The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-16
GLADSTONE ON HALLAM.

Mr.. Gladstone, in his recent article in the
Youths Companion, has given a most in
teresting review of the friendship that ex-
listed between himself and Arthur Hallam
while schoolmates at Elton. These remin-
iscences show thei intimate relations they
bore to each other, and the high estimate
Mr.. Gladstone places upon Hallam's worth.
The personality of the latter will always
possess an interest to the world so ,ong as
In Memoriam'' is read. 1t were eminently
fitting that the memory of so remarkable
character should be preserved to posterity;
and the noble and enduring monument
which Tennyson raised will keep the name
of Arthur Hallam fresh in the minds of
thousands who, perhaps, never would have
heard of him otherwise. He now belongs to
all, instead of to the few who claimed him
as personal friend and who felt his loss
great one to themselves and to the period
in which he lived.
1t is this common ownership that gives
such value to Mr.. Gladstones article apart
from other considerations; but his fame,
the exceptional opportunities he had Of
of their intercourse, all combine to make
what he writes of unusual interest.
The lapse of years often serves to glorify
the dead in the eyes of those who
knew them. If men of great virtue
in public life, their acts cluster around
p Rf@ IKE nmouS h in T ro@ ve%
In Arthur Hallams case, however, the teSti-
mony of his friends to the superior moral
and intellectual Cndowments of his nature
we must receive as being literally true,
and we look around us in vain for such
another one as he. viii the future produce
him? Over sixty years have passed since
the news of HallmanS death Saddened the
hearts of his friends, and Gladstone speaks
of him as of one he sees far in the distance,
in a mood deeply reflective, which carries
US completely into the past, in a train of
thought delightfully."- reminiscent. The
tracts from Halam'S letters, though few
and brief bring him before us in very
natural way. Mr.. Gladstone has opened his
treasures to us in reverent manner and
with careful discriminat ton He shares in
the opinion of others, that Halam's genius
would have made him a power in the world
for good. In him genius was linked with
the highest moral qualities-a rare union,
and one most desirable.
Mr. Gladstone is inclined to think, with
Tennyson, that Hallam's fame would have
rested higher on another pinnacle than that
of poetry, though he does not commit
himself as definitely to this judgment as
Tennyson does. This may or may not be
mere conjecture, but we would expect great
excellence in the art of poetry from one
possessing such splendid mental gifts, and
especially when inclined in that direc-
ton.
Those who read Mr.. Gladstone's sketch
cannot but be struck with a sense of the
profound impression this early friendship
has left, upon him; "A friendship" he
ever been enjoyed by one greatly blessed
both in the number and in the excellence of
his friends"
In the light of these words we can under
stand a little better how Tennyson felt to-
ward Arthur Hallam, and how his passing
from this earthly sphere was the inspiration
of Tennysons loftiest and most beautiful
strain. HENRY A. JEFFRIES.