Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-07-14
COOPER AND WORDSWORTH.
An Interview with the Aged Poet a Pew
Years Before His Death.

Years Before His Death.
Thomas Cooper, the veteran chartist,
who has received a grant of goo from the
Civil List, had, on one occasion, a very
interesting interview with Wordsworth
at Rydal Mount. Cooper had been at
Carlisle and started on a walk through
the Lake country.
1t was on the third day after leaving
Carlisle that Cooper arrived at Rydal
Lake. He was very anxious to see
Wordsworth and have a talk with him.
but, not knowing the poet and having
no introduction. was rather doubtful as
to what the nature of his reception might
be. But, summoning all the courage at
his command, he boldly strode up to the
poets door and knocked.
In reply to an inquiry he was told that
Wordsworth was at home; so he wrote
on 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
OAN anu was DONlIS Will uteD
and heartfelt homage when Wordsworth
seized his hand and welcomed him with
such hearty How do you do? am
very happy to see you." that Cooper says
the tears stood in his eyes for Joy.
Nothing struck Cooper so 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"
Wordsworth said; 81 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. 1t is the foolish attempt at
physical force for which many of you
have been blamable" By and by the
conversation drifted to other subjects.
There was but one occasion, says
Cooper, on which discerned the feeling
of jealousy in him; it was when men,
toned Byron. ''If there were time" he
said, 81 could show you how Lord
Byron was not so great a poet as you
think him to be-but never mind that
now" | had just been CHASING his own
sonnets and "Childe Harold" together
as the noblest poetry since Paradise
Lost, but did not reassert what | said
81 am pleased to find" he said, while
talking about Byron, 'that you preserve
your muse chaste and free from rank
and corrupt passion. Lord Byron de-
graded poetry in that respect. Mems
hearts are bad enough. Poetry should
refine and purify their natures, not
make them worse"
Wordsworth's opinion on Tennyson is
interesting. Cooper asked the poet what
his opinion was of the poetry of the day:
There is little that can be called high
poetry" Wordsworth said. ''Mr. Ten
nyson affords the richest promise. He
will do great things yet, and ought to
have done great things by this time"
His sense of music" | observed,
''seems more perfect than that of any of
the new race of poets"
"Yes," Wordsworth replied; "the per-
ception of harmony lies in the very es-
sence of the poets nature. and Mr.. Ten
nyson gives magnificent proofs that he
is endowed with it."
Wordsworth spoke of Southey in the
highest terms, and again reverted to
politics. "There will be great changes
ON the Continent" he said, when the
present king of the French dies, but
not while he lives. The different gov
ernments will have to give constitutions
to their people, for knowledge is spread
ing, and constitutional liberty is sure to
follow" Wordsworth also alluded to
the spread of freedom in England, and
descanted with animation on the growth
of mechanics and similar institutions.
1.-THE people are sure to have the fran
chise, he said with emphasis. "as knowl-
edge increases; but you will not get all
you seek at once, and you must never
seek it again by physical force" he
added, turning to me with smile; sit
will only make you longer about it,
Pail Mall Gazette.