Tennyson on Free Will

Abstract

It does not appear that Tennyson ever became less of a recluse. Of his alleged bearishness, however, I for my part saw nothing. He had no doubt an abrupt, growling, fragmentary way of talking, and was often silent. From what one hears, I suppose he could be disagreeable when he chose, or was much bored, and in the mood for it. But on the too rare occasions of my visiting him, at Aldworth, and in London years ago, I found him (although I did not know him enough to become intimate with him) more than courteous, kind and helpful in the most gracious manner, giving me, as a young man, warm encouragement and wise counsel concerning my own poetry.

‘Lord Tennyson’, Atalanta (1892) pp. 269–70.