New-York tribune., 1884-02-29
A RECEPTION TO MR.. ARNOLD.
THE GUEST OF THE AUTHORS CLUB.


A HEARTY WELCOME TO THE ENGLISH AUTHOR
HE MAKES A SHORT ADDRESS.
An informal reception was giving last evening NJ
the Hotel Dam, in Ffteentb-st, to Matthew Arnold,
by the Authors Club of the city. The hour named
for the reception washalfpast eight, but there were
few arrivals until nine o'clock when the were
rapidly filed. Among those present were Professor
f. L. Youmans, Roswell Smith, o. B. Bunce,
Edmund Clarence Stedman~ Carl Schuz, A.
w. Drake, H.. II. Boyesen, r. w.
Glider, X. U. Johnson, George c. Eggleston j. V.
Cheney Charlton r. Lewis. Noah Brooks, W. j.
Stllman. Professor I. r. Lounsbury the Rev. DIR.
Lyman Abbott, Hamilton w. Mabe, William Cary
S. s. Conant George 5. Merriam, the Rev. Dr. Will
lam Hayes Ward +. l.. Burlingame, Eliot Nc
Cormick. Jonas NJ. Libbey, +. HopkinsOn Smith,
Frederick Dielman, James Herbert Morse, Frank
ID. Millet, William Henry FOrman, j. Brander
Matthews George Parsons LathrOp c. G. Whiting,
c. c. Buell. Dr. d. @. Brinton, Bayard Tuckerman,
Lawrence Hutton, Joseph Glider and II. Bunner.
The reception took place in the dininghall of the
hotel upon the south side Of which stood we'll
filed table of refreshments. Upon small taoie
near the entrance was aTayed collection OF por-
traits of Keats and members of his family. In the
centre was the life mask of the poet, an engraving
of which recently appeared in The Century In the
middle of the room, on marble slab erowning a
cluster of steam-heating pipes, was displayed set
of the works in poetry and prose of Mr.. Arnold, In
nine volumes spresented by Macmillan IL Co, IN
cOmmemOratiOn of the reception. these are the
first books that have come into possession Oh Ihe
club.
Mr. Arnold entered the room quietly and almost
unn0ticed by the seyenty-hve or more gentlemen
assembled and engaged in lively conversation WIN
one another.
REMARKS OF CHARLTON T. LEWIS
After few presentations had been made, those
present were requested to be seated when Charlton
T. Lewis rose and sald
BY permission Of the club will address myself to
the honored guest this evening in their be
half / directed 70 act as spokesman-a posi-
t0n TO which have no claim except that OF being
be most modest and one who never made Jest, this
being association composed eheny OF very young neu
who have their spurs to win and have brought to-
gether a few friends this evening. II Is new msuu-
ton founded to welcome yOu, the nrst s@uesI guest
They have to-day been favored from the pub
lshcrs with a complete Of your writings, when aOw
constitutes the library of the club. Ianghterl do not
think any smile ought TO be excited by that remark
because we ook those volumes as worny nueieus
Of that glorious collection OF Whch We expect " no us
taut day ID be the UrOpretOrs.
Il would be unbecomng sr to say TO your face what
have SAID for BaDy yfs among ourselves. IL Is, nov
ever with no bashfuness OF that kind that we are able
as a club say that part Of the pride and honor we
recoLections which all entertain OF the ser,
wees to civilization wrought by your great ana
addressing you is toootain rom you direct eERressi93
al
be OF value arising In your mind and suggested Dy tAS
Mr.. ARNoLD's RESPONSE.
After some hesitation Mr.. Arnold arose to receive
the cordial greeting Of those present. When Tie
applause stopped he said:
GENTLEMEN: have been received IN this country with
unbounded kindness Much Of that kindness, though It
has grttlhed me- las also surprised me, was so
gentlemen and Tor the rndness OF the CLUB
OF Authors feel better prepared account OF the knd
ed
Gentlemen, every thing to the literary classic the
cla of writer's heie IN TINS Club OF Authors and ia the
privacy OF this family circle l viii make a con-
essOn you and to you the insecurity OF my posi-
tion laHghter Gentlemen that great public to which
we All sneak mas never quite eOmprenended what
alter aud so Far as it mas comprehended it, it does
not much ike it. Laughter II 1t were
not for the literary class having gwen It's support
great public would have attended 10 me at all anQ
at tins II the literary class withdrew It's support
nom me, the public would entre1y cease TO attend
to me. several voices MOI NOFs 1es, gentle,
men, it would cease TO attend 70 me anu ~ "ouu s
give itself up chamers sucn as the Rev. Joseph Cooh
(Laughter.l Now 70 what do owe tbls suppOrtTtnls
generous support OF the literary cssI owe ~ oeoNe
TO their finding m that which pleased I'll BIOS IA the
Merida when he cried, " lie CeM az wette M fue
yOIr heart into Your business. DeueVe th%t nsse i
g e and an aa M ' 5 IN Ins aow %a Ras s 5eea
mas pet " ''F VI NJ " ~ tbe irritob-
said with more or less truth, VI, tue s u,lS@Dh .rr
ity. the envy and the Jealousy OF the literary
man pursues the profession OF literature
with nIs heart his work and takes seriously and Win
conscience that they feel favor toward MIN IN con-
sequepce II they do recognize aud do not teel
favor toward him in consequence, who Will make
no ne FIsaDa distinction and Oe'Tesn Shst hers Here as in
Enclapd believe that there il very much against any
one who pursues literature seriously and with conscience
society viii always try impose Its decisions and ts
preferences upon OF letters the crowd viii always
try TO impose its decisions and preferences upon him
Journalism, which Is quite the same as literature,
will always try impose It's decisions anu impress
sons upon him. Unless, gentlemen, we ourselves take
own work seriously the case is lost. Applause
Gentlemen, in thanking you cordially as l do, and in
taking grateful leave OF you, and OF hs country from
whca about to sail almost Immediately: suler me
to leave with you these WORDS, ie CGm da Meier. Ap-
plause.l
When Mr. Arnold had taken his seat calls were
made Tor Mr.. Stedman, but that gentleman had
previously left the hall TO meet another engage
ment Mr.. Lewis responded thanking Mr.. Arnold
for what he had said
An invitation was then gwen to all to partslle Of
refreshments. The company divided up into little
knots and introductiOns TO the guests were con-
tinued without formality. Mr.. Arnold went away
shortly after o'clock, and the party broke up