Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-05
SAID TO BE DYING
Lord Alfred Tennyson Eng
lands Poet Laureate,
ON HIS DEATH BEDAT HAlLEM
Origin and Co1rye OF the Disease-Lov-
ing Countrymsn Watch the Bull
letins Anxiously.

L0SDos, Oct 4.-Dr. Dabbs, who 10
IN constant attendance upon Lord
Tsnnyson told the correspondent Of
the United Press at ll:30 O'Clock to-
night that his patients condition was
very grave. The bulletin Issued at .
O'Clock said: "Lord Tennyson's con-
dition 10 stIll critical. He takes food
well and 10 not perceptibly weaker"
Last night Tennyson slept well and the
early morning bulletin stated that mis-
symptoms we're more encouraging. Al
noon however he Was worss- His
weakness had increased rapidi} since
10 o'clock and he Was reported to be
sinking. At 5 O'Clock the rumor Vas
that 40 was sinking rapidly and might
not last the night through.
Commenced Win GouI
Tennyson's Illness began on Friday.
He suffered from gout for several
years, bat the disease had not become
acute until recently. The rapid devel-
opment OF influenza early IN the week
brought him 10 his bed on Friday. He
Was strpngly opposed to yielding TO the
malady. as the special train which has
Tor years conveyed him from Hesle-
mere TO the shore opposite his winter
home on the isle OF Wight. had al
ready been ordered. lie begged nard
10 be allowed TO 20, but Sir Andrew
Clarke and DR.. Dabcs told HIM that
the Journey could be made only ~ tine
risk OF his life. In Difference 70 tins
warning. as well as TO tho wishes of his
invalid wife, Tennyson reluctantly
concluded TO remain at Hazlemere.
Visitors 20 constantly throughout the
day 10 Hazlemere to read the bulletins
As 10 Tennyson's condition.
He shans Publicity.
These bulletins are very meagre, ow-
ing 10 Tennyson's request on Saturday
when inquiries began TO multiply, that
as little publicity as possible be given
10 the disease. HAllAm Tennyson de-
hvered the bulletins 70 the reporters
but refused To add TO the scanty Infor-
NATION which they contain. The peo-
pie of Aldewortn know almost nothing
OF Tennysou's condition or, IN fact,
about the Tennysons IN any way.
Aldeworth 10 three miles from the VII
lage and one from the nearest house.
Not only she poet. but also his wife
and son are complete strangers TO the
people theresbouts. The solitude of
the place, however. has been banished
since yesterday noon. Hundreds of
telegrams OF inquiry and sympathy are
being received from friends and ad-
mirers OF the poet.
Messages from Royalty y
Queen Victoria, Gladstone, The Earl
OF kOseberrv Emperor William and
dozens Of other persons of worldwide
reputation are sending messages and
receiving news IS TO his condition.
The Queen receives reports three times
daily. The messages are so numerous.
however. that most the inquirers get
answers only through the newspapers
as there IS nobody at Aldsworth to re-
turn individual replies. The only per-
sons At the bedside Of the patient
are the physicians who pass prac-
tlcally the whole cay aud night
in the house. Lady Tennyson,
who is a chronic invalid. Hsllam
Tennyson and his family. II seems
highly improbable That Lord Tennyson
Will recover or even last more than
two or three days. although ms physi-
clans refuse To speak as To the result of
MS illness HIS physical health has
been far from satisfactory for some
time, and he is thought To have
hardly the vitality TO rally from
such severe illness. A late bulletin
says:
'Lord Tennysou's condition is ex.
tremsly critical. He - extremely
weak and takes nourIshment with diff.
Guilty"