Page:Literary studies by Joseph Jacobs.djvu/112

 We have laid stress on the theological activity of Arnold because its importance is apt to be obscured by the fact that his particular way of putting his solution of theological difficulties is not likely to gain disciples. But for all that, the discussions have had as much effect on English theology as anything of the past quarter of a century, and he himself was in the right in laying stress upon his theological activity and its results as the most influential and most abiding part of his work.

A word or two may here be added on his general attitude towards politics. His appeal for detachment from party politics is part of a general tendency which seems to be dissevering everywhere the thinking part of the nations from active share in the politics of the democracy. The formation of a party of Independents, advocated by Mr. Lowell in the United States, is an instance of what we mean. By adopting this attitude Matthew Arnold showed less than his usual insight and sagacity. His influence in this direction cannot be said to have been for good.

He that is gone would not have been satisfied with any estimate of his life-work which did not take account of his strivings for educational reform, especially as regards middleclass schools. In English social arrangements he saw one great blot, the separation of classes