the world; for there is a sweetness in good verse which tickles even while it hurts; and no man can be heartily angry with him who pleases him against his will.-DRYDEN. PREFACE.-Motives Avowed in a Concerning the motives which engaged me in the following attempt, it is not necessary that I say much; the nature of my academical situation, a great deal of leisure since my retirement from it, the recommendation of an honoured and excellent friend, the not perceiving in what way I could employ my time or talents better, were the considerations that directed my thoughts to this design. Nor have I repented of the undertaking. Whatever be the fate or reception of this work, it owes its author nothing. In sickness and in health I have found in it that which can alone alleviate the one, or give enjoyment to the other -occupation and engagement.-ADN. PALEY. PREFACE.-Our Ow In this goodly octavo will be found--beautiful emblems-striking contrasts-choice anecdotes-eloquent sayings-important definitions-philosophical truths-experimental facts-interesting histories-graphic sketches -theological verities-holy aspirations-in brief, a résumé of the finest and most valuable passages in English and Classic Literature, about equalling in number any compilation of the kind yet attempted; while the range of authorship is wider, embracing, as it does, philosophers and divines, poets and historians, sceptics and believers, the living and the dead. And yet, with all this multiformity of genius, derived from separate ages, different hemispheres, and every class of thinkers, there is a wondrous. harmony in conviction and statement, demonstrating that Truth is one at all times, in all lands, and under all circumstances. Furthermore : while there are upwards of seven thousand quotations, from upwards of one thousand three hundred sources, there is not, we believe, one pretty conceit, or sentimental fancy, in the whole. In the words of the Bard of the Night: 'Nothing but what is solid and refined Every page glistens with gems, but they are of the purest water, and therefore can hardly fail to attract and benefit their possessor.-DR. Davies. PREFACE.-A Quaint Solomon bids us buy the truth, but does not tell us what it must cost, because we must get it though it be never so dear. Every parcel of truth is precious, as the filings of gold. We must either live with it, or die for it. As Ruth said to Naomi, so must gracious spirits say to Truth "Where thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge, and nothing but death shall part thee and me." Truth is our heritage : it is a legacy that our forefathers have bought with their blood, which should make us willing to lay down anything, and to lay out everything, that we may, with the wise merchant in the Gospel, purchase this precious pearl, which is more worth than heaven and earth, and which will make a man live happily, die comfortably, and reign eternally.-T. BROOKS. PREFACE.-Sympathy Expressed in a You have given way beneath the burden of the days. Come, then, let us press very closely each to the other: it does good to weep together. Will you allow me an illustration? It alone can describe what I am; it alone can express what I desire. The desert stretches out implacably around; the day has that fierce character that arises from an earth and sky on fire a caravan approaches, the sand that it disturbs rises, wraps it about, and falls back upon its track, effacing it; the camels drag on heavily; the men sit bent in two,-they say nothing, look at nothing; they let themselves be carried on, that is all. Meanwhile a figure that had kept in the shade beneath a great rock has risen; as the caravan passes, this figure stretches out its hand, and offers a vase full of water; the cup is poor indeed, but for all that the men steep their lips therein, and when the caravan has resumed its march their heads are lifted.GASPARIN. PREFACE.-The Termination of a The author does not presume to have swept away all obscurities from the sky of truth; but possibly a few rays of light may have been cast upon the dark clouds. For instances of failure he would crave forbearance; for success, he would give the glory where alone it is due.—BRIDGES. AUTHORS QUOTED; WITH LITERARY AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES Writers of an abler sort, Whose wit well managed, and whose classic style, Give Truth a lustre, and make Wisdom smile. - COWPER. A. ABBOT, ARCHBISHOP. One of the eight divines who, by command of James I., made the translation of the Bible. Born 1562; died 1663. ABBOT, REV. JACOB. A popular American theologian: author of "The Young Christian," etc. Born 1803. ABD-UL-AZIZ. The Sultan of Turkey ABERCROMBIE, DR. A distinguished Scottish physician and philosopher author of " Inquiries concerning the Intellectual Powers of Man," etc. Born 1781; died 1844. ABERNETHY, DR. An eminent English surgeon and physiologist. In 1809, he published an able volume, entitled "The Constitutional Origin and Treatment of Local Diseases," which made a considerable change in the science of surgery. Born 1764; died 1831. His ADAMS, JOHN Q. A celebrated American statesman and orator. Born 1767; died 1848. ADAMS, REV. DR. An American divine. principal work is "The Friends of Christ in the New Testament. Born 1806. ADAMS, REV. THOMAS. Styled "the Shakspeare of the Puritans." Died 1670. ADDISON, JOSEPH. The immortal essayist ; editor of "The Spectator," etc. Born 1672; died 1719. ADLER, REV. DR. A Jewish rabbi: author of "A Course of Sermons. ÆSCHYLUS. Said to be "the first of the three great tragic poets of Greece." Born 525 B.C.; died 456 B.C. ÆSOP. The world-renowned Greek fabulist and accomplished courtier. Born about 619 B.C.; destroyed by the citizens of Delphi 564 B. C. ETNA. AFRICANUS, SEXTUS J. A famous Christian writer of the third century, principally known by his "History of the World." Supposed to have died 232. AIKIN, DR. An English physician and miscellaneous writer: author of that favourite work -"Evenings at Home," etc. Born 1747; died 1822. With AKENSIDE, DR. A physician and poet. His principal poem "The Pleasures of the Imagi nation,' on its first appearance, met immense success. Born 1721; died 1770. ALBERT, PRINCE. Surnamed "Albert the Good." Born 1819; died 1861, to the profound and universal sorrow of the English nation. ALCOTT, DR. An American reformer and popular educational writer: among his best works is "The House I Live In." Born 1798. ALDINI, GIOVANNI. A distinguished natural philosopher. Born 1762; died 1834. ALENCON, DUCHESS OF. An illustrious French authoress. ALEXANDER, ANTON ALEXANDER, REV. DR. An eminent American divine and Oriental scholar: author of "A Commentary on Isaiah," etc. Born 1809; died 1859. ALEXANDER, REV. DR. W. L. A Scottish theologian author of "The Connection and Harmony of the Old and New Testaments," etc. Born 1808. ALEXANDER, REV. THOMAS. A wellknown writer on the fifty-first Psalm. Died 1872. ALFIERI, VITTORIO. A very celebrated Italian poet. "Philippo II.," and "Saul," are considered his master-pieces. Born 1749; died 1803. ALFORD, REV. DEAN. Author of "The Greek Testament," etc. Born 1810; died 1871. ALFRED, KING. Surnamed "the Great." Born 849; died 901. ALISON, SIR ARCHIBALD. A distinguished Scottish historian and lawyer. His most im portant work is "The History of Europe." Born 1792; died 1867. ALLEYN, EDWARD. A celebrated English actor, and the founder of Dulwich College. Born 1556; died 1626. ALLINGHAM, WILLIAM. An Irish poet: author of "Day and Night Songs." Born 1828. ALLSTON, WASHINGTON. An eminent American painter: author of "Hints to Young Practitioners." Born 1779; died 1843. ALVA, DUKE OF. A brave Spanish general who, it is said, was never defeated in battle Born 1508: died 1582. "Self-Made Men," etc. Author of ANNIBALE. An Italian musician, surnamed "Padovano." Died 1655. ANSELM, ST. Archbishop of Canterbury, and a famous scholastic metaphysician. His greatest work is "Concordia Prædestinationis necnon Gratia Die cum Libero Arbitrio." Born 1034; died 1109. ANTOM MARCHI, DR. An Italian anatomist: physician to Napoleon I. at St. Helena, and author of "The Last Moments of Napoleon," etc. Died 1838. ANTONINUS. Commonly called Marcus Aurelius, and sometimes designated "the Philosopher," because of his great wisdom, learning, and virtue: author of "Meditations," etc. Born 121; died 180. ANTONY OF BOURBON. Duke of Vendôme and King of Navarre. Born 1518; died 1562. AQUINAS, ST. THOMAS. A most eminent scholastic philosopher, surnamed "the Angelic Doctor." Born 1227; died 1274. ARBUTHNOT, DR. A British physician, author, and satirist. Born 1675; died 1735.. ARCESILAUS. A Greek philosopher, founder of the New Academy. Born 316 B.C.; died 241 B. C. ARGYLL, DUKE OF. Distinguished as a parliamentary debater and popular lecturer: author of "The Reign of Law," etc. Born 1823. ARIOSTO. A celebrated Italian poet; Hallam denominates himi "the favourite poet of Europe." Born 1474 died 1533 ARISTOPHANES. The most famous comic poet of Greece. Among his master-pieces is a work entitled "The Clouds," a powerful satire against the Sophists. Born 444 B.C.; died 380 B.C. ARISTOTLE. A world-renowned philosopher of antiquity, called "the Intellect" of his school: author of "Ethics," etc. Born 384 B.C.; died 322 B.C. ARMINIUS, JACOBUS. A Dutch theologian, celebrated for his system of theology, commonly called Arminianism. Born 1560; died 1609. ARMSTRONG, DR. An eminent physician and poet: author of "The Art of Preserving Health"- -a didactic poem. Born 1709; died 1779. ARMSTRONG, REV. G. ARNDT, REV. FRIEDRICH. Author of "The Four Temperaments." ARNOLD, REV. DR. An English teacher and historian of great merit: his chief work is a "History of Rome." Born 1795; died 1842. ARNOT, REV. WILLIAM. A popular Scottish divine author of "Illustrations of the Book of Proverbs." etc. Born ARROWSMITH, REV. DR. An eminent English divine: "Tactica Sacra," and Armilla Catechetica," are his principal works. 1602; died 1659. ARTHUR, TIMOTHY S. An American writer of fiction, illustrative of domestic life. Born 1809. ARVÍNE, REV. A. K. Author of "A Cyclopædia of Religious Anecdotes." ASCHAM, ROGER. A celebrated English scholar and writer: his greatest work is "The Schole-Master." Born 1515; died 1568. ASPINALL, REV. DR. ATHANASIUS, ST. An illustrious Greek Father-the supposed author of the creed commonly called "The Athanasian Creed." Born 296; died 373. BAILLIE, REV. JOHN. One of the biographers of St. Augustine. BAKER, HENRY. A persevering and ingenious English naturalist: author of "The Microscope made Easy," etc. Born 1698; died 1774. BAKER, SIR RICHARD. His "Chronicle of the Kings of England" was composed in Fleet Prison. Born 1568; died 1644. BAKER, SIR SAMUEL. An illustrious English traveller: author of "The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia," etc. Born 1821. BALE, BISHOP. A zealous writer against Popery. Born 1495; died 1563. BALFOUR, MRS. Author of "The Women of the Bible," etc. BALFOUR, PROFESSOR. A celebrated British botanist and physician: author of "The Plants of the Bible," etc. Born 1808. BALLY, GEORGE BANCROFT, GEORGE. An eminent American statesman and historian: author of "The History of the United States," etc. Born 18co. BARBAULD, MRS. The whole of her writings are characterized by strong poetic feeling and great moral beauty. Born 1743; died 1825. BARDSLEY, REV. J. W. BARFORD, T. BARHAM, REV. RICHARD H. An English divine and humorous writer; better known by his literary name - Thomas Ingoldsby: the popular author of "The Ingoldsby Legends." Born 1788; died 1845 BARING-GOULD, REV. J. Author of "The writer of considerable notoriety. died 1812. AUTHORS QUOTED. Born 1755; LARNABY. An English poet: author of "A Divine Century of Spiritual Sonnets," etc. Born about 1569. BARNES, JULIA. A treatise on hunting, hawking, etc., called "The Book of St. Albans," is her chief production. BARNES, REV. ALBERT. The well-known biblical commentator. Born 1798; died 1870. BARNES, REV. JOSHUA. Author of "The Life of Edward III." Born 1654; died 1712. BARON, MICHEL. A French actor, denominated the Roscius of his time." Born 1653; died 1729. BARROW, REV. DR. An eminent mathematician, theologian, and pulpit orator. Born 1630; died 1677. BARRY, REV. DR. Author of "Religion for Every Day," etc. BARTAS, DU. A celebrated French negotiator and poet his best poem is entitled "The Week of Creation." Died from wounds received in battle, 1599. BARTON, BERNARD. A member of the Society of Friends, commonly known as "the Quaker Poet:" author of "The Reliquary," etc. 1784; died 1849. BAS, REV. W. C. LE BASIL, ST. Surnamed "the Great" Born Among his chief productions are "Homilies on the Psalms," and "Homilies on the "Six Days' Work." Born 329; died 379. BASSETT, REV. F. TILNEY BATES, DAVID BATES, REV. DR. A distinguished Presbyterian minister: author of "The Lives of Pious and Learned Men," etc. Born 1625 died 1699. BAXTER, REV. RICHARD. Styled "the English Demosthenes:" universally known by his justly admired work, entitled "The Saint's Everlasting Rest." Born 1615; died 1691. BAYLEY, SIR JOHN. An illustrious English jurist: author of "A Summary of the Laws of the Bills of Exchange." Born 1763; died 1841. BAYLISS, WYKE BAYLY, REV. JOHN. Author of "The Guardian Angel." Born 1595; died 1633. BAYLY, THOMAS H. An English lyric poet and novelist. Born 1797; died 1839. BAYNES, REV. ROBERT H. Editor of "Lyra Anglicana." BEARD, REV. DR. Author of "The Interpreter of Scripture," etc. BEATTIE, JAMES. A Scottish poet and metaphysician. Born 1735; died 1803. BEAUMARCHAIS, DE. A French dramatist and versatile genius. Born 1732; died 1799. BEAUMONT, FRANCIS. A lyrical and descriptive poet of the highest order. He wrote a number of popular dramas in conjunction with John Fletcher. Born 1586; died 1615. BEAUMONT, REV. DR. One of the most eloquent pulpit orators of the present century. BEAUMONT, SIR JOHN. Author of a collection of poems, entitled "Bosworth Field." Born 1582; died 1628. BECCARIA, MARQUIS DE. An illustrious Italian author of "Trattato dei Delitti e delle Pene," a book which was translated into the chief languages of Europe. Born 1738; died 1793,. BEDE. Surnamed "the Venerable." An English monk and Church historian, universally known by his "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum." Born about 673; died about 735. BEECHER, REV. DR. An eminent American divine: author of "Views in Theology," etc. Born 1775; died 1863. BEECHER, REV. HENRY W. An American preacher and writer of extraordinary ability and eloquence. Born 1813. BEESLY, REV. A. H. BELL, G. M. BELL, SIR CHARLES. A celebrated physiologist and surgeon: author of "The Hand: its Mechanism and Vital Endowments," etc. Born 1774; died 1842. BELLA, STEFANO. An eminent Italian engraver. Born 1610; died 1664. BELLAMY, JACOB. One of the most popular of Dutch poets: author of "Vaderlandsche Gezangen," etc. Born, 1757; died 1621. BELLEGARDE, ABBE DE. Generally known as the translator of some of the works of St. Chrysostom and other Church Fathers. Born 1648; died 1734. BELLET, REV. GEORGE BELLEW, J. C. M. Corner," etc. Author of "The Poets' An enterprising BELZONI, GIOVANNI B. traveller. Born 1778; died 1823. BENJAMIN, PARK. An American poet and journalist. Born 1809; died 1864. BENNETT, WILLIAM C. An English poet, distinguished as a writer of "Songs." Born 1820. BENTHAM, JEREMY. An English jurist an'' utilitarian philosopher: author of "A Defence of Usury," etc. Born 1748; died 1832. BENTLEY, RICHARD. Regarded as the greatest classical scholar England ever produced. Born 1662; died 1742. BERNARD, REV. RICHARD. An English Puritan divine: author of "The Key of Knowledge," etc. Born 1566; died 1641. BERNARD, ST. The founder of one hundred and sixty monasteries, and the chief promoter of the second Crusade. Born 1091; died 1153. BERRIDGE, REV. JOHN. Author of "The Christian World Unmasked." Born 1716; died 1793. BERTRAM, REV. R. A. Translator of M. BEVERIDGE, BISHOP. An eminent English prelate and orientalist: his most esteemed work is "Private Thoughts upon Religion." Born 1638; died 1708. BIAS. One of the seven sages of Greece. Lived about 566 B.C. BICKERSTETH, REV. EDWARD. A truly devout theologian: author of "A Help to the Study of the Scriptures," etc. Born 1786; died 1850. BIDDULPH, REV. THOMAS T. "Essays on the Liturgy" is his principal work. Born 1763. BIGG. |