The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-17
OBITUARY.
Matthew Arnold, the Noted Poet, Scholar and
Critic.


Critic.
LoNDoS. April 16. MIR Matthew Arnold, the
noted poet scholar and critic, whose rerent arti-
Gle on Civilization in the United States at
tracted much attention, died suddenly yester-
day, in Liverpool from heart disease Mr..
Arnold arrived in Liverpool Saturday to
meet his daughter. who WAS on her way 70 Eng
land from New York on the steamer Aaranla
he stayed at the DIngle, with his sister, Mrs.
Crapp@r. During the evening he WAS In exu-
berant spirits. He took long walk and tried 70
clear railing near the house BY q Jump. He
failed. but again made the ATTEMPT taking run
ming jump. and suecseded. No Ill results appeared
at the moment. Mr. Arnold knew he suffered
from disease of the heart, and DR.. Sir Andrew
Clark had warned him against any sudden ex-
ertion. Yesterday morning he apparently
we'll He attended the Presbyterian church,
ssnd after luncheon went out for walk with
idrs. Arnold. He was still in high spirits
Soon after leaving the house he suddenly fell
forward aud never afterwards spoke. His
daughter arrived at Liverpool an hour after his
death No inquest will BIZ necessary. I'm
mediately after Mr. Arnold fell he carried
into the house of dector near by. He was still
breathing. but was unconscious. The physician
poured spirits down his throat, but he never
rallied and died within four minutes after be
ing taken indoors. The doctors have given
certificate that Mr.. Arnolds death was due to
heart disease.
Matthew Arnold was the eldest son Of the
celebrated Doctor Arnold. OF Rugby fame, and
was born the Path of December. 1922, at the
pretty little village of Laleham. on the banks of
the Thames, about twenty miles from London.
Mr. Arnold was man of scholarly attain me IS,
and held the honorary degrees OF doctor Of laws
from both the Edinburg and Oxford universities.
Although he was first known q poet. he has
OF late years devoted himself almost exclusively
to prose. Mr.. Arnold was true Wordsworth
ian worshiper and his first illusions, The
Strsyed Revelsr and other Poems" published
in Is49, show unmistakable evidence
of this influence. The little volume.
HE sweetness of language and magic
sound. The most attractive poem is, perhaps.
The Forsaken Norman" Mr.. Arnold's second
volume of poetry was published in 1852 The
most i'm portant poem in the book is entitled
'Empedocles on Efna.n and treats of tine last
day and night of the Sicilisn poet philosopher
previous to his leaping into the burning crater.
This volume was Withdrawn and substituted by
another in 1853. and 1t is by this latter book
that Mr. Arnold is best known. It tains
''SohrAb and Rustnmr and ''The Scholar Gip-yr
a third series of poems was published in 1855,
the most remarkable verses being Bladder
Dead" poem founded on famous legend of
Morse mythology. In 1858 .Merope Tragedy
was published. 1t is on the Greek model. and
Mr. Swlnburne says it is "a work OF steady aim
and severe success" Mr.. Arnold's last vol
ume of poems was given to the world in
lS6. The most prominent additions
''Thyssis," 1.-THE Terrace at Berne," and "Dover
Beach," The field of literature opened it's port
ais TO Mr. Arnold on his being appointed to the
chair of poetry at Oxford, and he made his first
appearance with Lectures on TRANSMITTING
Homer" HIS Essays Criticism was issued
in 1865 and this work will furnish any reader
whose time IL limited with true estimate of
the authors ability, which is of common
der, as q critic.
Apart from literature Mr.. Arnolds profession
may be said to have been that of education. He
was IN 1857 appointed one of the inspectors of
the British schools and in 1860 WAS sent TO the
European continent by the English government
as assistant to the com missioners appointed
inquire into the state of education in France
Germany and Holland. The result was a series
of interesting works on the subject. Five years
ago Mr. Arnold visited the United States and
delivered series OF lectures in the principal
cities of the country. He returned to this
country in 1885, but made only short visit.