Through the Year With Famous Authors Part 33

"The Wolf and the Lamb," from "Fables," Book I, Fable 10,--_Jean de La Fontaine_.

JEAN DE LA FONTAINE, the great French fabulist and poet, was born at Chateau-Thierry, in Champagne, July 8, 1621, and died in Paris, April 13, 1695. His princ.i.p.al works were: "Stories and Novels," "Adonis," "The Loves of Psyche," and his celebrated "Fables."

They love their land because it is their own, And scorn to give aught other reason why; Would shake hands with a king upon his throne, And think it kindness to his Majesty.

"Connecticut,"--_Fitz-Greene Halleck_.

FITZ-GREENE HALLECK, a celebrated American poet, was born in Guilford, Conn., July 8, 1790, and died there, November 19, 1867. His most important poems were: "f.a.n.n.y," and "Marco Bozzaris."

Time softly there Laughs through the abyss of radiance with the G.o.ds.

"The Fire-Bringer," Act i,--_William Vaughn Moody_.

WILLIAM VAUGHN MOODY, a noted American poet, was born at Spencer, Indiana, July 8, 1869, and died at Colorado Springs, October 17, 1910.

He is best known by his famous poem, "An Ode in Time of Hesitation,"

which won for him lasting fame. Among his dramas are: "The Masque of Judgment," "The Great Divide," and "The Faith-Healer." With R. W.

Lovett, he wrote: "History of English Literature," etc.

A manufacturing district ... sends out, as it were, suckers into all its neighborhood.

"View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages," Ch.

IX,--_Hallam_.

HENRY HALLAM, a distinguished English historian, was born at Windsor, July 9, 1777, and died at Pickhurst, Kent, January 21, 1859. His noted works are: "Const.i.tutional History of England," "Introduction to the Literature of Europe During the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries," and "A View of the State of Europe During the Middle Ages."

I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience.

--_Calvin_.

JOHN CALVIN, a renowned reformer and theologian, was born at Noyon, in Picardy, France, July 10, 1509; and died in Geneva, May 27, 1564. He wrote: "Commentaries on the New Testament," and "Inst.i.tutes of the Christian Religion," the latter his most famous work.

Man was formed for society; and, as is demonstrated by the writers on the subject, is neither capable of living alone, nor indeed has the courage to do it. However, as it is impossible for the whole race of mankind to be united in one great society, they must necessarily divide into many, and form separate states, commonwealths, and nations, entirely independent of each other, and yet liable to a mutual intercourse.

"Comment: Of the Nature of Laws in General,"--_Blackstone_.

SIR WILLIAM BLACKSTONE, an eminent English jurist and writer on law, was born in London, July 10, 1723, and died in 1780. He won great celebrity by his famous "Commentaries on the Laws of England."

All lies disgrace a gentleman, white or black, although I grant there is a difference. To say the least of it, it is a dangerous habit, for white lies are but the gentleman ushers to black ones.

I know of but one point on which a lie is excusable, and that is, when you wish to deceive the enemy. Then, your duty to your country warrants your lying till you are black in the face; and, for the very reason that it goes against your grain, it becomes, as it were, a sort of virtue.

--_Captain Marryat_.

FREDERICK MARRYAT (CAPTAIN MARRYAT), a celebrated English novelist, was born in London, July 10, 1792, and died at Langham, Norfolk, August 9, 1848. His best known works are: "The King's Own," "Frank Mildmay,"

"Peter Simple," "Mr. Midshipman Easy," "j.a.phet in Search of a Father,"

"Masterman Ready," etc.

Chance is blind and is the sole author of creation.

"Picciola," Ch. III,--_J. X. B. Saintine_.

JOSEPH XAVIER BONIFACE SAINTINE, known as Saintine, the renowned French litterateur and dramatist, was born in Paris, July 10, 1798, and died there, January 21, 1865. He wrote numerous plays, but his story, "Picciola," won for him world-wide fame.

This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe, For Freedom only deals the deadly blow; Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade, For gentle peace in Freedom's hallowed shade.

Written in an Alb.u.m, 1842,--_John Quincy Adams_.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, an ill.u.s.trious American statesman and publicist, and sixth President of the United States, was born at Braintree, Ma.s.s., July 11, 1767, and died in Washington, D. C., February 21, 1848. He published: "Letters on Silesia," etc. The "Diary of J. Q. Adams," and his "Memoirs" appeared after his death.

It is better in some respects to be admired by those with whom you live, than to be loved by them; and this not on account of any gratification of vanity, but because admiration is so much more tolerant than love.

--_Arthur Helps_.

SIR ARTHUR HELPS, a noted English essayist, historian and miscellaneous writer, was born at Streatham, Surrey, July 11, 1813, and died in London, March 7, 1875. Among his best works are: "Friends in Council,"

"Companions of My Solitude," "Realmah," "Spanish Conquest in America,"

"Casimir Maremma" (a romance), etc.

That man is blessed who every day is permitted to behold anything so pure and serene as the western sky at sunset, while revolutions vex the world.

--_Henry D. Th.o.r.eau_.

HENRY DAVID Th.o.r.eAU, an eminent American writer, was born in Concord, Ma.s.s., July 12, 1817, and died there May 6, 1862. His works include: "Familiar Letters," "Summer," "Winter," "Autumn," "A Week on the Concord and Merrimac Rivers," "Early Spring in Ma.s.sachusetts," "Poems of Nature," "The Maine Woods," "A Yankee in Canada," "Excursions," "Letters to Various Persons," and "Cape Cod."

And what is true of a shopkeeper is true of a shopkeeping nation.

Tract (1766),--_Tucker_ (Dean of Gloucester).

JOSIAH TUCKER (DEAN TUCKER), a noted English economist and divine, was born at Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, July 13, 1712, and died November 4, 1799. His "Important Questions on Commerce" (1755), won for him great fame.

Fixed in a white-thorn bush, its summer guest, So low, e'en gra.s.s o'er-topped its tallest twig, A sedge-bird built its little bendy nest, Close by the meadow pool and wooden brig.

"The Rural Muse. Poems: The Sedge-Bird's Nest,"--_Clare_.

JOHN CLARE, a celebrated English poet, was born in Helpstone, near Peterborough, July 13, 1793, and died at Northampton, May 20, 1864. His "Poems, Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery," won for him great fame.

Busy, curious, thirsty fly, Drink with me, and drink as I.