The Portland daily press., 1883-01-02
THE LoNeFELLow MEMORIAL

The Dean of Westminster yesterday re-
ceived at the Deanery dsputation from The
Longfellow Memorial Committee. Earl Gran
vile introduced the deputation, which in
cluded the Baroness Bardett-Contts Sir The
odore Martin, Sir Alexander j. Arbuthnot
Professor Bryce, M. p, Mr.. G. W. e. Rus
sell, M. p, Mr.. Thomas Burt, NJ p, Mr..
Henry Broadhurst, M p, DR.. w. G. Bennett,
hon. secretary to the committee, and the
treasurer, Mr.. Francis Bennock
Lord Granville said he had to solicit the
Deans consent to allow bust of the late Hen
ry Wadsworth Longfellow, presented by pub
lie subscription, to be placed in the Abbey, to
express the honour due by all English readers
TO one who had, as graceful and tender poet,
SO widely delighted, raised and affected for
good, the English Epeople. He felt assured
that the presence of the bust they proposed to
place among the memorials erected to our de-
parted great, would beiregarded as one placed
in the venerable minister with tho full Apr =
baton of our nation. The convincing proof
of how the great American poet was held in
estimation among us here was the remarkable
printed list of members of the Longfellow
Memorial Committee, which he held in his
hand one scarcely paralleled for the number,
amounting to nearly five hundred, and the
eminence of the members composing it-men
distinguished in all departments of intellectual
activity. He asked the Dean to accede to the
wish of the committee and subscribers, and
thus bind together yet more closely in friendly
United States.
The Dean, in reply, said--I may at once as
sure those who have done me the honour of
asking for this interview, and through them
the great number of Englishmen of every rank
and class whom they represent, that / cannot
hesitate for moment as to the answer that
shall give. have reflected much on the mat
ter, and / shall esteem it an honour to bear
my part in adding to the trea sure of this ven-
cradle Abbey monument to one who held SO
markad q D0aitiOp Wrifarq and
whose pure and tender poetry has made his
name as dear and as fOmilar in English as in
Transatlantic Ehomes 1t will be gratifying
to our own children and children's children
IN England to record on his monument the
Jact that such tribute to an American poet
WAS the spontaneous result of the impression
which his genius had made on the English ma
ton. l have reason to know that the project
OF honouring his memory in the resting-place
of our illustrious dead has been warmly sup
ported by not the leasts i,lustrious of living
Engishmen, as well as by their conntryme II
of every class. The precise nature and
place of the proposed monument must
be determined by various considera-
tions. l will venture, however, to express a
conviction that the interest of both present and
future in any inscription would be enhanced
by placing a record, together with the name of
the poet whom it will directly commemorate,
at all events OF one of those of his country
men whose names have become household
and whose writings have contributed to bind
together two kindred nations by ties as light
as air, but as strong, we hope, a. links of iron
The guardian for the time being of West
minister Abbey need not apologize for men
tioning first of all in that honorable broJher-
hood the name of Washington Irving. will
only add that l have thought it the most
respectful course towards those whom / adj
dress to reserve what 1 had to say for the oc-
| casion on which should be formally consulted
| L may now be allowed to add that my iudg-
ment on the matter was substantially formed
| three months ago, at time when was living
in the neighborhood of the hone and grave OF
| the poet Wordsworth, and busted with collect
| ing "reminiscences Of my dear and lamsnted
| predecessor, whose memory is treasured on the
| other side of the Atlantic as affectionately as
here. You know well what his answer would
| have been to-day.
| DIR. Bennett assured the Dean that he should
| be consulted OH the framing of the inscription
| to be placed under the bust.
Mr. Francis Bennock the treasurer to the
| Memorial, in rendering his thanks to thu
| Dean, dwelt on the feeling OF pleasure which
the placing the bust in the Abbey would at
| ford to all A nercans.
| The Deputaton then withdrew.