Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-10-13

ALFRED TENNYsoN.
'.Ppems, Chiefly Lyrical," and from that
rapidly. The Mort d'Arthur." Locks
ley Hail. the MAY Queen and ''Two
Voices" followed each other In quick sue
cession. OF the ''Idylls of the KING" OF
ltAmay be said that While students of the
Ancsent French Arthurian romances
fiild much to cavll at, the
general reader is introduced to a new and
magical world of lofty thought and
poetry. In lS47 was printed "The
| Princess" TennysonS first long poem,
bnriesqued in Gilbert and Sulivan's last
bonnie opera. "In Memoriam," the laur-
Gates greatest poem, recently called by
competent critic ''the most, some say, the
only influential poem OF the century, was
suggested by the death of young Arthur
Hailman. 1t is series of marvelously
touching monodles is resplendent with re.
hgious and philosophical speculation, and
was the work of many years. The death OF
Wadsworth (1s5O) left it almost a matter of
course that to TennySon should be offered
| ''the laurel greener from the br0wS OF him
who uttered nothing base Such noble
poems as that on the death OF the Prince
Light Brigade show that the laureate did
not consider his office an idle honor Of
Tennyson's other chief poems, MAUD
was printed in 1856 the first series of the
.1dylis of the King III 1859; "Enoch Ar
den and Other Poems" in 1864; 'The
1859; revised edition of the "ldyhs,"
| arranged In aequence, in 1870,
and the "Widow" in the same year. Like
more than one great poet he proved the
must be also great dramatist Queen
| Mary. Drama (lS75l, and Harold
| lS77), both tragedies In five acts, have
some powerful passages, hut as acting
plays are dreary failures, Thomas a.
| Beckett is even worse.
| Tennyson was married in 1851 to Miss
Emily Selwcod. Before that time he had
| lived chiefly in London; since he resided at
| Farrlngtord, Isle of Wight, at Aldworth,
in Surrey, and near Peterslield, lamp
| shire. lie had two children Ills poems,
of which there are many cdiuons, have
sSau fully rs we'll In the United States as
| in England. A compliment to his popular
| ity was the publishing, in 1869, of a con-
cordance to his works by ID. Barron
| Brlghtwell.
Tennyson enjoyed two beautiful homes
| near the Seacoast ono at IlaSlemere, the
other at Frcshwater. "AldwMth' is the
| name of the home at IlaSlemere. 1t was
| in this charming retreat that much of the
| poets best later work was done.
! Aldworth is situated on the south slope OF
| Breakdown, a little less than 1000 feet
| above the level of the sea, ana overlooks
one of the loveliest wales in all England
| an exquisite picture of delicious rural
sccnery-the Weald of Sussex. From one
| of his study windows 1ennyson had this
reStful and enchanting view. from another
he overlooks Hindtead, a vastexpanse of
gorse and heather, dotted with picturesque
red-roofed villas. Not very faraway is the
Thus Aldworth is the summer home of
the Tennysons. Lady Tcnnyson was an in
| valid, and for great many years her nus
band had SO shaped his life as to secure tor
her the greatest comfort and immunity
| from any disturbance. She found
time In the midst of her ailments to eNer-
else her decided gift as II composer, and
songs of her composition were often sung
| at the celebration of the poets birthday.
The house at Aldworth is gothic. villa
with pointed arched porch, and is almost
| entirely hidden among the trees. The
| grounds are pretty, but Tennyson. with
| the exception of roses, did not care very
much for flowers, and the garden is not re-
| markable. The poets son, Italian Ten
| nyson, named after the friend whose loss
| is celebrated in the sculptural verse of "ln
| Memoriam,' lived with him, and to Hallam
| TennysOn'S wife most OF the care OF the
| gardens and cOnServatorleS at both homes
| was left.
Summer at Aldworth was usually gay.
| Tennyson worked little daily and took
| great delight in projecting new volumes.
| He was fond of visits from old friends,
| and many Of the great men OF England
| consider their Quiet smokes with the aged
| poet in the little library room at Aid
| worth as among their choicest ex-
periences. The venerable poet was, as
| great a devotee of the pipe AS Carlyle
| ever was and some of the most spiritual
| of his poems were born amid the fumes
| OF the Indian herb.
When October painted the trees all rus
sett-brown, the poet and his family re-
| paired to their other home at "Farr.ngford
| Park" situated near Freshwater Bay, on
the Isle of Wight. Not far away the
| hoary channel" as Lord Tennyson has
| himself said III hsverSe, 'tumbles break
er on chalk and sand" Alum Bay and the
| Needles are not distant. The mansion
is unimposing without, but ex1uis-
| itely arranged and richly furnished with
| in. TO the public it was visible only once
year-at the Farrlngdon Park Flower
| Show, when the poets great park was
| thrown open and hundreds of visitors
| are cordially invited by Hallam Ten
nyson. The poet was never visible
| on these occasions. The Tennysons
| were formerly much more generous with
| their beautiful park, but the public abused
| its privileges. 1t tore up flowers and
| ferns and carried away brick and stone as
| mementoes. 1t clamored for admission TO
| the house, giving Lady TennySon some
| genuine scares. One day the poet lost his
temper. and caused the posting OF notice,
saying: Amy person found trespassing
| will be prosecuted
| Tennyson was popular among the viii
| layers whose homes adJoin both his cs-
| tates. But nc had very little to do with
| them. OF politics he took small heed. al
| though it IS reported that he did once
nominate county councillor. To church
| he rarely went. yet he was friendly
| with several cl"rgymen, and one of
| them. the Rev. Peter Horneythwaite, Ro-
man Catholic priest, was frequent visitor
/ at both his homes. Father Peter was
| scholar of high literary attainments, and
| frequently engaged with Tennyson in the
| discussion of knotty points. 1t is boz
heyed, also that he often supplied to the