The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-02-12
Authors and their writings.

Mr.. Saunders, the author of "Mosaics, ,
names the following Illustrations of the
striking contrast that often exists between
the disposition of authors and the general
tone Of their productions =
Burton, the author Of the "Anatomy OF
Melancholy" was extremely facetious in
company and the most asretic poet OF
our own day, Lord Byron, was one of the
most brilliant and humorous of associates
when he mingled with the world
That singular writer, Roberton, is said
by Anthony Wood to have composed his
"Anatomy" in order to divert his 1nelan-
chcly So great was the demand for this
book, when first published, that the book
seller is said to have acquired an estate
by It, In the intervals of his labors, he
was the most facetious companion in the
university. When he felt depression
| coming upon him, he used to relieve his
melancholy by going to the foot Of the
! bridge and listening to the coarse ribaldry
of the bargemen, which seldom failed to
throw him into fit Of laughter.
'sThe Comforts of Human Life" by r.
Heron, was written in prison, under the
most distressing circumstances. "The
Miseries of Human Life" by Beresford,
was, on the contrary, composed IN draw
ing-room, where the author was surroun-
ded By all the good things of this world.
A striking contrast will often be found to
exist between authors and their works,
melancholy writers being usually the most
jocnlar and lively in society, and humor-
lists in theory the most lugubrious of aEi-
nlals in practice.
+ A man of letters is often a man with
two naturts--one book nature, the other
a human nature. These two often clash
sadly.
Homer had such an instructive aversion
to music that it is reported he could not
be prevailed upon even TO walk along the
banks of a murmuriDg brook yet tradi-
tion also asserts that he sung his own
ballads.
Seneca wrote in praise of poverty, on a
table formed of solid gold, with millions
let out at usury.
Sallust, who so eloquently declaims
against the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the age, was
repeatedly accused in the senate Of public
aud habitual debaucheries.
Steele wrote exccllently on temperance,
when he was sober.
Johnson's essays on po'lteness were
admirable, yet his You lie, SIR aud
"You don't understand the question, sirv'
were the common characteristics of his |
colloquies.
Young; whose gloomy fancy cast such |
sombre tinges on lie, was in society |
brisk, lively man, continually pelting his
hearers with puerile puns. Mrs. Carter, |
fresh from the stern, dark grandeur OF |
the ''Night Thoughts, expressed her I
amazement at his iippancy. "Madanc,"
said he, t.there is mucif difference between /
writing and taking
The same poets iaverite theme was the
nothinguess of worldly things; his favorite
pursuit was rank aud riches Had Mrs
Carter noticed this inconerutv he might
have added, an MadaTe. there is much dit
ference between writing ddactic poems
and living didactic lives
Bacon, the most comprehensive and
forward looking of moderu intellects, and
in feeling one of the most benevolent, was
meanly and contemptibiy ambitious of
place ard while teaching morals, we find
him taking brides.
More, in his ."Utopia," declares that no
man ought to be punished for his reiig-
ious belief, yet he is found to be among
the active prosecutors Of his own
Rosseau with the same pen we find Civ
ing versions of the Psalms and the most
of epigrams, !