Chapter I: Front Matter

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THE LIFE OF FRANCIS THOMPSON

_Emery Walker Ph. sc._]

THE LIFE OF FRANCIS THOMPSON

by

EVERARD MEYNELL

Burns & Oates Ltd 28 Orchard Street London W 1913

_To
Grazia_

The Author's thanks are here tendered to Mother Austin of the Presentation Convent, Manchester, the Poet's sister; to Perceval Lucas and Father Austin Richmond for the fruits of research work; to Mrs. Coventry Patmore and Lewis Hind for letters and memories; and to many other kind helpers.

Contents

_Chapter_ _Page_

I. The Child 1

II. The Boy 15

III. Manchester and Medicine 35

IV. London Streets 61

V. The Discovery 85

VI. Literary Beginnings 111

VII. "Poems" 135

VIII. Of Words; of Origins; of Metre 152

IX. At Monastery Gates 180

X. Mysticism and Imagination 198

XI. Patmore's Death, and "New Poems" 233

XII. Friends and Opinions 245

XIII. The Londoner 272

XIV. Communion and Excommunion 291

XV. Characteristics 308

XVI. The Closing Years 316

XVII. Last Things 339

Index 353

Illustrations

Francis Thompson in 1895 _Frontispiece_

His Birthplace _Facing page_ 4

Francis, his Sisters and their Dolls, 1870 " " 12

St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw " " 26

Francis Thompson in 1875 " " 34

Francis Thompson in 1877 " " 54

No. 47 Palace Court " " 134

Cast of the Poet's Hand " " 144

His Parents " " 186

"Mr. Thompson of Fleet Street" " " 256
(_Drawn by_ Everard Meynell, 1903)

The Life Mask, 1905 " " 316

Francis Thompson in 1907 " " 328
(_Drawn by the_ Hon. Neville Lytton)

The Memorial at Owens College " " 344

The Life of Francis Thompson