—D’Alembert.
Jean Baptiste le Rond d’Alembert, an eminent French philosopher, mathematician and man of letters, was born in Paris, November 16, 1717, and died there, October 9, 1783. Among his works are: “Literary and Philosophical Miscellanies,” “Elements of Philosophy,” etc. He also wrote the “Preliminary Discourse,” or introduction to the great French Encyclopedia.
In seeking to represent the working classes, and in standing up for their rights and liberties, I hold that I am also defending the rights and liberties of the middle and richer classes of society.
From the “Speech on the Corn Laws” (1843),—John Bright.
John Bright, a distinguished English statesman, was born near Rochdale, in Lancashire, November 16, 1811, and died March 27, 1889. His “Public Letters,” appeared in 1885, and his speeches and addresses were published in the years 1867-69-79.
If my early friend, Dr. Thirlwall’s “History of Greece,” had appeared a few years sooner, I should probably never had conceived the design of the present work at all; I should certainly not have been prompted to the task by any deficiencies, and as those which I felt and regretted in Mitford. The comparison of the two authors affords indeed a striking proof of the progress of sound and enlarged views respecting the ancient world during the present generation. Having studied of course the same evidence as Dr. Thirlwall, I am better enabled than others to bear testimony to the learning, the sagacity, and the candour which pervades his excellent work.
“A History of Greece,”—George Grote.
George Grote, a famous English historian, was born in Clay Hill, Kent, November 17, 1794, and died in London, June 18, 1871. He is best known by his celebrated work, “History of Greece.”
The Law is the true embodiment
Of everything that’s excellent.
It has no kind of fault or flaw,
And I, my Lords, embody the Law.
“Lord Chancellor’s Song,”—Gilbert.