Characters and Criticisms

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857. Excerpt: ... the meanest form of Satan's favorite sin, and which he must heartily despise. He who devotes a life to letters cannot expect wealth: competency is the most he can look for, a thorough education, in it widest sense, for his children, and a comfortable, though confined maintenance for those dearest to him and least fitted to struggle with misfortune. A fair example and an honorable fame is a richer legacy than a large fortune-without either. Most fortunate he who can unite all. But the spirit of study is adverse to the spirit of accumulation. A man with one idea, and that of moneymaking, can hardly fail, from one dollar, of realizing a million. But a man of many ideas, of a comprehensive spirit, and of aspiring views, can never contract his manly mind to the circumference of a store or factory. In his fixed and awful gaze at the wonders of creation, or in his rapt ecstasy at the celestial harmony of poesy, opportunities of profit will slip hj the golden moments of barter escape. His purse is lighter, it must be confessed; but he has gained a richer accession of fancies and feelings than the world can give or take away. VIII. CHAPTER ON SOME OLD AND LATER ENGLISH SONNETS. The sonnet is of Italian origin, and was imported into England from that country by the Earl of Surrey, that renowned lord, Th' old English glory bravely that restor'd, That prince and poet (a name more divine), as Drayton enthusiastically writes. Originally a pupil of Petrarch, he left the metaphysical style of his master for a more gallant and courtly manner. He was the bright particular star of the court of Henry VIIL, as Sidney was of that of Elizabeth, and resembled his famous successor in that dangerous post of favorite in more than one trait of his character. Like him, he was an ...