Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-15
How Tenuyson Lives.


Tenpvson. in his own grounds at
home. looks the poet from top to toe.
He is even tbeatrically costumed, IN his
dashinc felt wide-awake, ByroHlc collar
carelesslv lolling Ike dog 8 ears over an
ANYHOW wisped up neckerchlet, and the
famous Inverness cape, half coat. hall
cloak. flung grandly Cysr his shoulders.
It was only a few weeks ago that l saw
fine noble hermit who Is Lngland
noet laureate. It was in a busy
London thoroughfare, midday, and ms
lordship looked as thorough ilsn Out
of water as any Norwegian rustic who
etravs into Broadway and Castle Garden.
As no one seemed to notice HIM 1t was
evident they took him for an East-knd
lew dea,er in cold clio, which no
strangely. resembles. The romantic
wide.awake was discarded for a dismsl,
antique. Northumberland tall silk tie that
proclaimed it was enjoying It's first full
dress holiday for twenty years AZ least
The Inverness cape was there, OF course
but it was closely Rugged up 10
tbe neck, as if to shield the
sensitive wearer from contact with
the vulgar herd the laureate so breads
his feet shunied and slid barely one
foot's length at step, and the way those
inspired but damp and limp locks clung
to the cheeks OF the STOPPING. son Oh
GENUS was enough to sadden the heart
OF the sparrows.
Tenntson has always been a genuine
Briton. which means that he has got a
/ hit Of the bulldog in him. Carlyle had
more of the snsrling cur, but Iennyson
i one of the uncouthest old-school
gisnts now LETT in England. The poets
nature accounts for much OF his eXcep-
tional reserve. When he is IN ms most
aIuiable mood he is apt 10 be absent and
makes YOU feel doubtful whether he Isl !
really talking his thoughts to the soild
wall. Tennyson was driven from his love.
" isle OF Wight home by the hordes OF
s,ohtseers. vino invaded his grounds,
his house. and would have shipped his
curls and his collars 10y the inch as
relics ii lie had stayed there much
LONGER. So he built himself house out
of the prlncely fortune his books have
brought MIN. though he has been tht
most busintss-like poet III the money
making line that ever made fame.
The poets new house stands III g
charming bit OF Sussex landscape, ial
from the beaten track, lest the Grove
shonld follow. The old seaside home i
still used Tor a portion Of the year, but
In this house at uazlemore Iennyson live
most of bis now fading life 10 Il
pitched high, on richly-wooded ridge
whence the eve nay sweep landscape
tecming with all the varied luNu
rics oil the garden OF England
Those most familiar with his works sa.
that Tennvsons latter poems are IN
spired by the hills that surround III
Su,sex home. in contrast to the earle
, ones. influenced by the flat expenses
, Lincolnshire. where he spent his youni
DAYS. lie has buried his home ami
trees. They stand all around like
, thick phalanx of sentries, keeping grin
watch and ward over the strange ma
who will be heard, but will not be seeI
+ Inside the inner ring there are garden
: trim and pretty, though no especi'
I pride is taken in anything outside n
. walls. The garden OF bis Isle OF Wigi
| house was more picturesquely ragge
than elegantly ordered
!. There is an old world flavor in the man,
a cornered Gothic mansion whose gable
5 and pinnacles stick out Like luills upo
Q the fretful porcupine." The interior
a rich in its design and furnishing, the Of
blending with the new. as 1t should IN
}. poets Locksley Hall. He reads an
writes near window that commands
view of the fine wood, and among the
r. odorous trees he takes his listless stroll
IS sometimes condescending to give the v
Y layers glimpse ol his queer-loolng pc