The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-29
A VISIT TO TENNYSON.
The Poet Laureate at His Pleasant Home
ut Aldworth.


LONDON, Nov. Especial Correspond
ence. AFTER a pedestrian tour of few
miles from my headquarters in London,
southwards into Surrey, 1 had at last
reached one of the gates of Aldworth, the
favorite residence Of Lord Tennyson.
Walking along a winding path. through
some shrubbery of the park, 1 mounted
the broad sandstone steps, surrounded by
clustering flowers and long grass waving
in the evening air, which led me to a ter
race from whence had beautiful view
of the mansion. 1t looked like a real
castle of pleasure in the dignifed style of
the English renaissance, with its gables
and gigantic windows. Then the way led
me through well-trimmed lawns, adorned
with mulberry trees in tubs, ranged at
regular distances, one from the other, to
the main entrance.
solemn servant in livery appeared. I
handed him my introduction and told him
to ask his master if he would allow me the
pleasure of short interview. He bowed
deferentially to my words and left me to
myself on one of the settees.
1 found myself in large, lofty room
with magniticently carved ceiling and
carpet on the floor so thick and soft that it
felt like piles of velvet under my feet. On
either side stood an antique cabinet loaded
with statuettes, rare vases, ivory orna-
ments and curiosities.
The light produced by floor lamp fell
only upon limited part of the spacious
room. leaving the other side in a subdued
indefinite atmosphere. In the profound
seclusion which seemed to prevade this
apartment, l saw the solitary figure of
the master OF the house, leaning back
hstlessly composed, in large easy chair,
with a reading easel fastened to one of its
arms and little table to the other. The
background was formed by long book
case Of some rare inlaid wood, bright with
some gsily-bound books. He laid down
the book he was reading and eyed me
through his glasses with searchieg, scru-
timing glance, as he is extremely short
sighted.
Then he nodded. "Pray sit down."
while his frail, white fingers toyed absent
mindedly with the paper cutter.
Have you also taken the trouble to
come out here, simply to tell me that am
great author? Pardon me; but be as
sured the honorary visits of grateful
public can reach incredible dimensions"
The beginning of our interview was not
very encouraging, but at the first glance |
could see that he was man who would
treat his guests under every circumstance
with tact and consideration, though his
courtesy keeps persons aloof. and one can
not get intimate with him during the first
hour.
His appearance has lost much of its
stately presence; he looks every inch the
man of 50. His fine face looks worn and
transparency pale, though not deeply
wrinkled. His large, dreamy eyes were
rather red about the rims OF the eyelids,
his flowing hair and beard were entirely
| white, only his prominent arched nose
| and high broad forehead denote still the
strength of the poet who wrote I'm Men,
oriam" He was dressed in dark dress
ing gown. displaying a large, white collar
and rufiies to the wrists. His small feet
were dressed in womanish-looking bronze
| leather slippers; several rings adorned his
| white. delicate hands.
Upon the whole he had q frail, languid,
refined look-to me something singularly
and unpieasantly delicate in its associa-
| tons with men.
Being aware that he is very sensitive to
praise. | expressed my admiration, and
| also remarked: II know OF none who has
| gained greater reputation and (nnancial)
success with a smaller amount OF produc-
| rions"
.'It is not the bulk, it is not the bulk ~
| he answered with 4 faint smile, busting
kerchief. Il never had chests full of
manuscripts and yet had trouble enough
to keep them together. Most likely you
know that I almost lost my manuscripts
OF In Memoriam," forgetting it in a
closet when vacating my London lodging
for the country"
But how could that happen?' | asked.
Simply heedlesness Of an artist" was
the answer.
He is an elegant conversationalist. gen.
orally taking the lead when in the humor.
But that evening he only once found the
opportunity 10 deliver m0nologue of any
length when We came to speak about con-
temporary literature.
Looking, hat in hand, at a table with
elegant convenieBces for writing and a
vase Of bowers. he said, pointing to a
photograph. THAT is the picture of Mr..
Woolner You do not know the gentle
man? Why, he related TO me the original
story Of "Enoch Arden, which 50 i'm
pressed me that / set II 20 poetry"
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