Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-08-14
ANEGD0TAL LITERATURE.
Gathered and Compiled for the In
dependent by W. G.
HABITS OF GREAT STUDENTS.


had his dog lying at his feet-a dog
he had brought from Wartburg, and
of which he was very fond. An
ivory crucifx stood at the table be-
fore him, and the walls of his study
were stuck round with caricatures
OF some of his enemies. He worked
at his desk for days together with.
out going out. But when he became
tired and the ideas began to stag
nate, he took bis guitar with him
into the porch, and then executed
some musical fantasy, when the
ideas would flow upon him as fresh
as the flowers after summers
shower. Music was his invarible
solace when tired or in trouble.
Indeed, Luther did not hesitate to
say that, after Theology, music was
the first OF arts. Music" said he,
"is the art of the prophets; l. is
the only other art which like The
ology, can calm she agitation OF the
soul, and put the devil to flight"
Next to music, If not before it,
Luther loved children and flowers.
That great man had heart as ten.
der as woman's.
Calvin studied in his bed. Every
morning at i've or six O'Clock, he
had his books, manuscripts and
papers carried to him there, and If
be had occasion to SO out on his
return, be undrsssed and went to
bed again to continue his studies
In his latter years he dictated his
writings to an amenuensis. He
rarely corrected any thing. The
sentences issued complete from his
mouth. II he felt facility of compo.
sition leaving him, he forthwith
quilted his bed, gave up writing
and composing for the time, and
went about his outdoor duties for
days, weeks and months together.
But as soon as he felt tho inspira-
tion returning he went back to his
bed and resumed his intellectual
labor.
Aristotle was q tremendous work.
er. He took little sleep, and was
constantly retrenching it. He had
a continuance by which he awoke
early, and to awake was with him to
commence work.
Demosthenes passed months in a
cavern by the seaside, labsring to
overcome a defect in his voice.
There he read, studied and declaim-
ed.
Rosseau wrote his works early in
the morning lie Sage at midday
Byron at midnight. Hardonin rose
at four in the morning, and wrote
till late at night.
Rabelais composed his life Of
Garagantna at Belly, in the company
of Roman Cardinals and under the
eyes of the Bishop of Paris.
La Fontaine wrote his fables
chiefly under the shade of tree,and
sometimes by the side of Racine
and Boileau.
Pascal wrote most Of bis thoughts
on little scraps Of paper at his by
moments.
Fenelon wrote his Telemachm in
the palace of Versailles, at the court
of the Grand Monarque, when dis
charging the duties of tutor to the
Dauphin. That a book so thorough
ly democratic should have been is.
sued from such a source, and be
written by priest at that place,
may seem surprising.
De Quincy first promulgated bis
notions OF universal freedom OF per-
sons and trade, and OF throwing all
taxes on land-the germ, perhaps,
of the French revolution-in the
boudoir of Madam dc Pompadour.
Shelley usually ate baked potato
previous so sitting down to write.
He has been heard TO assert tlat
some of his finest ideas came whilst
putting on the butter. Whether he
purchased his potatoes In the street
or had them dressed at Rome, does
not appear.
| Diodcrns Siculus devoted thirty
years to the composition al history.
Virgil, alter labor CT eleven
years. pronounced His Aenem i'm
perfect.