New-York tribune., 1891-10-18

poem on the "Feas Of BelshazZarS and was selected
in 1853 TO address the late Earl of Derby his in
stalation as Chancellor OF the University. lie was
graduated with honors in 1854. Upon leaving college
he was elected second master IN the English division
Of King Edward WIS School, Birmingham, ana was
subsequently appointed principal Of the Government
sanskrt College at Poona, in the Bombay Presidency,
and Fellow of the University Of Bombay, which offices
he held during the mutny, and resigned in 1851, after
having twice received the thanks Of the Governor in
Council Since 1861 lie has been chief Of the editorial
staff Of THE Daily Telegraph" and he has recently
resumed his place at the Office after his recent jour
neyings around the world holiday rendered necessary
10 his health by the death Of Lady Arnold 1t was Sir
Edwin who on behalf Of the proprietors Of The Daily
telegraph arranged the first expedition OF George
smith to Assyria well that Of Mr. Stanley, who
was sent by the same journal, in conjunction with
The NewYork Herald to complete tie discoveries
OF Livingstone in Africa. Upon the occasion OF the
proclamation of the Queen as Empress OF India, on
January l. 1877. he made Companion Of the Star
Of India and January. 1883. he created Knight
Commander Of the Indian Empire by the Queen
How does Arncld continue 10 be poet and a jour
nalist at one and the timel An intelligent in
tervlewer recently put that salient query to him.
Here is Sir Edwn's and the conversation which
grew out Of it
"That question: said he, demands many columns Of
space to answer Briefly. the is that whatever
men do interests Their hopes, aspirations, Joys,
fears suferngs, trials, temptations all absorbing
subjects TO am poet because l am journalist
because 1 am, in heart, of the people,
Then you do not lind poesy and journalism antag-
onlstic!'
"On the contrary, the most poetcal place know IS
Feetst 1t differs very much from the slopes Of Full
san and the beautiful open but there is nothing
interesting TO me humanity. llene said, as you
know, send a philosopher 10 Fleetst but for Gods
sake, don't send poet therep That was because he
invalid. l would say, send a poet 10 Fleet-st
Let him every day there and learn his business"
Would IL be as congenial ~ you to compose poetry
In Fleet-st. in Japsnl'
Il can accommodate myself to any locality. l may
mention something curious you said Sir Edwin,
he slowly paced the room. My Light Of the World
was commenced at tea-house In Japan. The little
silver pipes were smoking, the samisen Japanese
gultars playing, and japanese songs being
sung head one Of my friends say. 'Damatte (be
qulet Dana Sama Is writing / was reminded by
that exclamation that had Just put down paper the
lyric which occurs in The Light Of tne World:
Peace beginning to be,
Deep the sleep Of the sea,
When the stars their radiance glass
In its true tranquility.
aft had come to me abruptly resumed Sir Edwin,
after he had in his mOdulaed reclted these
famous lines "and it had 10 be written had been
engaged in conversation yet ID had suddenly struck
compelling me TO withdraw myself for the moment and
was completely absorbed in that verse;
@Dd you, then, go TO Japan to write The Light Of
the World y"
mot at all. Although had often thought OF com
posing that poem, I had intention Of writing 1t
there
Sir Edwin here expressed his contempt for fussy"
people who cannot write unless surrounded with every
thing 10 their hand. and he then went on to explain
that his last great work the natural logical Sc
ouence OF his former books My idea-- he observed
g{o NJ tha vyOr
are not mutual enemies. but sisters; or you may
call them the facets OF diamond which reject diner
ent rays of the same light. have written these books
Of mine which md their natural crown and nnisn ~
: The Light OF the World 10 bring out IN eaeh great
religion It's distinctive ray-what especially reness
Bv.and-by critics win md the thing out ana unaer
stand how logical have been and how clear the plan
was have shown-how each great faith contributes
special color 10 the philosophical spectrum which makes
.rrhIf urht Of irlitl.p