The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-01


OF Alder gulch. At Virginia City. l3-Mrs.
Ida II. Sohoppe. Helena.
A STUDY OF WILLIAM WATSON
Estimate OF the Rising English Poet by =
Hsienh Critic.
Written for The Indopan lent.
That William Watson has not received
the laurel from the English throne may be a
disappointment TO seine Of his admirers.
but II We are 10 look upon his rejection as
an intimation OF his unftnsss, il may be
well TO remember that sovsreigns have
often erred in their sstimstes of poets and
poetry. Looking over the history Of Eng
lands marvellous literature from the time
when the Office Of laureate frat smerges
from obsonrity. and begins TO bear upon il
some Of the marks of authentic history, IL
Is not altogether pleasing to note that this
gift has either been conferred upon satifists
who we're willing to drive the muse TO the
service OF ambitious rulers, OF that its be-
stoWal has been deferred TO a time In the
lives Of the few Rods of song who have been
ita recipients, when they we're 90 far In the
aseendenoy as to receive neither benefit nor
honor from an Office TO which they added
the splsndor OF their fame. Considered aa
position of dignity. created by a great
nation for the use Of posts. We expect to
find It conferred in the spirit of Apprsoia-
tion. and a. q reward 10 deserving genius;
and 20 find 10 made subservient 10 political
ends or bestowed merely for the purpose OF
bringing an additional lustre TO the royal
court, az once strips it of that worth which
it might otherwise have possessed. What
ever dignity is attached to 10 in the present
age. is due in large measure 20 the lofti-
ness OF purpose, which. no matter what
judgment postsrity may see ct TO pass
upon their genius. must ever remain a
prime charAoteristic In the poetry OF both
Tennyson and Wordsworth. The laureate
ship il, In sense, a mantle from these
Eliiahs. and only az such is il to be desired
by the aspiranta Of to-day.
II cannot we'll be disputed that Swim
burne lie now the greatest among living
poets and in the recognition of this fact
We are In danger of losing sight Of a group
of poets not far below him who have a
Just claim on the poetry reading public. 1t
was impossible for these poets to gain much
of an audience while Tennyson wns aehiev-
ing his remarkable fame. They have had,
1t is true. their circle Of appTeciativs read
ere, but their productions have never gone
to the heart Of :be people. where all poetry
must, either by a di;ect appeal. OF through
intermediate channelN, ultimately hnd its
way OF fail in its m issiOn. The death of
Tennyson. and the specL alton srising from
il as 10 who would suocsed MIN, have given
them more general attention. Whistler
they POSSESS the strength o; genius to give
them a high place in permanent literature
only the coming years can determine, but
there is certainly to be found in the poetry
OF William Watson. Lord de Tabley, the
Aorrisss. and their fellow poets enough of
the essential qualities TO give them place
above mediocritI.
william Watson, the comparatively
Jouug singer of the group. has given 20 the
world but q slender volume Of verse, the
Ses, of which is sleRiac. He has gone for
his greatest inspiration TO the graves of de-
parted genius. In this age. when science
seems so completely enthfoned in the pu bile
mind. such verse 10 not read with svidity.
ID looks very much a. IL the poet who would
now catch the popular ear must find some
thing for his art In the wheel and the loom,
the marvellous inventions and discoveries
with which science has blessed mankind.
In other words, science 10 extremely popu-
lar, and art to become popular must. TO
considerable extent 60 hand in hand with
science. But aTt-and above all poetry as
one of the greatest forms Of art expression
will never bA ter her freedom for popu-
larity. Whenever posts have attempted to
do IL for her. their productions. although
they may have won the applause Of a gen
GRAFTON. have eventually become forgotten;
and whsfo Is the powe' that can now restore
these uuants of the muse 10 fame7
II was 70 DO expected that watson's
poetry would meet with just such criticism
as has appeared against ID. aud IL Is not
surprising that he has been snserinaly
dubbed writer Of grave poems" Itis
however, quite noticeable that the charges
made so seriously by his critics could. with
equAl justice, be made against mAhI Of the
great postsi as an Instance. the repetition
of thought. 10 IL much TO the credit Of
these critics thai. in reviewing this volums
of verse. they put lie author 10 a test which
they refuse 30 make applicable 90 genius
that 10 more universally Teooguizsd2 II ID
requires but reading Of this volume 60
prove tha, the faults absorbed to IL exist. IL
certainly does no, require a sscond reading
10 convince that thoss faults are trifl ing and
Of little importance when compared with its
general sxceilsneo "Laehrymas Musarum"
aud "Wordsworth's Grave" are no doubt the
best poems 10 contains. the former bT far
the nnest verse tribute % Tsnnyson that
has appeared. "Wordsworth's Grave has
Justly bsen classsd among the best prodas-
lions Of reoentart Wordsworth. after hav-
ing won for himself great name in DO
etIy, vas destined 90 lose his infusace
through . misguided public taste. brought
about In part By criticism that overlooked
the true objects and aims Of postry. Those
Who have seen him overcome this neglect
and rise again through the might OF his
genius 30 his proper plaza among posss.
By Matthew Arnold snd others