David Masson, a noted Scottish author, was born at Aberdeen, December 2, 1822, and died in 1907. He wrote: “The Life of Milton in connection with the History of His Time,” “Essays, Biographical and Critical,” “British Novelists,” “Recent British Philosophy,” “Carlyle Personally and His Writings,” “Edinburgh Sketches and Memories,” etc.
Strange to the world he wore a bashful look,
The fields his study, nature was his book.
“The Farmer’s Boy: Spring,” L. 31,—Bloomfield.
Robert Bloomfield, a celebrated English poet, was born at Honington, December 3, 1766, and died in Shefford, in 1823. Among his poetical pieces are: “The Milk Maid,” “The Sailor’s Return,” and his most famous poetical work, “The Farmer’s Boy.”
In books lies the soul of the whole Past Time; the articulate audible voice of the Past, when the body and material substance of it has altogether vanished like a dream.
“Heroes and Hero-Worship: The Hero as a Man of Letters,”—Thomas Carlyle.
Thomas Carlyle, a Scotch biographer, historian, and miscellaneous writer of great fame, was born at Ecclefechan, December 4, 1795, and died in London, February 4, 1881. Among his celebrated works may be mentioned: “Life of Schiller,” “Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship,” a translation; “The French Revolution,” “Life and Letters of Oliver Cromwell,” “German Romance,” “Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History,” “Chartism,” “Past and Present,” “Life of Sterling,” “Friedrich II,” “Latter-Day Pamphlets,” “Inaugural Address at Edinburgh,” etc.
Give me the lowest place: or if for me
That lowest place too high, make one more low
Where I may sit and see
My God, and love Thee so.
“The Lowest Place,”—Christina G. Rossetti.
Christina Georgina Rossetti, a renowned English poetess, was born in London, December 5, 1830, and died December 29, 1894. Among her works are: “The Prince’s Progress,” “Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book,” “Seek and Find,” “Speaking Likenesses,” “A Pageant, and Other Poems,” “Letter and Spirit,” “Annus Domini: A Prayer for Each Day in the Year,” “Verses,” and her most celebrated work, “Goblin Market.”