The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-09-07
HOW GREAT MEN WROTE.
Exchange.

Among the curious facts which we find in pe- rusing the biographies of great men the circum- stances connected with the composition of works which have made them immortal.
 For instance, Bossuet composed his grand ser- mons on his knees Bulwer wrote his first novels in full dress Milton before commencing his work, invoked the influence of the Holy Spirit, and prayed that his lips might be touched with live coal from off the altar; Chrysostom medtated and studied while contemplating a painting of St. Paul.
 Bacon knelt down before composing his great work and prayed for light from heaven Pope never could compose we'll without first declaiming for some time at the top of his voice. and thus rousing his system to Its fullest activity.
 Bentley composed after playing prelude on the organ, or while taking his "antejentacular" or "post-prandia" walks; he found in the solitude of dense forests something more profound and sug- gestive than anything he could find In books.
 Camoens composed his verses with the roar of battle in his ears, for the Portuguese poet was soldier, and brave one, though . poet. He com posed others of his most beautiful verses at time when his Indian slave was begging a subsistence for him in the streets.
 TAsso wrote his finest pieces in the lucid inter- vAls of madness.
 Rousseau wrote his works early in the morning 1; La Sage at midday; Byron, at midnight. Aris- totle awoke early and worked until he slept Domosthenes passed three months In 6 cavern by the seaside in lsboring to overcome the defects of his voice. There he read, studied and acclaimed.
 
 Bulay, in the company of Roman Cardinals and under the eyes of the Bishop of Paris La Fon- taine wrote his "Fable" chiefly under the shade of a tree, and sometimes by the side of Racine and Boileau. Pascal wrote this thoughts on small scraps of paper at his by -moments Fenelon wrote his "Telemachus" in the palace of Versailles at the court of the Grand MonArque. That . book 90 thoroughly democratic should have issued from such 6 source, and been written by priest, is prising. Francis Ruesnay first promulgated his 0erme of French revolution in the bOudoir of Mime. de Pompadour.
 Luther, when studying, always had his dog by his feet. An ivory crucifx stood on the table be- fore him. He worked at his desk for days to- gether without going out but when fAtigued he would take his flute or guitar with him into the porch and there execute some musical fantasy. Music was his invariable soace at such times. In- deed, Luther did not hesitate to say that after theology music was the first of arts "the only other art" he said, "which, like theology, calm the agitation of the soul, and put the devil to fights
 Calvin studied in his bed. Every morning at i've or six o'clock he had books, manuscripts, and papers carried to him there, and he worked on for hours together. If he had occasion to get out, on his return he undressed and went to bed, again to continue his studies.
 Cujas, another learned man, used to study when laid all his length upon the carpet, his face toward the floor, and there he reveled amid piles of books Richelieu amused himself in the intervals of his labor with . squadron of cats of which he was very fond He used to retire at eleven, and after sleep ing three hours rise and write or work. His an- nual expenditure was about 10000 pounds ster- ling. ,,, toni He drank water and lived on the humblest fare. During the eight hours of sleep that he allowed himself, the glorious visions came to him which he embodied in his immortal works. posed by him between tho autumnl and spring euuinoxoe were always the best, while Alferi, on