BY IVA MAY TERRY,
(Blind Poetess.)
Written for The Troy Times.
It is but little we can do,
In honoring our soldiers brave,
To purchase poppies, one or two;
Each represents a life they gave.
The proceeds of these poppies go
To aid the helpless and distressed;
A kindly interest let us show,
By wearing one upon our breast.
Perhaps we too will need some day
The kindness of our fellowman;
Then let us make this Poppy Day
Just as successful as we can.
Cohoes, N.Y.
Troy Times. May 24, 1929: 24 col 2.
To Mr. Irving on his beautiful Daguerreotype Portraits
Ingenious art! that bids the memory trace
The features of some loved, but absent face—
The honored parent snatched by Death away,
In nature's semblance meets the eye of day.
A lovely daughter finds an early tomb,
By the Destroyer blighted in her bloom;
Tho' full and frequent fall affection's shower,
No tears can ere revive that perished flower.
O then how vainly comes the deep regret,
That so parental fondness could forget
To have her picture, ere her beauty past
And all we loved had faded in the blast!
Immortal art! that can restore to sight
The lip of loveliness—the eye of light—
The silken tresses—and the life-like smile
Of those we prize our sorrow to beguile;
And spoil the grave of half its victory,
Restoring much again which cannot die!
Pictured in memory's glass we fondly see
Departed worth revive again by thee,
Our absent ones are present to our eyes,
'Tho' 'twixt us billows roll and mountains rise;
Oh think that Time, with ever-wasting power,
Unnerves youth's arm and blights sweet beauty's flower.
Irving! 'tis thine with magic skill to lend
Life's vivid hues to the departed friend;
And fix in undecaying beauty here
Each fleeting grace affection held so dear.
True to the life thy pleasing pictures stand,
Justly attesting thy ingenious hand,
That to the sons of fame can truly give
The hues of life and bid their semblance live.
From Time's strong grasp, and the devouring grave,
Artist! thy skill our fading forms can save!
JOSEPH H. BUTLER,
Troy, N.Y., June 5, 1851.
Troy Daily Whig. August 9, 1851: 3 col 1..
An ad-poem that repeatedly ran in the paper. "how vainly comes the deep regret/That so parental fondness could forget/To have her picture, ere her beauty past/And all we loved had faded in the blast!" is a rather emotionally-charged persuasive technique in favor of having a picture taken!
"To Mr. Humphrey and his beautiful Daguerrotype Portraits" by "Daguerre, Jr." appeared in The Geneva Gazette. September 22, 1854: 3 col 1. The first column and part of the second all have various items concerning Daguerreotypes, including recommendations on facial expression, clothing to wear, etc.
Also in the first column: "Worth Seeing—A speaking Daguerreotype, such an one as was recently taken by HUMPHREY." Perhaps a photo of someone with a caption? A magic lantern slide? Elsewhere, "speaking Daguerreotype" was occasionally used to refer to writing that captures life as well as a picture.
I sing of the Collar City,
Rejoicing o’er the victory won,
Mayor Mann has been re-elected,
Troy’s faithful and favorite son;
Pure water supplies our households,
And clean streets are gracing the town,
The public baths of next summer
Will then drive away the last frown.
I sing of the Collar City,
Renowned for cuffs, collars and shirts,
The laundries known the world over,
Are run, as they say, by experts;
Good paints are furnished by Connors,
They’re known as American Seal.
Frear, Quackenbush, Edwards and Goodkind
To young and to old do appeal.
I sing of the Collar City,
Where The Daily Times does appear,
That with the brightest news columns
Its delighted readers does cheer;
And the semi-Weekly issue
In the towns is the favorite,
The cheery weekly art section
For the readers proves a great treat.
I sing of the Collar City,
From Mount Olympus’ lofty peak
Where in the days of fair summer
Often recreation I seek;
Just now the north wind is howling,
A white canopy covers the earth,
The Hudson is frozen over,
But coasting and skating bring mirth.
I sing of the Collar City,
Quite famous now as Greater Troy,
Where in the midst of my family
My existence I well enjoy;
My Troy, brighter things do await thee,
And greater shall change then to grand,
When the Barge Canal shall be opened
Troy labor will be in demand.
J. J. STEGMAYER.
“Wayside Whispers; The Collar City.” Troy Times. February 19, 1910: 10 col 4.
For Troy's Mount Olympus, see http://tinyurl.com/mount-olympus
