10
~Oedipus~. See the
11
~grand style~. Arnold, while admitting that the term ~grand~ style, which he repeatedly uses, is incapable of exact verbal definition, describes it most adequately in the essay
12
~Orestes, or Merope, or Alcmæon~. The story of ~Orestes~ was dramatized by Æschylus, by Sophocles, and by Euripides. Merope was the subject of a lost tragedy by Euripides and of several modern plays, including one by Matthew Arnold himself. The story of ~Alcmæon~ was the subject of several tragedies which have not been preserved.
13
~Polybius~. A Greek historian (c. 204-122 B.C.)
14
. ~Menander~. See
15
~rien à dire~. He says all that he wishes to, but unfortunately he has nothing to say.
16
Boccaccio's
17
~Henry Hallam~ (1777-1859). English historian. See his
18
~François Pierre Guillaume Guizot~ (1787-1874), historian, orator, and statesman of France.
19
~Pittacus~, of Mytilene in Lesbos (c. 650-569 B.C.), was one of the Seven Sages of Greece. His favorite sayings were: "It is hard to be excellent" ([Greek: chalepon esthlon emenai]), and "Know when to act."
20
~Barthold Georg Niebuhr~ (1776-1831) was a German statesman and historian. His
21
22
Reprinted from
23
In
24
An essay called
25
I cannot help thinking that a practice, common in England during the last century, and still followed in France, of printing a notice of this kind,—a notice by a competent critic,—to serve as an introduction to an eminent author's works, might be revived among us with advantage. To introduce all succeeding editions of Wordsworth, Mr. Shairp's notice might, it seems to me, excellently serve; it is written from the point of view of an admirer, nay, of a disciple, and that is right; but then the disciple must be also, as in this case he is, a critic, a man of letters, not, as too often happens, some relation or friend with no qualification for his task except affection for his author.[Arnold.]
26
See
27
~Irene~. An unsuccessful play of Dr. Johnson's.
28
~Preface~. Prefixed to the second edition (1800) of the
29
~The old woman~. At the first attempt to read the newly prescribed liturgy in St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh, on July 23, 1637, a riot took place, in which the "fauld-stools," or folding stools, of the congregation were hurled as missiles. An untrustworthy tradition attributes the flinging of the first stool to a certain Jenny or Janet Geddes.
30
31
~French Revolution~. The latter part of Burke's life was largely devoted to a conflict with the upholders of the French Revolution.
32
~Richard Price, D.D.~ (1723-91), was strongly opposed to the war with America and in sympathy with the French revolutionists.
33
From Goldsmith's epitaph on Burke in the
34
~Num. XXII~, 35.
35
~William Eden, First Baron Auckland~ (1745-1814), English statesman. Among other services he represented English interests in Holland during the critical years 1790-93.
36
~Revue des deux Mondes~. The best-known of the French magazines devoted to literature, art, and general criticism, founded in Paris in 1831 by Francois Buloz.
37
~Home and Foreign Review~. Published in London 1862-64.
38
~Charles Bowyer Adderley, First Baron Norton~ (1814-1905), English politician, inherited valuable estates in Warwickshire. He was a strong churchman and especially interested in education and the colonies.
39
~John Arthur Roebuck~ (1801-79), a leading radical and utilitarian reformer, conspicuous for his eloquence, honesty, and strong hostility to the government of his day. He held a seat for Sheffield from 1849 until his death.
40
From Goethe's
41
~detachment~. In the Buddhistic religion salvation is found through an emancipation from the craving for the gratification of the senses, for a future life, and for prosperity.
42
~John Somers, Baron Somers~ (1651-1716), was the most trusted minister of William III, and a stanch supporter of the English Constitution. See Addison,
43
~William Cobbett~ (1762-1835). English politician and writer. As a pamphleteer his reputation was injured by his pugnacity, self-esteem, and virulence of language. See
44
~Carlyle's~
45
~Ruskin~ turned to political economy about 1860. In 1862, he published
46
~terrae filii~. Sons of Mother Earth; hence, obscure, mean persons.
47
See
48
~To think is so hard~. Goethe's
49
See Sénancour's
50
So sincere is my dislike to all personal attack and controversy,