The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-30
POETRY'S INFLUENCE
IT HAS FURNISHED INSPIRATION FOR
GREAT AMERICAN ORATORS.
Tennyson's Poems Not Particularly Popu-
lar with O'Conor, Conkling, Corwin,
Choate and IngersolI-They Preferred
Shakespeare, Milton and Byron.
Especial Corrcspondence.l

lcpeclal COrrcSponuenCe.J
NEW YORK, Oct 1s.-As soon as the death
OF Tennyson was announced publishers in
New York city began TO offer various edi-
tons OF his works-some Of them very ex-
pensive and others as low as fifty cents for
a very fine type complete edition. Yet the
sale has not been large. and it Is evident
that. while Tennyson is esteemed as great
poet, his works have not that popularity
In America which some others have en-
joyed.
A greater sale Of Whittler's poems fol-
lowed the announcement Of his death than
was the case with Tennyson's. aud when
Longfellow died very large editions OF his
works were sold. 1t is interesting to know
what some of the ADLER professional men
have thought Of Tennyson and other poets,
and to what extent they have relied upon
the greater versillers for such charms OF
language they have possessed.
Charles O'Conor, one OF the greatest
lawyers who ever practiced at the Ameri-
can bar, was a lover Of good poetry, and
was also able to say wherein the highest
charm Of poetry lay. He knew Tennyson
and read him with pleasure, but he did not
rely upc Tennyson as he did upon other
Of the English poets for discipline in
diction. O'Conor studied Milton and
Shakespeare, and be often said that what
ever capacity he had for expressing in pure
English such thoughts as he had to utter
was Tue very greatly TO his familiarity
with these poets. He was fascinated with
Shelley's poems, and often declared that
the art of versifying could be expressed in
in no more exquisite melody than was to
be found in some Of Shelley's verses.
1t is not generally known that Roscoe
Conklng, who had an extraordinary com
maud of English, gained that mastery
over the mother tongue through assiduous
study Of some Of the poets. Conkling had
no great admiration for Tennyson as COM
pared with the generation with which he
regarded Milton, Shakespeare and Byron.
He was accustomed to commit passages OF
Milton and Byron to memory. He has
said that no man can become aperfect ora
tor who does not know Milton. Tennyson
he was fond of reading, just as he was fond
Of reading the greater noveusts. lie adj
mired Tennyson's technical skill and his
mastery of words, but he often said that
Tennyson was of no service TO one VIII"
made public speaking profession except
ing that tho reading Of Tennyson gave him
a broader culture
Tom Corwin, whom many regarded in his
day as the greatest orator the west has
produced, cared but little for Tennyson.
He was inclined to regard him as a wom-
ans poet and young lovers ideal versi-
fer. Corwin reveled in Byron, and he
knew "Lallah Rhook" by heart. In CORE
spondence which be oDce had with Conkling
he spoke of the benefit he had gained from
thorough familiarity with Byron, whose
copious and oriental richness OF diction
was peculiarly fitted in his opinion 10 the
study of one who desired to gain fame as
an orator.
Joseph II. Choate, who Is one Of the most
| delightful Of orators at the American bar
declares that Shakespeare, aside from the
intellectual discipline the study OF hi:
works gives, is tue poet for the orator.
Colonel Bob Ingersoll knows two poets
by heart-Shakcspeare and Burns-and il
is his opinion that there is more Of genius
in half q dozen OF Burns poems than there
IS in all Of Tennyson's verses. lngersoii
however. does not mean by that TO dispar
AGO Tennyson as poet. Whatever excel
lencies he has as an orator-at least so IA
addiction is concerned-he attributes TO IN
familiarity with Burns and Shakespeare.
Abraham Lincoln never read any Of Ten
nyson. but lac was Of opinion that if he ha'
any style at all the first suggestions OF /
came TO him when he as lad read Mil
tons Paradise Lost" and that poem h
read frequently rs long as he lived.
Rufus Choatc, the most gorgeous In HI
diction Of any Of the American orators
loved Byron aud studied Byron's poems
Those who read Choate's speeches care
fully can detect the influence of Byron il
his diction. Tennyson had not reached th
luster of his fame when Choate died, bu
as poet he could not have appealed t
that master mind.
Daniel Webster, who began his career O
oratory with what lie called "a hifaluti
style" afterward changed it to one OF st
we're simplicity, and ascribed such merit
Of diction as he possessed to the study c
Hooker, to familiarity with Millions pros
and poetry, and above all to Shakespeare
IL seems 10 be a fact that the create
orators have for the most part mad
Shakespeare, Milton, and, Of later poets
Byron their constant companions. On IN
other hand the gentle essayists and ID
fine writer's are those who love Tcnnyso
above all. Howclls, Warner George WI
liam Curtis and Aldrich are among thos
American authors who have been wlllln
TO defend Tennyson against any who nav
claimed superior merit for other Englis
poets, Shakespeare excepted. Clergymei
too, seem to prefer Tennysoh: blsho
Brooks reads him constantly. He was
favorite with Beecher. DR.. Greer, who
rapidly coming to the front as one OF IN
most brilliant of American pulpit orator.
has Tennyson upon his study table. 90
don, the charming orator OF the Old SCOUT
pulpit in Boston, admires Tennyson aDoV
the others, and Professor Swing, OF On
cago, finds his greatest literary delight
the reading Of Tennyson's poems.
L. j. EDWARDS.