many of these clubs, which endeavored to put into practice the theories advanced in the book. 54. Anne Bradstreet, the first American woman of letters, was termed "the tenth Muse." Although she was the author of a number of biographies, essays, and papers on various subjects, during her lifetime she was known only as a poetess. The best of her verse was her short poem, "Contemplation." Thus, as early as 1632 a woman of letters was recognized in the United States. 66 66 55. Hezekiah Butterworth, a Boston writer, for many years editor of the Youth's Companion, wrote "Zig-zag Journeys" and many other juvenile works. He was the author of two books of musical verse, Songs of History"` and Poems for Christmas, Easter, and New Year's." 56. Mary Abigail Dodge was known as "Gail Hamilton," a pseudonym under which she wrote many noted essays. Her pungent style made her work at one time extremely popular. 57. Edward Eggleston was the author of "The Hoosier Schoolmaster." Eggleston was a clergyman living at Lake George, New York, when he began his successful career as an author. Having been born in Indiana, he was especially successful in de picting the old-time "Hoosier." He was the author of numerous works of fiction and a number of works of historical value, chief among which was a "History of the United States." 58. Will Carleton was the author of "Over the Hill to the Poorhouse." Carleton was a native of Michigan. He wrote much homely verse, which was extremely popular among the working classes. While his work lacks high-class literary merit, it yet has an appeal that reaches the heart. Among his popular works are "Farm Ballads," "Farm Legends," "Farm Festivals," "City Legends," City Legends," "City Ballads," 59. On the wooded hills that overlook the Hudson River, nearly opposite Poughkeepsie, New York, John Burroughs has built for himself a picturesque retreat, a rustic house, which he has named "Slabsides." The cabin is a well-built, two-story structure, its uneuphonious but fitting name having been given it because its outer walls are formed of bark-covered slabs. "My friends frequently complain," said Mr. Burroughs, "because I have not given my house a prettier name; but this name just expresses the place, and the place just meets the want that I felt for something simple, homely, secluded, something with the bark on." Here many of the nature-books of this popular writer were penned. 60. Dr. Henry Van Dyke was the author of the popular lines: Four things a man must learn to do To trust in God and Heaven securely. 61. William Cullen Bryant was returning to his home one evening, after a day spent in the open, in deep thought and reflection. As he stood on an eminence overlooking a valley, he marked the flight of a single wild fowl, as it winged its way, solitary and alone. As he watched its certain flight, swerving neither to the right nor to the left, without hesitation or pause, until distance had made it invisible, the close analogy between the flight of the fowl and the life of man was borne in upon him until the thought was given forth in the poem, "To a Waterfowl": Whither, midst falling dew, He who, from zone to zone, Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight, In the long way that I must tread alone, Will lead my steps aright. 66 62. George P. Morris was the author of the poem, Woodman, Spare That Tree." In a letter to a friend, under date of February 1, 1837, Mr. Morris gave the following history of the writing of the verses: 66 Riding out of town a few days since in the company of an old gentleman, he invited me to turn down a little romantic pass, not far from Bloomingdale. “Your object?" inquired I. Merely to look once more at an old tree planted by my grandfather long before I was born, under which I used to play, when a boy, and where my sisters played with me. There I often listened to the good advice of my parents. Father, mother, sisters, all are gone; nothing but the old tree remains." Tears came to his eyes, and after a moment's pause, he said, "Don't think me foolish. I don't know how it is,-I never go out but I turn down this lane to look at that old tree. I have a thousand recollections about it, and I always greet it as a familiar and well-remembered friend." These words were scarcely uttered when the old gentleman cried out, "There it is!" 66 Near the tree stood a man with his coat off, sharpening an axe. "You're not going to cut that tree down, surely?" Yes, but I am, though," said the woodman. What for? inquired the old gentleman, with choked emotion. "What for? I like that! Well, I will tell you. I want that tree for firewood." "What is the tree worth to you for firewood?" 'Why, when down, about ten dollars.' "Suppose I should give you that sum," said the old gentleman, 'would you let it stand?" "Yes." "Are you sure of it? Then give me a bond to that effect." We went into the little cottage in which my companion was born, but which was now occupied by the woodman. I drew up the bond, we all signed it, the old man paid the money, and the tree was left standing. The incident so impressed me that it furnished the material for the bit of verse: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA COLLEGE LIBRAR LIBRARY STATE TEACHER'S OPL'EGE SAKTA BARBARA, CALIFORMA ..1..8.2.3.4.... 63. Ralph Waldo Emerson was the author of the sentence: "If one write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse-trap than his neighbor, though he build his home in the wilderness, the world will make a beaten path to his door." 64. Samuel Woodworth was the author of the popular song-poem, "The Old Oaken Bucket." It was in 1817 that Woodworth wrote the song that was to make his name immortal, and its composition came about in the following way: Meeting a friend one day and having a drink with him, Woodworth praised the excellent character of the beverage, whereupon his friend, setting the empty glass down on the table, said: "No, Sam, this stuff |