most successful life, it was the scene in which he reached his highest
exemplification of Browning's definition of poetry: "A presentment of
the correspondence of the universe to the Deity, of the natural to the
spiritual, and of the actual to the ideal."

In the environments of Charleston he roamed with his
Nature-worshipping mother, who taught him the beauties of clouds and
trees and streams and flowers, the glory of the changeful pageantry of
the sky, the exquisite grace of the bird atilt on a swaying branch.
Through the glowing picture which Nature unfolded before him he looked
into the heart of the truth symbolized there and gave us messages from
woods and sky and sea. While it may be said that a poet can make his
own environment, yet he is fortunate who finds his place where nature
has done so much to fit the outward scene to the inward longing.

In Charleston he met "Katie, the Fair Saxon," brown-eyed and with

Entangled in her golden hair
Some English sunshine, warmth and air.

He straightway entered into the kingdom of Love, and that sunshine
made a radiance over the few years he had left to give to love and
art.

In the city of his home he answered his own "Cry to Arms" when the
"festal guns" roared out their challenge. Had his physique been as
strong as his patriotism, his sword might have rivaled his pen in
reflecting honor upon his beautiful city. Even then the seeds of
consumption had developed, and he was discharged from field service.
Still wishing to remain in the service of his country, he tried the