[BORN at Camberwell Grove, Surrey, May 20, 1811. Entered Cambridge in 1829, as a member of St. John's College, but after three years' residence left the university without graduating. In 1832 he published a volume of poems. Travelled in America for two years; after his return contributed some poems to Blackwood's Magazine. One of these, A Christmas Hymn, was greatly admired, and has been frequently reprinted. Went to New Zealand in 1842, where he became Colonial Secretary, Secretary for Crown Lands, and held various other important positions in the government of that colony. Returned to England in 1871. Since his return has published a volume of poems, Flotsam and Jetsam, Rhymes, Old and New, 1877. He also published in 1872, Ranolf and Amohia, a South Sea Dream.] A CHRISTMAS HYMN. It was the calm and silent night! Seven hundred years and fifty-three Had Rome been growing up to might, And now was queen of land and sea. No sound was heard of clashing warsPeace brooded o'er the hush'd domain: Apollo, Pallas, Jove, and Mars Held undisturb'd their ancient reign, | O, strange indifference! low and high Twas in the calm and silent night! His breast with thoughts of bound- What reck'd the Roman what befell A paltry province far away, Within that province far away Went plodding home a weary boor; A streak of light before him lay, Fallen through a half-shut stabledoor Across his path. He pass'd-for Told what was going on within; Centuries ago! cares; ROBERT BROWNING. 1812-1889. [ROBERT BROWNING, one of the most distinguished of modern English poets, was born in Camberwell, near London, in 1812. In 1835 he published Paracelsus, which was favorably received, and in 1837 produced Strafford, a tragedy, in which Mr. Macready the actor personated the hero. Among his other works are Sordello, 1840; Pippa Passes; A Blot in the Scutcheon, 1843; King Victor and King Charles; Return of the Druses; Dramatic Lyrics; Men and Women, 1855; The Soul's Errand, 1864; The Ring and the Book, 1869; Dramatic Idyls, 1879; Fifine at the Fair, 1872; Red Cotton Nightcaps, 1873; and Focoseria, 1883. In Nov., 1846, he mar ried Miss Elizabeth Barrett, the distinguished poet, and after his marriage he resided for some year in Italy, chiefly at Florence, making occasional visits to France and England. The second edi tion, enlarged, of a Bibliography of Robert Browning from 1833 to 1881, compiled by Frederick J. Furnivall, was published at London in 1882. His poetry, although difficult to be understood, has many admirers.] HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX. I SPRANG to the stirrup, and Joris, and "Speed!" echoed the wall to us gal And all I remember is, friends flocking | And such plenty and perfection, see, of grass Never was! Such a carpet as, this summer-time, o'er-spreads And embeds Every vestige of the city, guessed alone, Stock or stone Where a multitude of men breathed joy and woe Long ago; Lust of glory pricked their hearts up, dread of shame Bounding all, While On the plains, caper overrooted, by the gourd Överscored, the patching houseleek's head of blossom winks Through the chinks Marks the basement whence a tower in ancient time Sprang sublime, And a burning ring, all round, the chariots traced As they raced, And the monarch and his minions and his dames Viewed the games. And I know-while thus the quietcolored eve Smiles to leave To their folding, all our many tinkling fleece In such peace, And the slopes and rills in undistinguished gray Melt away That a girl with eager eyes and yellow hair Waits me there Made of marble, men might march on In the turret whence the charioteers nor be pressed, Twelve abreast. caught soul For the goal, |