Marguerite d’Angoulême, or de Valois, Queen of Navarre, and famous for her stories, poems and letters, was born in 1492, and died in Bigorre in 1549. She is best known in literature by the celebrated “Heptameron,” a collection of tales; “Pearls of the Pearl of Princesses” (poems), and her “Letters,” which were published in 1841-42.
One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span,
Because to laugh is proper to the man.
“To the Reader,”—François Rabelais.
François Rabelais, the greatest of French satirists, was born at Chinon, Touraine, about 1495, and died in 1553. His fame rests upon the two works, “Gargantua,” and “Pantagruel.”
A chip of chance weigheth more than a pound of it.
Courtier’s Life,—Sir T. Wyatt.
Sir Thomas Wyatt, a distinguished English poet and diplomatist, was born at Arlington Castle, Kent, in 1503, and died at Sherborne, October 11, 1542. He wrote many poems, chiefly love sonnets after the Italian manner.
Therefore, if to the goodness of nature be joined the wisdom of the teacher, in leading young wits into a right and plain way of learning; surely children kept up in God’s fear, and governed by His grace, may most easily be brought well to serve God and their country, both by virtue and wisdom.
“On Gentleness in Education” (From “The Schoolmaster”),—Roger Ascham.
Roger Ascham, a famous English scholar and prose writer, was born at Kirby Wiske, near Northallerton, in 1515, and died in London, December 30, 1568. His most noted works are: “Toxophilus,” and “The Schoolmaster.”