New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-03

lewis Carroll's friend. the father Of the orig
.nal Ace-Dean Liddell-died within four days
of the author Of the Wonderland books. Dean
Iiddelrs name will he associated win thai
Of Or. Scott Jowetts predecessor as Master oil
Rallio for their invaluable lexicon. The fame
of Iidde and Scott Is inextinguishahie. 1t may
not here be out Of place to tell again an old
story of Dean Lddell and an undergraduates
f, What Sophocles do you know? the Dean
/ asked oh I know all Sophocles." was the
answer Really. I wish I could say the same
The victim began 10 translate. Where did YOU
get that from" asked the Dean with reference
TO bowler" "Oh, Lidden and Scott" Then
said Iiddell with much gravity. lit was DR..
SCOTS doing and no; mine"
Many another undergraduate could testify TO
the sharpness Of the Deans tongue. How long
have you been a member Of the University, my
lord?' he said to young man who had omitted
| to cap him" when they met in the street. "A
week sir" the youth answered. Il understand.
said the Dean puppies cannot see TIL they are
eight days old"
Professor Walter Raleigh's introduction to the
new editions of Keats annoys The Spectator.
and with reason.
In the Introduction 10 what is meant TO be, and
probably will be- popular edition OF the poems,
there was excellent opportunity to do for the
general public what Mr.. Colvin and others have
done for a more literary class and call atten-
ton TO the virilc strain that runs through the
poets work through his life. For undoubted-
ly the general idea OF Keats is still that he was
a somewhat sensuous weaklirg, pet OF literary
circles at Hampstead, the archetype and pro-
gentor OF a long line Of Maudles and Postle-
thwates, whose consciousness and arrogance
all sensible and we'll bred people are glad to
held up TO rdcule in their comic paper.
a sensible father Of family who goes to his
booksellers In search Of a present for his poetl
al
reading a sensible person should, at the be-
ginning of the book-soon finds himself satiated
BY the GLOWING sweetness Of "Endymon." with
which nearly all editions piousy open Just as
editions Of Shelley open with Queen Nab
Moreover. the one story that everybody knows
about Keats. In addition 10 the legend OF his be-
ing killed by THE Quarterly" Is Haydon's story
OF his covering his tongue and throat with cay.
enne pepper In order to enjoy the cool ol now OF
ment Keats Is apt to be set down as A sensual
list And yet those who have read Mr. Colyin's
delightful volume Of Keats's letters know that
the fact was far otherwise. They VIII recollect
perhaps, a humorous avowai that he was fond
Of claret but they will not forget that he added
This is the only paate-pleasurc care for.
Without going into this question Of personal
character il will be enough TO remind ourselves
that II Keats had BEEN either in his life or In
his poetry, a sensualist. nothing would be so re-
msrkable as the quarter from which. in these
last days. his chief praises have sounded. The
well known poem comparing him TO the diver
for the Tyrtan murex the shellf3h which gave
the world famed purple dye. was written by
Browning poet rather Of abstract Ideas than
anything sensual: the solemn Judgment. He Is
with Shakespeare" was pronounced by the calm
and magisterial voice Of Matthew Arnold; and
the most painstaking Of commentaries has come
from the austere pen Of Mr.. Robert Bridges.
We wish, therefore that Mr.. Raleigh had not
given the weight Of his professional authority
to bolster up q little longer the popular preju-
dice for his theory that Keats's poetcal
achievement was due to preternaturaly acute
senses and abnormally intense susceptibility Is
nothing but refinement upon that prejudice.
London Is to have a new Roman Catholic mag
azine the first number Of which will appear In
March. II is to be called "St. Peters" An I'M
nuhlished manuscript by Cardinal Newman will