Part 22 (2/2)
”Mr. Morris has always that picturesque power which limns in a few words a suggestive and alluring picture of nature or of life evoking the imagination of the reader to supplement the clear and vigorous work of the poet.”--_New York Christian Union_, February, 1884.
”No lover of poetry will fail to make himself possessed of this volume from the pen of one who has made for himself so high and distinctive a place among modern writers.”--_Manchester Examiner_, January 31st, 1884.
”After making every possible deduction, 'Songs Unsung' is a n.o.ble volume, and ought to be received by those who, like ourselves, believe in the necessary subordination of art to morality with profound gratification.”--_Freeman_, April 18th, 1884.
”We have quoted enough to show that this book has genuine merit in it, merit in poetry, merit in philosophy, and, we may add, merit in religion. Lewis Morris takes the 'new and deeper view of the world' of which Carlyle now and then caught sunny glimpses.
He sings in sweet and measured Tennysonian strains of philosophy what Darwin and Herbert Spencer teach in prose; without the informing glow of the imagination. There are living poets greater than Lewis Morris, but of the younger race of poets he is foremost.”--_The Inquirer_, April 5th, 1884.
”The hold which a poet who writes with such intense seriousness of purpose and such pa.s.sionate earnestness gains upon his generation is far stronger and more lasting than if his sole attempt were to stimulate or to satisfy the sense of the beautiful. All the things of which we wish that poetry should speak to us, have voice given to them in the song of this glorious singer.”--_South Australian Advertiser_, March 24th, 1884.
”As a whole this volume, while charming anew the poet's former admirers, should win for his genius a wider acquaintance and appreciation.”--_Boston Literary World_, February 23rd, 1884.
”Mr. Morris has the invaluable gift of recognizing and being in full sympathy with the current ideas and feelings of the time.
The broad humanitarianism, the genuine sympathy with the sufferings of the poor and unfortunate, characteristic of our age, is one of the most attractive features of his poetry, and to the revival of the feeling for cla.s.sical beauty, which may be looked upon as a collateral branch of the 'aesthetic' movement, he owes more than one charming inspiration.... To sum up. Mr.
Morris's volume is likely to add to his reputation. It is healthy in tone, and shows no decline of the varied qualities to which the author owes his widespread reputation.”--_Times_, June 9, 1884.
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