New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-26
PHILIP JAMES BAILEY.
A MORNING WITH THE AUTHOR On
"FESTUS."

(FRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRisuNs.l
Nottingham. Sept. 11.-This day I have had
the privilege Of a morning hour with the VEN
cradle poet Philip James Bailey, the author Of
"Festus." Do people read that poem, In these
days, much as they did forty years ago? II
Is a great pOem-magnifcent equally with
thought. imagery. and feeling, vital with splen.
did audacity, and marvellous with eIoauence:
and II is the most lucid and most potent exposi.
ton that has been made, In poetry Of the Min.
stry Of Evil The first edition OF "Festus" an.
peared in 1S47. and 1t was Immediately reprinted
In America. The Boston publisher BENJAMIN
Mussey. early perceived ita value, and, ignoring
the rights of the author. sent 1t forth in several
shapes, notably with the honors Of fine paper
and large type and illustrations by favorite
artist II that day, Hammatt Billings I'm
America" said the poet my Festus' has passed
through thirty editions. while in England 1t has
slowly and painfully toiled through eleven; and
from America have never received penny for
II: But am glad to think that have many
readers and friends in that great country"
Mr. Bailey is eighty-two years old. but. although
q little inirm, he is still strong man. and his
mind is as luminous and vigorous as ever.
found him in cosey. pleasant house. In the
Castle of Nottingham. and We conversed In his
drawing room and in his study. and strolled in
his garden. and the morning. as you may we'll
imagine, was very pleasant.
The poet is a man OF medium height, OF .
sturdy figure Of a benign aspect, composed II
manner deliberate in movement and remarks
BILE for his fine gray eyes and thick bushy gray
hair He spoke In soft and gentle tones, some
times with humor, invariably with kindness
and good nature, and he seemed the absolute
embodiment Of peace. have never met with
a person more serene, more content with fort
une. more confident Of the future. had just
received from an honored and lovely woman
a COPY OF "Festus' the only enc that could be
found in the bookshops Of Nottingham, the
poem being bound under the same cover with
Buffers Analogy and Combe's "PhysiologyD
and upon the fiyleaf Of that book the poet wrote
an inscription for me. copying certain favorlte
lines, OF my choice. from his poem: and at part
ing he gave to me a handful OF flowers In an
swer to an inquiry as TO Tennyson. he said:
William and Mary Hewitt, many years ago.
gave a party. at which we were to meet. and
1 attended II, but Tennyson did not come. Some
time later Mr.. and Mrs. s. c. Hall invited u.s.
and this time Tennyson came. but was unable
70 be present; and 80 1t happeDed that We never
met But we have often exchanged letters"
on the mantelpiece OF his drawing-room were
two cut-glass. gold-rimmed goblets, 10 which
ne directed my attention. Those glasses" he
said, were once owned by George " and Queen
Caroline" We looked together at his library
about five hundred volumes. largely Of the old
Roman authors. pocket editions, bearing marks
Of constant use. On the library table was lit
tie folding desk, covered with green cloth, and
sitting before this, IN the poets chair, was hon
cred with a sight OF a singular and precious
manuscript that he has made, being key to
"Festus"-in shape a semi-circle. the lines radi
ating from centre to circumference, the celes-
tial. intermediary astral and terrestrial scenes
being tinguished by red. blue and black ink
the whole showing the unity and harmony Of
his design. MY Festus,'" he said has too
often been viewed as disconnected and fras-
mentary work. II Is, In fact. the blended re-
suit of enc clear purpose"
There was much more talk. but this glimpse
suftioes Since the death OF his wife, about Q
year ago the poet has lived in complete retire.
ment. No mention made OF him during the
Diamond Jubilee; no mark OF respect and honor
was conferred on him. yet 1t would not be easy
70 name so great a living poet in England or
anywhere else. l have seen many impressive
objects in this city and in its ne!ghborhood: the
birth place Of Henry Klrke White; the caves be-
meath the Castle that associated with the
romantic and tragic story OF Mortimer. Queen
Isabella. and King Edward; the spot where
Charles | unfurled his standard for the fatal
with the Parliament and people Of England;
the treasures and wonders OF Webec; the
glores OF Sherwood Forest; the silver cup from
which King Charles took the sacrament on the
morning Of the day OF his execution the price
less relies Of Byron at Newstead Abbey. and the
grave in which his ashes repose. in the old
lowered church OF Observation-Disclosures: but have
seen nothing more significant OF intellectual
greatness and the mutability OF human affairs
and earthly fame than this lonely. neglected.
almost forgotten poet. Philip James Bailey.
W. w.