R651021B. Selection (1865).
Public Opinion, 21 October 1865, p. 434.
Listed in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 391.
The great critics do not exactly know whether Mr. Browning is worthy to rank with Mr. Tennyson, or whether Mr. Tennyson is worthy to rank with Mr. Browning. The question to be decided is a grave and momentous one, and when the great critics, the untiring adorers of the tuneful Alfred, become unanimous in opinion, the public may not unreasonably hope to have the said question satisfactorily settled. Until that exciting unanimity is brought about, we must bear the fearful suspense we are in with that unflinching fortitude which the brave in a mighty cause never fail to exhibit.
In our opinion Mr. Browning is a very superior poet to Tennyson, although he is not so popular. The selection before us contains some surprisingly brilliant lines. Frequently we fail to catch the meaning of the poet, which must be owing either to the poet’s mysticism or our own obtuseness. He has a wide range of illustration, and does not disdain to employ ordinary things to illustrate his meaning and to embellish his verse. What we consider a drawback to Mr. Browning’s productions is their occasional abruptness and ruggedness; and he must be a good reader who can make them sound harmoniously, and make them always appear intelligible. The poet has not in all cases that lyrical ease that falls so pleasantly on the ear, and charms the reader. This defect, coupled with a want of clearness of meaning, will always prevent Mr. Browning from pleasing more than a comparatively few readers. When we can see the poet’s aim, we are delighted with his power and extraordinary beauty. Many of the poems have wonderful intensity, and a manner which is not met with in any other poet’s labours. We have read this selection with real pleasure, and have no hesitation in saying that the author justly ranks as one of the real great poets who, perhaps, has but only one living equal in breadth, comprehensiveness, and subtlety. The volume is daintily bound, and has an excellent likeness of its distinguished author.
Reviewed:
A Selection (RB), London: Edward Moxon, 1865.
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