Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-02
"TENNySON AND BROWNING"


The Two Great Poets Analysed by Prof wey-
Gandt Before the Primary Teachers Assoc
citation at school No. o.
Cornelius Weygandt of the University
OF Pennsylvania, lectured before the
Primary Teachers Association at No.
0 School, Monday afternoon, before
a large audience. His subject was
"Tennyson and Browning" 1t is the
concensus of opinion that Tennyson,
Browning and Matthew Arnold are the
great men of the early and first
Victorian period. The second Victorian
period is composed of the pre-
Raphaelites and the greatest Of these
are William Morris, Swinburne and
Rossetti; since 1888 the new spirits
which have arisen are Kipling, William
Earnest Henley and John Davidson.
Tennyson and Browning are not 50
nearly representative of the early
Victorian period as d-Tennyson
because he turned to the old legends,
Browning because his personality
escaped the influences peculiar to the
period. 1t was too strong for the doubt
and pessimism of this early Victorian
period. Critics have lately turned their
attention to Matthew Arnold-his own
prediction is being verified: "Tenny-
son has had his day, Browning is
having his and some time shall have
mine.
Setting aside his lyrics concensus of
opinion holds that Tennyson lacks that
primitive force which helps to make
verse immortal-the dreamy music, the
lyric cry, the perfection of form, these
he has; Arnold is ever surer of all
these things which make poetry i'm
,Nal ri sa al 81 &c
is as great as Tennyson's. Arnold said
when in Germantown that he didn t
write more poetry because it took too
much time and was too much trouble.
Browning s success was due to another
reason than the beauty of his poetry
the Anglo-Saxon's love of untying
knots. His real value lies In his pas
sionate Joy of life, his lyric cry, keen
curiosity and analytic power.
The relations between Tennyson aud
Browning were cordial though their
nature differed. Tennyson was a
recluss, poor talker even among his
family, Browning was surrounded by
friends: while Tennyson repressed pas
sion, Browning wove it in his verse.
Tennyson had not the vitality of
thought and feeling, had not as much
to say as Browning; each brooded long
over his work and wrote slowly. Ten
nyson was in one sense Philistine--
his ideal was common sense in thought
and conduct; he loved convention,
though this was foreshadowed by Ten
nyson the artist Both agreed in the
| existence Of benefcent Creator I;
Tennyson reasoned that after life in
this vale of tears, there must be some
thing better beyond; Browning thought
| this life so good that nothing worse
would follow, We are apt to think of
Tennyson, as the artist; of Browning
as the thinker. A poet should be con-
sidered as o poet.
Tennyson studied from life because
he loved nature. As an elegiac poet,
as dramatist, as writer Of battle
hymns he may be surpassed; he is pre-
eminent in his lyrics Tennyson is
comparatively barren Of imagination,
where Browning is very prodigal.
Browning lacks the felicity of phrase
which Tennyson possesses; though in
some instance each has them in con
junction. Tennyson followed Words
worth and Keats; Browning, Keats
and Shelley.
Browning was greatest as dramatist
He sounded new note, which will APP
peal moro to the coming age than to
our age, said to be decadent, as will
also the work Of Kiplins.