Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1892-07-27
coopsa AND WORDSWORTH.
An fnssrvssw win the Aged Poet Few
 Ysars Before His Death.

An Intervtew with the Aged foes Fsw Yesrs Before His Death.
 Thomas Cooper. the veteran chartiss,
 who has received a grant of eaoo from the
 Civil List, had, on one occasion. Q very
 interesting interview with Wordsworth
 at Rydai Mount. Cooper had been at
 Carlisle and started on a walk through
 the Lake country.
 It was on the third day after leaving
 Carlisle that Cooper arrived at Rydai
 Lake. He was very anxious to sec
 Wordsworth and have talk with him,
 but, not knowing the poet and having
 no introduction. was rather doubtful as
 to what the nature of his reception might
 ie. But, summoning all the courage at
 his command. he boldly strode up 10 the
 poets door and knocked.
 In reply to an inquiry he was told that
 Wordsworth was at home; So he wrote on a slip of paper, Thomas Cooper, author of The Purgatory of Suicides,' desires to pay his devout regards to
 Wordsworth" In a very few minutes he was in the presence of the majestic old man." and was lowing with deep and heartfelt homage when Wordsworth seized his hand and welcomed him with such hearty "How do you doS am very happy to see you." that Cooper says the tears stood in his eyes for joy.
 Nothing struck Cooper 90 much in Wordsworth's conversation as his re- mark concerning chartism-after the subject of Cooper's imprisonment had been touched upon. You were right,s Wordsworth said; ''l have always said the people were right in what they asked; but you went the wrong way to get it. There is nothing unreasonable in your charter. It is the foolish attempt at physical force for which many of you have been blamable." By and by the drifted to other subjects.
 There was but one occasion, says Cooper, on which discerned the feeling of jealousy in him; it was when I men. tioned Byron. "If there were time,- he said, "l could show you how Lord Byron was not so great Q poet as you think him to be-but never mind that now.' had just been chasing his own sonnets and "Childe Harold" together ss the noblest poetry since Paradise Lost" but did not reassert what said.
 ''I am pleased to find. .- he said, while talking about Byron, that you preserve your muse chaste and free from rank md corrupt passion Lord Byron de- graded poetry in that respect. Mems hearts are bad enough. Poetry should 'efine and purify their natures, not make them wcfse.-
 Wordsworth's opinion on Tennyson is interesting. Cooper asked the poet what lis opinion was of the poetry of the day:
 ''There is little that can be called high 'oetry." Wordsworth said "Mr. Ten tyson affords the richest promise. He vill do great things yet, and ought to ave done great things by this time"
 His sense of music" 1 observed. seems more perfect than that of any of he new race of poets.-
 "Yes." Wordsworth replied: ..fhe per- option of harmony lies in the very es- ence of the poets nature. and Mir. Ten yson gives magnificent proofs that he , endowed with 1t.
 Wordsworth spoke of Southey in the ighest terms. and again reverted to olitics. There will be great changes n the Continent" he said, when the resent king of the French dies, but ot while he lives. The different gov will have to give constitutions their people, for knowledge is suread- lg, and constitutional liberty is sure to 'llow." Wordsworth also alluded to ie spread of freedom in England. and escanted with animation on the growth mechanics and similar institutions "The people are sure to have the fran lise, he said with emphasis, '.as knowl- lge increases: but you will not get all 'u seek at sace. and you must never ek it again by physical force.p he Ided. turning to me with a smile; cit ill only make you longer about it.r- all Mall Gazette.