all human tales '-the melancholy monument and memento of mortal grandeur and mortal vanity-the City of the dead, who erst was Queen of Nations-the Time-swept, but Timeconquering, Capitol-Imperial Rome.

'All through the lorn

Vacuity winds came and went, but stirr'd Only the flowers of yesterday. Upstood The hoar unconscious walls, bisson and bare,

Like an old man, deaf, blind, and grey, in whom

The years of old stand in the sun, and

murmur

Of childhood and the dead. From parapets

Where the sky refts, from broken niches -each

More than an Olympus,-for gods dwelt in them,

Below, from senatorial haunts and seats Imperial, where the ever-passing fates Wore out the stone, strange hermit birds croak'd forth

Sorrowful sounds, like watchers on the heights

Crying the hours of ruin. When the clouds

Dress'd every myrtle on the walls in mourning,

With calm prerogative the eternal pile Impassive shone with the unearthly light Of immortality. When conquering suns Triumph'd in jubilant earth, it stood out dark

With thoughts of ages: like some mighty captive

Upon his deathbed in a Christian land, And lying, through the chant of Psalm and Creed,

Unshriven and stern, with peace upon his brow,

And on his lips strange gods.'

"Ashes to ashes-dust to dust: we will not disturb the majestic repose, nor break the silence which broods above the princely sepulchre; but we will be

'Like some village children Who found a dead king on a battle-field, And with decorous care and reverent pity Composed the lordly ruin, and sat down Graver without tears.' "

-Lester's "Criticisms," 3rd edit., pp. 410462.

poem was finished. The second edition, published in 1842, was much enlarged, and in later editions it has been still further aug. mented, to about three times its original length. It contains many exquisite passages of genuine poetry, and is one of the most remarkable books of the present century.

BRYAN WALLER PROCTER.

"Bryan Waller Procter, born about 1790, a modern English poet, generally known under the pseudonym of Barry Cornwall. He was educated for the legal profession, and, during many years, held an important appointment as one of the commissioners of lunacy. His first volume of poems was produced in 1819, under the title of Dramatic Scenes, and other Poems.' His English Songs,' Memoir and Essay prefixed to an edition of Shakspere, Marcian Colonna,' and others, evinced, in their author, the possession of a graceful and refined order of mind. Some of his songs became popular; and one of his tragedies (that entitled Mirandola') which was produced at Covent Garden Theatre, was highly successful. A collection of some charming essays and tales in prose by him was pub lished in America."-Beeton's "Dict. Univ. Biog."

CHARLES SWAIN.

"Charles Swain, born at Manchester, 1803, a modern English writer, known as the 'Manchester Poet,' was educated for commercial pursuits; but after spending fourteen years in the office of his uncle, the proprietor of large dye-works, he abandoned commerce to acquire the art of engraving, which he afterwards practised as a profession. His first essay in poetry was made in 1828, at which time he produced a collection of lyrics, upon subjects of history and imagination. His later works were, 'Beauties of the Mind,' 'Dryburgh Abbey, an Elegy upon the Death of Sir Walter Scott,' English Melodies," 'Dramatic Chapters,' and 'Rhymes for Childhood.' To evince their respect for him his fellow-townsmen presented him with a testimonial."-Beeton's "Dict. Univ. Biog."

P. J. BAILEY.

P. J. Bailey, born 1816, a member of the bar, son of the proprietor of the "Nottingham Mercury," is the author of "Festus," "The Angel World," and "The Mystic." Few poems upon their first appearance have excited so much attention as "Festus." Bailey was but about twenty years of age when this

ALFRED TENNYSON.

"Alfred Tennyson, born 1810. He received the Laurel' after the death of Wordsworth in 1850. He first appeared as a poet under his own name in 1830, in his twentieth year. A second volume of poems was issued in 1833, and in 1842 he re-appeared with two volumes of 'Poems,' many of which were his early pieces altered and retouched. His other

works are, The Princess, a Medley,' 1847; In Memoriam,' 1850 (the latter a series of beautiful elegiac poems on the death of his young friend Arthur Hallam, son of the historian); Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington,' 1852; and Maud, and other Poems,' 1855. The popularity of Mr. Tennyson has been steadily on the increase, and he has a band of devoted worshippers. His chief defect is obscurity of expression, with a certain mannerism. The characteristics of his poetry lie rather in its external dress of imagery and language, than in any bias towards a particular line of thought or subject. His pieces might be classed, in the manner of Mr. Wordsworth, into Poems of the Affections; Poems of the Fancy; Studies from Classical Statuary and Gothic Romance, &c. Many of them, from the apparent unintelligibility of their external shape, have been supposed to bear an esoteric meaning. The Princess,' especially, apparently a Gothic romance in a drawing-room dress, has been supposed to figure forth not merely the position which women and their education hold in the scale of modern civilization, but to indicate also the results of modern science on the relations, affections, and employments of society. The verse of Mr. Tennyson is a composite melody, it has great power and large compass; original, yet delightfully mingled with the notes of other poets. His mind is richly stored with objects which he invests sometimes with the sunny mists of Coleridge, sometimes with the amiable simplicity of Wordsworth, or the palpable distinctness of Hood. His late works reflect the thought and contemplation of the age." - Scrymgeour's "Poetry and Poets of Britain," p. 503-4.

Orton says of Tennyson :-"Not exactly cypress, but a wreath of weeping willow, should encircle his name. He is enamoured

with ideal beauty and purity of soul, and he sings the praises of holy and exalted friendship more than the warmer passion of Love. He may be characterized as an elevated philosopher with a poet's expression, which a delicate perception of the beautiful and true has given him.

"His harp is not strung with strings whose wild, loud notes shall first awaken, and then petrify the snoring World, but with silken, silvery, gossamer chords, whose fairy melody is heard only by the delicate spiritual ear.

"Yet keeps he perhaps too close to the shores of Time, and dares not, or will not, sail the mighty oceans of mind, and bring us, like golden fruit, from beyond their distant shores sublime and inspiriting ideas of Futurity. He keeps his wings too closely furled, when we consider his poetical powers!

"May Time give him courage and bear him happiness;-root up the willow which points, with its thousand drooping and nerveless arms, to the cold EARTH, and transplant the Poplar, which ever points, with its one firm,

So classical, so full of refined beauty, breathing all the spirit of loveliness. How exquisite his Enone-"Dear Mother Ida, hearken, ere I die." How the plaintive language breaks on the air in delicious accents! We think we see the gentle Enone and the three fair deities of Olympus, with the sunbeam darting through the vine-leaves, and the olive upon their finely-chiselled' forms, so moulded to perfect symmetry. She recals all the tenderness of her love-"Dear Mother Ida, hearken, ere I die!" The sylvan shades, and the clear streams, and the grassy meads, and the flowery banks, and the modest violet, and the golden crocus, seem to echo in softest whispers to the melancholy prayer"Dear Mother Ida, hearken, ere I die." And the rippling of the waters, and the light blue of heaven, and the fleecy clouds, and the rich perfumes of rose and hyacinths, re-echo in tones of deep, still witchery-" Dear Mother Ida, hearken, ere I die." The dulcet cadence floats over the dark waves of ocean; and faithful Enone, with her clustering hair and serene countenance, lifts her dewy eye to the broad canopy of midnoon, and once more throbs out-"Dear Mother Ida, hearken, ere I die!"

THOMAS AIRD.

"Thomas Aird, born at Bowden, Roxburghshire, 1802, an original poet of considerable power, a contributor to periodical literature, and author of the Old Bachelor in the Old Scottish Village,' 'Religious Characteristics,' and The Devil's Dream,' a poem pronounced a wonderful piece of weird, supernatural imagination.' He was editor of the Edinburgh Weekly Journal,' the Dumfries Herald,' and of an edition of the poems of Dr. Moir, the 'Delta' of 'Blackwood's Magazine.'"Beeton's "Dict. Univ. Biog." See Allibone's Crit. Dict. Eng. Lit."

EDWIN ATHERSTONE.

Edwin Atherstone, a truly great poet. He has published "The Last Days of Herculaneum," Abradates and Panthea," 46 'The Fall of Nineveh," and other works. His productions display "power and vigour, splendid diction, and truly poetic feeling."

ALARIC A. WATTS.

"Alaric Alexander Watts, born in London, 1799, a modern English poetical writer, who, in early life, became the literary assistant to

6

Crabbe, the writer of the Technological Dictionary,' and having put forth a small collection of poems in 1822, which obtained some success, he was appointed editor of the Leeds Intelligencer,' and subsequently of the 'Manchester Courier.' In 1825 he commenced the publication of the Literary Souvenir,' which was continued as an annual until 1836. This work contained contributions by Campbell, Wordsworth, and Coleridge, and was illustrated by Turner, Leslie, Roberts, and other eminent artists, the engravings being executed by Heath, assisted by the best engravers of the day. He also attempted to establish a fine-art journal, called 'The Poetical Album;' but it ceased to appear after the second year. In 1833 he commenced the United Service Gazette,' of which he remained the editor until 1843. He was subsequently connected with the Standard' and other newspapers. A collected edition of his poetical pieces appeared in 1851, with the title of Lyrics of the Heart,' and two years subsequently, he received a pension of £100 per annum from the Government."-Beeton's "Dict. Univ. Biog."

LORD HOUGHTON.

"Lord Houghton, born 1809, a modern English politician, poet, and prose writer. A few years after concluding his university career at Cambridge, he was elected Member of Parliament for Pontefract, and distinguished himself therein as a zealous supporter of all questions relative to popular education and complete religious equality. His literary efforts were various in kind and of an excellent character. As a poet, he produced 'Poems of Many Years,' 'Memorials of Many Scenes,' Poems, Legendary and Historical,' and' Palm Leaves.' His Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats' was an appreciative and delightful commemoration of departed genius. He was understood to have been the writer of several interesting articles in the 'Westminster Review.' He published several of his speeches, delivered from his place in the House of Commons, and wrote a number of political pamphlets, the most important of which were Thoughts on Party Politics,' 'Real Union of England and Ireland,' and 'The Events of 1848.'"-Beeton's "Dict. Univ. Biog."

ELIZA COOK.

Eliza Cook, born 1817, the daughter of a tradesman in the borough of Southwark, London, gained considerable reputation, when in her twentieth year, as a poetical contributor to some of the higher class of London periodicals-"The New Monthly Magazine," "The Metropolitan," "The Literary Gazette,"

&c. In 1840 a volume of her poems was published in London, and was reproduced in New York, in 1844, under the title of “Melais, and other Poems." Many editions of her poems have since been published in England and America. "The Old Arm Chair," "The Old Farm Gate," "Home in the Heart," "The Last Good-bye," and "I miss thee, my Mother!" are known and loved by thousands, both old and young. In September, 1849, appeared the first number of "Eliza Cook's Journal." Professor Cleveland says: "The characteristics of her poetry are great freedom, ease, and heartiness of sentiment and expression; and she makes you feel at once that her whole heart is in all she writes; that she gives full utterance to the depths of her soul-a soul that is in sympathy with all that is pure and true."-Cleveland's "Eng. Lit. 19th Cent." See Allibone's "Crit. Dict. Eng. Lit."

WILLIAM AND MARY HOWITT. "William Howitt, born at Heanor, Derbyshire, 1795, a living English littérateur, the son of a member of the Society of Friends, who educated him and his five brothers in the principles of Quakerism. Although he had been sent to several schools kept by Quakers, his education was almost entirely owing to his own perseverance. Up to his twentyeighth year, when he married and commenced with his wife a career of literature, his time had been spent in acquiring mathematical and scientific knowledge, in studying the classical authors, and in mastering the German, French, and Italian tongues. His studies were varied by rambles in the country, shooting, and fishing; and these again led him to obtain an amount of information relative to English rural life and nature, which was afterwards reproduced in his works. The lady who became his wife was, like himself, a member of the Society of Friends, and strongly imbued with literary tastes. In 1823, the first year of their marriage, they published together a volume of poems, entitled, 'The Forest Minstrel,' and followed it up by contributions to the Amulet,' 'Literary Souvenir,' and other annuals then in vogue. These contributions, with some original pieces, were collected and published, in 1827, under the title of The Desolation of Eyam,' &c. "The Book of the Seasons,' Popular History of Priestcraft,' 'Tales of the Pantika; or, Tra ditions of the most Ancient Times,' 'Rural Life of England,' 'Colonization and Christianity,' and several other works, were produced by him during the ten following years. In 1839 and succeeding year, he wrote his 'Boy's Country Book,' and 'Visits to Remarkable Places.' In 1840 he went to Germany for the purpose of educating his children, and his sojourn there led to the production of the

'Rural and Domestic Life of Germany,' *German Experiences,' &c. In 1847 and the four following years he published his 'Homes and Haunts of the most eminent English Poets,' The Hall and Hamlet; or, Scenes and Characters of Country Life,' 'The Year-Book of the Country,' and a novel, 'Madame Dorrington of the Dene.' In 1846 he contributed to the People's Journal,' and afterwards became part proprietor of it; but a quarrel between himself and his partner led him to establish a rival publication- Howitt's Journal,' which, however, like its predecessor, was subsequently unsuccessful. In 1852 he,

with his two soffs and Mr. R. H. Horne, sailed for Australia, where he, for some time, worked as a 'digger.' He also visited Tasmania, Sydney, &c., and communicated his observations in a number of letters to the Times' newspaper, which he afterwards collected and published, with some new matter, under the title of Land, Labour, and Gold,' in 1855."

"Mary Botham Howitt, born at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, about 1804, an English authoress, wife of the above, came of a family of Quakers, and commenced her literary career, shortly after her marriage, with a volume of poems, called 'The Forest Minstrel.' After having published several volumes of graceful poetry, and a number of books for the young, she, on visiting Germany with her husband, proceeded to acquire the Swedish and Danish languages, with a view of translating the novels of Miss Bremer and the tales of Hans C. Andersen. The translations of Miss Bremer's works were published between 1844 and 1852; and the 'Improvisatore,' a reproduction in English of Andersen's novel, in 1857. Besides being an industrious contributor to the periodicals, she wrote a volume of Ballads, and other Poems;' 'Sketches of Natural History in Verse; two novels, called 'The Heir of Wast-Wayland,' and Wood Leighton;' and translated Ennemoser's History of Magic' for Bohn's Scientific Library.' The valuable work entitled 'Literature and Romance of Northern Europe,' published as the joint production of herself and husband, is almost entirely her work."-Beeton's "Dict. Univ. Biog."

"There can be no surer proof of the genuineness of the poetical power possessed by Mary Howitt, than the fact that her fine pieces ever recur again and again to the memories of all imaginative readers. This can be only owing to their feminine tenderness, their earnest tone, their gentle music, and their simple but genuine nature."Moir's "Sketches of Poet Lit. of the Past Half Cent."

Christopher North, in his "Noctes Amorosianæ," says:-" Her language is chaste and simple, her feeling tender and pure, and

"Sweet Mary Howitt! her name brings magic with it, let us see it when and where we will! It is one crowded with pleasant associations; telling of wisdom learned by the wayside and under the hedgerows; breathing perfumes-not the perfumes of balls and routs of violets and wild flowers; leading the mind to pure and pleasant thoughtfulness."-" New Monthly Mag." See Rowton's "Female Poets of Great Britain; Allibone's "Crit. Dict. Eng. Lit. ;" Mrs. S. C. Hall; Allan Cunningham's "Biog. and Crit. Hist. of Lit. of Last Fifty Years."

REV. THOMAS DALE, M.A.

Rev. Thomas Dale, M.A., Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral and late Vicar of St. Pancras, poet and popular author, was born at Pentonville, London, August, 1797. His mother died when he was but three years old; and his father, having married again, went to the West Indies to edit a public journal there, where he also died, leaving his only son. A presentation to Christ's Hospital was eventually obtained for him, where, under the late Dr. Trollope, by whom he was most kindly treated, he received a superior classical education. In 1817 he entered the University of Cambridge, having previously published his "Widow of Nain," which was speedily followed by the "Outlaw of Taurus," and "Irad and Adah, a Tale of the Flood," his first work passing through six editions within a very short period. He was ordained, in 1823, first curate of St. Michael's, Cornhill, London; and afterwards, in 1835, by the special favour of Sir Robert Peel, appointed to be Vicar of St. Bride's. In 1843, through the same influence, he became a Canon of St. Paul's; and, in 1846, Vicar of St. Pancras. He had previously held the Lectureship of St. Margaret, Lothbury; but resigned it in 1849. With the exception of his poems, of which a collected edition was published in 1836, his edition of Cowper, and his translation of Sophocles, his later writings are exclusively religious, consisting chiefly of Sermons"The Domestic Liturgy and Family Chaplain," "The Sabbath Companion," &c. They display a fine tone of thought, solid erudition, and the purest taste.

WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED.

Winthrop Mackworth Praed, born 1802, died 1839, son of Mr. Sergeant Praed, entered the House of Commons, and became Secretary of the Board of Control. His early life and writings gave promise of future eminence.

While at Eton, he started "The Etonian," and was one of the chief contributors to "Knight's Quarterly Magazine." His poems, which have been recently published in a collected form, are some of the most remarkable which have appeared in modern times.

many volumes of sermons, and critical memoirs on matters pertaining to ancient history. Owing to his eminent talents as a preacher, he was appointed, by Lord Palmerston, Dean of Canterbury, in 1857.

COVENTRY PATMORE.

Coventry Patmore, an English poet, was born at Woodford, in Essex, 23rd July, 1823. His father was in his day a well-known literary celebrity, and in 1846 Mr. Coventry Patmore became an Assistant Librarian to the British Museum, which office he continues to hold. He has published three volumes, of which the second, the "Angel in the House," is a poem of undoubted merit; but the third, "Faithful for ever," has been severely criticised. He is understood to be a contributor to the " Edinburgh Review."

ALEXANDER SMITH.

Alexander Smith, a poet, was born on 31st of December, 1830, at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. His early intention was to qualify himself for the ministry, but circumstances of various kinds prevented him from entering on the preparatory studies. While following the business of a lace-pattern designer in Glasgow, he began to write verses, and sent some extracts from his first sustained poem to the Rev. George Gilfillan, of Dundee, then understood to be one of the writers for the "Critic," who inserted them in that journal. His "Life Drama was afterwards published, and, although severely criticised, was admitted on all hands to contain lines of the highest poetical merit. In 1854 Mr. Smith was elected to the secretaryship of the Edinburgh University. His "Life Drama and " City Poems" are his principal works.

THE VERY REV. HENRY ALFORD, D.D.

The Very Rev. Henry Alford, D.D., Dean of Canterbury, a poet and Biblical critic, was born in London in 1810, and educated at Ilminster Grammar School, and Trinity College, Cambridge. He has published several poetic productions, which have been well received, has held several University appointments, and various preferments in the Church. His editions of the Greek New Testament have been carefully prepared. He is also the author of several papers, contributed to serials and other periodical publications, and his work entitled "The Poets of Greece" exhibits an intimate and correct knowledge of the language. He has published

ARCHBISHOP TRENCH.

66

Archbishop Trench, a scholar, poet, and divine, was born at Dublin in September, 1807, and graduated at Cambridge in 1829, after which he spent some years in travelling abroad. While holding the incumbency of Cardridge, Hants, he published, in 1838, two volumes of poems. These, having been well received by the public, were followed by Genoveva," Elegiac Poems," which also elicited favourable notices. In 1841 he became Curate to the present Bishop of Oxford, at Alverstoke, and afterwards Rector of Itchinstoke. He was also Hulsean Lecturer at Cambridge, and in 1847 he was appointed to the important office of Theological Professor in King's College, London. On the death of Dr. Buckland, which caused a vacancy in the Deanery of Westminster, he was nominated to that office, since which he has been preferred to the Archbishopric of Dublin. His sermons

Gerald Massey, an English poet, was born May, 1828, near Tring, in Herts. His parents were so steeped in poverty that the children received scarcely any education. When only eight years old, Gerald was sent to work in a neighbouring silk mill; but the mill being burned down, the boy took to straw plaiting. He had learned to read at a penny school; and, when fifteen, went up to London as an errand boy, and spent all his spare time in reading and writing. When out of a situation, he has gone without a meal to purchase a book. His first appearance in print was in a provincial paper; he published a small collection of his verses in his native town, and during the political excitement of 1848 edited a cheap paper called the "Spirit of Freedom." His writing was so bold and vigorous, that his political manifestations cost him five situations in eleven months. He was a warm advocate of the co-operative system,