Montaigne is wrong in declaring that custom ought to be followed simply because it is custom, and not because it is reasonable or just.
“Thoughts,” Chap. IV, 6,—Blaise Pascal.
Blaise Pascal, a renowned French philosopher and mathematician, was born at Clermont Ferrand, in Auvergne, June 19, 1623, and died at Paris, August 19, 1662. His writings include: “Letters Written by Louis Montalte to a Friend in the Provinces,” more widely known as the “Provincial Letters,” and his “Thoughts on Religion” (Pensées), which was published after his death.
Child of mortality, whence comest thou? Why is thy countenance sad, and why are thine eyes red with weeping?
“Hymns in Prose,” xiii,—Mrs. Barbauld. 1743-1825.
Anna Lætitia Barbauld, a celebrated English poet and essayist, was born in Kibworth-Harcourt, Leicestershire, June 20, 1743, and died in Stoke Newington, March 9, 1825. She wrote: “Early Lessons for Children,” “Devotional Pieces,” “Hymns in Prose for Children,” “Eighteen Hundred and Eleven,” etc.
The summer day was spoiled with fitful storm;
At night the wind died and the soft rain dropped;
With lulling murmur, and the air was warm,
And all the tumult and the trouble stopped.
“The Nestling Swallows,”—Celia Thaxter.
Mrs. Celia (Leighton) Thaxter, a famous American poet, was born at Portsmouth, N. H., June 20, 1836, and died in 1894. She has written: “Poems for Children,” “Idyls and Pastorals,” “Poems,” “Drift-Weed,” “The Yule Log,” “Letters,” “An Island Garden,” “Among the Isles of Shoals,” “Stories and Poems for Children,” etc.
Woman’s love is writ in water!
Woman’s faith is traced on sand!