Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-10-15
MATTHEW ARNOLD.
HIS VISIT TO TBIs COUNTRY.
! what Plans lie has to MAKE His Tour
successfui-Thc Lectures lie Will


Deliver
| Matthew Arnold sailed from Liverpool
! on the Servia Saturday. A Herald cor.
respondent met him by appointment at st.
| Pancras' station, London, shortly before
the Liverpool express started, and inter
viewed him regarding his visit to America.
Mr.. D'Oyley Carte, at the suggestion OF
Mr.. Arnold's friend, Irving, will attend TO
the business details of his journey. His
operations will commence in New York,
whore under the title of Numbers" he
will deliver a social and political lecture.
In Boston Mr.. Arnold will begin with a
lecture on Emerson, which he may
follow up by another on " Literature aud
Science" Should these draw Mr.. Arnold
may remain in America till the middle of
February, when he will be obliged to re-
turn to England. He hopes to visit all the
leading towns in the union aud in Canada
1t was easy 10 single the eminent poet
and critic out from the other passengers
waiting ON the platform. He is very like
his photograph, tall, with large nose and
mouth, brown mutton chop whiskers and
hair almost jet black, carefully trimmed.
parted in the middle aud brushed smooth
ly over his broad but not particularly
lofty forhead.
The habit of pouring over books has
made him slightly bent, but he seems q
great deal younger than his real age aud
is evidently in his intellectual prime.
Loading the way to the waiting room
and apologizing for having to hurry of 50
quickly. Mr.. Arnold said that he had long
had a desire 10 visit America, and, having
been assured tAat his visit would be agree
able, he had resolved TO take the oppor
tuuity offered him.
~ am poor man" said he, "only poor
schoomaster, with small government
apportioumeut, and could never have
afforded to take the journey in the
ordinary way, so am preparing few
lectures which hope will be successful
and give me the means Of retiring, for
should like to write one or two more
books.
~ hear, by the bye, that Americans are
getting tired OF lectures. Do you think it
is true s'
There are lectures and lectures. was
the answer. May | ask what subjects
you have chosen"
" wish them to contain the substance
of my essays" said Mr.. Arnold. {" shall
begin in New York with a political and
social lecture In Boston shall speak OF
Emerson. Then should like to say
something like what have already said
in Culture aud Anarchy If the stuff
would suit America"
Do you 20 out With any precOnceiyed
notions about America? ?'
"Oh, dear, no. replied Mr.. Arnold.
" l have everything 10 learn, and, as a
friend remarked - me not long since,
however, much | learn, shall. doubtless
overlook more
" You are perhaps aware that let of
some little thing about America in the
Nineteenth Century last year which excited
some comment at the time. Do you
think my having written it will stand in
my way? 1t was tritle hard, but an
American writer, who published another
article soon after, was still harder
The correspondent did his best 10 reas.
sure Mr.. Arnold on this point, but he still
seemed anxious and also appeared much
worried lest his manner of delivery might
be agairs. him.
How Dickens ana Thackeray Did
II don't know whether Thackeray and
Dickens read their lectures in America
or said them by heart" said he. "Bung.
ling or stumbling would, Of course, never
do but don't see how l could avoid re
ferences to notes, for am always desirous
to express my meaning correctly"
Inc correspondent then turned the
conversation TO American literature Mr..
Arnold expressed great liking for Henry
James, both as man and as writor.
He approved his literary method, his
"crisp, clear English" and said
"He is quite free from the great faults
of the French noyelists TO whom some
people likened him. There is nothing
Objectionable in his books. They can be
put into anybody's hands
Lately" continued Mr.. Arnold, ~
have been reading HowelIs' works a good
deal, with much pleasure. His Lady of
the ArostOOk' is delightful, and strikes
me as his best work"
Reversing the natural order of things
Mr. Arnold then began to question the
correspondent about American journalism
81 believe" he said, 1.-The Herald holds
a position in America equal in importance
to that of the London Times 10 England ="
Just then happening to glance at the clock,
Mr. Arnold saw it was time to be starting.
The correspondent wished him prosper
Gus journey, and minute after the apostle
OF sweetness aud light" was whirled
away in Pullman car with Mrs. Arnold
and his daughter.