The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-24
MATTHEW ARNOLD.
A Plain, Simple English Gentleman, Who
Talks in Sensible Manner.


New York Special.
Mr. Arnold has hardly anything poetical
in his appearance, but is a plain English
gentleman. There is about him, however,
the polished ease and high bearing which
mark a man of refinement and culture In
conversation he is most undemonstrative-
usins. no gesture-but his eyes kindle as his
remarks grow more earnest and the en-
phasis is expressed by the deepening tones
of a musical voice Those who have seen
portraits Of his father, DR.. Arnold of Rugby,
so familiar to readers of Tom Browns
Schooldays," would Instantly recognize nim.
He has the same soid-looking head and
thoughtful cast of countenance. Nothing
can exceed the graciousness of his manner.
He is as simple as child.
1T affords me pleasure to converse with
journalists" he said, "but you must not ask
me to deliver oracular opinions about things
of which | am ignorant For instance an
American reporter in London asked me what
l Thought of American Institutions. How
could answer when l am come to get some
information about them? The London
Times, which has never been friendly to
me, came out with laundering article
on my coming here Lowell, whom know
very well, told me that | had already an
audience here among the cultivated.
felt little doubtful about my reception
because some people chose to associate me
with irreligious opinions, whereas | am only
investigating truth all the same. Some of
my friends wanted me to bid for Irish sup
port by lecturing on Celtic literature but
thought it inadvisable I have ALWAYS been
well received by Catholics, and in my lee
ture Cd Numbers there will be matters
touched upon that will deeply interest them.
Cardinal Newman has written the kindest
things to me-
II am amused to find that many people
here think Edwin Arnold is my brother. He
10 tNA A1,ts. 1t.
light of Asia seems TO have taken a great
hold here. 1t seems to me quite unintelli-
glble, and not to be compared with the great
work of ST. Hilaire, La Buddha.' 1t is like
the character OF Christ written by a jew
One prefers to go 10 more authentic sources"
II thought of going TO Concord before lee
turing on Emerson, but hear it is a dreary
journey, 50 | have given it up. l have al
ready remarked some things here which
seem great Improvements on our English
way. For instance, tipping seems unusual
here, whereas il has become nuisance at
home. But the cost of things appeared to
me astonishing. Regarding my lecture, the
Catholics need not fear that | shall be in
any way aggressive 1 think Froude made q
mistake. l trust the public will not object
to my reading my lecture, You know my
father and Newman both read every word
THE position Of the clergy here seems
strange, compared with England. Within
the parish clergyman is sometimes the one
cultivated person in q parish. They have
always been my supporters 1t is only the
dissenters that made an cutlery against me
when Mr.. Gladstone proposed to do Some
thing for me, and after all the school in
snectorship was no great thing, but rather
irksoine aid labofious.
What a reception Colefdge has had! /
think these things are doing much. to unite
the two countries. The Americans 1 know
in London struck me as most Enelish-like
and am told that there is an increasing ten
dency toward the development of English
ideas. expect fair criticism here, and care
not how much there is of it. ! respect it,
and get good out OF it."