POEMS OLD AND NEW
what William James called " healthy-minded." He
tried free verse with varying success.
The Captain was President Lincoln, who held office
during the American Civil War and was assassinated
just when he had achieved victory.
The Scholar Gipsy.
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), eldest son of Dr. Arnold,
the famous Headmaster of Rugby, was educated at
Winchester, Rugby, and Balliol College, Oxford. After
serving four years as private secretary to Lord Lans-
downe, he was appointed an Inspector of Schools.
During the thirty-five years which he held this Inspector-
ate he was sent on various occasions by the Government
to inquire into methods of Continental education,
and his reports had considerable influence in England.
One of Matthew Arnold's greatest qualities was his
desire to regard the culture of the world as a whole,
and in criticism to avoid insularity. He was equally
accomplished as a critic—his " Essays in Criticism "
earned him the title of the English Sainte-Beuve—and
as a poet—his best poetry, classic in style and beauty,
wears as well as that of any of the Victorian poets.
For ten years he was Professor of Poetry at Oxford.
He is buried where he was born, at Laleham, near
Staines.
P. 122, 1. 2. Wattled: of wicker-work.
Cotes : sheep-folds.
1. i o. The quest: the search for truth or certainty.
1. 13. Cruse : jar, jug.
P. 123, 1. 5. Bent grass : a rush-like grass with a stifFstem.
1.8. Glanvil; an English churchman (1636-1680)
who wrote various theological works developing the
ideas of Descartes.
1. 11. Parts : accomplishments, ability.
1. 19. Erst: formerly.
P. 124, 1. 3. The Hurst: a wooded hill S.W. of Oxford.
1. 5. Ingle : fire-side.
1. 25. Wychwood : Wychwood Forest, north of Witney,
about 14 miles N.W. of Oxford.
P. 125, 1. 9. Lasher : the pool below a weir.
P. 126, 1. 6. The spark : i.e. of inspiration.
1. 11. Hinksey : North and South Hinksey lie between
Oxford and Cumnor (see Map).
P. 127, 1. 3. Teen : trouble.
1. 5. The just-pausing Genius : the attendant spirit sup-
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