The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-08
OUR LITERARY BUDGET.
Charles Kingsley, Priest, Poet. Politician
Novelist-Hls Fence With John Henry
Newman-Cariyie's Friendship.

Charles Kingsley, priest, poet, politician
and novelist. was born in lSlo-in Queen Vic
toria's vear-as il was that OF Ruskln, Lowell,
Helps, and many others whose names have
shed luster on the Victorian era. He was
educated at private schools, at Kings college,
in London. and at Magdalen college, Jam
bridge lie was ordained a curate in 1872,
and shortly after became rector Of Eyersiey,
a place in Hampshire and this was his home
for the remainder OF his life, though at times
broken in upon by church and other prefer
ments, FOR he was for nine years professor OF
modern history at Cambridge university, and
be became a canon OF Westminster. Apart
from bis books, his poems and the part he
took ~ she political movements OF the times,
his life was uneyentfil. He was happily
married and had three children. For many
years he was one OF the most prominent men
in England by reason Of his vigorous ana
prolific writings. Born an arisiOcrai. his
sympathies in the political strife OF the tunes
Were with the poor against the rch, ana with
the democracy in its Iust. demands FOR greater
recognition. though he maintained mat Inc
proper leader IN such a movement ought 10 ne
q noble or a churcbman. lie was man OF
ardent piety and Of a liberal theology, tbOush
be believed hat the creed and dogma OF the
Anglican Church comprised all that was best
in (hr.stanity He was generous public
spirited and wholesome man with a sub
stratum Of bigOtry IN his mind. ms latter
quality once led hun 10 attack John Heniy
Newman, whereupOn that matchless diaiecU-
clan scored Mr. Kingsley N way lie never
forgot.
Kingsley's first published volume was "The
Saints Tragedy. a drama OF great power,
and showing poetic ability Of "a high order.
rilll II is unequal. and Is quite unadapied to
the stage. But IT contains several lyTics and
many passages Of great beauty. His music,
songs and ballads such AS the Sands OF
Dee" and 'Ihe Three FISHERS are sun
popular and Will be long remembered.
kingsley's first novel was Yeast, Prob
lem" first published seralIy in Frazlers
Magazine in 1S4S Ihis is a story Of English
country life, but it dwels on The haidships
and expressions OF the peasanify. There is
much impressive realism in II. The poor,
s0dden, hopeless peasantry consollng them
selves with strong drink and brutal songs,
without ambition and without patriotism, are
as strongly drawn as anything in /Ola. ! ne
story was too true 10 be received well, but II
had effect as an argument. ALTON LOCK-
next appeared. and this time the scene was
laid in london. The hero - a tailor, poet
and radical, Oppressed by poverty ana bis
social surroundings. The most admired char
acter in the book is Old sandy Mackaye,
scoIchman who reads OLD history, politics and
the works Of CARLYLE; whose talk is grabbed,
but his heart II warm who loves The people
with a deep and abiding love, and who fesis
immovably upon the fact that the only hope
for The poor man IS the most absolute
morality.
When this novel was published il was re-
ceiycd with scOln by the higher periodicals,
but it made its way among the people, and 1t
was very widely READ. Carlyle, who was on
terms Of intimacy with Kingsley, wrote TO
him most Characteristic letter, iuii of admi-
ration, though Justly critical. lie says
II found plenty 10 like and be grateful for
in the book abundance, nay eXuberance az
generous zeal, headlOng impetuOsity Of de-
termination toward the manful side on ali
manner OF questions; snatches Of excellent
poetic description, occasional sunbursts OF
noble insight; everywhere certain wild III
tensity, which holds the reader fast as by
SPELL Saunders Mackaye, my in
valuable cOuntryman in this book, Is nearly
pericct indeed ] greatly wonder how you did
c0ntriye to manage him-his very dialect is
as if Lative had done 1t, and the whole ex-
istence of the rugged old hero is wonder
fully splendid and coherent piece of sc0ich
brayura. In both Of your women, too, find
some grand poetic features, but neither 81
them is worked out into the "Daughter Of The
sun" she might have BEEN Indeed, nothing
is worked out anywhere in comparison with
Saunders, and the impression is of a feIyid
creation stli left halt chaotic. This is my
literary verdict, both the black of it and the
white"
Carlyle might have wondered where Kings
ley got the old ScOtchman, but nobody else
now does. He was, in fact, "A reduced and
somewhat disguised portrait OF Carlyle him
self "Alton Lock- is indeed a ieryid story
.f.a
still be read with immense pleasure.