Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ... INTRODUCTION MATTHEW ARNOLD Matthew Arnold, son of Dr. Thomas Arnold, the famous Head Master of Rugby, was born at Laleham, Middlesex County, England, December 24, 1822. After attending school at Laleham, Winchester, and Rugby, he entered Balliol College, Oxford, where he attracted attention by his brilliant scholarship and poetical proclivities. In 1843 he won the Newdigate prize offered for the best poem by an undergraduate, and in 1845, tne vear after his graduation, was chosen to a fellowship at Oriel, --a much-coveted distinction. After taking his degree, he taught classics for a short time at Rugby, leaving there in 1847 to become private secretary to Lord Lansdowne, then President of the Council. Four years later he was appointed to an inspectorship of schools--a position which he was to occupy for thirty-five years. His career as a poet began in 1849, when he published a slender book of verse under the title of The Strayed Reveller, and Other. Poems. This was followed in 1852 by a second volume, entitled Empedocles on Etna, and Other Poems. These works were; i quietly received by the public at first, but gradually won their; way into favor. Among the poems they contained were many of recognized merit, such as "The Forsaken Merman," " Resigna tion," "Tristram and Iseult," and "Isolation." ix Poems, First Series, appeared in 1853; and Poems, Second Series, in 1855. The first was of special importance, as it included Arnold's masterpiece, " Sohrab and Rustum," with several other classics, among which were " The Scholar Gipsy," "The Church of Brou," and the inimitable little elegy, "Requiescat." The one addition of consequence in the second series was "Balder Dead." Arnold was now regarded as one of the leading poets of the age, and...