The morning times., 1895-12-23
Kings Palace,
812-SI4 Seventh st. N. w.
716 Market Space.
AN IRISH POET.

Mrs. Alexander Would Have Ranked
Among EHgibles for Poet Laureate.
II anyone doubts that this is the gold
en- age of feminine poetry, the recent
suggestion in England to exalt a wo-
mans pen to the labors of the laureate
ship, and the proposition to raise mon
ument to the memory OF Cecil Frances
Alexander, ought to prove in how high
an estimate Elizabeth Barrett Brown
ing's sister singers are held. Advocates
OF q woman laureate brought forward
half dozen honored, admired names,
Jean Ingelow's among them, and the
monument 10 Mrs. Alexander is going to
be raised on the strength of her great
popularity, through her work on both
sides of the Atlantic. This gentle, old
lady, who died recently at the age OF 30,
has never by name been ranked with
such eminent poetesses as Julia Ward
Howe or Christian Rosetti. yet two Of
her poems are nearly as familiar tc
Americans and English people as Long
fellows Psalm OF Life" She came of
an English family, long settled in LcEdon-
derry, Ireland, and her father fought
coDspicu ously under Nelson, but she
chose a man OF peace for her husband
in the Bishop of Derry, whose Odes and
anthems are admired in England. Her
first and most popular book was vol
ume called Hymns for Little Children
These were indorsed by the eminent
English divine and scholar Keble. aud
encouraged to venture farther she began
to write devotional songs. Once In
Royal David's City" Immediately be-
came popular and when There is a
Green Hill Far Away" appeared it at
tracted the enthusiastic attention ofGounod.
who asked as a privilege that he might
write the music for IL.
There existed after this q warm friend
ship between the great French Composer
and the shy, brown-eyed little bishops
wife. who sent him other products of her
pen. frequently asked his criticism OF her
work. and lived TO hear her poem, set To
his music, sung in Protestant aud Catholic
churches alike. at pubic concerts and in
drawing rooms. by many persons who never
knew whether C. F. Alexander was a
man or woman. To her other best-known
l. devotional songs. especially The Roseate
Hues OF Early Dawn when Wounded
Sore the Stricken Soul" and His Are
the Thou 81 nd Sparkling Rills. Gounod gave
unqualified praise. saying that these rhyth-
mic hymns seemed to set themselves to
music. They have been translated into
Dutch. German, French, and Swedish, but
the best effort OF Mrs. Aiexander's pen
appears in the familiar yet alwa Us beauti-
rul Burial of Moses II was one in a
volume called Poems of the Old Testa-
ment,' but the public singled it out for
special admiration, and Tennyson, who
never failed to admire the best in literature.
said it was one of the poems by living
writer OF which he would have been proud
to be the author. and that it contained as
inspiring and imaginative lines as had ever
been written in English. In addition
to her poems. Mrs. Alexander published
much good prose. chiefly on serious topics
| of church work and hilanthropy. She
also produced two novels. cola borated
| frequently with her husband. aided him
| greatly in his work. and was counted the
most charming hostess in all Ireland.
where. in the bishops palace, she enter
| tained many of the most famous pbilan-
| thrOpists. men OF letter, and Statesmen who
| crossed ST. Georges channel.