New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-07

Others the chief and characteristic Victorian poet
1t embodied with noble and serene harmony and with
a then unwonted but most effective form. the newest
learning the most advanced speculative thought the
tenderest emotion. and 'he most intelligent religion
and aspiration Of the years when it was written
and that date was the very elimination OF the
period and of the rpeness Of his genius. 1t
showed his broad. progressive studies his innate re-
bgious mould. Tennyson was. in thought and faith.
conservatively liberal-of the school OF Maurice.
Kingsley and the like. English above all! English
in phrase person. knowledge of and love for outdoor
nature. truthtelling loyelty. impotence OF bearing
: above all, too. fitted TO be Engands hureate
In spite of my extreme Americansm and republican,
ism, confess that l have never been able to COM
prehend why some Of most honored literary
friends have deplored his acceptance of an hereditary
ttehave declared that 1t lessened either his ince-
pendence or his greatness. For Tennyson was not
a democrat. but a liberal conseiva I've. Pe was not
a republican. but constitutional monarchst not an
American, but an Englishman. All that he was he
was by birth, breeding, conviction. AS liberal
yet conserva i've Engishman, attached to the Govern
ment OF his realm why should he not accept
tte highest mark of eminence which the realm
could bestOw upon him Why should not poet Dc
the founder Of his house under the system to winch
his countrymen are loyal. we'll as soldier or
a statesman? Tho acceptance Of title, snobbish
and dsloyal MS IL would be the part Of an American
was perfectly consistent with Tenny sons sefrespect
as an Englishman, a laureate and constitutional
monarchist.
"Ho has gone in the fulness Of years and glory
and the feeling OF light and love that made youth
beautiful for us Is revived for moment as thhR
of what he WAS and then fades with the days that
are no more Who can guess what time must pass
whether II is to be coun ed by decades or by CEN
turies-before the old realm will itself so bravery
and faithfully expressed, and al its BEST by national
minstrel In enduring songl
On being asked as to his view Of the matters aifect
ing the choice of a successor to the laureatesmp'
Mr.. Stedman replied:
"There is no doubt, fancy, to. whom the hurei
would be given II the choice lay with the majority OF
the poets of tongue and Of critical judges OF poeuc
taste Their verdict would. believe, g1ve IL 10
Algernon Swinburne. This on the score OF MS u''-
palalleed lyrical gift, his talent for the quick making
of heroic and supremely rhythmical odeS ana the III
tense English feeling which underlles his work
whether ID has expressed the radicalism of his earlier
life or the alleged toryism of later outgivings But
It is not unlikely that Phstinsm will bear against
him and neSLnst the sentiment OF inc III
erary world
"Wilam Morris is possibly the second IN rank
among living British poets. But as socials' anu IT,
former, he might be debarred; In fact' might no'
care 10 be laureate under the existing British sys-
,ems Besides despite his taste learning, and his
aniuence ms a recounter Of tales which make MN Il
Kind of modern Chaucer. he has not often souhdeu ue
lyric note which seems essential to nauohai cee-
brant
1T would be invidious to mention the names oi
one or two who said to have the iaNor VI 'ho'c
high in influence, and Of whom neithercei'hS' "o"''
make the laurel any grcencr than II has come Hoii
the brows OF Wordsworth and Tenny SON.
"Recently an English author wrote to me that he
thought it would be fitting thing for an hnsnsh
Queen for the third time having the appohtmeh'
| OF a laureate, TO give the wreath TO woman ne
added that Chris Inc Ronetto in such case snouia
be the receive it, ,. 49,.
"NOw II Mr. swinburne is not 10 be chosen why
not GO back TO the courty tradi ions OF muteau
Why not select the modern poesessor OF Ehgbha : 5
lyre eegantiarum, In taste and morals hher , nan
realized it, equal 10 the best OF them Austin
Dobson's art is both perfect and spontaneous MS h
touches nothing which he does not adorn and be, be,
lievc he would prove equal 10 important hsuoha, ~
occasions In fact as j long ago wrote OF MN, u
is still hard to define his limitations, for he has mol
vet gone beyond them