, And Albions latest sons with transport hear Here-after Ages their great Sire revere; When all shall end & nature's self decay, and dying world's their final doom obey, Not then shall cease the glory he has won, And then his praise shall be but just begun; Then Shall his Worth it's due Reward Receive All he can ask or bounteous heaven can give.

[signed] Jun[? ] Catabrig[?]

NB {nota bene} The foregoing was written by a young Gentleman, an Undergraduate at Harvard College in the 17th Year if his age Another young Gentleman (a friend) having an imperfect Copy without the Author's Leave or Knowledge sent it to the Press & it was published in Green & Russell's News Paper Jan 1, 1760.

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