New-York tribune., 1900-11-25

thing in the world for his poetry The generou.N
praise that came from his friends not only
helped in the long to give him a certain
vogue. but it not unnaturally persuaded him
that he right. Whereas there is a great
deal in the poetry of Coventry Patmore that is
not right" in that it is not really poetry of
high order. The wide circulation of THE Angel
in the House (Which Mr.. Champneys puts at
something not far below quarter of a million
cOpfes) need not deceive into forgetting that
along with much that is eloquent of poetic feel
ing. if rot of poetic power. there is great deal
that is flaty commonplace in that production
In fact, this biography. sending constantly
to his poems for explanation of Mr.. Champ
neyss admiring attitude, inclines us to think
even more emphatically than before that there
was good deal that adventitous in Pat
more's elevation into position of conspicuity
among the poets of his time. 1t was not log
rolling that did it. but partly the sentimental
flavor of his work and partly the devotion OF
friends in high places who allowed their liking
for his verse to run away with their judgment.
We do not underestimate the genuine poetic
charm of things like 1.-The Toys; it is rather
that the slender body of poems comparable to
this in the of Patmores writings is too
slender to win for him the laurels of major
poet And find him portrayed in these
volumes very much Of a celebrity indeed. There
is something dissatisfying about this; one is for
ever wishing that Patmore might be persuaded
to descend from his high horse. that his fits Of
observation-disclosures. of absorption in poetic
frenzy, might either be justified by some great
poetry OF that his tremendous moods might be
exploded by a little good natured raillery.
He had in later years. according to Mr.
Champneys the aspect of a seer" Patmore
himself rather liked to be suspected of practi-
cal aptitudes He not so mystical but that
ha aL<a Il in adm i'm
ton of his wifes estate. and it always gave him
pleasure to touch on political subjects. In his
British Museum days ne interested himself in
the formation of 4 rifle club. with an idea OF
cont ributing toward the national defence, some
fruit was borne by this latter scheme and Mr.
Champneys reports friendly reception of some
of his political ideas in political quarters. But
| he was pessimistic and paradoxical- Lionel Ten
| nyson described him in optimistic mood. to he
sure. His house was the only house in Eng
| land ne could have brought himself to live in.
IIenry's poems the best ever written at his
age. Bertha's drawings the finest ever put
paper. his st. Bernard the biggest whelpel."
| AT the time. adds Mr.. Champneys, in Pat
| more's view the political outlook never
| less than desperate. No statesman either
| side to be relied for moment; the dis
tinCtiOn between parties only that between
| the various shades of black. and scarcely worth
| making; England. corpse Stimulating life only
by the exuberanCe of its corruption The re-
| suit is that while it is impossible To doubt his
sincerity. while must respect his religious
devotion and the purity of all his ideals. it is
equally impossible TO avoid regarding him
somehow Intellectual. a often delight
| fully whimsical. often interesting hut not quite
| the strong and capable individuality that -
would like him he. The man and the poet
| both leave something to b. desired The story
oc his life is not. therefore of very high
But Mr. Champneys has enriched it with 4
number of readable letters from Patmorr's con-
tempOraries and these volumes are pleasant To
dip into.