Part 2

RICHARD LE GALLIENNE, a noted English author, was born in Liverpool, January 20, 1866. He has written: "The Religion of a Literary Man," "My Lady's Sonnets," "Prose Fancies," "Sleeping Beauty and other Prose Fancies," "The Quest of the Golden Girl," "The Life Romantic," "Pieces of Eight," etc.

Gray found very little gratification at Cambridge in the society and manners of the young university men who were his contemporaries. They ridiculed his sensitive temper and retired habits, and gave him the nickname of "Miss Gray," for his supposed effeminacy. Nor does Gray seem to have lived on much better terms with his academic superiors. He abhorred mathematics, with the same cordiality of hatred which Pope professed towards them, and at that time concurred with Pope in thinking that the best recipe for dullness was to

"Full in the midst of Euclid plunge at once, And petrify a genius to a dunce."

"Memoirs of Eminent Etonians,"--_Sir Edward Creasy_.

SIR EDWARD SHEPHERD CREASY, a famous English historian was born at Bexley in Kent, January 21, 1812, and died January 27, 1878. He wrote: "Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World," "The History of the Ottoman Turks," "History of England," "Rise and Progress of the English Constitution," "Historical and Critical Account of the Several Invasions of England," etc.

The father's love is greater than the mother's, as his strength is greater than hers. Christ, not Mary, is the embodiment of parental love.

"The Betrayal,"--_Walter Neale_.

WALTER NEALE, a noted American author and man of letters, was born at Eastville, Va., January 21, 1873. Among his works are: "The Betrayal" (a novel), "The Sovereignty of the States," and numerous essays, poems, addresses, etc.

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.

"Of Travel,"--_Francis Bacon_.

FRANCIS BACON, the great English philosopher, was born in London, January 22, 1561, and died April 9, 1626. Some of his works are: "The Advancement of Learning," "On the Colors of Good and Evil," "Novum Organum," his immortal "Essays," and many histories, among them "Elizabeth," "Henry VII" and "Henry VIII."

For the will and not the gift makes the giver.

--_Lessing_.

GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM VON LESSING, a famous German poet, was born at Kamenz, in Upper Lusatia, January 22, 1729, and died at Brunswick, February 15, 1781. Among his writings are: "Letters on Literature," "Nathan the Wise," "Philotas," "The Woman-Hater," "The Jews," "Trifles," (a collection of poems), "The Free-Thinker," "Education of the Human Race," etc.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is a rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not man the less, but Nature more.

"Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," Canto iv, Stanza 178.--_Byron_.

GEORGE NOEL GORDON, LORD BYRON, the renowned English poet, was born in London, January 22, 1788, and died at Missolonghi, Greece, April 19, 1824. Some of his celebrated works are: "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," "Hours of Idleness," "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," "The Corsair," "Hebrew Melodies," "Lara," "Manfred," "The Prisoner of Chillon," "The Lament of Tasso," "Don Juan," etc.

Blandishments will not fascinate us, nor will threats of a "halter" intimidate. For, under God, we are determined that wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever we shall be called to make our exit, we will die free men.

"Observations on the Boston Port Bill," 1774--_Josiah Quincy_.

JOSIAH QUINCY, a distinguished American lawyer, was born in Boston, January 23, 1744, and died April 26, 1775. His important works are: "Observations on the Boston Port Bill," and "An Address of the Merchants, Traders, and Freeholders of Boston."

We love because we get pleasure from loving. When the pleasure palls, love dies a natural death; and the love that survives should not hope for resurrection, but abide in patience a new birth.

"Love,"--_Marie Henri Beyle_.

MARIE HENRI BEYLE, a famous French novelist and critic, was born in Grenoble, January 23, 1783, and died in Paris, March 23, 1842. He has written, "History of Painting in Italy," "Rome, Naples, and Florence in 1817," "About Love," and his celebrated work, "The Chartreuse (Carthusian Nun) of Parma."

Tout finit par des chansons.[6]

"Mariage de Figaro."--_Beaumarchais_.

PIERRE AUGUSTIN CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS, a renowned French dramatist, was born in Paris, January 24, 1732, and died there, May 18, 1799. His greatest plays are: "The Barber of Seville," and "The Marriage of Figaro."

But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or, like the snow-fall in the river, A moment white, then melts forever.

"Tam O'Shanter,"--_Robert Burns_.

ROBERT BURNS, a Scotch poet of world-wide fame, was born in Alloway, January 25, 1759, and died in Dumfries, July 21,1796. His most famous poems are: "Hallowe'en," "The Cotter's Saturday Night," "To a Mountain Daisy," "Twa Dogs," "Tam O'Shanter," and "Highland Mary."

'Tis a little thing To give a cup of water; yet its draught Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips, May give a shock of pleasure to the frame More exquisite than when nectarean juice Renews the life of joy in happiest hours.

"Ion," Act. i, Sc. 2,--_Thomas Noon Talfourd_.

SIR THOMAS NOON TALFOURD, an eminent English author and statesman, was born at Doxey, near Stafford, January 26, 1795, and died at Stafford, March 13, 1854. His works include: "An Attempt to Estimate the Poetical Talent of the Present Age," "Poems on Various Subjects," "History of the Roman Republic," "History of Greece," "Final Memorials of Charles Lamb," "Critical and Miscellaneous Essays," etc.

"Whatever is, is not," is the maxim of the anarchist, as often as anything comes across him in the shape of a law which he happens not to like.

"Declaration of Rights,"--_Richard Bentley_.

RICHARD BENTLEY, a celebrated English critic and essayist, was born in Oulton, Yorkshire, January 27, 1662, and died July, 1742. His important works are: "Dissertation on the Epistles of Phalaris," and "Latin Epistle to John Mill, Containing Critical Observations on the Chronicle of Joannes Malala."

There is in every man a certain feeling that he has been what he is from all eternity, and by no means become such in time.

--_Schelling_.

FRIEDRICH WILHELM JOSEPH VON SCHELLING, an eminent German thinker and philosopher, was born at Leonberg, Wurtemberg, January 27, 1775, and died at the Ragaz baths, Switzerland, August 28, 1854. Among his many works are: "On the Possibility of a Form of philosophy," "Ideas for a Philosophy of Nature," "On the Soul of the World," "Philosophy and Religion," etc. Four posthumous volumes are: "Introduction to the Philosophy of Mythology," "Philosophy of Mythology," and "Philosophy of Revelation," in two separate volumes.

Take care of the sense and the sounds will take care of themselves.

"Alice in Wonderland," Chap. ix.--_Lewis Carroll_.

LEWIS CARROLL, nom de plume of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a distinguished English clergyman and writer on mathematical subjects was born January 27, 1832, and died in January, 1898. His principal works are: "A Syllabus of Plane Algebraical Geometry," "Guide to the Mathematical Student," etc. Also: "The Hunting of the Snark," "Rhyme and Reason," "Euclid and His Modern Rivals," "Game of Logic," "Mathematica Curiosa," and his two popular tales for children, entitled "Alice in Wonderland," and "Through the Looking-Glass."

Morgen, Morgen, nur nicht heute; Sprechen immer trage Leute.[7]

"Der Aufschub,"--_Weisse_.

CHRISTIAN FELIX WEISSE, a noted German poet and writer, was born at Annaberg, January 28, 1726, and died at Leipsic, December 16, 1804. He wrote: "Sportive Lays," "Lays of the Amazons," "Songs for Children," etc.

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before! Christ the royal Master Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See, His banners go. Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus, Going on before!

"Onward, Christian Soldiers."--_S. Baring-Gould_.

SABINE BARING-GOULD, a renowned English antiquary and novelist, was born in Exeter, January 28, 1834; died January, 1924. Among his numerous works may be mentioned: "Lives of the Saints," "Yorkshire Oddities," "In the Roar of the Sea," "The Deserts of Southern France," "A Garland of Country Song," "Old Fairy Tales Retold," "Napoleon Bonaparte," "A Study of St. Paul," "A Book of the Riviera," "A Book of the Rhine," "A Book of the Pyrenees," "Devonshire Characters," "Cornish Characters," "The Land of Teck," "Cliff Castles and Cave Dwellings," "The Church Revival," and his most famous work, "Curious Myths of the Middle Ages."

A man after death is not a natural but a spiritual man; nevertheless he still appears in all respects like himself.

"Conjugal Love," Par. 31,--_Swedenborg_.

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, the famous Swedish mystic philosopher and author, was born in Stockholm, January 29, 1688, and died there March 29, 1772. His notable works include: "Principles of Chemistry," "Conjugal Love and its Chaste Delights," "Opera Philosophica et Mineralia," "Domini Jesu Christi Servus," etc.

The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime again.

"Age of Reason," Part ii, note,--_Thomas Paine_.

THOMAS PAINE, an eminent American publicist, was born at Thetford in Norfolkshire, England, January 29, 1737, and died at New Rochelle, New York, June 8, 1809. The most important of his Works are: "Decline and Fall of the English System of Finance," "Common-Sense," "The Age of Reason," "The Rights of Man."

A delicate thought is a flower of the mind.

--_Charles Rollin_.

CHARLES ROLLIN, a noted French historian and professor of _belles-lettres_, was born at Paris, January 30, 1661, and died September 14, 1741. His chief works are: "On the Study of Belles-Lettres," "Ancient History" (12 vols. 1730-1738), and "History of Rome."

Shakespeare is not our poet, but the world's-- Therefore on him no speech! And brief for thee, Browning! Since Chaucer was alive and hale, No man hath walk'd along our roads with steps So active, so inquiring eye, or tongue So varied in discourse.

"To Robert Browning,"--_Walter S. Landor_.

WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR, the celebrated English poet and prose writer, was born at Ipsley Court, Warwickshire, January 30, 1775, and died at Florence, September 17, 1864. His best known works are: "The Pentameron," "The Hellenics," "Popery, British and Foreign," "Poems," "Antony and Octavius: Scenes for the Study," "Heroic Idylls, with Additional Poems," and his most famous work, "Imaginary Conversations of Literary Men and Statesmen."

Nur eine Mutter weiss allein, was lieben heisst und glücklich sein.[8]

"Frauen Liebe und Leben," 7.--_A. von Chamisso_.

ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO, a famous German lyrist, was born at the castle of Boncourt Champagne, January 30, 1781, and died at Berlin, August 21, 1838. His most celebrated work is "Peter Schlemihl," which has been translated into all the principal languages of Europe.

When thou a fast would'st keep, Make not thy homage cheap, By publishing its signs to every eye; But let it be between Thyself and the Unseen, So shall it gain acceptance from on high.

--_Bernard Barton_.

BERNARD BARTON, a noted English poet, was born in Carlisle, January 31, 1784, and died in Woodbridge, February 19, 1849. He published: "Metrical Effusions," "Devotional Verses," "Household Verses," etc.

Gather leaves and grasses, Love, to-day; For the Autumn passes Soon away. Chilling winds are blowing It will soon be snowing.

"Gather Leaves and Grasses,"--_John Henry Boner_.

JOHN HENRY BONER, a well-known American poet and literary worker, was born at Salem, N. C., January 31, 1845, and died in 1903. He is best remembered for his volume of verse, "Whispering Pines."

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Fear made the gods; audacity has made kings.

[2] Tears are sorrow's sacred right.

[3] So far had the pen under the king the superiority over the sword.

[4] They say that the best counsel, is that of woman.

[5] Where there are laws, he who has not broken them need not tremble.

[6] Everything ends with songs.

[7]

To-morrow, to-morrow, not to-day, Hear the lazy people say.

[8] "Only a mother knows what it is to love and be happy."

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

An instinct is a blind tendency to some mode of action, independent of any consideration, on the part of the agent, of the end to which the action leads.

--_Whately_.

RICHARD WHATELY, a distinguished English clergyman and educator, archbishop of Dublin, was born in London, February 1, 1787, and died in Dublin, October 8, 1863. His writings include: "Elements of Logic," "A General View of the Rise, Progress, and Corruptions of Christianity," "The Use and Abuse of Party Feeling in Matters of Religion," "Bacon's Essays, with Annotations," "Miscellaneous Lectures and Reviews," etc.

Small habits well pursued betimes May reach the dignity of crimes.

"Florio," Part i--_Hannah More_.

HANNAH MORE, a celebrated English religious writer, was born at Stapleton, Gloucestershire, February 2, 1745, and died at Clifton, September 7, 1833. She wrote: "Practical Piety," "Religion of the Fashionable World," "Sacred Dramas," "The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain," etc.

Look up! the wide extended plain Is billowy with its ripened grain, And on the summer winds are rolled Its waves of emerald and gold.

"The Harvest," Call St. 5,--_Wm. Henry Burleigh_.

WILLIAM HENRY BURLEIGH, a noted American poet and journalist was born in Woodstock, Conn., February 2, 1812, and died in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 18, 1871. A collection of his poems was published in 1840.

The illusion that times that were are better than those that are, has probably pervaded all ages.

"The American Conflict,"--_Horace Greeley_.

HORACE GREELEY, a famous American editor and controversial writer, was born in Amherst, N. H., February 3, 1811, and died in New York, November 29, 1872. He wrote: "Glances at Europe," "The American Conflict," "Recollections of a Busy Life," etc.

The strength of affection is a proof not of the worthiness of the object, but of the largeness of the soul which loves.

--_F. W. Robertson_.

FREDERICK WILLIAM ROBERTSON, a distinguished English clergyman, was born in London, February 3, 1816, and died at Brighton, August 15, 1853. His works were collected and published after his death under the following titles: "Expository Lectures on St. Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians," "Lectures and Addresses on Literary and Social Topics," "Notes on Genesis," "Sermons Preached at Trinity Chapel, Brighton."

Shelley had many merits and many defects. This is not the place for a complete or indeed for any estimate of him. But one excellence is most evident. His words are as flexible as any words; the rhythm of some modulating air seems to move them into their place without a struggle by the poet, and almost his knowledge. This is the perfection of true art.

"Literary Studies," Vol. II.--_Walter Bagehot_.

WALTER BAGEHOT, a famous English writer on political economy and government, was born in Langport, Somersetshire, February 3, 1826, and died there March 24, 1877. He wrote: "The English Constitution," "Lombard Street: A Description of the Money Market," "Literary Studies," etc. His complete works were published in 1889.

The incalculable Up and Down of Time,

"Clover,"--_Sidney Lanier_.

SIDNEY LANIER, a celebrated American poet, was born at Macon, Ga., February 3, 1842, and died at Lynn, N. C., September 7, 1881. He wrote: "The English Novel and the Principles of its Development," "The Science of English Verse," etc. His poems were collected and published after his death.

Man has wants deeper than can be supplied by wealth or nature or domestic affections. His great relations are to his God and to eternity.

--_Mark Hopkins_.

MARK HOPKINS, a distinguished American educator and religious and ethical writer, was born at Stockbridge, Mass., February 4, 1802; and died at Williamstown, Mass., June 17, 1887. Among his works are: "Evidences of Christianity," "The Law of Love, and Love as a Law," "An Outline Study of Man," etc.

In depth and variety of coloring, in richness of matter, profundity of thought, and heedlessness of conventional canons, "Cymbeline" has few rivals among Shakespeare's plays. Fascinating as it is, however, this tragi-comedy has never been very popular on the stage. The great public, indeed, has neither studied nor understood it.

"William Shakespeare, A Critical Study," Vol. II, p. 323.--_George Brandes_.

GEORGE MORRIS COHEN BRANDES, a distinguished Danish man of letters, was born at Copenhagen, February 4, 1842. He wrote: "Critiques and Portraits," "French Aesthetics in Our Day," "The Idea of Fate Among the Ancients," and his masterpiece, "Main Currents of 19th Century Literature." Also, "Men of the Modern Revival," "A Study of Ibsen," "Goethe," "Poems," "English: Main Currents," "Eminent Authors," "Poland," "Recollections of My Childhood and Youth," "Complete Works," (21 vols.), "Voltaire," "Caesar," (2 vols.), "The World War," etc.

No statesman e'er will find it worth his pains To tax our labours and excise our brains.

"Night," Line 271,--_Charles Churchill_.

CHARLES CHURCHILL, a famous English satirical poet, was born in Westminster, February 5, 1731, and died at Boulogne, November 4, 1764. He wrote: "The Farewell," "The Ghost," "The Conference," "The Author," "The Prophecy of Famine," and "The Rosciad," the satire that won his fame.

Up the River of Death Sailed the Great Admiral!

"The River Fight,"--_Henry H. Brownell_.

HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL, a noted American poet and writer of historical sketches, was born at Providence, R. I., February 6, 1820, and died at East Hartford, Conn., October 31, 1872. He published his many verses in "Lyrics of a Day, or Newspaper Poetry by a Volunteer in the U. S. Service." In "The Bay Fight" he describes the battle of Mobile Bay.

Look when the clouds are blowing And all the winds are free: In fury of their going They fall upon the sea. But though the blast is frantic, And though the tempest raves, The deep immense Atlantic Is still beneath the waves.

"Wind, Moon and Tides,"--_Frederic William Henry Myers_.

FREDERIC WILLIAM HENRY MYERS, a distinguished English poet and critic, was born at Duffield, England, February 6, 1843, and died January 17, 1901. He has written: "Science and a Future Life," "Renewal of Youth and Other Poems," "Essays, Modern and Classical," "St. Paul," "English Men of Letters," etc. Also a posthumous work called "Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily Death," (2 vols.), 1903.

Sir Thomas More advised an author, who had sent him his manuscript to read, "to put it in rhyme." Which being done, Sir Thomas said, "Yea, marry, now it is somewhat, for now it is rhyme; before it was neither rhyme nor reason."

--_Sir Thomas More_.

SIR THOMAS MORE, the great English statesman and miscellaneous writer, was born in London, February 7, 1478, and was executed July 6, 1535. He wrote: "History of Richard III," "Life of John Picus, Earl of Mirandola," and "Utopia" (which was his most celebrated work), etc.

Oh, a dainty plant is the ivy green, That creepeth o'er ruins old! Of right choice food are his meals, I ween, In his cell so lone and cold. Creeping where no life is seen, A rare old plant is the ivy green.

"Pickwick Papers," Chap. vi,--_Charles Dickens_.

CHARLES DICKENS, one of the most famous of English novelists, was born at Landport, in Portsea, February 7, 1812, and died June 9, 1870. His most famous works are: "Oliver Twist," "Pickwick Papers," "Sketches by Boz," "Nicholas Nickleby," "Old Curiosity Shop," "A Christmas Carol," "American Notes," "The Cricket on the Hearth," "The Chimes," "Pictures from Italy," "Dombey and Son," "The Battle of Life," "David Copperfield," "The Haunted Man," "Bleak House," "Little Dorrit," "A Child's History of England," "Great Expectations," "A Tale of Two Cities," "Hard Times," "Our Mutual Friend," etc.

We can say nothing but what hath been said. Our poets steal from Homer.... Our story-dressers do as much; he that comes last is commonly best.

"Democritus to the Reader,"--_Robert Burton_.

ROBERT BURTON, a famous English writer, was born at Lindley, Leicestershire, February 8, 1577, and died January 25, 1640. His greatest work was: "Anatomy of Melancholy."

It is not written, blessed is he that feedeth the poor, but he that considereth the poor. A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

--_John Ruskin_.

JOHN RUSKIN, the renowned English essayist and critic, was born in London, February 8, 1819, and died January 20, 1900. His principal works are: "The Seven Lamps of Architecture," "Modern Painters," "The Stones of Venice," "Elements of Drawing," "The Two Paths," "Political Economy of Art," "Lectures on Art," "The Art of England," "Verona and Other Lectures," "Sesame and Lilies," "Munera Pulveris," "The Crown of Wild Olive," "Love's Meinie," "The Eagle's Nest," "The Queen of the Air," "Arrows of the Chace," "Proserpina," "The King of the Golden River," etc.

Hold the fort! I am coming!

Signalled to General Corse in Allatoona from the top of Kenesaw, Oct. 5, 1864,

--_William Tecumseh Sherman_.

WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN, one of the greatest of American generals, was born in Lancaster, O., February 8, 1820, and died in New York City, February 14, 1891. He published: "Memoirs of Gen. William T. Sherman by Himself" (2 vols.).

O white and midnight sky, O starry bath, Wash me in thy pure, heavenly crystal flood: Cleanse me, ye stars, from earthly soil and scath-- Let not one taint remain in spirit or blood!

"The Celestial Passion,"--_Richard Watson Gilder_.

RICHARD WATSON GILDER, a distinguished American poet, was born in Bordentown, N. J., February 8, 1844, and died in 1909. His works include: "Two Worlds and Other Poems," "Five Books of Song," "Lyrics," "The New Day," "The Great Remembrance and Other Poems," and "The Celestial Passion."

What man supremely admires in man is manhood. The valiant man alone has power to awaken the enthusiastic love of us all.

"Life of Andrew Jackson,"--_James Parton_.

JAMES PARTON, a famous American writer, was born at Canterbury, England, February 9, 1822, and died at Newburyport, Mass., October 17, 1891. A few of his works are: "Life and Times of Aaron Burr," "General Butler in New Orleans," "Life of Thomas Jefferson," "Famous Americans of Recent Times," "Life of Horace Greeley," "Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin," "Life of Voltaire," "Humorous Poetry of the English Language," "Topics of the Time," etc.

"Bourgeois," I observed, "is an epithet which the riff-raff apply to what is respectable, and the aristocracy to what is decent."

"Dolly Dialogues,"--_Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins_.

SIR ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS ("Anthony Hope") a celebrated English author was born February 9, 1863. Among his works are: "The Prisoner of Zenda," "The Dolly Dialogues," "Rupert of Hentzau," "Double Harness," "The Great Miss Driver," "A Young Man's Year," "Beaumaroy Home from the Wars," "Lucinda," etc. Plays: "The Adventure of Lady Ursula," "Pilkerton's Peerage," etc.