New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-17

in its details, It's desoiation was SO real, Una, !
had never quite shaken oil its effect: nut nae
not for that, been able to see eNacuy wna tSon
a dreadful fantasy of lonely terror. Those VINO
have read the volume have spoken OF VIII re-
member that Mr.. Nettleship puts forward an ea-
isfying-nterpretatio of the poem AccordlngIy,
when a chance mention of the poem by Browning
brought it back TO my memory sen,nrea 10 ss r
Nettlcship's Interpretation On, no.. ne salu;;
not at ALL" | suppose / looked disappointed
or surprised for he instantly added: Under
stand / don't repudiate it, either; only mean
that / was conscious Of no ailegoricai Intention
at all in writing it. Twas like TINS; one year
a resolution that I would write something every
day. Well, the first day ! wrote about some
roses suggested by magnificent basket OF ross
which some one had sent to my wife. Inc next
DAY 'Childe Roland came upon me as a KIND OF
dream / had to write it, then and therein
ished it the. same day, | believe. But 1t was
what meant beyond that, and I'm sure / don't
know now But I'm very fond of it," This
snstances possible of unconscious intention
IL seems almost impossible that. there could have
been no deliberate purpose in the mind of the
poet who wrote carefully elaborated poem,
in which the most trivial detail has its obvious
use and which is admirably coherent as a
whole. And, at least. it is marvellous poem
to have written in a single day.
That morning Mr. Browning w9s in an nm
usually communicative mood. Generally he would
say @Oh. l don't want to talk about my poems
they were quite enough trouble to write with
out talking of them" But to-day he spoke of
and another, reciting scraps and chatting
about their aims. To my deep subsequent regret
I made no notes of this talk. personally the most
interesting | ever had with him. But / remem,
Der shat among many others James Lees Wiie
was mentioned. Tell me-" ! said: what Is
your private opinion of James Lees Wife ? Was
she quite guitless in the matter of her husbands
kstran2emcnt? Or was he simply shallow
se wn "sa wSa have g5 tired Of her, m or 1 mS
quite sure he answered, and sat looking into
the fire for some moments. Il always very
one or two bits Of her history which as good
as anything ! have done" After a pause
be suddenly began to recte part o., Of that hat
section with Of curious ae STama enfs of the
voice. ] had never till then quite realized the
unuttcrabe pathos of the womans fate who sees
her husbands love slipping away from her, tired
by the excess OF her own. lie had got as far
as the verse
love. love. no. love. not so indeed
Yon just weak earth. knew:
With much in you waste and many a weed,
And plenty Of passion run ~ seed.
But little good grain too.
There he stopped and again paused q moment
BY and by he said. Do YOU know / think Mrs
Lee was little to blame. fancy she had not
much tact. and did not quite know how to treat
her husband ! think she worried him little;
But if you want to know any more. yon had
better ask the Browning Society-you've heard
of it, perhaps"
The last visit i PAID 10 browning was snore
enough, but since it was the last. and was marked
by one of the most graceful acts ever dore to me,
may record it as the conclusion OF these memories
He had written inviting me call soon, bxt with
out naming a, day or hour. If ! should happen
to I've engaged" he had said, :" know that your
kindness will understand and forgive me- SO
I called on the first morning when was free for
an hour lie came across the room with his
accustomed heartiness Of voice and hand. But.
my dear boy, he said. why did you come to-day
In ten minutes | have an important business
oh. / .DarrS loon
minutes went all too soon. and | took my hat TO
go. He was profuse, but plainly sincere in his
apologies for turning me out, and made me prom
Use TO come again n specified hour. had hardly
left the door when heard the scurry of Footsteps
and his voice calling me. | turned and saw him:
hatless at the foot Of the steps. One moment,
he cried: % can't let you go till you tell me
again that yon are not offended, and | sha no
believe that till you promise once again TO come
Now promise holding both my hands. or course
| promised. wondering how many smaller men
would have shown the same courtesy. For some
reason on my part, which ] now forget: that
appointment was never kept. and ! saw him no
more.