Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-13

Youth and beauty were conspicuous in the
audience upon which the innumerabe cleo
trio stars dotting the cream and-gold inter
ior of Carnegie music hall shone last night
1t was the youth and beauty of radiant
girls beloved of all poets, and poet-Sir
Edwin Arnold-was there to enjoy it. 1t is
lust possible that many of the young
women are just a bit disappointed in the
poets appearance. They may have pictured
on the glowing background of their fancies
a minstrel like the medieval troubadors,
minus the tinseled fnery and the gay
guitar
They saw instead of self-possessed, lus-
trous-eyed Englishman in evening dress
He did not appear on schedule time, thus
fulfilling e-honored custom o. poets.
But the audience was not impatient. 1t
contented itself with contemplating several
semi-circular rows of distinguished gentle
men with a cleaning expanse of shirt front
on the stage. DR.. Chauncey M. Depew pre-
ceded the poet from the door on the right
of the stage. The doctor is much taller
than Sir Edwin, but not bit more impress
sive or graceful. The irreverent critics
remarked that there was a slight bow in
Sir Edwin's legs, but the young women,
who looked up into his expressive eyes,
did not notice this. Tar. Depew said:
II heard the presiding officer introduce
Matthew Arnold, when he was here, as the
author of the Light of Asia The busy
man of affairs who had not differentiated
the Arnolds never knew why his compli-
ment was not appreciated, but he well IN
derstood that there was one priceless con-
tribution to the thought of the age which
had made immortal the name of Arnold.
We welcome Sir Edwin because he is an
american by birth on his wife's side"
The poet was greeted royalty as he
stepped to the footlights. Although it was
the second tipe he has ever appeared as a
public reader, there was hardly "a shade of
embarrassment or nervousness IN his man
ner. He carried several BOOKS III his left
hand, on which he wore white kid glove.
His right hand was bare. The right glove
dangled from between the close-pressed
palm of his left hand and the books.
He stepped to the reading desk and i'm
mediately won the feminine heart by bow
that has never been equaled in this neigh
borhood. There was nothing jerky or per-
functory about it. 1t was an obeisance that
might naturally be expected of an epic poet.
Sir Edwin gracefully pressed his left hand
AGAINST his heart and inclined his body un-
til it was absolutely at right les with his
legs. Only a poet of established reputation
and graciousness could venture that bow
before an American public. The audience
was charmed. The pretty girls looked as
if they forgave him for having gray hair,
legs not altogether symmetrical and for not
having long hair and ewes in fine frenzy
rolling,
1t was remarked that he wore round red
and-blue button in the left lapel of his coat
Some people of unpoetic temperament sug-
gested that this button might be memen-
to of the late campaign. 1t was really a
symbol of the Indian order of knighthood
OF which Sir Edwin is member.
Before the audience had quite recovered
from the bow, the poet spoke, and won
more admiration. His voice is resonant,
clear and rhythmical. 1t is admirably fitted
for the defamation of poetry. He said,
with bow to DR.. Depew, that he feared
that his own effusions would sound prosaic
after the graceful rhetoric of the master of
postprandial oratory. He hoped that he
would have the honor of entertaining his
distinguished audience, 1t was an ancient
and classical custom, that of an author
reading selections from his own works
Then tine poet read, with much dramatic
| force and frequent gestures, always appro-
| pirate, the interview between Mary Mag.
| dalen and the Pontius PLATE. 1t was OBJ
! served that he frequently threw his right
| forefnger at his auditors. 1t is peculiar
| finger, with suggestion Of knurlness about
| it and hook on the end. 1t looked as If he
| wanted to hook the souls of his hearers and