The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-06
Unwelcoine Visitors.

Unwelcome Visitors.
A resident Of this city yesterday cdlleu
20 mind few interesting anecdotes OF
Lord Tennyson. The gentleman in ques-
ton has friend residing in London,
George Conel, a sculptor, who was per
mitted by the poet laureate to make MS
bust, a privilege granted TO no other Lon
don artist for many years. and 1t was
this artist who related to the Detroiter
many Of the poets eccentricities. The
sculptor was a frequent visitor at the
poet's house, for Hallam Tennyson, as
well as his father, took a great inter
est in art matters.
Lord Tennyson was sociable with few
intimate friends, but he always enter
tanned a profound contempt for bores.
Lavish admiration from strangers was
especially offensive TO him. Seen IN MS
home, the poet presented somewhat I'M
couth appearance, as he never or seldom,
trimmed his beard, and when he was
walking In his garden in a reverie those
who understood his disposition understood
that he did not wish TO be disturbed.
This trait was illustrated one day, when
two ladies. who had made a pilgrimage
to see his home approached his gate.
They saw the poet walking slowly in his
little domain, smoking his pipe, and SEEM
ingly lost in reverie. Although they were
strangers, they finally plucked up cour-
age and entered the grounds. The old
man frowned when they approached, for
he had been good deal bothered OF late
by inquisitive visitors who came TO look
at him as one gaZes upon curiosity.
Lord Tennyson?" said one OF the ladies
in her softest tone
Yes" he responded.
ooh, we are so glad to see you. We
have come from afar to see YOU We
have read your poems, and wanted TO see
the writer"
The poet laureate only frowned.
but we fear we are trespassing. We
have no right to enter your grounds, but
we couldn't resist. Indeed, we couldn't"
yes"
81 know II is unwarrented, but really.
you understandable temptation was too
great l fear that We are great in
truders."
Here the poet blew Whit from his
pipe.
'Wen. why don't you go. them" he re-
marked
1t is needless to say that the ladies de-
parted. At the gate one of them paused
and gaZed back at the laureate, who was
once more walking slowly around his
grounds.
What an old bearw she said.
Again, while at dinner, Tennyson was
not very talkative, except on occasions
However, there were often gathered at his
board many interesting people, whose
conversation he undoubtedly enjoyed, al
though he did not always give evidence
Of the fact. One day there were a num-
Der Of persons present, and the conversa-
ton, led by the son. Hallam. turned upon
Carlyle. number of interesting stories
were recalled, and then one of the guests
alluded 10 attach that HAD
In the press on Carlyle's character. The
accusations were referred 10, and as the
conversation became more animated, the
poet shifted uneasily In his chair. Then
he remarked:
Why can't they let man alone when
he's dead?"
That was all he said during the dinner,
and IL was evident that his mind had sud
denly become filled with mournful fancies,
for all the afternoon he walked in his gar
den, morosely smoking his pipe. He was
by no means a cynic however, although
possessed to a marked degree of that es-
sentially English characteristic-exclu-
siveness.-Detroit Visitor.
Literary Notes.
Mr.. w. l.. Alden, foreriy the funny
man" OF the New York Times a writer
OF Boys stories and late American Con-
sul-General at Rome. has just written a
novelette, with the title "a Los. Soul"
Those familiar only with Mr. AIden's
humorous pen will be surprised to find
him the author OF a tragedy such as this,
and book whose peculiaritites will
exclude It from the family circle and the
Sunday-school library.
AT special meeting held at Albany on
September 18th the regents OF New York
State University promoted the Rev DIR.
Arson J. Epson, professor Of sacred rhet-
oric and pastoral theology In the Auburn
Theological Seminary. 10 be chancellor:
the Right Rev. William Croswell Doane.
Bishop Of Albany. was elected vice-chan-