16 MAY 1914, Page 24

NEW LIVES OF THE POETS.*

THESE pleasant little volumes contain a blend of biography and criticism, slightly differing in proportions from the ordinary critical study. The writer in each case approaches the work of the poet through the medium of his character and life story, and endeavours to show what were the influences and conditions which counted for most in the formation and growth of his genius. The idea is a good one, and the little books should prove of real value to others besides the teachers and students for whom they are no doubt primarily designed. The method chosen (since the object is rather expository than critical) involves a great deal of quotation, the actual pro- portions varying according to the subject in each instance. In the cases of Wordsworth and Byron, for example, a great proportion of the poet's life has been told once and for all in the poet's own words. It is not surprising, therefore, to find these two volumes among the most successful of the series. Beat of all, perhaps, is Professor Hudson's sketch, for not only did Wordsworth write incessantly and with unflagging interest of his own experience and personality, but his life was so uneventful that his critic can devote almost all his space to profitable exposition ; and this, with the poet's own words to help him, Professor Hudson has most admirably accomplished, though we should like, did apace permit, to contest at length his sweeping condemnation of " We are Seven," " The Idiot Boy," "The Thorn," and "Goody Blake and Harry Gill," poems which are perhaps the final test of the real Wordsworth-lover. With Byron the case is different. Here, again, the critic has the inestimable advantage of the poet's own words for his narration. But Byron's was a life so full of interest and incident that it is difficult to treat him satisfactorily in a short expository volume. It is no doubt in part this cause, in part the educational purpose of the book, which has led Mr. Dick to pass over almost without explanation the miserable tragedy which was perhaps the moat important circumstance of the poet's life; and in this connexion it is to be observed that his bibliography makes no mention of Lord Lorelace's "Astarte." With Tennyson and Browning we are on different ground again. True, their lives were as uneventful as that of Words- worth, but in distinction from him they are among the least autobiographical of poets. In their case, therefore, there is room for exposition pure and simple. Here Professor Rhys has the harder task, but he grapples with it nobly, and • Elitabethan Lyrists and their Pastry, by Amy Cruse; Temnoson and his Poetry, b E. Brimley John.. Sam and his Poetry, by William Dick ; Long- fellow and his Poetry, by OliplasAt greaten; Horace and his Poetry, by T. E. Chapman, M.A.; Wordmarth sad ki• Pastry, by W. IL Eadson; Schiller and Lis Poetry, by W. 1-1. Hudson; Drowning and hie Poetry, by Ernest Elsa. • Poetry and Lite Seriea" Sesrye 0, Rural, and Ce. [re. net per voL)

contrives to leave the reader with a very positive idea of the- meaning and quality of Browning's verse, though the task of exposition is so exacting as to leave him little room for actual criticism. Mr. Johnson is less hampered, and his volume is very successful in defining Tennyson's relation to his age, an& showing how it was that he came to win so dominating am influence, both personal and literary, among his contem- poraries. His actual criticism is less satisfactory, and few readers will agree with his claim that " the later and longer poems are technically more perfect, more beautiful, and more stimulating" than the poet's early work.