OTHER POETS OF THE PERIOD

The minor verse of the National Period was remarkable both in quantity and in the high average of its quality. Of the 773 pages of Stedman's American Anthology, 463 are devoted to the poets who wrote after 1861, and it is significant that work of upwards of 400 writers was found worthy of a place in this distinctive collection, over 100 of these writers being women. But while the quality and the average of the poetical output have been high, there have emerged from the great chorus few voices strong enough to lead or, indeed, in any way to command. The music has been remarkably correct, and often gracefully charming, but it has had in it nothing new or compelling. It has been almost wholly lyrical, fragments, little cries, moods, conceits, with little in it all to interpret the American soul or to throw light upon the meaning of our new western world.