jects or retainers. Both patriarch and feudal lord were less restricted than the modern king, and the feudal lord especially lived in a state of great magnificence. 15. Proofs. When matter is to be printed, a rough impression of it is taken as soon as the type is set up, and sent to the editor or some other authority for correction. These first sheets are called proofs. His Excellency was the title applied to the governor. VIII. MINOT'S LEDGE. Fitz James O'Brien (b. 1829, d. 1862) was of Irish birth, and came to America in 1852. He has contributed a number of tales and poems to various periodicals, but his writings have never been collected in book form. Mr. O'Brien belonged to the New York Seventh Regiment, and died at Baltimore of a wound received in a cavalry skirmish. 1. LIKE spectral hounds across the sky, The red-eyed light-house lifts its form. The massive tower, and climb and fall, 2. Up in the lonely tower he sits, The keeper of the crimson light: Like some wet ghost that down the air And seeks a shelter anywhere. 3. He prays aloud, the lonely man, For every soul that night at sea, But more than all for that brave boy Who used to gayly climb his knee,— Young Charlie, with his chestnut hair, And hazel eyes, and laughing lip. "May Heaven look down," the old man cries, "Upon my son, and on his ship!" 4. While thus with pious heart he prays, She can not hold for one half-hour; 5. On the drenched gallery he stands, A steady crimson wake of light; 6. Out with the hooks! One mighty fling! A steady pull; it tightens now: Oh his old heart will burst with joy, As on the slippery rocks he pulls 7. Still sweep the specters through the sky; The red-eyed light-house lifts its form. Within, there is the peace of God. NOTE.-Minot's Ledge (also called the "Cohasset Rocks") is a dangerous reef in Boston Harbor, eight miles south-east of Boston Light. It has a fixed light of its own, sixty-six feet high. CIX. HAMLET. William Shakespeare (b. 1564, d. 1616), by many regarded as the greatest poet the world has ever produced, was born at Stratford-uponAvon, England. He was married, when very young, to a woman eight years his senior, went to London, was joint proprietor of Blackfriar's Theater in 1589, wrote poems and plays, was an actor, accumulated some property, and retired to Stratford three or four years before his death. He was buried in Stratford church, where a monument has been erected to his memory. This is all that is known of him with any degree of certainty. Shakespeare's works consist chiefly of plays and sonnets. They show a wonderful knowledge of human nature, expressed in language remarkable for its point and beauty. (ACT I, SCENE II. HAMLET alone in a room of the castle. Enter HORATIO, MARCELLUS, and BERNARDO.) Hor. HAIL to your lordship! Ham. Hor. I am glad to see you well: Horatio, or I do forget myself. -or The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever. Ham. Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you: And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?Marcellus? Ham. I am very glad to see you. [To BER.] Good even, sir. But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg? Hor. A truant disposition, good my lord. Ham. I would not hear your enemy say so, Nor shall you do mine ear that violence, We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart. Hor. In my mind's eye, Horatio. Hor. My lord, the king your father. Ham. The king my father! Hor. Season your admiration for a while Ham. For God's love, let me hear. |