Part 14

FRANCIS TURNER PALGRAVE, a distinguished English poet and art critic, was born September 28, 1824, and died in 1897. He wrote: "Essays on Art," "Lyrical Poems," "The Visions of England," "The Life of Jesus Christ Illustrated from the Italian painters of the 14th, 15th and 16th Centuries," "Idylls and Songs," "Hymns," "Amenophis and Other Poems," "The Golden Treasury," etc.

"I have often noticed that almost everyone has his own individual small economies--careful habits of saving fractions of pennies in some one peculiar direction--any disturbance of which annoys him more than spending shillings or pounds on some real extravagance."

"Cranford, Chap. V,"--_Mrs. Gaskell_.

MRS. ELIZABETH CLEGHORN GASKELL, a famous English novelist, was born in Chelsea, September 29, 1810, and died November 12, 1865. Among her notable works are: "Mary Barton," "Ruth," "Lizzie Leigh," "Sylvia's Lovers," "Wives and Daughters," "The Life of Charlotte Brontë," and "Cranford," her most celebrated work.

Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen; Here's to the widow of fifty; Here's to the flaunting, extravagant quean, And here's to the housewife that's thrifty! Let the toast pass; Drink to the lass; I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse for the glass.

"School for Scandal," Act iii, Sc. 3.--_Sheridan_.

RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, the renowned British dramatist and parliamentary orator, was born in Dublin, September 30, 1751, and died at London, July 7, 1816. His dramatic works include: "The Rivals," "The School for Scandal," "The Critic," and "The Duenna." His most famous speeches are: "The Perfumery Speech" and the "Begum Speech."

Der Unterliegende ist immer philosophisch gestimmt.[4]

--_Sudermann_.

HERMANN SUDERMANN, a celebrated German novelist and dramatist, was born at Matziken, East Prussia, September 30, 1857. Among his works are: "Dame Care," "In the Twilight," "Honor," "The Cat Bridge," "The Destruction of Sodom," "Brothers and Sisters," "Home," "Battle of the Butterflies," "Iolanthe's Wedding," "Once on a Time," "The Undying Past," "Das Hohe Lied," "Strand-kinder," "The Indian Lily," "Der gute Ruf," etc.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] I have often thought that however learnedly you may talk about it, one knows nothing but what he learns from his own experience.

[2] The style is the man himself.

[3] Nature made him, and then broke the mould.

[4] The losing side is always philosophically inclined.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

I have read somewhere or other,--in Dionysius of Halicarnassus, I think,--that history is philosophy teaching by examples.

"On the Study and Use of History," Letter 2,--_Bolingbroke_.

HENRY ST. JOHN, VISCOUNT BOLINGBROKE, a distinguished English statesman, author, and orator, was born at Battersea, October 1, 1678, and died there, December 12, 1751. His principal works are: "Letters on the Spirit of Patriotism," "Letters on the Study of History," "The Idea of a Patriot King," and "A Dissertation on Parties."

We join ourselves to no party that does not carry the flag and keep step to the music of the Union.

"Letter to the Whig Convention, 1855,"--_Rufus Choate_.

RUFUS CHOATE, an eminent American lawyer, orator and statesman, was born at Essex, Mass., October 1, 1799, and died at Halifax, N. S., July 13, 1859. His "Works" (2 vols.) were published in 1863.

But I account it worth All pangs of fair hopes crost-- All loves and honors lost,-- To gain the heavens, at cost Of losing earth.

"Sir Marmaduke's Musings,"--_Theodore Tilton_.

THEODORE TILTON, a noted American journalist, lecturer, editor, and verse-writer, was born in New York City, October 2, 1835, and died in 1907. He wrote: "Thou and I," "The Sexton's Tale, and Other Poems," "Suabian Stories," "Tempest-Tossed," "Sanctum Sanctorum: or An Editor's Proof Sheets," etc.

Mr. Webster says of Mr. Adams: On the day of his death, hearing the noise of bells and cannon, he asked the occasion. On being reminded that it was "Independence Day," he replied, "Independence forever!"

"History of the United States," Vol. vii, p. 65,--_Bancroft_.

GEORGE BANCROFT, a famous American historian and statesman, was born in Worcester, Mass., October 3, 1800, and died in Washington, D. C., January 17, 1891. His most famous work is the "History of the United States."

But Petrarch's highest merit by no means consists in this new classic elegance; it consists in the fact that he was the first to write freely of all things in the same way that a man speaks. He was the first to throw aside all scholastic crutches, and prove how much more swiftly a man could walk without leaning upon them.

"Machiavelli and his Times," (transl.) Vol. I,--_Pasquale Villari_.

PASQUALE VILLARI, a distinguished Italian historian, was born at Naples, October 3, 1827, and died in 1914. His principal works are: "Niccolo Machiavelli and His Times," "Ancient Legends and Traditions Illustrating the Divine Comedy," "Essays Critical, Historical and Literary," "Teaching History," "The School and the Social Question in Italy."

Amongst the masses--even in revolutions--aristocracy must ever exist; destroy it in nobility, and it becomes centered in the rich and powerful House of Commons. Pull them down, and it still survives in the master and foreman of the workshop.

--_Guizot_.

FRANÇOIS GUIZOT, an illustrious French historian and statesman, was born at Nîmes, October 4, 1787, and died at Val Richer, near Lisieux, September 12, 1874. He wrote: "History of the English Revolution," "Corneille and his Time," "The History of Civilization in Europe," "The History of Civilization in France," "Memoirs," "Shakespeare and His Times," "History of France for my Grandchildren," etc.

Religion, in its purity, is not so much a pursuit as a temper; or rather it is a temper, leading to the pursuit of all that is high and holy. Its foundation is faith; its action, works; its temper holiness; its aim, obedience to God in improvement of self, and benevolence to men.

--_Jonathan Edwards_.

JONATHAN EDWARDS, a famous American divine and theological writer, was born in East Windsor, Conn., October 5, 1703, and died at Princeton, N. J., March 22, 1758. Among his works may be mentioned: "The Great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended," "An Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions Respecting that Freedom of the Will which Is Supposed to Be Essential to Moral Agency," "A Dissertation Concerning the End for which God Created the World," and "The Nature of True Virtue."

We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates.

--_Diderot_.

DENIS DIDEROT, a famous French philosopher and encyclopædist, was born at Langres, October 5, 1713, and died July 31, 1784. He wrote: "Philosophic Reflections," "A Skeptic's Walk," "The Nun," "Rameau's Nephew," "Little Papers," etc.

The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those who feel.

Letter to Sir Horace Mann, 1770,--_Horace Walpole_.

HORACE WALPOLE, a famous English author and letter-writer, was born in London, October 5, 1717, and died there March 2, 1797. His works include: "Anecdotes of Painters in England," "The Castle of Otranto," "Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of Richard III," "The Mysterious Mother," "Memoirs of the Last Ten Years of the Reign of George II," etc. His chief fame rests upon his celebrated letters, 9 vols., which were published in 1857-59.

No seed shall perish which the soul hath sown.

"Sonnet, Versöhnung, a Belief,"--_John Addington Symonds_.

JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS, a distinguished English critic and historian of literature, was born at Bristol, October 5, 1840, and died at Rome, April 19, 1893. He wrote: "Studies of the Greek Poets," "Sketches in Italy and Greece," "Introduction to the Study of Dante," "Shakespeare's Predecessors," "Sketches and Studies in Italy," and his greatest work: "The Renaissance in Italy."

"Freedom!" their battle cry-- "Freedom! or leave to die!

"The Black Regiment,"--_George H. Boker_.

GEORGE HENRY BOKER, a noted American poet and dramatist, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 6, 1823, and died there January 2, 1890. His plays include: "Anne Boleyn," "The Betrothed," "Calaynos," "All the World's a Mask," and "Francesca da Rimini." Also, "Poems of the War," "Sonnets," "Königsmark and Other Poems," etc.

The ripest peach is highest on the tree.

"The Ripest Peach,"--_James Whitcomb Riley_.

JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY, a celebrated American poet, was born at Greenfield, Ind., October 7, 1853, and died July 22, 1916. Among his writings are: "The Old Swimmin' Hole and 'Leven More Poems," "Green Fields and Running Brooks," "Child Rhymes," "Love Lyrics," "The Golden Year," "Songs of Summer," "The Rose," "The Riley Baby Book," "Songs of Friendship," "Songs of Cheer," "Old Schoolday Romances," "Songs of Home," "Down Around the River and Other Poems," "A Summer's Day and Other Poems," "All the Year Round," "Knee-Deep in June and Other Poems," "The Prayer-Perfect and Other Poems," "A Song of Long Ago," "When My Dreams Come True," "Away," "Do They Miss Me?" "Friendship," etc.

I think that saving a little child And bringing him to his own, Is a derned sight better business, Than, loafing around the throne.

"Little Breeches,"--_John Hay_.

JOHN HAY, a famous American poet and prose-writer, was born in Salem, Ind., October 8, 1838, and died in 1905. His literary fame rests on his famous "Pike County Ballads."

Thy Soul ... Is as far from my grasp, is as free, As the stars from the mountain-tops be, As the pearl in the depths of the sea, From the portionless king that would be.

"Stanzas from Music,"--_Edmund Clarence Stedman_.

EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN, a distinguished American man of letters, was born in Hartford, Conn., October 8, 1833, and died in 1908. He wrote: "Nature and Elements of Poetry," "Poets of America," "Victorian Anthology," "Victorian Poets," "Poems Now First Collected," etc.

Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years! I am so weary of toil and of tears-- Toil without recompense, tears all in vain! Take them, and give me my childhood again!

"Rock Me to Sleep,"--_Elizabeth Akers Allen_.

ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN, a noted American poet, was born at Strong, Me., October 9, 1832, and died in 1911. She wrote: "The Silver Bridge and Other Poems," and a volume of "Poems," the best known among them being: "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother."

Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now.

"Woodman, Spare that Tree!"--_George P. Morris_.

GEORGE POPE MORRIS, a celebrated American journalist and song-writer, was born in Philadelphia, October 10, 1802, and died in New York City, July 6, 1864. He wrote: "Poems," "The Little Frenchman," "Briercliff," and his famous song, "Woodman Spare That Tree."

It was acknowledged by Hume, that it was only in solitude and retirement that he could yield any assent to his own philosophy.

"Essays,"--_Hugh Miller_.

HUGH MILLER, a distinguished Scottish geologist, was born at Cromarty, October 11, 1802, and died near Edinburgh, December 2, 1856. His most notable works are: "The Old Red Sandstone," "Footprints of the Creator," "Testimony of the Rocks," "Poems," "Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland," etc.

There came to port last Sunday night The queerest little craft, Without an inch of rigging on; I looked and looked,--and laughed! It seemed so curious that she Should cross the unknown water, And moor herself within my room,-- My daughter! O my daughter.

"The New Arrival," St. I.--_George Washington Cable_.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CABLE, a famous American novelist, was born in New Orleans, La., October 12, 1844. He has written: "The Silent South," "The Creoles of Louisiana," "Old Creole Days," "Dr. Sevier," "Strange True Stories of Louisiana," "The Busy Man's Bible," "John March, Southerner," "The Negro Question," "Strong Hearts," "Kincaid's Battery," "Gideon's Band," "The Amateur Garden," etc.

I've wandered east, I've wandered west, Through mony a weary way; But never, never can forget The luve o' life's young day!

"Jeannie Morrison,"--_William Motherwell_.

WILLIAM MOTHERWELL, a Scottish poet and antiquary of great fame, was born at Glasgow, October 13, 1797, and died there, November 1, 1835. His most famous works are: "Minstrelsy, Ancient and Modern," and "Poems, Narrative and Lyrical."

Absence makes the heart grow fonder; Isle of Beauty, fare the well!

"Isle of Beauty,"--_Thomas Haynes Bayly_.

THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY, a noted English poet and novelist, was born in Bath, October 13, 1797, and died at Cheltenham, April 22, 1839. He wrote 36 dramas, including among them: "The Aylmers," "Perfection," and "The Legend of Killarney."

Be humble and gentle in your conversation, of few words, I charge you, but always pertinent when you speak, hearing out before you attempt to answer, and then speaking as if you would persuade, not impose.

"Advice to his Children,"--_William Penn_.

WILLIAM PENN, a distinguished writer, and the founder of Pennsylvania, was born at London, October 14, 1644, and died July 30, 1718. Among his notable works were: "A Sandy Foundation Shaken," "Truth Exalted," "No Cross, No Crown," "Reasonableness of Toleration," and "Primitive Christianity Revived in the Faith and Practice of the People Called Quakers."

Come in the evening, or come in the morning; Come when you're looked for, or come without warning.

"The Welcome,"--_Thomas Osborne Davis_.

THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS, a famous Irish poet and journalist was born in Mallow, County Cork, October 14, 1814, and died in Dublin, September 15, 1845. His "Poems" and his "Literary and Historical Essays" were collected in 1846.

Farewell to Lochaber, farewell to my Jean, Where heartsome wi' thee I ha'e mony days been; For Lochaber no more, Lochaber no more, We'll maybe return to Lochaber no more.

"Lochaber No More,"--_Allan Ramsay_.

ALLAN RAMSAY, an eminent Scottish poet, was born in Leadhills, Lanarkshire, October 15, 1686, and died in Edinburgh, January 7, 1758. His most noted works are: "Fables and Tales," "Tartana; or, The Plaid," "The Evergreen," "Fair Assembly," "The Tea-Table Miscellany," "Health," "Thirty Fables," and "Gentle Shepherd," his most celebrated work.

A man can't be too careful in the choice of his enemies.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray,"--_Oscar Wilde_.

OSCAR WILDE, a famous Irish poet and author, was born in Dublin, October 15, 1856, and died in 1900. Among his works are: "Poems," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," "The Happy Prince and Other Tales," etc.; also three noted plays: "Lady Windermere's Fan," "A Woman of No Importance," and "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Abstinence is many times very helpful to the end of religion.

--_Tillotson_.

JOHN TILLOTSON, a distinguished English archbishop, was born in Sowerby, Yorkshire, October 16, 1630, and died in London, November 22, 1694. His manuscript sermons were published after his death, with the "Rule of Faith," by Ralph Barker.

The fourteenth of February is a day sacred to St. Valentine! It was a very odd notion, alluded to by Shakespeare, that on this day birds begin to couple; hence, perhaps, arose the custom of sending on this day letters containing professions of love and affection.

--_Noah Webster_.

NOAH WEBSTER, the eminent American lexicographer and journalist, was born at West Hartford, Conn., October 16, 1758, and died in New Haven, May 28, 1843. He published "Sketches of American Policy," "Philosophical and Practical Grammar of the English Language," "A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language," and his _magnum opus_, "American Dictionary of the English Language."

In the Cross of Christ I glory, Tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time; All the lights of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.

"The Cross of Christ,"--_Sir John Bowring_.

SIR JOHN BOWRING, a famous English author and diplomat, was born in Exeter, October 17, 1792, and died there, November 23, 1872. Among his writings are: "Specimens of the Polish Poets," "Specimens of the Russian Poets," "Ancient Poetry and Romances of Spain," "Servian Popular Poetry," "The Flowery Scroll: A Chinese Novel," "The Kingdom and People of Siam," "Cheskian Anthology," and "A Visit to the Philippine Islands."

Kingsley's three masters were--in poetry, Tennyson; in social philosophy, Carlyle; in things moral and spiritual, Frederick D. Maurice; he was a much more passionate reformer than Tennyson; he was far more genial and social than Carlyle. Not that he imitated any of the three.

"Studies in Early Victorian Literature,"--_Frederic Harrison_.

FREDERIC HARRISON, a renowned English essayist, and publicist, was born in London, October 18, 1831. He wrote: "Order and Progress," "The Study of History," "Oliver Cromwell," "The Meaning of History," "Choice of Books," "Annals of an Old Manor House," "Chatham," "Life of Ruskin," "Memories and Thoughts," "Carlyle and the London Library," "My Alpine Jubilee," "National and Social Problems," "Among My Books," "The Positive Evolution of Religion," "Autobiographic Memoirs," "The German Peril," "On Society," "Jurisprudence and Conflict of Nations," "Obiter Scripta," "Novissima Verba," etc.

O sweet delusive Noon, Which the morning climbs to find, O moment sped too soon, And morning left behind.

"Verses: Noon,"--_Helen Hunt_.

HELEN FISKE JACKSON ("H. H."), a noted American poet and miscellaneous writer, was born October 18, 1831, and died in 1885. Among her publications are: "Poems," "Bits of Talk," "Hetty's Strange History," "A Century of Dishonor," and "Ramona," her most famous work.

It is the common wonder of all men, how among so many million of faces there should be none alike.

"Religio Medici," Part II, Sect. ii,--_Sir Thomas Browne_.

SIR THOMAS BROWNE, a celebrated English antiquary and physician, was born in London, October 19, 1605, and died in 1682. His principal work is "Religio Medici." After his death a collection of his fugitive pieces was published, followed by "Christian Morals," a collection of aphorisms.

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.

"Letter to Mrs. Adams," July 3, 1776.--_John Adams_.

JOHN ADAMS, an illustrious American statesman and publicist, and second President of the United States, was born at Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, October 19, 1735, and died there, July 4, 1826. His most celebrated work was: "Defence of the Constitution and Government of the United States."

With spots of sunny openings, and with nooks To lie and read in, sloping into brooks.

"The Story of Rimini,"--_Leigh Hunt_.

LEIGH HUNT, a famous English poet, critic, and essayist, was born in Southgate, October 19, 1784; and died at Putney, August 28, 1859. The most important of his works are: "The Story of Rimini," "Recollections of Byron," "A Legend of Florence," and "Sir Ralph Esher."

Most wondrous book! bright candle of the Lord! Star of Eternity! The only star By which the bark of man could navigate The sea of life and gain the coast of bliss Securely.

"The Course of Time," Book ii, Line 270,--_Robert Pollok_.

ROBERT POLLOK, a noted Scottish poet, was born at North Moorhouse, Renfrewshire, October 19, 1798, and died September 17, 1827. He published "Tales of the Covenanters," and his famous poem, "The Course of Time."

It is no easy task for anyone who has been studying his life and works to set reasonable bounds to their reverence and enthusiasm, for the man.

"Alfred the Great,"--Ch. 24,--_Thomas Hughes_.

THOMAS HUGHES, a celebrated English essayist and story-writer, was born at Donnington Priory, near Newbury, October 20, 1823, and died in 1896. He wrote: "Our Old Church: What Shall We Do With It?" "Rugby," "The Manliness of Christ," and his two celebrated works, "Tom Brown's School Days," and "Tom Brown at Oxford."

On their own merits modest men are dumb.

"Epilogue" to the "Heir at Law,"--_George Colman, the Younger_.

GEORGE COLMAN, THE YOUNGER, a famous English dramatist and humorous poet, was born in London (?), October 21, 1762, and died there October 17, 1836. He wrote: "Broad Grins," "Poetic Vagaries," etc. Among his comedies are: "The Iron Chest," "John Bull," and "The Heir-at-Law."

A noise like of a hidden brook In the leafy month of June, That to the sleeping woods all night Singeth a quiet tune.

"The Ancient Mariner," Part V,--_Samuel Taylor Coleridge_.

SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, a renowned English poet and philosopher, was born at Ottery, St. Mary, Devonshire, October 21, 1772, and died July 25, 1834. Among his famous works are: "Fall of Robespierre" (a play), "Moral and Political Lecture Delivered at Bristol," "Conciones ad Populum," "The Plot Discovered," "Poems on Various Subjects," "The Destiny of Nations," "Ode to the Departing Year," "Pears in Solitude," "Wallenstein," "Remorse, a Tragedy," "Biographia Literaria," "Aids to Reflection," etc. "The Ancient Mariner," was published in 1798, in a volume of "Lyrical Ballads," with Wordsworth.

If cruelty has its expiations and its remorses, generosity has its chances and its turns of good fortune; as if Providence reserved them for fitting occasions, that noble hearts may not be discouraged.

--_Lamartine_.

ALPHONSE MARIE LOUIS DE LAMARTINE, an eminent French poet, was born at Milly, near Macon, October 21, 1790, and died at Passy, March 1, 1869. His greatest works were: "Poetic and Religious Harmonies," "Jocelyn," "Poetical Meditations," "New Poetical Meditations," "History of the Girondins," "The Fall of an Angel," "Confidences," "New Confidences," and the "History of the Restoration."

My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountain-side Let freedom ring.

--"America"--_Samuel Francis Smith_.

SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH, a noted American clergyman and hymn-writer, was born in Boston, October 21, 1808, and died in 1895. He wrote: "Mythology and Early Greek History," "Knights and Sea Kings," "Poor Boys Who Became Great," and his famous hymn, "America."

Heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, or the hand to execute.

"Junius" Letter XXXVII.

SIR PHILIP FRANCIS, a celebrated Irish-English public man and writer, was born in Dublin, October 22, 1740, and died in London, December 23, 1818. He won celebrity by the "Letters" signed "Junius," which appeared in the Public Advertiser of London, from 1768 to 1772.

Scatter the clouds that hide The face of heaven, and show Where sweet peace doth abide. Where Truth and Beauty grow.

"Morning Hymn,"--_Robert Bridges_.

ROBERT BRIDGES, a renowned English author and poet, was born October 23, 1844. He has been poet-laureate of England since 1913. He has written: "Essay on Milton's Prosody," "Critical Essay on Keats," "The Growth of Love," "Eros and Psyche," "Prometheus the Firegiver," "Demeter, a Masque," "The Spirit of Man: An Anthology in English and French," "Ibant Obscuri," and some notable plays, among them: "Nero" (Parts I and II), "Palicio," "Ulysses," "Christian Captives," "Achilles in Scyros," "Humours of the Court," "Feast of Bacchus," etc.