New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-01

Paradise, OF the Epic Of Hades. and two or three
other poems which might mention but will not?
They are ALL he insists far more popular and
generally accepted than the Idylls OF the King
Lord Tcnnysons chief work, ever were" Can
there be more than one person who would couple
the Epic Of Hades with ATLANTA in Calydon. or
mention Mr. Lewis Morris in the same breath
with Mr.. Swinburne7
The only difficulty to-day, in his opinion in
filling the Laurea teship is a plethora OF dis
tinguished writer's OF verst. Would half dozen
he plethora? Will he name the half-dozen?
The test of their merit is TO his mind popularity.
Is it indeed test? Mr.. Robert Montgomery was
so popular in his day that Macaulay thought 1t
needful in the interests Of sound literature to
beat him to death with club Mr. Martin Far
quhar Upper was popular. and tho editions of
Proverbial Philosophy were numerous. Did either
of these writer's win the general assent OF edu-
Gated people? I am not disposed to deny that
Mr.. Lewis Morris is the worthy successor Of either
or both. But who the other five? But the
purely democratic test. or the appeal in matters
Of literature to a numerical majority. is likely
10 produce singular results.
The Laureateship is post Of respectable an
tiquity the character Of which, like many other
antiquities. has changed Certain duties still
occasion a courtier. He must he capable Of birth
day odes and other loyal illusions Lord Tcnny-
son. as we all know, was In his earlier laureate
period he wrote magnihcently on subjects which
in most poetic hands have produced nothing but
platitudcs Later he tired OF these tasks. and by
the time the Jubilee Of the Queen had arrived
he performed them in the usual pcrfunctory man
ner. Is it conceivable that Mr. Swinburne would
be likely in his maturer life to turn to adulation Of
the people whom in his youth he attacked with
a kind Of fierce splendor not yet forgotten nor
likely be forgiven in royal circles? Yet is there
really any other living poet who can be named as
Laureate without making the place ridiculous?
The death of Christina Rossetti has reminded
some Of the Laureate makers that there are
women well men with title to the post.
zone Of the sweetest voices that ever sang. says
one of her eulogsts. Sweet. perhaps. but OF no
great volume or power. Her verse. says
this writer. had a certain wistful charm,
self possession distinction. and melancholy
beauty such would be sought in
vain elsewhere in tie works OF English
poets" The sweeping last clause OF the SEN
tence is an example OF the uncrtical enthusiasm
too apt to prevail in obituary notices: or in no.
tees not obituary. What is It but to put
Christina Rossett above all English poets in self
possession, distinction ana lneldnCHOIE beauty
She can maintain no such place.
But Christina Rossetti is gone and who are the
living women poets? Who are the female candi-
dates for Lord Tennysons succession? There IS
considerable choice. thinks one lover Of the sex.
or Of the feminine In poetry. His list includes
Miss Ingeow. Mrs. Woods. Mrs. Meynell. Mrs
Hinkson Miss lyman. Nine. Darmesteter Miss
Mary Robinson) and the two ladies' who collabo-
rate under the name Of Michael Field. Miss Dolly
Radford and Miss May Kendall. How many II
| these are known In America? Certainly We could
| do better here II Americans were-as think Mr..
| Tom Hughes once suggested-to become candi-
| dates for English honors. Il must be in very
| desperation that these ladies are dragged Into
| the Laureate controversy or competition. CHRIS
tina Rossett wrote Of late years chirAy reiigi Us
verse; not altogether a very good training for
birthday odes and epithaam!i. Eut 'acrc Is.
Of course no thought Of appointing woman.
| New-YOrk. Jan. 90 q w =