Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-30
e>.-s--7 .se st5aLswoRTH.

An Interview with the Aged Poet Few
Years Before His Death.
Thomas Cooper, the veteran chartist,
who has received grant Of G200 from the
Civil List, had, on one occasion, very
interesting interview with Wordsworth
at Rydal Mount. Cooper had been at
Carlisle and started on walk through
the Lake country
1t was on the third day after leaving
Carlisle that Cooper arrived at Rydal
Lake. He was very anxious to see
Wordsworth and have talk with him,
but, not knowing the poet and having
no introduction. was rather doubtful as
to what the nature of his reception might
be. But, summoning all the courage at
his command, he boldly strobe up to the
poets door and knocked.
In reply to an inquiry he was told that
Wordsworth was at home; so he wrote
on a slip of paper, Thomas Cooper,
author of "The Purgatory of Suicides
desires to pay his devout regards to
Wordsworth" In very few minutes
he was in the presence of the 'smajestic
old man" and was bowling with deep
and heartfelt homage when Wordsworth
seized his hand and welcomed him with
such hearty 'How do you do? 4 am
very happy to see you" that Cooper says
the tears stood in his eyes for joy.
Nothing struck Cooper SO much in
Wordsworth's conversation as his re-
mark concerning chartism-after the
subject of Cooper's Imprisonment had
been touched upon. "You were right,
Wordsworth said; 81 have always said
the people were right in what they asked;
but you went the wrong way to get it.
There is nothing unreasonable in your
charter. 1t is the foolish attempt at
physical force for which many of you
have been blamable." By and by the
conversation drifted to other subjects.
There was but one occasion, says
Cooper, on which discerned the feeling
of jealousy in him; it was when men
toned Byron. eff there were time," he
said, 81 could show you how Lord
Byron was not so great poet as you
think him to be-but never mind that
now" had just been chasing his OWL
sonnets and "Childe Harold together
as the noblest poetry since Paradise
Lost" but did not reassert what / said.
sI am pleased TO fnd," he said, Will,
talking about Byron, 'sthat you preserv,
your muse chaste and free from ranl
and corrupt passion. Lord Byron de
graded poetry In that respect. Men
p hearts are bad enough. Poetry shoul,
refine and purify their natures. no
| make them worse"
L Wordsworth's opinion ON Tennyson j
interesting. Cooper asked the poet wha
his opinion was of the poetry of the day
"There is little that can be called higl
poetry" Wordsworth said. "Mr. Ten
| nyson affords the richest promise. H,
will do great things yet, and ought t,
have done great things by this time"
"His sense of music observed
s'seems naore perfect than that of any o
the new race of poets"
eyes," Wordsworth replied; 'the per
ception of harmony lies in the very es
sence Of the poets nature, and Mr.. Ten
nyson gives magnificent proofs that h
is endowed with it,
Wordsworth spoke of Southey in thu
highest terms. and again reverted Il
politics. There will be great changes
on the Continent" he said, when til,
present king Of the French dies, bu
not while he lives. The different gov
ernments Will have to give constitution
to their people, for knowledge is spread
ing, and constitutional liberty is sure tx
follow" Wordsworth also alluded *
the spread of freedom in England, ant
descanted with animation on the growth
of mechanics and similar institutions.
''The people are sure to have the fran
chise, " he said with emphasis, 'sas knowi
edge increases; but you will not get al
you seek at once, and You must nevel
seek it again by physical force," ht
added, turning to me with smile; ''ii
will only make you longer about it,
Pail Mall Gazette.