Charles T. Brooks (b. 1813, d. 1833)[1] was born at Salem, Mass., and was the valedictorian of his class at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1832.  He shortly afterwards entered the ministry, and had charge of a congregation at Newport, R.I.  He was a great student of German literature, and began his own literary career by a translations of Schiller’s “William Tell.”  This was followed by numerous translations from the German, mainly poetry, which have been published from time to time, in several volumes.  Of these translations, Goethe’s “Faust,” Richter’s “Titan” and “Hesperus,” and a humorous poem by Dr. Karl Arnold Kortum, “The Life, Opinions, Actions, and Fate of Hieronimus Jobs, the Candidate,” deserve especial mention.  Mr. Brooks also published a number of original poems, addresses, etc.

[Transcriber’s Note 1:  The correct dates are June, 20 1813 to June 14, 1883.]

1.  A voice from the sea to the mountains,
     From the mountains again to the sea;
   A call from the deep to the fountains,—­
     “O spirit! be glad and be free.”

2.  A cry from the floods to the fountains;
     And the torrents repeat the glad song
   As they leap from the breast of the mountains,—­
   “O spirit! be free and be strong.”

3.  The pine forests thrill with emotion
     Of praise, as the spirit sweeps by: 
   With a voice like the murmur of ocean
     To the soul of the listener they cry.

4.  Oh! sing, human heart, like the fountains,
     With joy reverential and free,
   Contented and calm as the mountains,
     And deep as the woods and the sea.

CXIII.  A PICTURE OF HUMAN LIFE.

Samuel Johnson (b. 1709, d. 1784).  This remarkable man was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.  He was the son of a bookseller and stationer.  He entered Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1728; but his poverty compelled him to leave at the end of three years.  Soon after his marriage, in 1736, he opened a private school, but obtained only three pupils, one of whom was David Garrick, afterwards a celebrated actor.  In 1737, he removed to London, where he resided most of the rest of his life.  The most noted of his numerous literary works are his “Dictionary,” the first one of the English language worthy of mention, “The Vanity of Human Wishes,” a poem, “The Rambler,” “Rasselas,” “The Lives of the English Poets,” and his edition of Shakespeare.  An annual pension of 300 pounds was granted him in 1762.

In person, Johnson was heavy and awkward; in manner, boorish and overbearing; but his learning and his great powers caused his company to be sought by many eminent men.

1.  Obidah, the son of Abnesina, left the caravansary early in the morning, and pursued his journey through the plains of Hindostan.  He was fresh and vigorous with rest; he was animated with hope; he was incited by desire; he walked swiftly forward over the valleys, and saw the hills gradually rising before him.