“The Trip to Cambridge” in “Campbell’s Specimens of the British Poets,” Vol. vi, p. 185,—Christopher Smart.
Christopher Smart, a famous English poet, was born at Shipbourne, Kent, April 11, 1722, and died May 21, 1771. His works include: “Translation of the Psalms of David,” “The Hilliad: An Epic Poem,” “Song to David,” “Power of the Supreme Being,” “Poems,” “Poems on Several Occasions,” etc.
Give me the avowed, the erect, the manly foe,
Bold I can meet,—perhaps may turn his blow!
But of all plagues, good Heaven, thy wrath can send,
Save, save, oh save me from the candid friend!
“New Morality,”—George Canning.
George Canning, an English statesman, orator, and writer of great distinction, was born in London, April 11, 1770, and died at Chiswick, August 8, 1827. He wrote: “The Needy Knife-Grinder,” “The Rovers,” etc.
When I am dead, no pageant train
Shall waste their sorrows at my bier,
Nor worthless pomp of homage vain.
Stain it with hypocritic tear.
“Alaric the Visigoth,”—Edward Everett.
Edward Everett, a famous American statesman, was born at Dorchester, Mass., April 11, 1794, and died January 15, 1865. Among his writings were: “Mount Vernon Papers,” “Defense of Christianity,” “Orations and Speeches,” etc.
The gentleman [Josiah Quincy] cannot have forgotten his own sentiment, uttered even on the floor of this House, “Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.”
“Speech,” Jan. 8, 1813.—Henry Clay.