Through the Year With Famous Authors Part 69

ROBERT DODSLEY, a noted English poet, was born at Mansfield, Notts, in 1703, and died in 1764. He published "The Muse in Livery," (a volume of verse), and some notable plays, among them: "The Toy Shop," "The King and the Miller of Mansfield," and "Sir John c.o.c.kle at Court."

Alas! by some degree of woe We every bliss must gain; The heart can ne'er a transport know That never feels a pain.

"Song,"--_Lord George Lyttelton_.

LORD GEORGE LYTTLETON, a distinguished English statesman and man of letters, was born at Hagley, Worcesters.h.i.+re, in 1709, and died, August 22, 1773. His best known prose works are: "The Conversion and Apostles.h.i.+p of St. Paul," and "History of Henry II."

Of right and wrong he taught Truths as refined as ever Athens heard; And (strange to tell!) He practised what he preached.

"The Art of Preserving Health," Book IV, Line 301,--_John Armstrong_.

JOHN ARMSTRONG, a celebrated English physician and poet, was born about 1709, and died September 7, 1779. He is best known by his famous poem, "The Art of Preserving Health."

Whoe'er has travell'd life's dull round, Where'er his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found The warmest welcome at an inn.

"Written on a Window of an Inn,"--_William Shenstone_.

WILLIAM SHENSTONE, a celebrated English poet, was born at the Leasowes, near Halesowen, Shrops.h.i.+re, in 1714, and died there, February 11, 1763.

His best known poems are: "The Pastoral Ballad," "Written in an Inn at Henley," and "The Schoolmistress." His "Essays on Men and Manners,"

"Letters," and "Works" were collected and published after his death.

Born in a cellar, and living in a garret.

"The Author," Act II,--_Samuel Foote_.

SAMUEL FOOTE, a noted English wag, impersonator and comic playwright, was baptized January 27, 1720, at Truro in Cornwall, and died at Dover, October 21, 1777. Of his popular plays the most notable are: "The Minor," "The Liar," and "The Mayor of Garratt."

Facts are stubborn things.

Translation of "Gil Bias,"--_Smollett_.

TOBIAS GEORGE SMOLLETT, a renowned British novelist, was born at Dalquhurn, Dumbartons.h.i.+re, Scotland, in 1721, and died at Monte Novo, near Leghorn, Italy, October 21, 1771. A few of his numerous works are: "The Regicide," "The Adventures of Roderick Random," "Advice," "The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle," "The Reprisals," "The Adventures of Ferdinand, Count Fathom," "The Expedition of Humphry Clinker,"

"Travels," "Reproof," and "Compendium of Voyages and Travels."

There's nae sorrow there, John, There's neither cauld nor care, John The day is aye fair, In the land o' the leal.

"The Land o' the Leal,"--_Lady Nairne_.

LADY NAIRNE (CAROLINA OLIPHANT), a famous Scotch poet, was born at Gask, Perths.h.i.+re, in 1766, and died there, 1845. She wrote: "The Land o' the Leal," "Caller Herrin'," and "The Laird o' c.o.c.kpen."

Too late I stayed,--forgive the crime!

Unheeded flew the hours; How noiseless falls the foot of time That only treads on flowers.

"Lines to Lady A. Hamilton,"--_William Robert Spencer_.

WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCER, a noted English poet and wit, was born in 1770, and died in 1834. Among his best known pieces, which were published in a collection of his poems in 1811, were "Beth Gelert," and "Too Late I Stayed."

Abide with me from morn till eve, For without Thee I cannot live; Abide with me when night is nigh, For without Thee I dare not die.

"Evening,"--_John Keble_.

JOHN KEBLE, a celebrated English religious poet, was born at Fairford, Gloucesters.h.i.+re, in 1792, and died at Bournemouth, Hamps.h.i.+re, in 1866.

His fame rests on the renowned work, "The Christian Year," which he published anonymously in 1872.

Reproof on her lip, but a smile in her eye.

"Rory O'More,"--_Samuel Lover_.

SAMUEL LOVER, a famous Irish novelist and song-writer, was born at Dublin, in 1797, and died July 6, 1868. He wrote: "Legends and Stories of Ireland," "Songs and Ballads," including, "The Low-Backed Car,"

"Widow Machree," "The Angel's Whisper," and "The Four-Leaved Shamrock."

Also: "Handy Andy, an Irish Tale," "Treasure Trove," "Rory O'More, a National Romance," "Metrical Tales and Other Poems," and edited a collection of "The Lyrics of Ireland."

On this I ponder Where'er I wander, And thus grow fonder, Sweet Cork of thee,-- With thy bells of Shandon, That sound so grand on The pleasant waters Of the River Lee.

"The Bells of Shandon,"--_Father Prout (Francis O'Mahony)_.

FRANCIS O'MAHONY ("FATHER PROUT"), a noted Irish journalist and poet, was born in Cork, about 1804, and died in Paris, in 1866. He published "Reliques of Father Prout," "Facts and Figures from Italy," etc.

I'm very lonely now, Mary For the poor make no new friends; But oh, they love the better still The few our Father sends.

"Lament of the Irish Emigrant,"--_Lady Dufferin_.

HELENA SELINA (SHERIDAN) LADY DUFFERIN, a noted English poet, was born in 1807, and died June 13, 1867. Her songs and lyrics were collected into a volume, and edited by her son.

For death and life, in ceaseless strife, Beat wild on this world's sh.o.r.e, And all our calm is in that balm Not lost but gone before.

"Not Lost but Gone Before,"--_Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton_.

CAROLINE ELIZABETH SARAH NORTON (HON. MRS. NORTON), a distinguished English author, was born in London, in 1808, and died in 1877. She wrote a pamphlet on "English Laws for Women in the Nineteenth Century," "The Dream and Other Poems," "A Voice from the Factories," "Aunt Carry's Ballads," "Lives of the Sheridans," etc.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Jupiter laughs at the perjuries of lovers.

[2] Let everyone engage in the business with which he is best acquainted.