Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

qualities, united with his earnestness, ardor, and energy, made his speeches irresistible, even when they were at fault both in argument and expression. He wrote works on mental philosophy, but his fame rests upon his speeches and his "Reflections on the French Revolution."

90. James Thomson (1700-1748).-We will now go back to the poets. First in the attempt to restore poetry to its normal state was James Thomson, who took natural scenery as the theme of his best poems. Pope was thirty-two years older than Thomson, and had become famous before Thomson began to write. They were firm friends, and although their poetical tastes differed widely, Pope gave some valuable suggestions which Thomson gladly accepted; for he realized that he was deficient in those artistic touches which Pope knew so well how to bestow.

Thomson was an ardent lover of nature, and so sincere was he in his devotion, that it has been said that to love nature is synonymous with loving Thomson. "The Seasons" and the "Castle of Indolence" are the best works which this author produced. The first dwells upon the varying landscape and the rural life of England, as presented during the four seasons of the year. It must be a dull imagination that is not quickened by seeing how much beauty and sweetness, how much of divine agency, a poet's eye can discover in ordinary objects. He teaches the truthfulness of the gifted Russian's remark, that the less one knows, the greater is the contempt he feels for the associations and occupations of common life.

The Castle of Indolence" is more highly imaginative, and more elegant in finish than "The Seasons," but it scarcely brings us so near the great heart of Him who has given us the objects and operations of nature as a means of cultivating pure tastes and a healthy tone of character.

91. Thomas Gray (1716-1771). The "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" would have made Gray famous, even if he had written nothing else; indeed, he is admired chiefly for that production rather than for his odes or any of his other more stately pieces. The "Elegy" is simple, natural, and easily understood by all. It appeals to every human heart, while his more pompous and classic poems are appreciated only by the few. It is the universality of the "Elegy " that makes it great,- makes it a part of real literature. this poem the author exemplifies the principle he once expressed in a letter to a friend. He says, "As to description, I have always thought that it made the most graceful ornament of poetry, but never ought to be made the subject." We are not surprised, then, to find some sentiment or reflection growing out of his descriptions. He tells us not only what he sees, but also what the scene suggests to him; thus pleasing and instructing at the same time.

In

92. William Collins (1721-1759).—— Collins was a poet of refined tastes and a vivid imagination. Like Gray, he wrote but little; yet he wrote that little well. When sad, and almost wrecked by misfortunes and discouragements, he was met by Johnson, who noticed

that in his travels he was carrying the New Testament. In reply to Johnson's look of surprise, Collins said, "I have but one book, but it is the best." His poetry abounds in figures; but the figures are appropriate and readily interpreted. His "Ode to the Passions," and the one on Evening" are among his best. The few lines that follow may serve to illustrate the purity and lucidity, but not the boldest imagery of his composition.

[ocr errors]

How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest.
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mold,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.

By fairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay,
And Freedom shall a while repair,
To dwell, a weeping hermit, there.

93. Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774).- Among the most prolific and most versatile writers of the century was Oliver Goldsmith. He was poet, naturalist, historian, biographer, essayist, dramatist, story-teller, moralist; and in all was equally successful. Eminent critics give him the credit of writing the best poem, the best novel, and one of the most delightful comedies of the period. Of his style, it is said that, "Nothing could

be more natural, simple, and graceful." Indeed the charm of his writings lies, to a great extent, in this

sidelights upon many of the maneuverings of statecraft, and at the same time afforded vivid pictures of the manners and doings of society. His letters were replete with wit, gaiety, shrewd observation, sarcasm, censoriousness, high life, and sparkling language.”

66

He was neither an orator nor a statesman; but he was a shrewd observer, and amused himself by recording, in secret, his opinions of his contemporaries, and the impressions which they made upon him.

[ocr errors]

Walpole's chief writings were his "Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors, "Anecdotes of Painting in England," "Castle of Otranto," "Historic Doubts" as to the character and person of Richard III, and "Memoirs of the Court of George II." He was acute rather than profound; but the animation of his style and his ingenious modes of expression make his works amusing, if not entertaining.

89. Edmund Burke (1729-1797).- Burke, one of Britain's greatest orators, was born in Dublin. His public career as politician and statesman was honorable and sincere. His efforts were directed toward the removal of some existing wrong, or the preservation of some existing good. He was sagacious and far-seeing, often foretelling public events like a seer. He is regarded as the most eloquent of all writers on national affairs; and by some he is thought to be the most philosophical of England's statesmen.

United with a philosophic turn of mind, Burke had a poetic temperament and a rich imagination that furnished him with a profusion of illustrations, drawn from every scene in creation and every field of art, These

qualities, united with his earnestness, ardor, and energy, made his speeches irresistible, even when they were at fault both in argument and expression. He wrote works on mental philosophy, but his fame rests upon his speeches and his "Reflections on the French Revolution."

90. James Thomson (1700-1748).-We will now go back to the poets. First in the attempt to restore poetry to its normal state was James Thomson, who took natural scenery as the theme of his best poems. Pope was thirty-two years older than Thomson, and had become famous before Thomson began to write. They were firm friends, and although their poetical tastes differed widely, Pope gave some valuable suggestions which Thomson gladly accepted; for he realized that he was deficient in those artistic touches which Pope knew so well how to bestow.

Thomson was an ardent lover of nature, and so sincere was he in his devotion, that it has been said that to love nature is synonymous with loving Thomson. "The Seasons" and the "Castle of Indolence" are the best works which this author produced. The first dwells upon the varying landscape and the rural life of England, as presented during the four seasons of the year. It must be a dull imagination that is not quickened by seeing how much beauty and sweetness, how much of divine agency, a poet's eye can discover in ordinary objects. He teaches the truthfulness of the gifted Russian's remark, that the less one knows, the greater is the contempt he feels for the associations and occupations of common life.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »