EDWARD GIBBON. [Born, 1737. Educated at private schools, Magdalen College, Oxford, and at Lausanne. The first volume of the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," published 1776; the last, 1788. Elected a Member of Parliament for Liskeard, 1774. Died, 1794.] LOVE OF READING A PRICELESS TREASURE.-To her kind lessons [that excellent woman, Mrs. Catherine Porten, the true mother of my mind as well as of my health], I ascribe my early and invincible love of reading, which I would not exchange for the treasures of India. (Memoirs, p. 44.) BOOKS THE PLEASURE AND GLORY OF HIS LIFE. To her instructions [Mrs. Porten's] I owe the first rudiments of knowledge, the first exercise of reason, and a taste for books, which is still the pleasure and glory of my life. (Letter to Lord Sheffield, p. 53.) BOOKS THE BEST COMFORT OF HIS LIFE.-From this slender beginning I have gradually formed a numerous and select library, the foundation of my works, and the best comfort of my life, both at home and abroad. (Memoirs, p. 134.) BOOKS AN EXHAUSTLESS SOURCE OF PLeasure. -The love of study, a passion which derives fresh vigour from enjoyment, supplies each day, each hour, with a perpetual source of independent and rational pleasure. (Memoirs, p. 302.) WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. [Born, 1770. Entered St. John's College, Cambridge, 1787. Took his degree of B.A., 1791. Spent two years in France. Published his first poems "The 66 Evening Walk," and "Descriptive Sketches," 1793; Lyrical Ballads,” 1798; а second volume of “Lyrical Ballads,” 1800; "Memorials of a Tour in Scotland," and other poems, in two volumes, 1807; "The Excursion," 1814; "The White Doe of Rylstone," 1815; "Peter Bell," 1819; "Memorials of a Tour on the Continent," 1822; 'Ecclesiastical Sketches," 1822. The honorary degree of D.C.L. conferred upon him by the University of Oxford, 66 1839. Created Poet Laureate, 1843, Died, 1850. "The Prelude, or Growth of a Poet's Mind; an Autobiographical Poem," begun 1799, completed 1805; published after his death, in 1850.] BOOKS A SUBSTANTIAL WORLD. Wings have we,--and as far as we can go Dreams, books, are each a world; and books, wo know, Are a substantial world, both pure and good: Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, Our pastime and our happiness will grow, There find I personal themes, a plenteous store; To which I listen with a ready ear; Two shall be named, pre-eminently dear→ Nor can I not believe but that hereby H From evil-speaking; rancour, never sought, Hence have I genial seasons, hence have I Smooth passions, smooth discourse, and joyous thought; And thus from day to day my little boat (Personal Talk.) TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE. But to outweigh all harm, the sacred Book, And he who guides the plough, or wields the crook, With understanding spirit now may look Upon her records, listen to her song, And sift her laws-much wondering that the wrong, Which faith has suffered, Heaven could calmly brook. Transcendant boon! noblest that earthly king Under the weight of mortal wretchedness! wild With bigotry shall tread the offering Beneath their feet-detested and defiled. (Ecclesiastical Sketches.) WALTON'S BOOK OF LIVES. There are no colours in the fairest sky So fair as these. The feather whence the pen Was shaped that traced the lives of these good men Dropped from an angel's wing. With moistened eye We read of faith and purest charity In statesman, priest, and humble citizen. |