Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-02

| his art from the close study Of rn.r,.
masters. He heard the song Of each
nc caught their charm; he made ~.
secret Of their art his own possession
The romantic chivalry Of Scott ~.
passion OF Byron. the simplicity ~
WORDSWORTH. the exquisite imagery or
shelley, the riotous imagination ~
Keats, unite to form one rare bud
which. warmed by the clear sunlight or
Tcnnyson's own genius. bursts into
the perfect flower Of English poetry.
When we learn that Tennyson bav
treated every species Of poetic compo-
sition and when, from first to last
from simple song to lofty epic. we f,nd
that In addition to perfect harmony or
subject and expression, there Is never
any departure from the beautiful. the
ideal, the grand, then only do we fIlIv
recognize the greatness of his genius
the supremacy of his art
This is Tennysons first LESSON: no
teaches US to recognize and love the
beautiful in nature and In man. he Gle.
Yates and refines our tastes, he opens
new world before our wondering
eyes, nc DDS US go in and possess the
land
ich"yHo" 10 Hot d poet OF the people
in any such sense as was Walt Whit
man, and for this the literary world
has reason to be glad. He is not an
other Goldsmith, singing by the road
side. earning his bread by the music
of his harp. Unlike Burns. living in
poverty, himself a part of the scenes
he so beautifully describes, Tennyson
did not sit in familiar converse before
the simple hearth of the Cotter's home.
Beautiful, sweet and clear as is the
music of these bards, Tennyson strikes
note which they can never reach. 1t
Is his god-given, god-like task to sing
songs of cheer and hopefulness, to call
men from the low plain of dull sense
and sordid existence to place beside
himself upon the heights. He inspires
a worldwide sympathy and helpful
spirit.
Louder, grander than this humans
tartan note is the triumphant chord
which marks Tennyson's victory over
spiritual foes. Tennyson bids us trust
in God His is the clearest, sweetest,
strongest voice that ever combatted
an age of skeptcism. He has a fell
low-feeling for every honest doubter.
with us he goes into the struggle, with
us he fights his way along, and when
at last the battle is over, together We
can wave the palm of victory. No
superficial observer, Tennyson lived
and wrought with Tyndall and with
Huxley: he knew every scientific
doubt, he solved every religious prob
lem, we can depend upon his judy
ment.
The serenity which is Brownings
birthright is not so easily gained by
Tennyson: he fights with foes that
Browning does not need to face; he
descends to depths that Browning did
not try to fathom but at last he beats
his music out" Despite his greater
struggle. Tennyson's last song is as
clear, sweet and grand as that of
Browning.
Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me
And may there be no moaning Of the
When 1 put out to sea.
For though from out our bourne of Time
and Place
The flood may bear me far.
/ hope to see my Pilot face to face
When / have crossed the bar.
To have Tennyson as a teacher in
the school of life is to learn three
fold lesson. an. appreciation of the
beautiful, thoughtful. helpful inter-
est in the world of life and action, a
trust in God which is as the shining
light that shineth more and more unto
the perfect day"
FRED w. PEAKES.