The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-17
LONDON LITERARY GOSSIP.
The Controversy in the Eng
liSh Press.
Walt Whitmans Merits Discussed 1.-The Apos-
tie of Beastliness" English Literary Re-
yicws-valentine Bakers Clouds
in the Eastr-The Royal Com
mission on Copyright.
LONDON. April 2, 1870

LONDON, April 1870
From time to time, for months past, the London
weeklies, and occasionally the dailies. have
dealt paragraphs to the public
ing Walt whitman's present position In Amer
ca Of letters These paragraphs
havc been pcnned sometimes in terms OF sym
pathy, not inrequenty in words OF protest against
what has boon charged here tho usayo he receives
at the hands OF Americans In general. and American
literary particular Such reputable journals as
the Atae,,nun, the academy and the Examiner have
given admission expressions OF opinion OF the kind,
and last week tho ball Of
FIERCE CONTROVERSY
which has been raging here for the week past anent
the poets merits, was opened by tho Daily
Ne,cs partner with the AMeaGnm the
publication OF letter quoting snndry
opinions Expressed by tho West Jersey Press
'wdt Whtmans Actual American Position" Tho
Daily News correspondent who dates from New
York and dcvotes his letter to tho consideration OF
Whitman's 'Two Eivulcts commences It by declaring
that the only American prophet to his knowledge who
enjoys Il fame in England not accorded him in his own
country, sis tho prophet Of the democratic school
OF poetry, Walt Whitman" He has ten admirers and
readers abroad. maintains this correspondent for ono
lac has home, and ut homo he has been permitted to
sink into obscurity II not positive neglect, and tho
moody Indebtedness bcgotten OF sorrow Writes tho
AMcn0un.:--
Z From time to time echoes reach this country from
across the Atlantic of controversies regarding the
literary and worldly well beng of tho American poet
Walt whitman. For instance. Mr.. Joaquin Miller
delivers lecture TO American audience telling them
that Whitman is disgraceiuy treated by his country
men, and forthwith some writes from tho United
States 10 London review to say that Mr. Miller is all
IN tho wrong, and the American public we'll Affected
and ancctonately disposed toward Whitman.
Lately the ves Jersey Press t26th january has pub
lshed article named ssWalt whitman's Actual
American Position" II comes to us authentic by
0xyu 10 thnf I'm MIA
truth OF the situation here is best stated IL
worse than described IN the article"
Thereupon the AMsnGum proceeds to quote from tho
article pretty much IN ertenso No has this
been done and day been permitted intervene than
BUCHANAN,
in the most violent and III considered language pcns
long letter the Daily News, which that paper FORTH
with inserts abusing the whole American nation for
its long continued neglect Of tho clams OF this dis
carded and insulted poet literary immortality 'Ths
il neither tho time the place, writes Mr. Buchanan,
TO discuss these claims. II those claims
AS I anu many othors in England deem them 10 be,
God viii justify his works to carly postcrty; hut
this is certainly tho time and your columns posi-
bly, the place for expression Of English Indignation
against the orthodox American authors, publishers
and editors who greet such = man the author Of
Leaves OF Grass with determined denial, disgust
scorn.' Ono understand the publishers for Ameri-
publishers have boon Justly described by whitman
himself as mostly sharks ono can forgive the ed
itors, for all know OF what pudding typical
Yankee EDITORS brains made but for the 'ortho
dox American authors and tho established American
poes'-orthodox perhaps in the sense OF their aia-
ton tho Church OF English literature and estab-
lshcd truly in their custom OF picking the brains Of
British bards- there h but word for them, and
that may be heightened INTO parable
Then Mr.. Buchanan proceeds moraIixc In his most
He likens Whitman to the wild eagle. worn with
age or famine, with both, passing with weary
wait Of wing from promontory 10 promonsorv, pursued
by the hootings and screenings OF . parcel Of
aud rooks--mcan despicabe birds, who cannot
recognize the eagles kngly qualities. ut tho
OF Emerson-a noble and rcvcrbcratory voice
then and now-which first proclaimed tho OF
Whitman TO America In words OF homage such as not
twice in century Is paid by poet authenticated
another obscure II Is the voice OF Emerson which
should be heard again for tho vndicaton OF the honor
America likely be tarnishcd ctcrnally by the
murder fits only remaining prophet. II cannot DO
that long captivity the or respectnbility, and
daily association with the choir Of hodgcrow warbers
has weakened the heart OF Emerson that he faers
IRON his first faith, that no longer recognizes Tho
Wild eagle his kInsman, because that kinsman's fight
aiar on. and his wings, though old and feeble
still free There Ia England sincercr admi.cr OF
Emerson than tho present writer, who awaits with
anxiety the moment OF explanation and Justification
In concluding his peroration OF sympathy in which
many points OF questionable writing and excessive
taste unpleasAntly prominent, Mr.. buchanan
pleads for for Whitman to be paid in
copies Of his 'Twn Rivulets" which viii allow Eng
shmcn TO judge OF the rude, nay dastardiy rcpnlso
given to true genius by unapprcciative Americans
Tho Saturday Reciec calls this letter an
INSULTING APPEAL
IN Eurl m lpl a 0f ha.of
ness, and present effort 10 revive curiosity IN
Wait whitnan's works, winch will prove useful nd
vertscnicnt 10 any bookseller who happens 10 have
stock Of the poets garbage on hand. Writes tho
Recuw.--'It must be remembered that his earlier
years, and that during the whole OF Tint time The
opinion originally 0rincd OF them has been steadily
sustained. and, II possible, intensified; and there is
We imagine very little danger Of this Judgment being
reversed by friendly pnlicry and agitation,
when such great authorities as Mr. buchanan supposcs
himself be take up the matter. There arc, no
doubt questions both OF art and philosophy which
public opinion at times goes astray but the pros
instance the elementary instincts OF mankind arc
Sufficient to settle the question: There would indeed,
need TO be very remarkable change both la tho moral
and intellectual constitution educated people before
such writings those Of Whitman could be accepted
as sonsc honest literature"
The saturday heri.c has no disposition 10 pry into
the details OF Nr. Whtmah's HE. Tho description
which he gives OF himself In his writings m
.'nsoRDkKLy, rLEsHLY SENSUAL
and fond OF i"afng Is not. perhaps, TO be taken In
lcral and any tho Rericc has desire to
speculate how far his private lite inny have beer
prudent OF hIeSuaT. rms TACT " That bc
has found II impossible TO get living by his writings
which everywhere shuuncd and rejected. Consid.
erng the character Of these writings this us
very natural and Desirable result difficult
understand why people shoud be expected 10 buy M
article which disgusts them Instances can no doubt
be mentioned Of great poets who not sufficiently
appreciated while alive: bat on the other hand 10
would bc rather hazardous undertake TO provide Tor
every one. the saturday Rerer thinks, who bcIev
Ing himself ~ be poet, could not get living by his
works We should then have nno nock oil
EAGLES
Ia kp adj on Tho
peal on behalf OF Whitman were based simply his
age and indlgencc should not think ourselves
bound say anything aenns, u. But tho plan pro-
posed help him circulate his writings and this
Implies approval CT them. II u satisfactory To believe
that agitation for SUCH purpose likely 70 prove as
futile. ms ~ ~ audacluusN
Unfortunately am In the best position to Judge
KNOWING ETnkK WALT WHITMAN WORKS.
whether TINS criticism Of the Saturday Rsrscw ~ In
pvod iath reversing or mere naughty "reviIing;,
his u apparent from the present state of tho