Part 4

RICHARD GARNETT, a noted English librarian and author, was born at Litchfield, February 27, 1835, and died April 13, 1906. He wrote: "Primula," "Io in Egypt," "Idylls and Epigrams," "The Queen and Other Poems," "Collected Poems," "The Twilight of the Gods," "A Short History of Italian Literature," "Essays in Librarianship and Bibliophily," etc.

You hail from Dreamland, Dragon-fly? A stranger hither? So am I And (sooth to say) I wonder why We either of us came!

"To a Dragon-fly,"--_Agnes M. F. R. Darmesteter_.

AGNES M. F. R. DARMESTETER, a distinguished English poet, was born in Leamington, February 27, 1857. Her writings include: "A Handful of Honeysuckle," "Lyrics," "Retrospect," "Arden," a novel, "Emily Brontë," "The New Arcadia and Other Poems," "An Italian Garden, a Book of Songs," "The End of the Middle Ages," "Essays and Questions in History," "Life of Renan," "Collected Poems," "The Fields of France," "The Return to Nature," "The French Ideal," "Twentieth Century French Writers," "Madame de Sévigne," etc.

How many worthy men have we seen survive their own reputation!

"Of Glory," Chap. xvi.--_Montaigne_.

MICHEL EYQUEM DE MONTAIGNE, the illustrious French moral philosopher, was born at Château Montaigne, Perigord, February 28, 1533, and died September 13, 1592. His remarkable "Essays" won for him world-wide fame.

In Nature there is no dirt, everything is in the right condition; the swamp and the worm, as well as the grass and the bird--all is there for itself. Only because we think that all things have a relation to us, do they appear justifiable or otherwise.

--_Auerbach_.

BERTHOLD AUERBACH, a renowned German novelist, was born at Nordstetten, Wurtemberg, February 28, 1812, and died at Cannes, France, February 8, 1882. He wrote: "The Educated Citizen, a Book for the Thinking Human Mind," "Poet and Merchant," "Spinoza," "The Professor's Lady," "Little Barefoot," "Joseph in the Snow," "Edelweiss," "New Life," "The Head Forester," "The Villa on the Rhine," "Waldfried, a Family History," "Black Forest Village Stories," "After Thirty Years," and his most noted work, "On the Heights."

The first, and perhaps the final impression we receive from the work of Robert Browning is that of a great nature, an immense personality.

"Introduction to the Study of Browning,"--_Arthur Symons_.

ARTHUR SYMONS, a celebrated writer of prose and verse, was born in Wales, February 28, 1865. His publications include: "An Introduction to the Study of Browning," "Days and Nights," "Silhouettes," "London Nights," "Amoris Victima," "Studies in Two Literatures," "The Symbolist Movement in Literature," "Images of Good and Evil," "Collected Poems," "Plays, Acting, and Music," "Cities," "Studies in Prose and Verse," "Spiritual Adventures," "A Book of Twenty Songs," "The Fool of the World," "Studies in Seven Arts," "Cities of Italy," "The Romantic Movement in English Poetry," "Knave of Hearts," "Figures of Several Centuries," "Tragedies," etc.

Take time enough: all other graces Will soon fill up their proper places.

"Advice to Preach Slow,"--_John Byrom_.

JOHN BYROM, a noted English poet, and writer of hymns, was born at Kersel Cell, near Manchester, February 29, 1692, and died in 1763. He wrote a famous poem "Colin and Phoebe." A collection of his poems was published in 1773.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] They have learned nothing, and they have forgotten nothing.

[2] Danger teaches even kings to pray.

[3] The blush is beautiful, but it is sometimes inconvenient.

MARCH

MARCH

That friendship only is, indeed, genuine when two friends, without speaking a word to each other, can, nevertheless, find happiness in being together.

--_George Ebers_.

GEORGE MORITZ EBERS, a famous German Egyptologist and novelist, was born at Berlin, March 1, 1837, and died August 7, 1898. Among his noted works are: "The Sisters," "The Emperor," "Serapis," "Joshua," "Cleopatra," "Homo Sum," "Uarda," "The Bride of the Nile," and "An Egyptian Princess," his most celebrated work.

Until after the war we had no real novels in this country, except "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This is one of the great novels of the world, and of all time. Even the fact that slavery was done away with does not matter; the interest in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," never will pass, because the book is really as well as ideally true to human nature, and nobly true. It is the only great novel of ours before the war that I can think of.

"My Favorite Novelist,"--_Munsey's Magazine_, Vol. 17, p. 22, 1897.--_William Dean Howells_.

WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, a celebrated American novelist and poet, was born at Martinsville, O., March 1, 1837, and died in 1921. Among his numerous works are: "Italian Journeys," "Poets and Poetry of the West," "Poems," "A Day's Pleasure," "A Little Girl Among the Old Masters," "Indian Summer," "Modern Italian Poets," "The Shadow of a Dream," "A Little Swiss Sojourn," "My Year in a Log Cabin," "My Literary Passions," "Impressions and Experiences," "A Previous Engagement," "Certain Delightful English Towns," "Through the Eye of the Needle," "Fennel and Rue," "Imaginary Interviews," "The Seen and Unseen in Stratford-on-Avon," "Years of My Youth," "A Modern Instance," "The Lady of the Aristook," "The Rise of Silas Lapham."

Much like a subtle spider which doth sit In middle of her web, which spreadeth wide; If aught do touch the utmost thread of it, She feels it instantly on every side.

"The Immortality of the Soul,"--_Sir John Davies_.

SIR JOHN DAVIES, a noted English poet and judge, was bom in Tisbury, Wiltshire, March 2, 1570, and died December 7 or 8, 1626. He wrote: "Know Thyself," "The Orchestra," and "Hymns to Astraea."

Of the generations of American statesmen that followed those of the Revolutionary period, few will live as long in the memory of the people, and none as long in the literature of the country, as Daniel Webster.

"Library of the World's Best Literature," 1897, ed. Warner, Vol. 38, p. 15725.--_Carl Schurz_.

CARL SCHURZ, a famous German-American journalist and statesman, was born near Cologne, Prussia, March 2, 1829, and died in 1906. His most celebrated speeches are: "The Irrepressible Conflict," "The Doom of Slavery," "The Abolition of Slavery as a War Measure," "Life of Henry Clay," "Eulogy on Charles Sumner," etc.

Go, lovely rose! Tell her that wastes her time and me That now she knows, When I resemble her to thee, How sweet and fair she seems to be.

"Go, Lovely Rose,"--_Edmund Waller_.

EDMUND WALLER, a renowned English poet and parliamentarian, was born at Coleshill, March 3, 1605, and died at Beaconsfield, October 21, 1687. He published a volume of poems in 1645, and another in 1664.

O woman! lovely woman! Nature made thee To temper man: we had been brutes without you. Angels are painted fair, to look like you: There's in you all that we believe of heaven,-- Amazing brightness, purity, and truth, Eternal joy, and everlasting love.

"Venice Preserved," Act i, Sc. 1,--_Thomas Otway_.

THOMAS OTWAY, a noted English dramatist, was born at Trotton, near Midhurst, Sussex, March 3, 1652, and died in April, 1685. His famous plays include "Don Carlos, Prince of Spain," "The Orphan, or the Unhappy Marriage," "The History and Fall of Caius Marius," "Venice Preserved, or a Plot Discover'd," etc.

When money represents many things, not to love it would be to love nearly nothing. To forget true needs can be only a feeble moderation; but to know the value of money and to sacrifice it always, maybe to duty, maybe even to delicacy,--that is real virtue.

--_De Sénancour_.

ETIENNE PIVERT DE SÉNANCOUR, a distinguished French writer, born at Paris, March 4 (?), 1770, and died at St. Cloud, January 10, 1846. He wrote: "Reveries on the Primitive State of Man," "Love According to Primordial Laws, and According to the Conventions of Society," "Free Meditations of an Unknown Solitary on Detachment from the World," "Isabella," and "Obermann," his most celebrated work.

I have always believed that success would be the inevitable result if the two services, the army and the navy, had fair play, and if we sent the right man to fill the right place.

"Speech in Parliament," January 15, 1855,--_Sir Austen Henry Layard_.

SIR AUSTEN HENRY LAYARD, a celebrated English traveler, was born at Paris, March 5, 1817, and died July 5, 1894. Among his publications are: "Nineveh and Babylon," "Early Adventures in Persia, Susiana, and Babylonia," "Nineveh and Its Remains."

Deep brown eyes running over with glee; Blue eyes are pale, and gray eyes are sober; Bonnie brown eyes are the eyes for me.

"October's Song,"--_Constance F. Woolson_.

CONSTANCE FENIMORE WOOLSON, a well-known American poet and novelist, was born at Claremont, N. H., March 5, 1848, and died at Venice, January, 1894. Her principal works are: "Rodman the Keeper," "For the Major," "Anne," "East Angels," "Horace Chase," "Jupiter Lights," and "Castle Nowhere."

As when, O lady mine! With chiselled touch The stone unhewn and cold Becomes a living mould. The more the marble wastes, The more the statue grows.

"Sonnet," Translation by Mrs. Henry Roscoe,--_Michelangelo_.

MICHAELANGELO BUONAROTTI, one of the greatest of Italian sculptors and poets, was born at Caprese, March 6, 1475, and died at Rome, February 18, 1564. His "Poems" were published in 1863, and a volume of "Letters" in 1865.

God answers sharp and sudden on some prayers, And thrusts the thing we have prayed for in our face, A gauntlet with a gift in't.

"Aurora Leigh, Book II,"--_Elizabeth Browning_.

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING, a famous English poetess, was born in Durham, March 6, 1809, and died in Florence, June 30, 1861. Her principal poems are: "The Drama of Exile," "A Vision of Poets," "The Seraphim," "Romance of the Swan's Nest," "Aurora Leigh," "The Cry of the Children," "Lady Geraldine's Courtship," and "Sonnets from the Portuguese."

A little work, a little play To keep us going--and so good day!

A little warmth, a little light Of love's bestowing--and so, good night.

A little fun, to match the sorrow Of each day's growing--and so, good morrow!

A little trust that when we die We reap our sowing--and so, good bye!

"Trilby,"--_George Du Maurier_.

GEORGE DU MAURIER, a celebrated illustrator, cartoonist, and novelist, was born in Paris, March 6, 1834, and died in London, October 8, 1896. He wrote and illustrated three noted stories, "Peter Ibbetson," "Trilby," and "The Martian."

The people are gaining upon Nathaniel Hawthorne's works. A century hence, when the most popular authors of to-day are forgotten, he will probably be more widely read than ever.

--_Edward P. Roe_, 1888.

EDWARD PAYSON ROE, a noted American novelist, was born in Orange County, N. Y., March 7, 1838, and died at Cornwall, N. Y., July 19, 1888. He wrote: "Barriers Burned Away," "What Can She Do?" "The Opening of a Chestnut Burr," "From Jest to Earnest," "Near to Nature's Heart," "A Knight of the Nineteenth Century," "A Face Illumined," "A Day of Fate," "Without a Home," "A Young Girl's Wooing," "Nature's Serial Story," "Driven Back to Eden," "He Fell in Love with His Wife," "A Hornet's Nest," "Miss Lou," "Taken Alive, and Other Stories," etc.

The Roman Epic abounds in moral and poetical defects; nevertheless it remains the most complete picture of the national mind at its highest elevation; the most precious document of national history, if the history of an age is recorded in its ideas, no less than in its events and incidents.

"History of the Romans under the Empire," Ch. xli,--_C. Merivale_.

CHARLES MERIVALE, a famous English historian, was born March 8, 1808, and died December 27, 1893. He wrote: "General History of Rome from the Foundation of the City to the Fall of Augustulus," and in 1862 he very successfully translated Keats' "Hyperion" into Latin verse.

O Light divine! we need no fuller test That all is ordered well; We know enough to trust that all is best Where Love and Wisdom dwell.

"Oh, Love Supreme,"--_Christopher P. Cranch_.

CHRISTOPHER P. CRANCH, a noted American poet and artist, was born in Alexandria, Va., March 8, 1813, and died in Cambridge, Mass., January 20, 1892. His publications include: "Poems," "The Last of the Huggermuggers," and "Ariel and Caliban, with Other Poems."

Man, being essentially active, must find in activity his joy, as well as his beauty and glory; and labor, like everything else that is good, is its own reward.

--_Whipple_.

EDWIN PERCY WHIPPLE, a distinguished American literary critic, was born at Gloucester, Mass., March 8, 1819, and died in Boston, June 16, 1886. He published: "Essays and Reviews" (2 vols. 1848-49), "Lectures on Subjects Connected with Literature and Life," "Character and Characteristic Men," "The Literature of the Age of Elizabeth," "Success and Its Conditions." He also wrote: "Recollections of Eminent Men," "American Literature and Other Papers," and "Outlooks on Society, Literature, and Politics." The latter works were published after his death.

Public credit means the contracting of debts which nations never can pay.

"Advice to Young Men,"--_William Cobbett_.

WILLIAM COBBETT, a distinguished English essayist and political writer, was born in Farnham, March 9, 1762, and died at Normandy Farm, near Farnham, June, 1835. He wrote: "The Political Proteus," "Legacy to Laborers," "Advice to Young Men," etc.

The historian is a prophet looking backward.

--_Schlegel_.

FRIEDRICH VON SCHLEGEL, a celebrated German critic and philologist, was born at Hanover, March 10, 1772, and died at Dresden, January 12, 1829. Among his publications are: "History of Greek and Roman Poetry," "The Greeks and Romans," "Fragments," "Poems," "Alarcos," "Language and Wisdom of the Indians," "On the Schools of Grecian Poetry," "Modern History," "History of Ancient and Modern Literature," "Philosophy of Life," etc.

Wem Gott will rechte Gunst erweisen, Den schickt er in die weite Welt.[1]

"Der Frohe Wandersmann,"--_J. V. Eichendorff_.

BARON JOSEPH VON EICHENDORFF, a distinguished German poet, was born at the castle of Lubowitz in Silesia, March 10, 1788, and died at Neisse, November 26, 1857. His famous works include: "Presage and Presence," "War to the Philistines," "The Last Hero of Marienburg," etc.

I do not deem that Castiglione wrote for the men of his own day only ... the beauty of his writings deserves that in all ages they should be read and praised; and as long as courts shall endure, as long as princes, ladies, and noble gentlemen shall meet together, as long as valor and courtesy shall abide in our hearts, the name of Castiglione will be valued.

--_Tasso_.

TORQUATO TASSO, a renowned Italian poet, was born at Sorrento, Italy, March 11, 1544, and died at Rome, April 25, 1595. He published: "Rinaldo," "Aminta," "Torismondo," and his masterpiece, "Jerusalem Delivered."

Wealth is not acquired, as many persons suppose, by fortunate speculations and splendid enterprises, but by the daily practice of industry, frugality, and economy. He who relies upon these means will rarely be found destitute, and he who relies upon any other will generally become bankrupt.

--_Wayland_.

FRANCIS WAYLAND, a distinguished American clergyman, author, and educator, was born in New York City, March 11, 1796, and died in Providence, Rhode Island, September 30, 1865. Among his notable works are: "Elements of Moral Science," "Elements of Political Economy," "The Limitations of Human Responsibility," "Elements of Intellectual Philosophy," "Sermons to Churches," etc., etc.

Our youth we can have but to-day, We may always find time to grow old.

"Can Love be controlled by Advice?"--_Bishop Berkeley_.

BISHOP GEORGE BERKELEY, the eminent Irish clergyman and author, was born near Kilkenny, March 12, 1685, and died at Oxford, England, January 14, 1753. His writings include: "Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision," "The Analyst," "The Principles of Human Knowledge," his famous "Commonplace Book, 1703-6," etc.

The terrible rumble, grumble and roar Telling the battle was on once more-- And Sheridan twenty miles away!

"Sheridan's Ride,"--_Thomas Buchanan Read_.

THOMAS BUCHANAN READ, a celebrated American portrait-painter and poet, was born in Pennsylvania, March 12, 1822, and died in 1872. His most famous works are: "The House by the Sea," "Poems," "Lays and Ballads," "Poetical Works," "A Summer Story," "The New Pastoral," "The Pilgrims of the Great St. Bernard," "The Good Samaritans," "A Voyage to Iceland," "Sylvia; or The Lost Shepherd," "Drifting."

"I have heard frequent use," said the late Lord Sandwich, in a debate on the Test Laws, "of the words 'orthodoxy' and 'heterodoxy'; but I confess myself at a loss to know precisely what they mean." "Orthodoxy, my Lord," said Bishop Warburton, in a whisper,--"orthodoxy is my doxy, heterodoxy is another man's doxy."

"Memoirs," Vol. i, p. 572,--_Priestley_.

JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, an English theologian, physicist, and philosopher of great fame, was born at Fieldhead, near Leeds, March 13, 1733, and died near Philadelphia, February 6, 1804. His principal writings are: "Observations on Different Kinds of Air," "History of Electricity," "The Doctrine of Phlogiston Established," "History of the Corruptions of Christianity," "Disquisitions on Matter and Spirit," and "Institutes of Natural and Revealed Religion."

Nature is mighty. Art is mighty. Artifice is weak. For nature is the work of a mightier power than man. Art is the work of man under the guidance and inspiration of a mightier power. Artifice is the work of mere man, in the imbecility of his mimic understanding.

--_Hare_.

AUGUSTUS JOHN CUTHBERT HARE, a noted English descriptive writer, was born in Rome, March 13, 1834, and died in 1903. He wrote: "A Winter at Mentone," "Walks in Rome," "Wanderings in Spain," "Walks in London," "Days near Paris," "Cities of Southern Italy and Sicily," "Memorials of a Quiet Life," "Story of My Life," etc.

This new page opened in the book of our public expenditures, and this new departure taken, which leads into the bottomless gulf of civil pensions and family gratuities.

"Speech in the U. S. Senate against a Grant to President Harrison's Widow," April, 1841,--_Thomas Hart Benton_.

THOMAS HART BENTON, a distinguished American statesman and author, was born near Hillsborough, Orange County, N. C., March 14, 1782, and died in Washington, D. C., April 10, 1858. His chief publications are his "Abridgment of the Debates of Congress" and his "Thirty Years' View."

His form was of the manliest beauty, His heart was kind and soft; Faithful below he did his duty, But now he's gone aloft.

"Tom Bowling,"--_Charles Dibdin_.

CHARLES DIBDIN, a noted English lyric and dramatic poet, and actor, was born at Southampton, March 15, 1745, and died July 25, 1814. He wrote: "History of the Stage," "Sea Songs," and many plays and operettas.

Dulde, gedulde dich fein! Uber ein Stundlein Ist deine Kammer voll Sonne![2]

"Gedichte," "Uber ein Stundlein,"--_P. Heyse_.

PAUL LUDWIG HEYSE, a famous German poet and novelist, was born in Berlin, March 15, 1830, and died in 1914. He has written: "The Sabines," "The Brothers," "Ourika," "Rafael," "Children of the World," etc.; also his celebrated tragedy "Francesca da Rimini."

The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the union of the states be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened, and the disguised one as the serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into paradise.

--_James Madison_.

JAMES MADISON, the fourth President of the United States, was born at Port Conway, Va., March 16, 1751, and died at Montpelier, Vt., June 28, 1836. His "Complete Works" have been published in six volumes.

O Liberty! Liberty! how many crimes are committed in thy name.

--_Madame Roland_.

MADAME ROLAND, a noted French author and Republican politician, was born in Paris, March 17, 1754, and died November 8, 1793. Her "Letters" and "Memoirs," published after her death, have made her famous.

Even in the fiercest uproar of our stormy passions, conscience, though in her softest whispers, gives to the supremacy of rectitude the voice of an undying testimony.

--_Chalmers_.

THOMAS CHALMERS, a famous Scottish theologian, was born in Anstruther, Fifeshire, March 17, 1780, and died in Edinburgh, May 30, 1847. His works were collected (23 vols., 1836-42), "Posthumous Works" (9 vols., 1847-49), "Select Works" (12 vols., 1854-79).

Man dwells apart, though not alone, He walks among his peers unread; The best of thoughts which he hath known For lack of listeners are not said.

"Afterthought,"--_Jean Ingelow_.

JEAN INGELOW, a celebrated English poet and novelist was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, March 17, 1830, and died in London, July 19, 1897. Among her writings are: "A Rhyming Chronicle of Incidents and Feelings," "Home Thoughts and Home Scenes," "Round of Days," "A Story of Doom and Other Poems," "Mopsa the Fairy," "Little Wonder Horn," "Studies for Stories," "A Sister's Bye Hours," "Quite Another Story," "A Motto Changed," "Songs of Seven," etc.

We pardon infidelities, but we do not forget them.

--_Madame de Lafayette_.

MADAME DE LAFAYETTE, a noted French novelist, was baptized at Paris, March 18, 1634, and died there, May 25, 1693. She wrote: "The Princess de Montpensier," "Zaide," "History of Henrietta of England," "Memoirs of the Court of France for the Years 1688 and 1689," and "The Princess of Cleves," her most celebrated work.

The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.

"Speech," February 13, 1835.--_John C. Calhoun_.

JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, an illustrious American statesman, was born in Abbeville Dist., S. C., March 18, 1782, and died in Washington, March 31, 1850. His works include his famous treatise: "On the Constitution and Government of the United States," and a "Discourse on Government."

Though the people support the government the government should not support the people.

"Veto of Texas Seed Bill," February 16, 1887.--_Grover Cleveland_.

GROVER STEPHEN CLEVELAND, a distinguished American diplomat and President of the United States from 1885 to 1889, and again from 1893 to 1897, was born at Caldwell, Essex County, New Jersey, March 18, 1837, and died in 1908. He published: "Presidential Problems," "Fishing and Hunting Sketches."

Oh, bring again my heart's content, Thou Spirit of the Summer-time!

"Song,"--_William Allingham_.

WILLIAM ALLINGHAM, a noted Irish poet, was born at Ballyshannon, March 19, 1828, and died at Hampstead, near London, November 18, 1889. His most celebrated work is: "Lawrence Bloomfield in Ireland."

It is the mind that makes the man, and our vigor is in our immortal soul.

"Metamorphoses," xiii,--_Ovid_.

OVID (PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO), the great Roman poet, was born at Sulmo, March 20, 43 B.C., and died at Tomi, A.D. 17. He wrote: "Heroids," "Metamorphoses," "Fasti," "Art of Love," "Epistles," "Amours," etc.

Only the spirit of rebellion craves for happiness in this life. What right have we human beings to happiness?

"Ghosts,"--_Henrik Ibsen_.

HENRIK IBSEN, a famous Norwegian dramatist, was born in Skien, March 20, 1828, and died in 1906. His most noted plays are: "The Pillars of Society," "The Warriors at Helgeland," "Love's Comedy," "The Wild Duck," "An Enemy of the People," "Ghosts," "Hedda Gabler," and "A Doll's House."