Fred. And I must kick his attorney. Hum. (Reading.) "The curate's horse is dead." Hum. Yes, there is, to a man that must go twenty miles every Sunday to preach three sermons, for thirty pounds a year. Sir R. Why won't the vicar give him another nag? Hum. Because 't is cheaper to get another curate ready mounted. Sir R. Well, send him the black pad which I purchased last Tuesday, and tell him to work him as long as he lives. What else have we upon the list? Hum. Something out of the common; there's one Lieutenant Worthington, a disabled officer and a widower, come to lodge at Farmer Harrowby's, in the village; he is, it seems, very poor, and more proud than poor, and more honest than proud. Sir R. And so he sends to me for assistance? Hum. He'd see you hanged first! No, he'd sooner die than ask you or any man for a shilling! There's his daughter, and his wife's aunt, and an old corporal that served in the wars with him, he keeps them all upon his half pay. Sir R. Starves them all, I'm afraid, Humphrey. Fred. (Going.) Good morning, uncle. Sir R. You rogue, where are you running now? Fred. To talk with Lieutenant Worthington. Sir R. And what may you be going to say to him? Fred. I can't tell till I encounter him; and then, uncle, when I have an old gentleman by the hand, who has been disabled in his country's service, and is struggling to support his motherless child, a poor relation, and a faithful servant, in honorable indigence, impulse will supply me with words to express my sentiments. Sir R. Stop, you rogue; I must be before you in this business. Fred. That depends on who can run the fastest; so, start fair, uncle, and here goes.-(Runs out.) Sir R. Stop, stop; why, Frederic—a jackanapes-to take my department out of my hands! I'll disinherit the dog for his assurance. Hum. No, you won't. Sir R. Won't I? Hang me if I—but we'll argue that point as we go. So, come along Humphrey. NOTES.-Ergo (pro. er'go) is a Latin word meaning therefore. Negatur (pro. ne-ga'tur) is a Latin verb, and means it is denied. The Tartars are a branch of the Mongolian race, embracing among other tribes the Calmucks. The latter are a fierce, nomadic people inhabiting parts of the Russian and Chinese empires. LXXXIV. MY MOTHER'S PICTURE. William Cowper, 1731-1800, was the son of an English clergyman; both his parents were descended from noble families. He was always of a gentle, timid disposition; and the roughness of his schoolfellows increased his weakness in this respect. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced his profession. When he was about thirty years of age, he was appointed to a clerkship in the House of Lords, but could not summon courage to enter upon the discharge of its duties. He was so disturbed by this affair that he became insane, sought to destroy himself, and had to be consigned to a private asylum. Soon after his recovery, he found a congenial home in the family of the Rev. Mr. Unwin. On the death of this gentleman, a few years later, he continued to reside with his widow till her death, a short time before that of Cowper. Most of this time their home was at Olney. His first writings were published in 1782. He wrote several beautiful hymns, “The Task," and some minor poems. These, with his translations of Homer and his correspondence, make up his published works. His life was always pure and gentle; he took great pleasure in simple, natural objects, and in playing with animals. His insanity returned from time to time, and darkened his life at its close. When six years of age, he lost his mother; and the following selection is part of a touching tribute to her memory, written many years later. ОH that those lips had language! Life has passed I heard the bell tolled on thy burial day; Thy maidens, grieved themselves at my concern, My boast is not that I deduce my birth And now, farewell! Time, unrevoked, has run By Contemplation's help, not sought in vain, And, while the wings of Fancy still are free, LXXXV. DEATH OF SAMSON. John Milton, 1608-1674, was born in London-eight years before the greatest English poet, Shakespeare, died. His father followed the profession of a scrivener, in which he acquired a competence. As a boy, Milton was exceedingly studious, continuing his studies till midnight. He graduated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where his singular beauty, his slight figure, and his fastidious morality caused his companions to nickname him "the lady of Christ's." On leaving college he spent five years more in study, and produced his lighter poems. He then traveled on the continent, returning about the time the civil war broke out. For a time he taught a private school, but soon threw himself with all the power of his able and tried pen into the political struggle. He was the champion of Parliament and of Cromwell for about twenty years. On the accession of Charles II., he concealed himself for a time, but was soon allowed to live quietly in London. His eyesight had totally failed in 1654; but now, in blindness, age, family affliction, and comparative poverty, he produced his great work "Paradise Lost." In 1667 he sold the poem for £5 in cash, with a promise of £10 more on certain contingencies; the sum total received by himself and family for the immortal poem, was £23. Later, he produced "Paradise Regained" and "Samson Agonistes," from the latter of which the following extract is taken. Milton is a wonderful example of a man, who, by the greatness of his own mind, triumphed over trials, afflictions, hardships, and the evil influence of bitter political controversy. OCCASIONS drew me early to this city; Through each high street: little I had dispatched, I sorrowed at his captive state, But minded not to be absent at that spectacle. The building was a spacious theater On banks and scaffolds under sky might stand: I among these aloof obscurely stood. The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice Had filled their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and wine,. Was Samson as a public servant brought, He, patient, but undaunted, where they led him, None daring to appear antagonist. At length for intermission sake, they led him |