Lighthall William Douw, born 1857. His Songs of the Great Dominion, a collection of verse by various Canadian writers, attracted considerable attention in this kingdom. His works are, An Analysis of the Altruistic Act, Sketch of a New Utilitarianism, Thoughts, Moods, and Ideas (a collection of verse), and a novel, The Young Seigneur. He has paid little attention to humorous writing.
Locke, David Ross, “Petroleum V. Nasby” (1833-1888). A political humorist and satirical writer, whose works have left their impression on American political life. He was editor of the Toledo Blade. His principal published works are, Swinging Round the Circle, The Moral History of Americans Little Struggle, and A Paper City.
Logan, John E., a Canadian who, under the nom de guerre of “Barry Dane,” has written some clever humorous pieces. See Lighthall’s Songs of the Great Dominion.
Longstreet, Augustus Baldwin (1790-1870), in turn a lawyer, legislator, judge, editor, Methodist minister, college president, and farmer. He was a ready and brilliant speaker, and an industrious writer of humour and pathos. His Georgia, Scenes, Characters, and Incidents, first published in periodicals, and afterwards collected in book form, were widely read. The papers are full of humour, rather broad, but it is said by those who know, truly characteristic of the place and period.
Low, Samuel, born 1765. Author of two volumes of poetry, containing many pieces of a humorous character.
Lowell, James Russell (1819-1891), poet, essayist, and diplomat. One of the foremost literary geniuses of America. His first volume of poems was published in 1838, under the title of Class Poems. In 1841 followed A Year’s Life, consisting mainly of love poems, only a few of which the author in later years considered worth republishing. In the year 1846 the Biglow Papers began appearing in the columns of the Boston Courier, and it was not until 1848 that what is probably the most remarkable series of satirical poems which ever appeared were furnished. For wit, insight into human nature, and finish, these poems, in the peculiar dialect of the “down-easter,” must be considered nothing short of perfect. These poems had an instantaneous effect on America, and raised the question of slavery and corruption in politics to the eyes of the people in a way they had never before been presented. Mr. Lowell was an out-and-out democrat and a fearless exponent of democracy of the kind established by the founders of American independence. His works, of which a complete and excellent edition is published by Messrs. Macmillan & Co., London, are numerous, the best known being Class Poems, A Year’s Life, Poems (1844), The Vision of Sir Launfal (1848), Conversations on some of the Old Poets (1945), Poems (1848), The Biglow Papers, A Fable for Critics, Poems (1849), Life of Keats, Mason and Slidell, Fireside Travels, The President’s Policy, Biglow Papers (second series), Under the Willows, Among my Books, Democracy, and other Addresses. Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. have published a complete edition of his works in America.
MacClurg, Dr. James (1747-1825), a writer of the dainty vers de société, which has since become so popular with a school of modern writers.
MacDowell, Mrs. Kate (1853-1883), a writer of humorous sketches in vernacular, and published by Harper’s. Pseudonym, “Sherwood Bonner.”
M’Lennan, William, Canadian. His French-Canadian dialect sketches and stories are full of humour, and the dialect is perfect. See Lighthall’s Songs of the Great Dominion.
Miles O’Reilly. See Halpine.