New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-11
TENNYSON,S YOUTH.
RECOILECTIONS OF MRS. w. II. BROOK
FIELD.

ID.
The rcco!lcctons OF Tennyson's youth. Just pub
lishel In Temple Bar by his Old friend. Mrs.
Brookhell, are full OF interest. This lady as the
cousin OF Arthur Hallam and the wife OF the poet $
college friend. W. H. Brookfcld knew Tennyson
10 many years we'll outside his
own family could know him. finding him always
she says consistently loyal toward those whom he
had once accepted az his friends Her first glimpse
Of him came before her marriage when her be-
trothed brought him to call upon her and upon
her father. Sir Charles Elton himself a poet Of
some reputation. At this period the young Tenny
son was wonderfully handsome and OF tall and
stately presence.
Although always courteous" says Mrs Brook
field. ''he this first visit to reserved and
silent for time until he gradually thawed
under the sympathetic influence OF his friend Brook
field. To whom he greatly attached. and the
conversation became generally Interesting and
agreeable But when a slight pause occurred Ten
nyson slowly rose from his chair. and with grave
delibcraon laid his hand on my fathers remarka-
bly, fine and intellectual head. saying. You must
do a great many foolish things. sir. with this great
bump OF bencvolence OF yours My father answered
gcniay. 1 dare say | do'-and We were all much
amused. though little awed. at the time
one OF the pledsantest things Mrs. Brookfeld says
about the poet Is that he thoroughly kind.
passionate and sympathetic with all genuine trou-
bic or perp,exlty. His Of humor she de-
hand in daily iife-"and the exceeding dignity and
seriousness OF his usual demeanor made these fire.
qucnt flashes Of amusement the more welcome
In his younger days he would allow his friends
TO laugh at, as well as with him. and receive 1t
with only playful Indignation; sometimes. perhaps.
he would wilfully provoke their criticisms. on
occasion after they had left Cambridge my hus-
band remembered dining with rennyson George
Eennbles and others at the Reform Club. After
pnsse IN r GSi s G all fomay
demonstrated IN vain until one of them said: Take
fa "wn A wap b sy e w think are tTnssGw
mate friends his conversation was fun OF depth
nom time to time greatly amuse them with humor
gus lights OF fancy amounting sometimes to hyper
well could never misunderstood. but which might
e','iy perp ,,;.. ne new acquaintance
ours, who belonged to strictly conventional
ton OF society hat gladly accepted an invitation
poetry with great admiration. and was prepared
to make his acquaintance with reverent enhusi-
with absolute strangers. and the graceful Difference
of our dear friends demeanor toward him did not
Ing. however. when Alfred had realized that this
lady was an Intimate friend of ours. and that we
agreeable to her. he up to her with good
n nature friendiness saying 7 could not find any
as "a So nS,e OF port fr In me can talk as much
alarmed at this playful announcement, receiving IL
as a literal assertion. But she was soon treasured
by me, serious interest of his ton which
iraizeu all her expectation. This Is but a tri1ing
incident to recall. but 1t Is one OF those early
"reminiscences OF his bachelor days which seems To
me 10 acquire interest from its very simplicity.
Mrs. Brookfeld in describing a visit at Lord Ash
purtons pace. gives an amusing picture OF Ten
hysons coming Into breakfast rather late one morn
ms, with perturbed expression of face and his
watch In his hand. saying with great gravity, My
watch has stopped. what am | to DOR We all felt
concerned for moment until. l thEk IL was Mr.
rd'rDairn' who as practical man. with equal
gravity rose from his chair took the watch from
"'treds hand asked for his key. wound 1t up and
silently returned 1t to It's owner"
When his friend Of a lifetime Mr. Brookne.d
"ied the poet wrote TO the widow note az the
ehd OK which he said: For believe that the dead
n'e' whatever pseudo-savants may say and In
these touching lines he recalled the old DAYS at
cambridge with liailam and Brookne.d:
brooks for they ca.d You 50 that knew you best
U Id irooks-who loved 80 we'll to mouth my rhymes
TOW or we two have heard ST. Mary's chimes,
now or the Cantab supper. host and guest
Would echo helpless laughter 10 your Jest!
now OF win him We paced that walk OF lines
t,rrih the lost lgnt of those dawn-golden times
W no loved you we'll Now both are gone to rest
lou man OF humorous melancholy mark,
r. Dead OF some inward agony--is It so?
Vur k!ndner, trusuer. jacques past away.
cannot laud this life. It looks 80 dark:
Suas 6vap-Dream Of q shadow, go
1od bless you'll shall join you in dayI