Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-14
ALFRED TENNYSONANDHI
FAMILY.
A Charming Poet, but by No
Means n Charming Man.
San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Chronicle.
III he had been ionder OF and more IA
miliar with drawing-rooms, he wouiu
have looked trimmer, heater and young
er than he does now. But j dare say
that he is satisfied with Alfred Tenny-
son Just as he il, for self-satisfacton IS
one OF his conspicuous traits. lie Is a
charming poet, but by no means a
charming man, unless to q very small
circle of his intimates and admirers.
He belongs to tuneiul family. His
father was George Clay ton Tennyson, a
Lincolnshire clergyman, more remark
able for size and physical energy than
intellectual gifts; but several OF his
brothers--there were twelve children in
all-were clever verse-makers at very
early age, and he seems, therefore, 10
have come honestly by his singing quail
tiles He is not, as many bards have
been, a child of the people. He is oil
renowned lineage, and prides himself
upon it, even il he does strike OCCASION
allv democratic strains, as IN "l4ocksley
Hall" He claims TO be, and Is, no
doubt, descended from the ancient Nor
man family Of D'Enycourt, his uncle,
Charles TennysOn. having gone so lar
as to ask permission to add DEnyCourt
TO his name. which he obtained and was
made snobbishly happy.
The Tennyson children seem to have
had very decided scTibSling tendencies
IL is asserted that the whole dozen wrote
stories and rhymes in the parsonage at
Somersly, where they were born, so
that nothing better could be expected
than that one OF them should prove to
be a celebrated poet. The three eldest
sons were graduated at Cambridge.
Frederic won the prize Tor Gree *
poem. Alfred, in his 20ih year, receiY-
ed the CaancellOr's medal for "Tlmbuc-
too, "a poem OF some 800 blank verse
lines :and about the same time the twain,
published for private circulation small
volume entitled Poems by Two Broth
ers." Charles, the other brother, as
sumed orders, was made Vicar OF Gras-
by, and on inheriting handsome es'
tate through his paternal grandmother,
took her family name, Turner. Ample
means prevented him from inky con-
tinuance; but Frederic, when he was
past ~, published collection OF poems.
days and Hours"
Tennyson is, in his mode OF compost
ton, the very reverse OF rapid or inspir'
ed. He yIeaks himself on expression,
spending hours sometimes on a single
line. AS an example, he is reported to
have written "Come into the Garden,
Maud" in his poem OF MAUD" entire
ly over fifty times, and to have occupied
three whole days ON six Of the lines. No
pOet has ever worked harder or more
faithfully, and he never assumes to have
done anVthingin fine frenzy, which,
indeed, lie censures ami rldlculeS as a
pretense OF mediocre minds. lie holds
that genius can accomplish nothing
without work; that everything famous
in literature is the result OF great labor:
His tastes are domestic. lie Is fond oil
home and family, though he is likewise
fond of nature, taking many long, soil
tary rambles on the Isle OF Wight,
where he has lived ever since his mar
riage, making studies of earth and sky
to be used in his poems. .,
He NAV be pronounced very PROBES
sional. Nobody admires his poetry
more than himself, and he is very much
addicted to talk about it. lie does not
sink the shop when he has anybody TO
listen to him whom he imagiSes to be
appreciative. r.
Tennyson is a genuine type OF Jot n
Bull. lie has virtues and defects mex
tricahly mixed, AMI one Of his defects
is inexcusable rudeness; another is
prodigious egotism. He is an illustrious
poet, but he is full to the lips OF vanity,
and is capable on small proyocation oil
becoming colossal bore.