club of young literary gentlemen,
who styled themselves "The North American Club," two of whose members,
Mr. Richard Henry Dana and Mr. Edward Tyrrel Channing, were considered
its editors. Mr. Dana read the poem carefully, and was so surprised at
its excellence that he doubted whether it was the production of an
American, an opinion in which his associates are understood to have
concurred. While they were hesitating about its acceptance, he was told
that the writer was a member of the Massachusetts Senate; and, the
Senate being then in session, he started immediately from Cambridge for
Boston. He reached the State House, and inquired for Senator Bryant. A
tall, middle-aged man, with a business-like look, was pointed out to
him. He was satisfied that he could not be the poet he sought, so he
posted back to Cambridge without an introduction. The story ends here,
and rather tamely; for the original narrator forgot, or perhaps never
knew, that Dr. Bryant was a member of the Senate, and that it was among
the possibilities that _he_ was the Senator with a similar name.
American poetry may be said to have commenced in 1817 with the September
number of the _North American Review_, which contained "Thanatopsis" and
the "Inscription for the Entrance of a Wood," the last being printed as
a "Fragment." Six months later, in March, 1818, the impression which
"Thanatopsis" created was strengthened by the appearance of the lines
"To a Waterfowl," and the "Version of a Fragment of Simonides."

Mr. Bryant's literary life may now be said to have begun, though he
depended upon the practice of his profession for his daily bread. He
continued his contributions to the _North American Review_ in the shape
of prose papers on literary topics, and maintained the most friendly
relations with its conductors; notably so with Mr. Dana, who was seven
years his elder, and who possessed, like himself, the accomplishment of
verse. At the suggestion of this poetical and critical brother, he was
invited to deliver a poem before the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard
College--an honor which is offered only to those who have already made a
reputation, and are likely to reflect credit on the Society as well as
on themselves. He accepted, and in 1821 wrote his first poem of any
length, "The Ages," which still remains the best poem of the kind that
was ever recited before a college society either in this country or in
England; grave, stately, thoughtful, presenti