written in the same style of the former.

Of his

humorous poems, "The Rape of the Lock" stands foremost. It is an exquisite example of ludicrous poetry. Pope foresaw the future effervescence of imagery then budding in his mind, and resolved to make this his master-piece; he failed in this; not because it is bad, but because others are better. "January and May," the plot of which is not original, and the "Wife of Bath," are nothing more than mere commonplace verses, especially the latter, in which he copies Chaucer. "The Dunciade," the longest of his poems, written in his usual style of verse, is an exquisite little imitation; but the argument is poor. His "Discourse on Pastoral Poetry," written at the age of sixteen, is a brilliant effort. Until late in life, Pope was vain and conceited. At the age of twenty, while engaged in copying his "Essay on Criticism," he firmly believed himself to be the greatest poet ever known. "Pride, the never-failing vice of fools," was his chief fault. If ever a man hated critics, Pope did. He would criticise; but he would not be criticised.

"Poetical expression," says Dryden, "includes sound as well as meaning. Music is inarticulate poetry." Among the excellencies of Pope, therefore, may be mentioned the melody of his metre. By perusing Dryden's works, he habituated him

self to his peculiar style of writing. But though he was careful of his versification, he did not oppress his powers with superfluous rigor. He was free from the Alexandrine and triplet verse, and throughout his whole works preserved the same metre, so closely imitated and rendered monotonous by the literary tomtits of to-day. Pope possessed the gift of rendering his subject attractive, and interesting. His imitations of Horace seem to have been written more as relaxation of genius, than as a display of learning and wit.

Alexander Pope was born in London, May 22, 1688, of parents whose rank or station was never ascertained; but we are informed that they were of gentle blood; that his father was of a family of which the earl of Downe was the head; and that his mother was the daughter of William Turner. This and this only is known of Pope, who is more willing to show what his father was not, than what he was. Both his parents were Roman Catholics. From his birth Pope was constitutionally weak; but is said to have shown remarkable gentleness and sweetness of disposition. The weakness of his body continued through his life; but the mildness of his mind perhaps ended with his childhood. When young his voice was so sweet that he was called the little nightingale.

He first learned to write by imitating printed books; emblematic of his future greatness. He tells of himself that he "lisped in numbers ;" and used to say that he could not remember the time when he began to make verses. As of Pindar it might have been said of him as he lay in his cradle, that "the bees swarmed about his mouth." Finding little advantage from external help, he resolved to direct himself, and at twelve formed a plan of study, which he followed to perfection His primary and principal purpose was to be a poet. His earlier productions are nothing more than other forward youths have produced.

Pope was satisfied with his life. He died when fifty-six. "I have lived fifty-six years," said he; "I have gained myself a rame; I have acquired fame; glory is perishable; riches are nought when we come to die; hut thank God I have gained a home in heaven!" Toward the close of his life he grew exceedingly eccentric. It is related that while dining with the Prince of Wales, he fell asleep at the table; he was awakened and reproved for his want of decorum. Well," was his quaint reply, "the Prince is but a mortal!" He lived a useful life, and died a happy death, and the world is wiser.

BYRON.

Gifted and talented as was Lord Byron, it seems a great wonder how one so generous and noble-hearted as was he in childhood, could have become so viciated and corrupt as he appeared to be in middle life. He had a strong constitution, was possessed of great intellect and wonderful comprehensive qualities, and his features, when not distorted with passion, are described to have been almost spiritual; his beauty has been pronounced to have been of the highest order, combining at once regularity of features with the most varied and interesting expression. When in quest of pleasure or excitement, he was the gayest among the gay; but when alone his face wore a settled melancholy look of pain or repose.

Linked with Byron's immortal name, Pope's, Southey's, Moore's and Campbell's, shall go down through the many generations yet to come. An intimacy between the trio, Byron, Southey and Moore, had led to a pure, lasting friendship, but for the presumption of the former, who seem

ed to delight in ridiculing Southey and Moore through the medium of his poems. A slight tinge of bitterness may be observed in certain parts of his poems, bearing directly on the illustrius poets. The attachment was soon broken off, however, until a short time before Byron's death.

Byron, whose given names, were George Gordon, was born in London on the 22d of January, 1788. His name still exists among the noblest of France, in the family of the Duke de Biron. John Byron, the father of the poet, was a captain in the Royal Guards, descended from a family, once of the noblest and wealthiest in England, and notorious alike for his profligacy and personal beauty, He first won the affections of the wife of Caermarthen, and fled to the Continent, when, learning that the Marquis had obtained a divorce, he married her. She died in 1784, leaving one child, Augusta Byron, afterward Mrs. Leigh. He then wedded a Miss Gordon, of Scotland, who was lineally descended from James the First, and who brought him a large fortune, which was soon expended in paying his debts and contributing to his extravagance; they resided in France until 1787, when they removed to London, where, in 1788, she gave birth to the poet, Lord Byron, her husband