Landor, Walter Savage

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

Walter Savage (1775-1864), an English writer. He was born in Warwickshire and died at Florence. He was educated at Rugby and Oxford, but did not take his degree, having been expelled for a breach of discipline. He inherited a large property from his father. As early as 1811 he married and settled at Florence, where much of his literary work was done. His subjects were chiefly ancient. His reputation rests mainly on Imaginary Conversations between distinguished persons, and on Pericles and Aspasia, a series of imaginary letters. His English is remarkable for purity and freedom from affectation. SAYINGS. A night of memories and of sighs. A horrible compounder of historical facts. The great man must have the intellect that puts in motion the intellect of others. We are upon earth to learn what can be learnt upon earth, and not to speculate upon what can never be. I strove with none, for none was worth my strife; Nature I loved; and next to Nature, Art. I warm'd both hands against the fire of life; It sinks, and I am ready to depart. To let all flowers live freely, and all die, Whene'er their Genius bids their souls depart, Among their kindred in their native place. I never pluck the rose; the violet's head Hath shaken with my breath upon its bank, And not reproached me; the ever-sacred cup Of the pure lily hath between my hands Felt safe, unsoiled, nor lost one grain of gold. "You men often talk of glorious death and of death met bravely for your country; I, too, have been warmed by the bright idea in oratory and poetry; but, oh! my dear Pericles! I would rather read it on an ancient tomb than on a recent one." Aspasia. SAID OF LANDOR. Listening to the concert of modern song, a critical ear detects the notes of one voice which possesses a distinct quality and is always at its owner's command. . . . Landor was an independent singer.--Stedman. Excepting Shakespeare, no other writer has furnished us with so many delicate aphorisms of human nature.--Lowell.