Through the Year With Famous Authors Part 56

ROBERT TREAT PAINE, JR., a celebrated American poet, was born in Taunton, Ma.s.s., December 9, 1773, and died in Boston, November 13, 1811.

He is best known as the author of two songs, "Rise, Columbia," and "Adams and Liberty." Among his poems are: "The Invention of Letters,"

and "The Ruling Pa.s.sion."

Virtue often trips and falls on the sharp-edged rock of poverty.

--_Eugene Sue_.

EUGENE SUE, a famous French romancer, was born in Paris, December 10, 1804, and died at Annecy, July 3, 1857. He wrote: "Kernock the Pirate,"

"History of the French Navy," "History of the War Navies of All Nations," "The Seven Deadly Sins," "Martin the Foundling," "The Mysteries of the People," "The Jouffroy Family," "The Secrets of the Confessional," "The Mysteries of Paris," and "The Wandering Jew."

Jesus was the first great teacher of men who showed a genuine sympathy for childhood. When He said, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven," it was a revelation.

--_Eggleston_.

EDWARD EGGLESTON, a distinguished American historian and novelist, was born in Vevay, Ind., December 10, 1837, and died in 1902. Among his noted works are: "The Circuit Rider," "The End of the World," "Roxy,"

"The Hoosier Schoolmaster," "The Graysons," "The Faith Doctor," "Queer Stories for Boys and Girls," "The Hoosier Schoolboy," "Schoolmasters'

Stories," "Mr. Blake's Walking-Stick," "School History of the United States," "Household History of the United States," "First Book in American History," "The Beginners of a Nation," "The Transit of Civilization," etc.

Oh the heart is a free and fetterless thing,-- A wave of the ocean, a bird on the wing!

"The Captive Greek Girl,"--_Julia Pardoe_.

JULIA PARDOE, a noted English historical and miscellaneous writer, was born at Beverly, Yorkshire, December 11 (?), 1806, and died in London, November 26, 1862. Among her many works are: "Traditions of Portugal,"

"City of the Sultan," "Louis XIV and the Court of France," "The Jealous Wife," "The Court and Reign of Francis I," "Marie de' Medici," "Episodes of French History During the Consulate," "A Life Struggle," and numerous lyrics.

A place in thy memory, dearest, Is all that I claim; To pause and look back when thou hearest The sound of my name.

"A Place in Thy Memory,"--_Gerald Griffin_.

GERALD GRIFFIN, a famous Irish novelist, poet and dramatist, was born at Limerick, December 12, 1803, and died at Cork, June 12, 1840. He wrote: "Tales of the Munster Festivals," "The Collegians," "Holland Tide: or Munster Popular Tales," "The Invasion," "Gisippus, or the Forgotten Friend," "Tales of My Neighborhood," etc.

"That Flaubert was one of the greatest writers who ever lived in France is now commonly admitted, and his greatness princ.i.p.ally depends upon the extraordinary vigour and exact.i.tude of his style."

GUSTAVE FLAUBERT, a renowned French novelist, was born at Rouen, December 12, 1821, and died there, May 8, 1880. Among his writings are: "Salammbo," "The History of a Young Man," "The Temptation of St.

Anthony," "Three Stories," and "Madame Bovary," his greatest novel.

The nightingale appear'd the first And as her melody she sang, The apple into blossom burst, To life the gra.s.s and violets sprang.

"New Spring," No. 31 ("Book of Songs"),--_Heine_.

HEINRICH HEINE, an eminent German poet, was born at Dusseldorf, December 13, 1799, and died at Paris, February 17, 1856. Among his works are: "Pictures of Travel," "Almansor," "Radcliff," "Poems," "Book of Songs,"

"New Poems," "History of Recent Polite Literature in Germany," "The Salon," "Doctor Faust," "The Romantic School," "Shakespeare's Maids and Matrons," "The Romancers," "Miscellaneous Writings," etc.

Life comes before literature, as the material always comes before the work. The hills are full of marble before the world blooms with statues.

"Literature and Life,"--_Phillips Brooks_.

PHILLIPS BROOKS, a famous American clergyman of the Episcopal Church, was born in Boston, December 13, 1835, and died there, January 23, 1893.

He published many volumes of sermons and lectures, including: "Letters of Travel," "Lectures on Preaching," and "Essays and Addresses."

The germs of all truth lie in the soul, and when the ripe moment comes, the truth within answers to the fact without as the flower responds to the sun, giving it form for heat and color for light.

--_Hamilton W. Mabie_.

HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, a celebrated American essayist, critic, and editor, was born in Cold Spring, N. Y., December 13, 1846, and died in 1916. His works include: "Norse Stories Retold from the Eddas," "My Study Fire," "Short Studies in Literature," "Nature and Culture," "Books and Culture," "Work and Culture," "Works and Days," "Backgrounds of Literature," "The Great Word," "What and How to Read," "Writers of Knickerbocker," "American Ideals, Character and Life," "j.a.pan To-day and To-morrow," etc., etc.

Go, forget me! why should sorrow O'er that brow a shadow fling?

Go, forget me, and to-morrow Brightly smile and sweetly sing!

Smile,--though I shall not be near thee; Sing,--though I shall never hear thee!

"Go, forget me!"--_Charles Wolfe_.

CHARLES WOLFE, a distinguished Irish clergyman and poet, was born at Dublin, December 14, 1791, and died at Cove of Cork (now Queenstown), February 21, 1823. His literary fame rests wholly upon his "Burial of Sir John Moore."

Just to let thy Father do What He will; Just to know that He is true, And be still.

Just to follow hour by hour As He leadeth; Just to draw the moment's power As it needeth.

Just to trust Him, that is all!

Then the day will surely be Peaceful, whatsoe'er befall, Bright and blessed, calm and free.

"The Secret of a Happy Day," St. I,--_Frances Ridley Havergal_.

FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL, a noted English poet and religious writer, was born at Astley, Worcestershire, December 14, 1836, and died at Swansea, Wales, June 3, 1879. She wrote: "The Four Happy Days," "Under the Surface" poems; "Royal Graces and Loyal Gifts" (6 vols., 1879), "Under His Shadow," etc.

Then here's to the oak, the brave old oak, Who stands in his pride alone!

And still flourish he, a hale green tree, When a hundred years are gone!

"The Brave Old Oak,"--_H. F. Chorley_.

HENRY FOTHERGILL CHORLEY, a famous English critic and miscellaneous writer, was born in Blackley Hurst, Lancashire, December 15, 1808, and died in London, February 15, 1872. He wrote a famous play, "Old Love and New Fortune," and several novels, among them: "Conti," "The Prodigy,"

and "The Lion."

Where an opinion is general, it is usually correct.

"Mansfield Park," Chap. II,--_Jane Austen_.

JANE AUSTEN, a renowned English novelist, was born in Steventon, Hampshire, December 16, 1775, and died in Winchester, July 18, 1817. Her most famous works are: "Mansfield Park," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Pride and Prejudice."