REPRESENTATIVE AUTHORS. "After the pupil has become familiar with the process, and can readily analyze the passages he reads with regard to the merit of the thought, the aptness of the expression, and the congruity of the parts, he may proceed to the eminent authors of our language, to whose writings a higher veneration is due. Here he would find it no longer necessary to follow step by step the process to which he had been trained; but the merit of the thought and the force of the expression would be perceived by him at a glance, just as an eye accustomed to the machinery of watches perceives the ingenious construction and the exquisite workmanship of a chronometer, without separating the parts." —WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. CHAPTER VII. HENRY W. LONGFELLOW (1807-1882). "He has composed poems which will live as long as the language in which they are written."-JAMES RUSSELL Lowell. "His poetry expresses a universal sentiment, in the simplest and most melodious manner."- GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS. In the city of Cambridge, Mass., a few miles from Boston, lived one of America's most distinguished poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This famous author was born in Portland, Me., in 1807, and graduated at Bowdoin College in 1825, in the same class with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Shortly after graduation, he was appointed professor of modern languages at Bowdoin College, and was allowed leave of absence to continue his studies in Europe. On his return, he entered upon the duties of his professorship, and in the mean time translated from the Spanish the "Coplas de Manrique," and furnished several articles for the "North-American Review." "Outre Mer" was his first original work, and was published in 1835. One year later, he was chosen professor of modern languages at Harvard College, and, before entering upon his duties, again went abroad, and was absent for two years. HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.I In 1839 appeared his romance "Hyperion," a book that is glowing with poetic thought, and instinct with poetic expression. In the same year was published "Voices of the Night," a collection of his most widely known poHe resigned ems. contributor to American literature, and during this long period was universally recognized as one of the most popular of living poets. He died in 1882. It has been said that "the poetry of Longfellow furnishes, probably, the most signal proof of the benefits conferred by poets upon mankind. It is a gospel of good 1 From Longfellow's Prose Birthday Book, published by Ticknor & Company. will set to music. It has carried sweetness and light to thousands of homes. It is blended with our holiest affections and our immortal hopes." Longfellow resided in the "Craigie House," Cambridge, a mansion famous as being the headquarters of Washington during the Revolution. He was of medium height, well made, with no sign of age in figure or walk. His head and face were eminently poetic, his forehead broad, benignant, and full. The great charm of his face centred in his eyes; of an unclouded blue, deep set, under overhanging brows, they had an indescribable expression of thought and tenderness. Though seamed with many wrinkles, his face was rarely without the rosy hue of health, and appeared that of a much younger man, but for its frame of snow-white hair. Hair and whiskers were long, abundant, and wavy, and gave the poet the look of a patriarch. THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. UNDER a spreading chestnut-tree With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms His hair is crisp, and black, and long, His face is like the tan; His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whate'er he can, And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man. 5 ΤΟ Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught ! Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought. THE BELEAGUERED CITY. I HAVE read, in some old, marvellous tale, Beleaguered the walls of Prague. Beside the Moldau's rushing stream, White as a sea-fog landward bound, The river flowed between. No other voice nor sound was there, But, when the old cathedral bell Proclaimed the morning prayer, The white pavilions rose and fell 45 5 10 15 20 |