The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1897-12-17

comes Carlyle with his vigorous English
and his downright treatment of every
subject that came under his pen. After
him close follows Ruskin with a whole
library of works on various subjects;
but as you cannot read them all, be
sure and read his "Seven Lamps of
Architecture "Ethies of the Dust"
Sesame and Lilies" 1.-THE Crown of
Wild Olive" and mornings in Flor
ence.'' These three writers I have
chosen from host on the other side of
the water; now we will consider an
equal number nearer home. The first
name to sip off my pen is that of Lowell,
who is known to fame as Poet Essayist
and Statesman; as an Essayist he has
left behind him one work well worthy
of not only reading, but if careful study :;
viz. among Ny Rocks" in some two or
three volumes, which contain the
authors reflections upon the Masters in
Literature and their works.
NEXT TO LOWELL COMES EMERSON,
one who has won for himself name on
the roll of history as Poet, Essayiss and
Philosopher; His essays are all more or
less tinged with his philosophic thought :;
and for myself, do not feel bound to
accept all his conclusions; yet after one
has read q goodly amount of something
else, and learned how to think logically,
small course of Emerson will do him
no harm. Last but not least comes
Holmes, the genial Autocrat of the
Breakfast Table. In this connection /
will note but three books, 1.-THE Auto
crat," 1.-THE. Professor and "The Poet
all at Breakfast Table. II you fail to
read all three of them you will have lost
whole host of bright thoughts dressed
in the quafntest possible language.
Turning from essays to poetry, L feel
as though [ were in forest of giant
trees, laden with the most delicious
fruit, and sadly at loss which tree to
climb first. Shakespeare is name that
easily stands at the head of the list, and
one cannot be we'll read without know
ing his Shakespeare somewhat, but it
would perhaps be as well for the young
reader to try something easier at first
and take up the great master later on.
Milton ranks among the giants and one
J should know about him as a matter OF
course, but I must confess that [ have
never yet piucked up sufficient courage
to read Paradise Lost all the way
through. Byron cannot be left out al
| together, but must confess to greater
enjoyment of his short poems than of his
more pretentious works. Goldsmith is
easy reading, especially his deserted
Village" and his village preacher and
village schoolmaster / count among
my old friends Scott's Metrical Re.
mances have great fascination fol
some minds, and I myself must OWE
to an especial admiration fol
1.-THE Lady of the Lake, ,
''The Lay of the Last Minstrel" an6
"Marmion." AS the last name from thu
other side of the water, L must mention
the laureate who has lately laid aside hi
crown-Alfred rennyson. Out of tn.
result of three score years there should
be something for nearly everyone: bu
it is always safe to mention the Idyls o.
the Kingland In Memoriam, to say nothirs
of the scores of shorter poems that hav,
become household words among English
speaking people. Perhaps is is not fail
60 leave Wordsworth out of the reckon
ing and many other readers might CLAIM
a place for Browning, but have neither
time nor space to consider them. Or
our own side of the water there hays
been verse makers iE plenty, but time
will allow notice of but few. If yoy
would study the book of Nature as se
forth in poetic phrase, you will reae
Bryant. what more beautiful has beer
put into rhyme than the ssSong of tbs
Sower,' and the Planting of the Apple
Tree.n
Would you read OF the household and the
home, then Longfellow will fill the want
Would you read OF the goodness OF God
the love OF country and the duty of the
citizen, then Whittier fills the place as nc
other poet of our country can do. Low.
ell, Holmes and Emerson were, as have
before remarked, poets as well as essay.
lists and all have written much worth
reading. The name Of Lowell always
brings TO mind one poem which easily
ranks first among modern writings upon
similar themes. allude TO the Vision
OF Of Sir Lamfel.' =
i HOLMES AS A POET
will beguile you Of your smiles, and En-.
erson will atune your thoughts to phil