Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-10-17
MATTHEW ARNOLD.
His Lecture Tour in the United States
An InteresIing InlerYieM.

LONDON, October 13.-Matthew Arnold
sailed from Liverpool on the Servia TODAY.
A correspondent met him by appointment
at st. Pancras Station, London, shortly be-
fore the Liverpool express started, and in
terviewed him regarding his visit to
America. Mr.. D'O:le Carte, at the sug-
gestion of Mr.. Arnolds friend Irving,
will attend to the business details of his
journey. His operations will commence
in New York, where under the title of
Numbers" he will deliver political and
social lecture. In Boston Mr.. Arnold will
begin by a lecture on Emerson, which he
may follow up by another on Literature
and Science" Should these draw, Mr.
Arnold may remain in America till the
middle of February, when he will be
obliged to return to England. He hopes
to visit all the leading towns in the Union
and in Canada.
1t was easy to single the eminent poet
and critic out from the otizsr passengers
waiting on the platform. He is very like
his photographs-tall with large nose
and mouth, brown mutton-chop whiskers
and hair almost jet black. carefully trim
med and parted in the middle, and
brushed smoothly over his broad, but not
particularly lofty forehead. The habit of
poring over books has made him slightly
bent, but he seems a great deal younger
than his real age, and is evidently in his
| intellectual prime.
Leading the way into the waiting room,
| and apologiZing for having to hurry off so
quickly, Mr.. Arnold informed your CORE
spondent that he had long had desire to
visit America, and, having been assured
| that his visit would be agreeable, he had
resolved to take the opportunity offered
| him.
81 am a poor man." said he; "only
| ment appointment, and could never have
afforded to undertake the journey in the
! ordinary way, so l am preparing few
| lectures, which l hope will be successful,
and give me the means of retiring, for l
| should like to write one or two more
books. l hear, by-the-by, that Americans
| are getting rather tired of lectures. Do
| you think it is true?
"There are lectures and lectures" re-
| piled your correspondent. MAY ] ask
| what subjects YOU have chosen?'
81 wish them to contain the substance
of my essays" said Mr.. Arnold 81 shall
| begin in New York with political and So
| cial lecture. In Boston | shall speak of
| Emerson. Then l should like to say some
| thing like what l have already said in
| Cult,red and 1ndrchy, if the stuff would suit
| America
"Do you go out with any preconceived
notions about America ?''
''Oh, dear, no." replied Mr.. Arnold. 81
| have everything to learn, and, as friend
| remarked to me not long since, however
much / may learn, | shall doutless over
look more. You are, perhaps, aware that
| l let off some little things about America
! in the NiReteenh Century last year, which
excited some comment at the time. Do
! you think my having written it will stand
| in my way over there? was a trifie hard,
! but an American writer who published
another article soon after was still'harder." "
The correspondent did his best to reas-
sure Mr.. Arnold on this point, but he still
seemed anxious and also seemed much
worried lest his manner of delivery might
be against him.
al don't know whether Thackeray and
Dickens read their lectures in America, or
had them by heart" said he "Bungling
and stumbling would, of course, never do.
But don't see how | could avoid refer
ence to notes, for am always anxious to
| express my meaning correctly
The correspondent then turned the con-
| versation to American literature. Mr.
| Arnold expressed great liking for Henry
James, both rs a man and as writer. He
approved his literary methods, his ''crisp,
clear English and said: ''IIe is quite
free from the great faults of the French
noNellstS, 10 WnOnl SOHie peOplt llkelleu
him. There is nothing Objectionable in
his books. They can be put into any
body's hands"
Lately" continued Mr.. Arnold, Il have
been reading Howells's works a good deal
with much pleasure. His Lady Of Iristook
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, ''the Herald holds
to that OF the London Times in England. .
Just then, happening to glance at the
clock, Mr.. Arnold saw that it was time to
be starting. The correspondent wished
him prosperous journey, and minute
after the apostle of sweetness and light
was whirled away in a Pullman car, with
Mrs. Arnold and his daughter.