George Wither, a celebrated English poet and soldier, was born at Brentworth, June 11, 1588, and died in London, May 2, 1667. Among his writings are: “Fidelia,” “The Shepherd’s Hunting,” “Hymns and Songs of the Church,” “The Motto,” “Abuses Stript and Whipt,” and his best-known song, “Shall I, Wasting in Despair.”
In lang, lang day o’ simmer,
When the clear and cloudless sky
Refuses ae wee drap o’ rain
To Nature parched and dry,
The genial night, wi’ balmy breath,
Gars verdure spring anew,
An’ ilka blade o’ grass
Keps its ain drap o’ dew.
“Its Ain Drap o’ Dew,”—Ballantine.
James Ballantine, a noted Scotch poet, was born in Edinburgh, on June 11, 1808, and died December 18, 1877. His poetical works include: “The Gaberlunzie’s Wallet,” “One Hundred Songs,” etc.
All things change, creeds and philosophies and outward systems—but God remains.
“Robert Elsmere,” Book IV, Chap, xxvi,—Mary Augusta (Arnold) Ward.
Mrs. Humphry Ward (Mary Augusta Arnold), a famous English novelist, was born at Hobart Town, Tasmania, June 11, 1851, and died in 1920. She has written: “Milly and Ollie,” “Miss Bretherton,” “Robert Elsmere,” “The History of David Grieve,” “Marcella,” “The Story of Bessie Costrell,” “Sir George Tressady,” “Eleanor,” “Lady Rose’s Daughter,” “The Marriage of William Ashe,” “Fenwick’s Career,” “Diana Mallory,” “Daphne,” “Canadian Born,” “England’s Effort,” “Towards the Goal,” “Missing,” etc.
The poems of Alfred Tennyson have certainly much of the beauty of a long-past time; but they have also a life so vivid, a truth so lucid, and a melody so inexhaustible, as to mark him the poet that cannot die.
“A History of the Thirty Years’ Peace,” A.D. 1815-1846, Vol. IV. p. 436—Harriet Martineau.
Harriet Martineau, a notable English reformer and miscellaneous writer, was born at Norwich, June 12, 1802, and died at Ambleside, June 27, 1876. Among her most noted works are: “Society in America,” “Deerbrook,” “History of England During the Thirty Years’ Peace,” “Philosophy of Comte,” “British Rule in India,” “Biographical Sketches,” etc.