Evening star., 1898-01-08
AUTHOR OF FESTUS
He Still Lives, Enjoying Hearty
Old Age.
A Poem WHICH STIRRED THE WORLD
Most of the Original Text Has
Been Rewritten.
A JU Bill E E E D T 0 n

From Lor,l.n Sketch.
..Festus'' is so old a volume to the stu
dent of literature, and so deeply rooted In
a. former generation is it's fame. that it
RAY slightly surprise some to learn that
its gifted author. Philip James Bailey, is
still with US in the flesh. 1t has been
given to few to achieve literary reputa-
ton so early in life as MIR. Bailey estab-
lished his right to be regarded as one of
the create st poets of the century. "Festus
appeared in 1899, and was greeted with uni
yersal praise the then anonymous author
being hailed as the fellow of Milton and
Goethe. Such famous literary men as Ten
nyson. Thackeray, Bulwer-Lytton, Prof
Aytoun and George Gilfllan were unstint-
ed in their conmendation Of the young
poets work, the late Laureate saying, Il
can scarcely trust myself to say how much
j admire it. for fear of falling into extrav-
agance. The poem soon ran into many
editions. at least eleven having appeared
in this country up till 1859, when the jubi-
lee edition was published and twenty
years ago the Publishers Catalogue (Amer-
.can) showed that at that time no fewer
than thirty editions had been called for in
America. This is quite remarkable
achievement for any work of poetry, and
more especially for such a poem as "Fes-
one who would understand it. and is no
stopgap for idle moments. Still, the knowl-
edge of this ennobling book was more
general thirty or forty years ago than 1t
is today-a fact which is greatly to be re-
gretted. but scarcely to be wondered at in
these days of scrappy literature. There is
arother reason perhaps, which will appear
later on.
Mr. Philip James Bailey was born at
Nottingham on April %, 1916, his BIRTH
place having stood unaitered until just
few weeks before these lines were written,
when the inrOadS of new railway swept 1t
and many another old dwelling mouse away.
the poets father. the late Thomas Bailey
was also a native CT the Midland town.
having been a local author and poet of
some reputation, and for time the editor
proprietor of the Nottingham Mercury
A Literary Bent.
Young Bailey early manifesting a liter
AIRY bent. it is easy to understand that his
father, with such tastes, would seek by
all means in his power to cultivate the
poetic gifts of his son. After going through
the usual classical course with the best
local masters, Philip was sent to Glas-
gov. where he matriculated in his six
teenth year, but the course of Scottish
Presbyterian theology having no attrac-
tions for him. he did not complete his
curriculum, and left the college without
a degree in 1S;l5, to become a member OF
the Honorable Society of I.ncoIn's Inn
IIElue ttlt-Se years ne Hdu dllOWSu nOIN-
ing to interfere with the great object of his
life. the fruition of his poetical faculties,
and IN 1896 he retired to his fathers house
at Basford, then rural village, bat now
an integral part of the city of Nottingham.
to work out his conceptions of "Festus.''.
Since its first publication "Festus'' has
been ia sreGt part rewritten; from the first
he meant 1t to be his shef doeuvre and
the best years of his later life have been
devoted 10 polishing, sometimes amplifying,
the inspired work of his early manhood.
though il Is question for criticism wheth-
er these subsequent cancellations have all
been by way of improvement. The pres
ent writer may be prejudiced; but one of
the clearest recollections of his youth is
the majestic idea of the universe which
magnificent passage from ''FestuS," de-
scriptive of the end of the world, suggest
ed to his young mind To ind this pass
age largely rewritten and somewhat ex-
panded in the jubilee edition was indeed
disappointment. | have argued the point
with Mir. Bailey, and must confess that
he makes out good case for his altera-
tons; but no argument will shake my af
fecuon for the first rendering. Some idea
of the extent to which the poem has been
recdst may be gained from the fact that,
while the ninth edition. published IN 1872,
consisted of 80 pages, the jubilee edition
contained TO fewer than 79l pages, larger
and closer set than the former.
Other Poems.
In many respects the authors alterations
work symmetrical whole, the theme
being one which, in d sense, could not be
treated TOO fully. The glory crowned fight
OF Festus. against all temptations, up to
heaven, from knowledge to wisdom but
with observation-disclosures faith, is one of
the grandest conceptions in the whole range
Of English poetry.
MIR Bailey has published from time to
time several minor poetical works, con-
siderable portion of which has subsequently
been absorbed in 'FeStuS, on which his
fame must rest. From 1864 to 1876 the poet
lived mainly in Jersey. finding the island
convenient for making frequent continental
excursions. Returning to England he re-
sided at Lee, near ufracombe. until 1850
and he speaks with a wistful look in his
eye OF the dear days spent at this poets
haven, photograph of which hangs on his
dining room wall. In the year mentioned
he took up his residence at Blackheath
where four years later he prepared the
jubilee edition of his great poem. In his
old age he has returned to his native town.
having been resident in Nottingham since
1Sf2. aud Is passing the evening of his days
among his relatives and friends A great
sorrow has recently darkened his life by
the death. about a year ago. of his accom-
plished wife, an amiable lady who inspired
most of his poetry, and who, like her hus-
band, also belonged to an old and much
respected Nottingham family. But Mr..
Bailey bears up surprisingly under his
great weight of years; he is still delight
ful companion at tea over cigar in the
secluded garden behind his residence in the
Ropewalk. Nottingham's most exclusive
Residential quarter. He enjoys excellent
health, and every faculty remains unim-
paired. OF a retiring disposition, the poet
has always endeavored to avoid publicity,
so that he is personally but little known
beyond his immediate circle of friends;
Still he has always kindly welcome for
One who has studied and understood the
message of ''Festus."