New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-23
MATTHEW ARNOLD HERE.
A TALK WITH THE POET AND EssAYIsr.
HIS PLANS AND oPTNIoNs-LECTUREs HE WILL
DELIvER-DEsIRE FOR CRITICISM.

NNn SANAAANAS'A'
Matthew Arnold, the distinguished English poet
and essayst arrived by the steamship Serva yester-
day. TRIBUNE reporter called upon him last even
ing at the Windsor Hotel. Mr.. Arnold has hardly
anything poetical in his appearance but is plain
English gentleman. There is about him. however,
the polished ease and high breeding which mark a
man of refinement and culture In conversation he
is most Observation-Disclosures no gesture-but his
eye klndles as his remarks grow more earnest, and
the emphasis is expressed by the deepening
tones of musical voice. Those who have seen
portraits of his father, DIR. Arnold, of Rugby, so
familiar to readers of Tom Browns School DAYS"
would instantly recognize him. He has the same
solid looking head, and thoughtful cast of counten
ance Nothing can exceed the graciOusness of his
manner. He is simple as a child.
" 1t affords me pleasure to converse with journal
ists, he said but you must not ask me to deliver
oracular opinions about things of which l am ignO-
rant. For instance The Eerdl reporter in London
asked me what thought of American institutions.
How could answer when | am come TO got some in
formation about Them / hope l shall like
this countTyj but after all think there is place
to live In like dear, smoky old London. How vast
the hotels are here and how lavish the hospitality
but fear shall not get at the heart of real Amer
lean life. My first lecture is to be entitled Numbers
don't propose mathematical theory, but to ex-
pound some ideas, political and social after some
what original way. Afterward L shall lecture on
Emerson aud then upon Education and Science
have been asked to lecture to several universities
and think the latter subject will be more suitable
TO 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
cult waited. l felt little doubtful about my re-
cepton, because people choose to associate ne
with irregous opinions, whereas | am only invcs-
tigating truth all the time. Some of my friends
wanted me TO bid for Irish support by lecturing on
Celtic Literature, but | thought 1t inadvisable.
have always been well received by Catholics and
in my lecture ON Numbers there will be matters
touched upon that will deeply interest them. Car
dinal Newman has written the kindest things to
me.
~ am amused to find that many people here
think that Edwin Arnold il my brother. lie is no
relation whatever. His book, The Light of Asia, ,
seems TO have taken great hold here. 1t seems to
me quite unintellgbe, and not to be compared
with the great work OF ST. lIilalre, La Buddha. 1t
is like the character of Christ written by a Jew.
One prefers 10 go to more authentic sources.
Il thought of going to Concord before lccturing
on Emerson, but hear il is dreary journey, SO
have given 1t up. | have already remarked some
things here which seem great improvements on our
English way. For instance tipping seems unusual
here whereas it has become "A nuisance at home.
But the cost OF things appears to me astonishing.
Regarding my lecture, the Catholics need not fear
that shall be in any way aggressive. think
Froude made q mistake. trust the public Will not
object 10 my reading my lecture. You know my
father ana Newman both read every word.
THE position of the clergy here seems strange
compared with England. With rs the parish clergy
man Is sometimes the one cultN ated person III a
parish They have always been my supporters. IL
Is only the DsSeuters that made an Outcry against
Inc when Mr.. Gladstone proposed to do something
for me- and after all the School InSpeCtorship was
no great thing, but rather irksOme and labOrlOus.
"What ii reception COleridge has hadi l think
these things are doing much good IN uniting
in London struck me most English
like, and l am told that there is an
increasing tendency toward the development of
English ideas. expect fair criticism here and care
not how much there is of it. respect it, and get
| gnoI uut of ~