Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-12
SAMUEL ROGERS.
New Anecdotes OF the Poet

The biography Of the late Henry +.
Chorley. recently published in London,
contains some anecdotes which do not
show Rogers, the poet, in the most
pleasing light. In its notice OF the work,
the Orchestra says;
Samuel Rogers, for example, delight
ed in humiliating Chorley, who was then
a Young man. "The scene would be a
dinner Of eight; at which he would say
loud enough TO be heard: Who is that
young man with the red hair2 (mean-
ing mel. The answer would bel Mr..
Chorley, ETC., etc. Never heard OF
him before, was the rejoinder, alter
which Rogers would turn to his dinner
like one who, having disposed Of nuis-
ance, might unfold his napkin, and eat
his soup in peace" Rogers appeared TO
labor TO make himself offensive. He
hated the younger poets, and was never
happier than when abusing Tennyson,
Browning and their school; and he equal.
ly derided good music. The name Of
Beethoven used to make him singularly
active and acrid in epithet; instrumental
music, of any kind, was those fiddlers;'
though he would lavish gracious eompli-
ments on a Kemble, an Arkwright, or a
Gris, or any woman who sung, no mat
ter what, small matter how, she sung. 1t
was on the debateable land ofmusic that
used to meet Mr.. Rogers the most fire.
quently, since he came to many houses
which i irequeRted, ostensibly to hear
and enjoy music; and, sometimes, for the
sake Of getting name or fact, would
even lay by his antipathy and ignorance
of me, and ask, What was going onf
or. whereabouts we wereY remember
one night in particular, his religiously
sitting through a fine performance OF
Beethovens Mass in c, and pertina-
ciously appealing to me from movement
to movement, Now, is that good-be-
cause | do not knowP Now, do you
really understand thatY AT another
time he asked lady who had just sung,
what song she had been singing. The
lady pointed to the composer, who had
been accompanying, and was within
hearing. thought it was that man s;
there is no tune in it., was the brutal
reply. Another speech of equal ciyility
was made at one of the Ancient Con
cert in a crowded room, and when every
seat was occupied. Mine (says Chor-
lew was at the end of bench, by the
side of the Dowager Lady Essex
miss Stephens that had been), She was
one of Rogers prime favorites; even
though she is in private as in public one
of those gracious and gentle women
against whom no exception can be
taken. He loved to sit next her, and
pay her those elegant and courteous
compliments, the art of paying which is
lost. When | saw the old gentleman
creeping down the side avenue betwixt
the benches at loss for seat, | said
Now I shall give up my place to Mr.
Rogers; good night" While | was
STOPPING for my hat, Come, said she,
in her cordial way, come, Mr.. Rogers,
here is seat for you by me. Thank
you" said the civil old gentleman, fix
ing his dead eyes on me, as was doing
my best to get ont of the way, thank
you; but don't like your company.
Of course such stories do not impugr
the kindnass of Rogers heart TOWARD
those he considered really deserving
but they may be quoted with others IL
evidence of the coarse and clustering
tone which pervaded even these select
coteries forty years ago.