And to the music of the rolling spheres Did all that mind assisted most could do; A deeper lesson this to mortals taught, Alaric Alexander Watts. Born 1799. BORN in London, 19th March 1799. He was for some time a tutor in a family in Manchester, and during his residence there he published, in 1822, "Poetic Sketches." He afterwards became editor of a Leeds paper, and since then he has been a busy labourer in the literary field. In 1850 he published his most perfect poems, Lyrics of the Heart." In 1853 he was presented by Government with a pension of £100 a-year, which he still enjoys. TEN YEARS AGO. I TOO am changed-I scarce know why— Time cannot sure have wrought the ill; Though worn in this world's sickening strife, In the first summer month of life; Yet journey on my path below, But look not thus: I would not give The wreck of hopes that thou must share, To bid those joyous hours revive, When all around me seemed so fair. When winds were low, and flowers in bloom, And hand in hand have kept together, And still will keep, 'mid storm and gloom; Endeared by ties we could not know Has Fortune frowned? Her frowns were vain, Nor mourn, whatever winds may blow, Lord Macaulay. { Born 1800. Died 1859. THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY was born at Rothley Temple, Leicestershire, on 25th October 1800. His father was Zachary Macaulay, son of a Scotch minister, from the Isle of Lewis. Thomas was educated at Cambridge, where he gained two medals for prize poems. In 1825 appeared in the "Edinburgh Review" his article on Milton, which attracted universal notice; it was the first of that long series of brilliant papers which were the earlier basis of his fame. He studied for the English bar, into which he was admitted in 1826. In 1830 Macaulay was returned as Whig member for Calne, and was a prominent supporter of Reform. In 1834 he went to India as a member of the Supreme Council of Calcutta. Returning to England with a fortune, he re-entered political life as Secretary at War in 1839. In 1840, he was returned as M.P. for the city of Edinburgh, which he represented till 1847, when he lost his election. He declined to re-enter Parliament for any other place, and devoted his leisure to the composition of the well known "Lays of Ancient Rome," published in 1842, and of the "History of England," which met with a reception equal to Gibbon's immortal work. Honours were heaped upon him. He was elected rector of Glasgow University in 1849. In 1850 he was appointed Professor of Ancient History in the Royal Academy. In 1852 he was re-elected M.P. for the city of Edinburgh without canvass of any kind. In 1853 he received the Prussian Order of Merit; and in 1857 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Macaulay of Rothley. His health seems to have been injured by the confinement attending his literary labours, and he died on 20th December 1859. FROM "THE LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME." THEN out spake brave Horatius, The captain of the gate; 'To every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds, 'And for the tender mother Then out spake Spurius Lartius; 'I will abide on thy left side, And keep the bridge with thee.' 'Horatius,' quoth the Consul, 'As thou say'st, so let it be.' And straight against that great array Forth went the dauntless three. For Romans in Rome's quarrel Spared neither land nor gold, Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life, In the brave days of old. Then none was for a party; Then all were for the state; Then the great men helped the poor, And the poor man loved the great; Then lands were fairly portioned; Now Roman is to Roman As we wax hot in faction, In battle we wax cold: Letitia Elizabeth Landon. Born 1802. Died 1838. THIS accomplished lady, best known by her literary signature of L. E. L., was born at Chelsea in 1802. Her father was in comfortable circumstances. At a very early age she contributed to the Magazines and Annuals; and so great was her reputation, that rival publishers vied with each other to secure her productions. She was also the author of several prose fictions. In June 1838 she married George Maclean, governor of Cape Coast Castle, and shortly afterwards proceeded there with him. She resumed her literary labours; but, it is supposed by an overdose of a powerful medicine, taken for relief of spasms in the stomach, she was found dead in her room, October 16, 1838. THE POLE STAR. A STAR has left the kindling sky A lovely northern light; How many planets are on high, I miss its bright familiar face, It rose upon our English sky, Shone o'er our English land, And brought back many a loving eye, It seemed to answer to my thought, And with its welcome presence brought Thou lovely polar star, mine eyes, But thou hast sunk upon the wave, Farewell! ah, would to me were given What words upon our English heaven Kind messages of love and hope Scarcely enough for me. Oh, fancy vain, as it is fond, And little needed too : My friends! I need not look beyond Thomas Aird. Born 1802. BORN at Bowden, in Roxburghshire, 28th August 1802. He received a university education. In 1835 he was appointed editor of the "Dumfries Herald," which is most successful under his able management. His works evince a considerable amount of poetical talent. THE SWALLOW. THE swallow, bonny birdie, comes sharp twittering o'er the sea, And gladly is her carol heard for the sunny days to be; She shares not with us wintry glooms, but yet, no faithless thing, She hunts the summer o'er the earth with wearied little wing. |