TaxYrrsoxisNI. — Alfred Tennyson : a Saintly Life. By Robert F. Horton.
(J. M. Dent and Co. 4s. 6d.)—We do not think that it is judicious to attempt any change in the established connotation of the word "saint." In common use, which differs considerably from that of the New Testament, it means a person of strongly religious temperament, in whom the devotional, and, we might add, the ascetic, life is largely developed. So much we feel bound to say, but we have no fault to find with the general tone and temper of Dr. Horton's book. It is a very able criticism of the poet's life and work, and sets forth appreciatively, but without exaggeration, his great service to human faith and morals. Not the least valuable part is to be found in the particular instances in which Tennyson's utterances touched some individual heart. He relates, for example, that curious story of the A merican minister who, on entering his pulpit one Sunday morning, felt constrained to repeat "The Charge of the Light Brigade." His people were not a little scandalised, but after the service one of his audience came in and said that he had been in the Charge, had fallen into evil ways, but had been so moved by the poem that he would leave them. We strongly commend this volume to our readers. It is a valuable contribu. tion to the Tennyson literature. —Memories of the Tennysons. By the Rev. H. D. Rawnsley. (MacLehose and Sons, Glasgow. 5s.)—Mr. Rawnsley devotes himself, in the main, to dealing with the personal aide of the Tennyson family, Dr. Tennyson the father—in this case, the inheritance of mental power seems to have come from the paternal side—and the wonderful group of sons. The home at Somersby is described in much detail. The writer has studied the surroundings of the place with more than common care. He has taken great pains, also, in gathering such traditions as still survive from aged inhabitants who lately remembered the family. The father seems to have left a greater impression than his sons, but that is hardly to be wondered at. (Mr. Rawnsley is, we think, in error when he sup- poses that Alfred was baptised three days after his birth because he was not expected to live. It was the practice in the Tennyson family, and Alfred was an unusually robust infant.) Farringford and Aldworth are also described, and there is a peculiarly interesting account of Charles Tennyson Turner, with an excellent appreciation of his poetry, poetry which is not so much admired as it deserves. What a picture—a favourite, we understand, with the poet himself—is " Letty and her Globe" :- "But when we turned her sweet unlearned eye On our own isle, she raised a Joyous cry, 'Oh yes, I see It; Letty's home is there !' And, while she hid all England with a kiss, Bright over Europe fell her golden hair."
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