The Project Gutenberg EBook of Atlantic Monthly, Vol. XI., April, 1863,
No. LXVI., by Various

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Title: Atlantic Monthly, Vol. XI., April, 1863, No. LXVI.
A Magazine Of Literature, Art, And Politics.

Author: Various

Release Date: July 15, 2004 [EBook #12023]

Language: English

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THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY.

A MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE, ART, AND POLITICS.

VOL. XI.--APRIL, 1863.--NO. LXVI.

ON THE VICISSITUDES OF KEATS'S FAME.

[Joseph Severn, the author of the following paper, scarcely needs
introduction to the readers of the "Atlantic Monthly"; but no
one will object to reperusing, in connection with his valuable
contribution, this extract from the Preface to "Adonais," which
Shelley wrote in 1821:--

"He [Keats] was accompanied to Rome and attended in his last illness
by Mr. Severn, a young artist of the highest promise, who, I have
been informed, 'almost risked his own life, and sacrificed every
prospect, to unwearied attendance upon his dying friend.' Had I
known these circumstances before the completion of my poem, I should
have been tempted to add my full tribute of applause to the more
solid recompense which the virtuous man finds in the recollection of
his own motives. Mr. Severn can dispense with a reward from 'such
stuff as dreams are made of.' His conduct is a noble augury of the
success of his future career. May the unextinguished spirit of his
illustrious friend animate the creations of his pencil, and plead
against oblivion for his name!"

Mr. Severn is residing in Rome at the present time, from which city
he transmits this paper.]

I well remember being struck with the clear and independent manner which
Washington Allston, in the year 1818, expressed his opinion of John
Keats's verse, when the young poet's writings first appeared, amid the
ridicule of most English readers, Mr. Allston was at that time the only
discrimin