23 APRIL 1988, Page 13

One hundred years ago

ENGLAND is the poorer this week by a great poet. On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Matthew Arnold was in Liverpool, walking with his wife towards the landing,Stage, where he expected his daughter to disembark , from the 'Au- rania.' He was in full health and spirits; and On the previous two ,days had been unusually buoyant, even, perhaps, a little 'fey,' — too full of boyish energy for his years. Suddenly he fell fin-ward, and in a few minutes, while being carried to a doctor's hcthse, he died. He had long known that his heart was unsound; but his perinanent danger affected his energy as little as his genial temper, and . he died with unclouded brain and undiminished pciwers.

The Spectator, 21 April 1888