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.
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.