The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-16
Browning Poet of
 Christian Optimism
Barking of a Dog Might Have Changed. Literary Face of England, Says Prof. Phelps of Yale.

Prof. William L. Phelps of Yale Uni- versity, made his first appearance last evening in the present course of lec- lures before the English Club at the High school. presenting to the audience som very interesting and we'll devel- oped thoughts on Browning. Perhaps the most amusing part of the subject were the moments devoted to the love affair of Elizabeth Barrett and Brown ing.
 In speaking of the flight of Elizabeth Barrett from her fathers house in or der to be able to marry her husband, Prof. Phelps asserted that if the pet dog she carried in her arms had bark ed, "the whole history of English lit erature of the century would have to be rewritten
 Speaking of the regained health of Mrs. Browning. after an invalidism of many years, the speaker said that mir acles always happen for men like Browning. Said he: "If we have faith enough anything will happen"
 Continuing, the lecturer said: ''This marriage was probably the happiest marriage that this old earth has ever seen. Not single letter passed be- tween them for the fifteen years, be- cause they were never a day separat- ed. After Mrs. Browning had been IldTIleu SOlIl0 time SHo SeilL NcT ldIueE one of the most beautiful letters ever written, begging him, for the love of God, to come to their home while she and her husband would be in another room, go into certain room in which her child would be. and put his hand on him and bless him, for she said I cannot bear to think of my child. your grandchild. growing up without your blessing
 During the years from 1883 to 1861 Browning was practically unknown. In 1864 a few students at Oxford and fame became prodigious. Browning was greatly pleased when his wife's poetry was considered better than his own. Mrs. Browning was one of the few great women poets. There are more women athletes, I suppose, than most highly educated woman, next to George Eliot, that we have in English literature
 Browning and Tennyson were of the same age; yet Tennyson was read and widely talked about while Browning particle of jealousy, though, in Brown 1ng's disposition. On the occasion of enc of Tennyson's birthdays he wrote him most beautiful letter. He said: My dear Tennyson, I rejoice with the whole of England, glad at your suc- SCSSS <AA0 SCCuLS III IIlS USlIGl LI1dL yOuT name will live long,
 'Browning's optimism is the greatest thing about his poetry. There is sort Of optimism That is blind and foolish that insults suffering humanity. but Browning's optimism recognizes sick ness. poverty. sin. disappointment. pain. and grief. Browning. you under stand. was a Christian poet through and through. His belief in optimism was founded on the idea that ultimate ly every single thing in life makes to- wards some triumphant conclusion, and that pain and failure are just as neces- Sary to success as apparent success.
 "We are most of us natural pessi- mists. Shelly says: Life is desolate and sad and miserable': and Byron says: There is not Joy the world can give like those that are passed away In an expression such IS: See. the thorn comes to the aid of the rose,' we find Browning's idea of optimism.
 "Browning's theory of poetry was set | forth in the first poem he wrote in which he says: A perfect bard was only he who chronicled the stages of | all life.' He doesn't say a single thing | about poetry being rhythmical or l is remarkable in what it leaves un- said. Browning and Tennyson were l two great poets. poets of the first class. 1 working along different lines. Tenny- son was always creating beautiful forms; Browning studying men and i women. their hearts and consciences and passions It has been said that the only three poets of human nature that we have are Shakespeare, Brown ing and Chaucer.
 "In little poem which is overlooked by many we find three theories of Browning set forth. This poem is Christina Here we find the idea of effective affinities. that is two persons who are meant by nature for each other but who through human ideas are totally apart. We find his idea of success in failure. The man here has gained the passion of his life. Success in failure is not only profound theory. but great comfort! for most of us are failures. We find here his idea that time is not measured by the clock or calendar. but that time is measured by spiritual experiences"
 Prof. Phelps. iE concluding touched on Browns great poem Rabbi Ben Ezra" saying tha. in the very first line that says: "I'he very best is yet to be-" is a fund of meaning and comfort.
 The audience that listened to tbe speaker of last evening were warm { I tt.eir praise of Prof. Phelps. who is very we'll known in Bridgeport. but added more admirers to the many th at already exisr by the snasterly dis nf Joc I