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.

I have had playmates, I have had companions, In my days of childhood, in my joyful schooldays. All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

"Old Familiar Faces,"--_Charles Lamb_.

CHARLES LAMB, the great English essayist, was born in London, February 10, 1775, and died at Edmonton, December 27, 1834. Among his essays may be mentioned: "Essays of Elia," "Last Essays of Elia," and his famous work, "Tales from the Plays of Shakespeare" (Mary and Charles Lamb).

Too fair to worship, too divine to love.

"The Belvedere Apollo,"--_Henry Hart Milman_.

HENRY HART MILMAN, a celebrated English clergyman, historian, and poet, was born in London, February 10, 1791, and died near Ascot, September 24, 1868. He wrote: "Fall of Jerusalem," "History of Christianity under the Empire," "History of the Jews," and his most important work, "The History of Latin Christianity down to the Death of Pope Nicholas V."

High in his chariot glow'd the lamp of day.

"The Shipwreck," Canto I, III; L. 3,--_Falconer_.

WILLIAM FALCONER, a noted Scotch poet, was born February 11, 1732, and died in 1769. He wrote: "The Demagogue," a "Universal Dictionary of the Marine," and numerous odes, satires and poems; the most famous of his poems being "The Shipwreck."

Genius hath electric power Which earth can never tame, Bright suns may scorch and dark clouds lower, Its flash is still the same.

"Marius Amid the Ruins of Carthage,"--_Lydia M. Child_.

LYDIA MARIA CHILD, a famous American prose-writer, was born in Medford, Mass., February 11, 1802, and died in Wayland, Mass., October 20, 1880. Among her numerous works may be mentioned, "Philothea," "Fact and Fiction," "Looking Toward Sunset," "Miria: A Romance of the Republic," "Hobomok," "Aspirations of the World," etc.

Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.

"Address," Cooper Union, New York City, Feb. 27, 1860,--_Abraham Lincoln_.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, the great "War President," was born in Hardin County, Ky., February 12, 1809, and died at Washington, D. C., April 15, 1865. His "Address," at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa., and his "Second Inaugural Address," won for him everlasting fame.

We will now discuss in a little more detail the Struggle for Existence.

"The Origin of Species," Chap. iii,--_Charles Robert Darwin_.

CHARLES ROBERT DARWIN, the famous English naturalist and philosopher, was born at Shrewsbury, February 12, 1809, and died April 19, 1882. He wrote: "The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex," "The Expression of the Emotions in Men and Animals," "A Naturalist's Voyage," "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection," etc.

God's rarest blessing is, after all, a good woman.

"The Ordeal of Richard Feverel,"--_George Meredith_.

GEORGE MEREDITH, a noted British novelist and poet, was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire, February 12, 1828, and died May 18, 1909. Some of his famous works are: "Evan Harrington," "Harry Richmond," "Ordeal of Richard Feverel," "Rhoda Fleming," "Vittoria," "The Adventures of Harry Richmond," "Beauchamp's Career," "The Egoist," "The Tragic Comedians," "Diana of the Crossways," "Poems and Lyrics of the Joy of Earth," "Ballads and Poems of Tragic Life," "A Reading of Earth," "One of Our Conquerors," "The Amazing Marriage," etc.

Ils n'out rien appris, ni rien oublié.[1]

--_Talleyrand_.

CHARLES MAURICE DE TALLEYRAND-PÉRIGORD, a celebrated French diplomat, was born at Paris, February 13, 1754, and died at Valencay, May 17, 1838. His "Memoirs" were first published in 1891-92 in (5 vols.); his "Correspondence with Louis XVIII, during the Congress of Vienna," in 1881, his "Diplomatic Correspondence," in 1889-91 in (3 vols.) and "Unpublished Letters of Talleyrand to Napoleon, 1800-1809," in 1889.

O golden Silence, bid our souls be still, And on the foolish fretting of our care Lay thy soft touch of healing unaware!

"Silence,"--_Julia Caroline Ripley Dorr_.

MRS. JULIA CAROLINE (RIPLEY) DORR, a noted American poet and novelist, was born in Charleston, S. C., February 13, 1825, and died in 1913. Her works include: "Afternoon Songs," "Daybreak, an Easter Poem," "Poems," "Lanmere," "Expiation," "Farmingdale," "Bermuda," "Sibyl Huntington," and "A Cathedral Pilgrimage."

Oh, for the simple life, For tents and starry skies!

"Aspiration,"--_Israel Zangwill_.

ISRAEL ZANGWILL, a renowned English-Jewish novelist, was born in London, February 14, 1864. He has published: "The Premier and the Painter," "The Bachelors' Club," "The Big Bow Mystery," "The Old Maids' Club," "Children of the Ghetto," "Merely Mary Ann," "Ghetto Tragedies," "The Master," "The King of Schnorrers," "Without Prejudice," "The Mantle of Elijah," "The Next Religion," "Plaster Saints."

Nature has placed mankind under the government of two sovereign masters--pain and pleasure.

--_Jeremy Bentham_.

JEREMY BENTHAM, a distinguished English writer on ethics and jurisprudence, was born February 15, 1748, and died in 1832. His collected works (11 volumes) were published in 1843, and include: "A Fragment on Government," "View of the Hard Labor Bill," "Rationale of Punishment and Rewards," "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation," "The Panopticon, or the Inspection House," "Manual of Political Economy," "Poor Laws and Pauper Management," "Constitutional Code," etc.

A poet is the translator of the silent language of nature to the world.

--_R. W. Griswold_.

RUFUS WILMOT GRISWOLD, a distinguished American journalist and prose-writer, born in Benson, Vt., February 15, 1815, and died in New York, August 27, 1857. His works include: "Poets and Poetry of America," "Poets and Poetry of England in the Nineteenth Century," "Prose Writers of America," "Female Poets of America," etc.

Up anchor! Up anchor! Set sail and away! The ventures of dreamland Are thine for a day.

"Dreamland,"--_Silas Weir Mitchell_.

SILAS WEIR MITCHELL, a distinguished American physician, poet and novelist, was born in Philadelphia, February 15, 1829, and died January 4, 1914. He has written: "In War Time," "Poems," "Hephzibah Guinness, and Other Stories," "Hugh Wynne," "The Adventures of François," "The Red City," "Westways," "Complete Poems," etc.

Noth lehrt auch die Könige beten.[2]

"Der Trompeter von Säkkingen, Drittes Stuck,"--_Scheffel_.

JOSEPH VIKTOR VON SCHEFFEL, an eminent German poet and novelist, was born at Karlsruhe, February 16, 1826, and died April 9, 1886. He wrote: "Gaudeamus," "Ekkehard," "Mountain Psalms," and his famous epic poem, "The Trumpeter of Säkkingen," which won for him great fame, and has reached more than 250 editions.

It is probable that for many millions of years but one climate prevailed over the whole earth, which very closely resembled, or even surpassed the hottest tropical climate of the present day.

"Change of Climate and its Influence on Life," from "History of Creation."--_Ernst Heinrich Haeckel_.

ERNST HAECKEL, a renowned German naturalist, was born at Potsdam, February 16, 1834, and died in 1919. Among his most famous works are: "On the Division of Labor in Nature and Human Life," "On the Origin and Genealogy of the Human Race," "Life in the Great Marine Animals," "The Arabian Corals," "The System of the Medusa," "A Visit to Ceylon," "Riddle of the Universe," "Natural History of Creation," "Souvenirs of Algeria," "Monoism as Connected with Religion and Science," etc.

Darlings of the forest! Blossoming alone When Earth's grief is sorest For her jewels gone-- Ere the last snow-drift melts, your tender buds are blown.

"Trailing Arbutus,"--_Rose Terry Cooke_.

MRS. ROSE (TERRY) COOKE, a noted American poet and short-story writer, was born at West Hartford, Conn., February 17, 1827, and died at Pittsfield, Mass., July 18, 1892. Her complete poems were published in 1888, and her stories were published in book form under the titles: "Somebody's Neighbors," "Root-Bound," "The Sphinx's Children," "Happy Dodd," "Huckleberries," "Steadfast," a novel, appeared in 1889.

He [Hampden] had a head to contrive, a tongue to persuade, and a hand to execute any mischief.

"History of the Rebellion," Vol. iii,