Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-02
ANECDOTES OF SPENCER.
The Philosophers Comment on Fa
nous Picture.

nous Picture.
| From the London Outlook.
| Herbert Spencer, while by no means an
| unlikable man, far less unsoeial. had al
ways about him great deal Of the theoriz-
| ing philosopher. Some who knew him well
would even say that he was a pedant. The
direct influence upon him of his father
strong character was very great. The
parent was teacher in the school of a
Mrs. Turner, In Nottingham, and that lady
used to speak of his talent for teaching in
most enthusiastic terms. While Spencer
as a young man was working at engineer
ing his close friend and companion was
Robert Thomson, who was engaged In the
sane profession and was man of strik-
ing mental power. He predicted the fame
of Spencer, and used to give very graphic
accounts of his friends excessive love for
accuracy Spencer would begin sentence,
proceed some way. then interrupt himself
and say, mo, I will express what mean
better in this way" choosing then another
form of words. An amusing instance Of
Spencer'S tendency to theoriZe on all occa-
sions dwells in the memory of one who wit
messed it. The company at the breakfast
table had had their letters brought to them.
and after time Spencer remarked to the
hostess that he considered the social Gus
tom of not opening letters before others a
senseless one. But. Mr.. Spencer" said
the lady everybody has opened their let
tiers but you"
When Herbert Spencer returned from
visit to Rome he found himself in a COM
pany where the conversation turned on art.
Spencer pulled out pocket book, and after
consulting it declared that on looking at
the famous TRANSPORTATION in the Vati-
can he found that it contained thirty-six
distinct faults. The precision of the num-
Der naturally caused a smile. 1t is pretty
generally agreed however, that Spencer
had no great sense of humor. He used in
later years to pay visits to Grant Allen be-
tween whom and himself there existed
great friendship. On one occasion he came
provided with two curious objects that
were tied behind his ears. They naturally
excited the curiosity of the company, but
their purpose was soon disclosed, for
whenever the conversation took a turn that
did not interest him he pulled the things
over his ears and so obtained silence with
in himself. He called them clips
In early days Herbert Spencer lived in
the boarding house kept by George Chap
man, the editor of the Westminster Re
view, with which George Eliot had so
brilliant a connection George Eliot was
also boarder, and George Henry Lewes a
constant visitor. A great friendship ex
listed between Spencer and George Eliot, as
all the world knows. But the lady to whom
we owe these recolIections cannot under
stand how Herbert Spencer, who seemed
methodical and particular In his ways, got
along in the house, for when she was on
one occasion shown into Mrs. Chapman S
bed room to take off her bonnet and cloak
she remarked In an open drawer a most
various collection of objects, such as
knives and forks. combs and hair brushes,
all mixed up together. This lady's ac-
quaintance with Herbert Spencer opened In
a curious way. She had been reading with
great appreciation his essay on 'Educa-
tion,' and being in search of governess
she pitched her requirements somewhat
high for what was procurable, but by no
means above the Spencerian standard. She
accordingly, in a humorous moment, wrote
him a note of protest against the difficult
ties he had brought upon her The letter
drew forth a courteous reply, which began
a long acquaintance
Once at dinner at Mrs Asquith's, says a
correspondent, Mr. BaIfour made the hap
piest smile of Mr.. Herbert Spencer. He re-
marked that he was the Brahms of science,
and proceeded to illustrate his comment
by some observations on the composer.
Brahms seems so serious and so dull at
first, yet in his music you find the most
profound knowledge and an austere beauty
intensely self-repressed, yet most convinc-
ing. The music of Brahms, said Mr.. Bal
four, gives the highest intellectual gratifi
cation, 1t exercises all your faculties and
it appeals to the sober side of your emo
tons as that of no other great master
does. And Is not all this the analogy of
Mr.. Herbert Spencer's great work?