MRS. HEMANS. (1794-1835.) BORN at Liverpool, where her father (whose name was Browne) was engaged as a merchant. Felicia Browne began to write poetry before she was nine years of age; and her mother, a woman of intellectual culture and taste, encouraged her in the pursuit. In 1812 Miss Browne became the wife of Captain Hemans. The union, however, was not a happy one, and just before the birth of their fifth son a separation took place, Mrs. Hemans going to live with her widowed mother, near St. Asaph (North Wales). Here she devoted herself to literature, and the education of her family. In 1828 went to reside at Wavertree, near Liverpool; afterwards removed to Dove's Nest, near Windermere, for one summer, and finally settled in Dublin, where she died in 1835, and was interred in St. Anne's Church. Mrs. Hemans's principal works are:-Hymns for Childhood; The Songs of the Affections, etc., including some of the most beautiful lyrical pieces in the language. * ** For permission to insert the accompanying specimens of Mrs. Hemans's poetry, the editor is indebted to the kindness of Messrs. Blackwood & Son. THE HOUR OF PRAYER. CHILD, amidst the flowers at play, Father, by the breeze of eve, Traveller, in the stranger's land, ; Warrior, that from battle won Heaven's first star alike ye see,— Lift the heart and bend the knee. THE GRAVES OF A HOUSEHOLD. THEY grew in beauty side by side, One midst the forests of the West, The Indian knows his place of rest The sea, the blue lone sea, hath one; He lies where pearls lie deep; He was the loved of all, yet none O'er his low bed may weep. One sleeps where southern vines are drest He wrapt his colours round his breast And one-o'er her the myrtle showers She faded midst Italian flowers, And, parted thus, they rest who played Whose voices mingled as they prayed They that with smiles lit up the hall, And nought beyond, oh earth! THE HOMES OF ENGLAND. THE stately homes of England! O'er all the pleasant land! The deer across their greensward bound And the swan glides past them with the sound The merry homes of England! Around their hearths by night, With gladsome looks of household love There woman's voice flows forth in song, The blessed homes of England! Is laid the holy quietness That breathes from Sabbath hours! Solemn, yet sweet, the church bells' chime Floats through their woods at morn, All other sounds in that still time Of breeze and leaf are born. The cottage homes of England! By thousands on her plains, They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, The free fair homes of England! THOMAS BABINGTON, LORD MACAULAY. (1800-1859.) BORN at Rothley Temple, in Leicestershire. Became a member of Trinity College, Cambridge, in his nineteenth year. On quitting the University, he entered Lincoln's Inn as a law student, and was called to the bar in 1826. When in his twenty-fifth year he wrote his celebrated essay on Milton for the "Edinburgh Review." Entered the House of Commons in 1830 as member for Calne. In 1834 he went to India in the service, and on his return in 1839 was elected member for Edinburgh. Lost his seat in 1847 (but re-elected in 1852 without any effort of his own), and then devoted himself to literary pursuits. Created a peer in 1857; died in 1859; and was buried in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey. Macaulay's prose works are:-The History of England from the Accession of James II., and Essays. His chief poetical productions are :-The Spanish Armada; The Battle of Ivry; and Lays of Ancient Rome. THE SPANISH ARMADA.* ATTEND all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise, I tell of the thrice-famous deeds she wrought in ancient days, When that great fleet invincible against her bore in vain The richest spoils of Mexico, the stoutest hearts of Spain. It was about the lovely close of a warm summer's day, There came a gallant merchant-ship full sail to Plymouth Bay; Her crew hath seen Castile's black fleet, beyond Aurigny's isle, At earliest twilight, on the waves lie heaving many a mile : At sunrise she escaped their van, by God's especial grace; And the tall Pinta, till the noon, had held her close in chase. Forthwith a guard at every gun was placed along the wall; The beacon blazed upon the roof of Edgecumbe's lofty hall; Many a light fishing-bark put out to pry along the coast; And with loose rein and bloody spur rode inland many a post. With his white hair unbonnetted, the stout old sheriff comes; Behind him march the halberdiers, before him sound the drums; The yeomen, round the market-cross, make clear an ample space, For there behoves him to set up the standard of Her Grace; * The Editor is indebted to the courtesy of Messrs. Longmans & Co. for permission to insert this ballad. |