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Harvard Classics: Volume 0
Harvard Classics: Volume 0
Harvard Classics: Volume 0
Fifteen Minutes
a Day
T h e Reading Guide
MANUFACTURE IN U. & A .
The Purpose of
This Book
T H I S b o o k w a s p r e p a r e d a n d is sent to y o u w i t h o n e p u r p o s e
i n v i e w , to e n a b l e y o u to p r o f i t i n f u l l m e a s u r e f r o m
w r i t i n g s o f t h e i m m o r t a l s w h o m y o u h a v e at y o u r b e c k a n d
call in the H a r v a r d Classics.
the
H O W o f t e n d o e s t h a t q u e s t i o n c o m e to all o f u s ?
n e w s p a p e r s , the b o o k s of the d a y — a l l pall u p o n us w i t h their
Magazines,
7
8 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
c a l l y c o n s i d e r e d , t h e series b e g i n s w i t h p o r t i o n s of. t h e s a c r e d b o o k s
o f the o l d e s t r e l i g i o n s , p r o c e e d s w i t h s p e c i m e n s o f t h e l i t e r a t u r e o f
Greece a n d R o m e , then m a k e s selections f r o m the literature of the
M i d d l e A g e s in the O r i e n t , Italy, F r a n c e , S c a n d i n a v i a , Ireland, E n g
land, G e r m a n y a n d the L a t i n C h u r c h , includes a considerable repre
sentation o f the literature of the Renaissance i n Italy, F r a n c e , G e r
m a n y , E n g l a n d , S c o t l a n d a n d S p a i n , a n d a r r i v i n g at m o d e r n times
c o m p r e h e n d s selections d e r i v e d f r o m Italy, three centuries of F r a n c e ,
t w o centuries of G e r m a n y , three centuries of E n g l a n d and s o m e t h i n g
m o r e t h a n a century of the U n i t e d States.
" I n o r d e r t o m a k e t h e b e s t u s e o f T h e H a r v a r d C l a s s i c s it w i l l b e
d e s i r a b l e f o r t h e r e a d e r to r e r e a d t h o s e v o l u m e s o r p a s s a g e s w h i c h h e
finds m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g , a n d c o m m i t t o m e m o r y m a n y o f t h e p i e c e s o f
p o e t r y w h i c h stir a n d u p l i f t h i m . It is a s o u r c e o f e x q u i s i t e and
e n d u r i n g delight to have one's m i n d stored w i t h m a n y melodious
expressions of h i g h t h o u g h t s a n d beautiful i m a g e r y .
" T h e e l a b o r a t e a l p h a b e t i c a l i n d e x is i n t e n d e d t o g i v e a n y p e r s o n
i m m e d i a t e access to a n y a u t h o r o r a n y s u b j e c t m e n t i o n e d i n t h e e n t i r e
c o l l e c t i o n , a n d i n d e e d to a n y p a s s a g e i n t h e fifty v o l u m e s to w h i c h
the inquirer has a g o o d clue. T h i s full i n d e x m a k e s T h e Harvard
Classics convenient books of reference.
e x p e r i e n c e s ; t h e y g i v e y o u a c c e s s t o all a g e s , t o a l l c o u n t r i e s ,
to all experience. T h e y t a k e y o u o u t o f the rut of life in the t o w n
y o u live in a n d m a k e y o u a c i t i z e n o f t h e w o r l d . T h e y offer y o u t h e
companionship of the most interesting and influential men and
w o m e n w h o h a v e e v e r l i v e d ; t h e y m a k e it p o s s i b l e f o r y o u t o t r a v e l
w i t h o u t l e a v i n g h o m e , and to h a v e vacations w i t h o u t t a k i n g time
f r o m y o u r w o r k . T h e y offer y o u — i f y o u w i l l o n l y a c c e p t t h e i r g i f t s —
f r i e n d s , t r a v e l , t h e k n o w l e d g e o f l i f e ; t h e y offer y o u e d u c a t i o n , t h e
m e a n s o f m a k i n g y o u r life w h a t y o u w a n t it t o b e .
E m e r s o n s a i d : " T h e r e a r e 850,000 v o l u m e s i n t h e I m p e r i a l L i b r a r y
at P a r i s . If a m a n w e r e to read industriously f r o m d a w n to d a r k for
sixty y e a r s , h e w o u l d d i e i n t h e first a l c o v e . W o u l d t h a t s o m e c h a r i
t a b l e s o u l , after l o s i n g a g r e a t d e a l o f t i m e a m o n g t h e f a l s e b o o k s a n d
alighting upon a f e w true ones, w h i c h m a d e h i m h a p p y a n d w i s e ,
w o u l d n a m e t h o s e w h i c h h a v e b e e n b r i d g e s o r s h i p s to c a r r y him
safely o v e r d a r k m o r a s s e s a n d b a r r e n o c e a n s , i n t o t h e h e a r t o f s a c r e d
cities, i n t o p a l a c e s a n d t e m p l e s . "
E m e r s o n ' s w i s h , w h i c h is t h e g r e a t n e e d a n d w i s h o f thousands
o f e a r n e s t , a m b i t i o u s p e o p l e , h a s b e e n f u l f i l l e d . T h e f u l f i l l m e n t is
D r . Eliot's Five-Foot Shelf of Books.
What The Five-Foot Shelf Brings T o You
\ T O W y o u have the H a r v a r d C l a s s i c s , s t o p for a m o m e n t and
^ think just w h a t they m e a n to y o u ! D r . Eliot's F i v e - F o o t Shelf
o f B o o k s b r i n g t o y o u r side, i n t h e c o m f o r t o f y o u r o w n h o m e , a
liberal education, entertainment a n d counsel of the greatest m e n the
w o r l d has ever seen.
T h e s e m e n are the m a k e r s o f civilization, the shapers of history.
Y o u l i v e w i t h t h e m t h r o u g h past a g e s ; y o u k n o w their a c h i e v e m e n t s ;
y o u travel with them, discover w i t h them, hear their immortal
s a y i n g s , l i s t e n t o t h e i r p r o f o u n d l o g i c , t h r i l l to t h e i r b e a u t i f u l p o e m s
a n d stories.
T h e w o r l d ' s immortals stand r e a d y to t a k e y o u i n t o t h e i r con
fidence. Y o u can live w i t h them day by day. Y o u can watch Cellini—
wonderful c o m b i n a t i o n o f artist a n d k n a v e — i n his dealings w i t h
p r i n c e s a n d p o n t i f f s , h i s l o v e affairs a n d h i s d u e l s . Y o u c a n r e a d t h e
letters o f P l i n y t h e Y o u n g e r , i n w h i c h h e a s k s w h e t h e r h e shall
destroy the "sect called C h r i s t i a n s , " a n d those describing the destruc
tion of P o m p e i i . Y o u can stand w i t h C i c e r o in the R o m a n Senate
w h i l e he denounces Catiline. Y o u revel in the delightful h u m o r of
t h e e c c e n t r i c D o n Q u i x o t e , w h o g a i l y set f o r t h to b a t t l e w i n d m i l l s ,
believing that they were giants.
the m o d e r n v e r s i o n o f A l a d d i n ' s l a m p a n d m a k e s o n e m a s t e r of
treasures more rare and lustrous than those which adorned the
palaces of B a g d a d .
D r . E l i o t ' s s e l e c t i o n s c o v e r e v e r y field o f h u m a n k n o w l e d g e . On
the authority o f this g r e a t e d u c a t o r a n d scholar, y o u h a v e at y o u r
e l b o w the most interesting a n d important b o o k s .
S o v a s t is t h e r a n g e o f T h e H a r v a r d C l a s s i c s , t h a t t h e y t o u c h e v e r y
phase of h u m a n interest. T h e y tell o f the g r e a t discoveries and
i n v e n t i o n s of t h e ages, the e p o c h - m a k i n g progress of o u r w o r l d i n
science a n d m e d i c i n e , a n d they relate the history a n d development
of o u r l a w s , o u r e d u c a t i o n a l s y s t e m s , a n d o u r h u m a n i t a r i a n reforms.
T h e y p r e s e n t t h e s u p r e m e w o r k s o f 302 o f t h e w o r l d ' s immortal,
creative m i n d s ; essays, b i o g r a p h y , fiction, history, philosophy, the
supreme writings w h i c h express m a n ' s ambitions, h o p e a n d develop
m e n t t h r o u g h o u t the centuries.
" M y first r e a d i n g o f t h e H a r v a r d C l a s s i c s , " w r i t e s a w o m a n p u r
chaser, " g a v e m e a p l e a s u r e l i k e n e d u n t o finding small particles of
g o l d , a n d the m o r e I read, the m o r e n u g g e t s o f g o l d e n literature are
obtained through a few minutes of pleasant r e a d i n g each day."
N e a r l y a half m i l l i o n busy m e n a n d w o m e n are finding the joy of
mental relaxation a n d stimulus in a f e w m o m e n t s a day spent w i t h
these b o o k s .
T h e Magnificent Special Features in
The Harvard Classics
W
H A T m a k e s the H a r v a r d Classics the greatest library of
literature ever c o n c e i v e d ? W h a t has b r o u g h t these m a r
velous w o r k s into the h o m e s of nearly a half million
people? T h e H a r v a r d Classics m o s t assuredly have supreme qualities
t h a t e n t i t l e t h e m to g r e a t n e s s . D r . E l i o t h a s g i v e n i n this peerless
library t w o i n c o m p a r a b l e boons to the w o r l d .
T h e first h a s b e e n to p r e s e n t a b r i l l i a n t s e l e c t i o n o f t h e priceless
w r i t i n g s o f a l l t i m e so t h a t , a s h e s a i d , " T h e i r f a i t h f u l a n d c o n s i d e r a t e
r e a d i n g w i l l g i v e a n y m a n t h e essentials o f a l i b e r a l e d u c a t i o n , e v e n
if h e d e v o t e b u t f i f t e e n m i n u t e s a d a y . " T h e s e c o n d is f o u n d i n t h e
magnificent g r o u p of editorial features. T h e s e are:
T h e Introductory L e c t u r e s
T h e Footnotes
T h e General Index
T h e I n d e x to the First L i n e s
T h e Chronological Index
T h e Readers' G u i d e
T h e Selections for B o y s a n d G i r l s
T h e Lecture V o l u m e
T h e Daily Reading Guide
14
Introductory Lectures
T H I S m a i n I n d e x to t h e F i v e - F o o t S h e l f is as c o m p l e t e a s t h e
h u m a n m i n d c a n m a k e it. It is t h e o n l y v o l u m e o f i t s k i n d
i n e x i s t e n c e ; o v e r $50,000 a n d a y e a r o f e x p e r t w o r k w e r e s p e n t u p o n
it. It c o n t a i n s 76,000 r e f e r e n c e s a n d g i v e s i n s t a n t a c c e s s t o t h e w o r t h
w h i l e books of every a g e that h a v e been written o n every subject.
Here, in f a c t , is t h e exhaustive key to this vast storehouse o£
knowledge.
T h e I n d e x is e x t r e m e l y e a s y t o u s e . P a g e 1 1 6 o f t h e f i f t i e t h v o l u m e
fully and clearly explains the w a y in w h i c h contents h a v e been c o m
p i l e d . B u t e v e n t h e p e r u s a l o f t h i s e x p l a n a t o r y n o t e is a l m o s t un
n e c e s s a r y , f o r t h e I n d e x is a r r a n g e d so s i m p l y t h a t t h e r e a d e r w i l l find
n o difficulty i n finding what he wants.
T o the b u s y m a n w h o w a n t s i n f o r m a t i o n for a speech, an article,
an advertisement, or an editorial, this I n d e x renders a service t h a t
cannot be computed in terms of dollars a n d cents. L o n g days of
search w o u l d not b r i n g to h a n d the w e a l t h of material t h a t c a n b e
obtained in a f e w m i n u t e s t h r o u g h this source.
C r o s s - i n d e x e d a s t h o r o u g h l y as it is, t h e r e a r e f e w i t e m s t h a t c a n
possibly escape y o u . Certainly the sub-divisions of e a c h topic w i l l
e n a b l e y o u to f i n d i n s t a n t l y w h a t y o u a r e l o o k i n g f o r .
R e a l i z i n g the w o r t h o f this great w o r k of reference, D e a n E v a n s ,
o f t h e C h a t t a n o o g a L a w S c h o o l , s a i d , " T h e I n d e x V o l u m e is a m a r v e l
of e x c e l l e n c e . B y it o n e m a y e a s i l y t r a c e t h e best t h o u g h t s o f t h e
w i s e s t m e n o n all t o p i c s o f v i t a l h u m a n i n t e r e s t r u n n i n g through
the ages."
17
i8 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
o r e v e n t h e a u t h o r , h i s d a t e s o f b i r t h a n d d e a t h , o r t h e title o f h i s
p o e m , y o u h a v e o n l y to l o o k u p t h e first l i n e o f p o e t r y a n d b e re
f e r r e d to t h e p l a c e w h e r e t h e a u t h o r a n d h i s w o r k a r e mentioned.
B y u s i n g this c o n v e n i e n t list o f first l i n e s , y o u o f t e n s a v e y o u r s e l f
h o u r s o f f r u i t l e s s s e a r c h a n d , i n s o m e cases, m e n t a l embarrassment
at not b e i n g able to locate a w e l l k n o w n p o e m . In this fashion does
t h e I n d e x to F i r s t L i n e s t a k e t h e p l a c e o f a p r i v a t e s e c r e t a r y .
'9
20 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
r e a d i n g list f r o m t h e w r i t i n g s a p p e a r i n g i n t h e F i v e - F o o t S h e l f a n d
arranged them a c c o r d i n g to subject a n d the order in w h i c h they
should be read. L o g i c a l l y , D r . Eliot chooses the simpler selections
first, w h i c h g i v e t h e e l e m e n t a l o r g e n e r a l s u r v e y o f t h e s u b j e c t a n d
gradually proceeds to the more difficult aspects as the reader
progresses.
P R E S I D E N T E L I O T in consultation w i t h President N e i l s o n of
Smith College prepared a list o f s e l e c t i o n s f r o m t h e Harvard
C l a s s i c s s u i t a b l e for t h e u s e o f c h i l d r e n r a n g i n g i n a g e f r o m t w e l v e
to e i g h t e e n y e a r s . T h e r e i s n o p l a c e w h e r e t h e H a r v a r d C l a s s i c s f i n d s
greater usefulness than to children. If y o u h a v e c h i l d r e n i n y o u r
f a m i l y — g r o w i n g boys and girls—let t h e m h a v e free access to the
H a r v a r d Classics.
In order that the child m a y have a pleasant introduction to this
m o n u m e n t a l w o r k , there are here g i v e n those pieces w h i c h the b o y
or g i r l c a n read a n d enjoy. D r . E l i o t has chosen m o r e t h a n sixty
stories, p o e m s a n d a r t i c l e s w i t h t h e n u m b e r s o f v o l u m e s a n d p a g e s
w h e r e they appear in the F i v e - F o o t Shelf. H e r e w i l l be f o u n d the
w o r l d ' s b e s t tales, p l a y s a n d v e r s e s a r r a n g e d i n t h e o r d e r i n w h i c h
they are likely to appeal to g r o w i n g children. T h e easier, simpler
tales c o m e first a n d g i v e t h e y o u n g e r m e m b e r s o f t h e f a m i l y a s o l i d
f o u n d a t i o n of interesting, easily u n d e r s t o o d literature. A s the c h i l d r e n
d e v e l o p , t h e y c a n f o l l o w d o w n t h e list a n d r e a d t h e m o r e a d v a n c e d
selections. T h u s , they h a v e secured a g r a s p o n w o r t h w h i l e b o o k s
a n d h a v e d e v e l o p e d a taste f o r r e a d i n g w h i c h w i l l e v e r b e a c o n s t a n t
source of pleasure a n d satisfaction.
21
The Lecture Volume
P R E S I D E N T E L I O T w r o t e in his introduction
Classics, "In my o p i n i o n , a five-foot
to t h e
shelf w o u l d h o l d
e n o u g h to g i v e a liberal education to any one w h o w o u l d read t h e m
Harvard
books
w i t h d e v o t i o n , e v e n i f h e c o u l d s p a r e b u t fifteen m i n u t e s a d a y f o r
reading." W i t h this very definitely i n m i n d , w e h a v e prepared a
daily reading g u i d e in w h i c h the assignments chosen appropriately
e n o u g h , w i l l t a k e t h e u s u a l p e r s o n a b o u t fifteen m i n u t e s t o r e a d w i t h
leisurely e n j o y m e n t . T h e s e selections assigned for e a c h d a y in the
y e a r as y o u w i l l see, a r e i n t r o d u c e d b y c o m m e n t s o n t h e a u t h o r , t h e
subjects or the chief characters. T h e y w i l l serve to i n t r o d u c e y o u i n
the most pleasant m a n n e r possible to the H a r v a r d Classics. T h e y w i l l
enable y o u to b r o w s e enjoyably a m o n g the w o r l d ' s i m m o r t a l w r i t i n g s
w i t h entertainment and stimulation in endless variety.
JANUARY
ST. AGNES' Eve!—Ah, bitter chill it was!
The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold;
The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass,
And silent wds the floc\ in woolly fold. . .
KEATS (Vol. 41, p. 883)
Cicero o n Friendship
" F i r e a n d w a t e r are not of m o r e universal use than friendship"—
such is the h i g h v a l u e p u t u p o n this great h u m a n relationship
by the m o s t f a m o u s orator of R o m e .
(Cicero born fan. 3, 106 B. C.)
Read from Cicero O N FRIENDSHIP Vol. 9, pp. 16-26
A F l o u n d e r Fish S t o r y
A fisherman, so the story goes, once c a u g h t a flounder that spoke,
b e g g i n g t o be released. T h i s w a s granted, w h e r e u p o n the fisher
m a n ' s w i f e d e m a n d e d that it g r a n t h e r o n e miracle after another,
until e v e n the flounder w a s disgusted.
(Jacob Grimm, elder of the famous Grimm brothers, born Jan. 4, 178;.)
Read from GRIMM'S FAIRY T A L E S Vol. 17, pp. 83-90
The Soaring Eagle and Contented Stork
M a z z i n i labored for the freedom of Italy, b u t w a s exiled. B y r o n
a n d G o e t h e also battled for liberty. M a z z i n i w r o t e a n essay
in w h i c h he c o m p a r e d B y r o n to a soaring eagle a n d G o e t h e to
a contented stork.
(Byron arrived in Greece to fight for Greek, freedom, Jan. 5, 1824.)
Read: Mazzini's BYRON AND GOETHE Vol. 32, pp. 377-396
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 25
7 I f H e Y a w n e d , She L o s t H e r H e a d !
T h e Sultan h a d a habit o f b e h e a d i n g each d a w n h i s beautiful
bride o f t h e n i g h t before, until h e encountered S c h e h e r a z a d e .
C l e v e r l y she saved her life a thousand and one m o r n i n g s .
Read from T H E THOUSAND AND O N E NIGHTS Vol. 16, pp. 5-13
J^ R o u s s e a u Seeks S a n c t u a r y in E n g l a n d
R o u s s e a u t a u g h t that m e n w e r e n o t created free a n d equal.
T o substantiate h i s d a r i n g beliefs h e traced m a n ' s history b a c k
to h i s p r i m i t i v e b e g i n n i n g s . F o r h i s teachings, Rousseau w a s
forced t o seek refuge i n E n g l a n d .
(Jean Jacques Rousseau arrived in England, Jan. 13, 1766.)
Read from Rousseau's INQUIRY ON INEQUALITY Vol. 34, pp. 215-228
JzJ. T h e First Step T o w a r d Independence
(Fundamental Orders of Connecticut adopted Jan. 14, 1639.)
T h e F u n d a m e n t a l O r d e r s of C o n n e c t i c u t is " t h e first written
constitution as a p e r m a n e n t limitation o n g o v e r n m e n t a l p o w e r ,
k n o w n i n history." It is the w o r k of the C o n n e c t i c u t Y a n k e e .
Read: T H E FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CONNECTICUT Vol. 43, pp. 60-65
"The Moving Finger Writes"
("Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" first published Jan. 1$, /S59.)
O m a r K h a y y a m l a u g h e d a n d enjoyed t h e g o o d things of life.
H i s " R u b a i y a t , " the most popular philosophic p o e m , is t h e best
of all b o o k s t o d i p into for a n a l l u r i n g t h o u g h t .
Read from T H E RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM Vol. 41, pp. 943-953
I T h e Old W o m a n and the W i n e Jar
A n old w o m a n once f o u n d a w i n e jar, b u t it w a s empty. S h e
sniffed at the m o u t h o f the jar a n d said: " W h a t memories c l i n g
' r o u n d the instruments of our pleasure."
Read from JESOP'S FABLES Vol. 17, pp. 43-44; also pp. 31-43
26 I n t h e C r a d l e of Civilization
A k i n g w h o e n t o m b e d his d a u g h t e r in a g o l d e n c o w — t h e w o r
ship of the bull and the cat—scandal of the court and the gossip
of the temples is g i v e n by H e r o d o t u s in his delightful story of
old E g y p t .
Read from Herodotus' A N A C C O U N T OF E C Y P T Vol. 33, pp. 65-75
D a n t e and Beatrice in Paradise
27 D a n t e fell m a d l y in love w i t h Beatrice at first sight; but it is
d o u b t e d if he e v e r spoke to her in this w o r l d . H e tells of his
h a p p y m e e t i n g w i t h Beatrice in Paradise.
(Dante victim of political persecution in Florence, Jan. 27, /302.)
Read from Dante's D I V I N E COMEDY Vol. 20, pp. 267-279
28 Man's W i n g s
A p u r e heart, says T h o m a s a K e m p i s , c o m p r e h e n d s the very
depths of H e a v e n a n d H e l l . A n d it is by the w i n g s of simplicity
a n d purity that m a n is lifted a b o v e all earthly things.
Read from Thomas a Kempis Vol. 7, pp. 242-249
Visits the Land of Fire
29 S o u t h of P a t a g o n i a is T i e r r a del F u e g o — " T h e L a n d of F i r e . "
T h e natives of that p r i m i t i v e country are to-day almost extinct.
D a r w i n m a d e a careful a n d vitally interesting study of that land
a n d its ill-fated inhabitants.
(Darwin married Emma Wedgewood, Jan. 29, 1839.)
Read from Darwin's VOYAGE OF T H E BEAGLE Vol. 29, 209-221
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 29
Don Quixote, the ambitious amateur \night, was well ridiculed for
his pains. (See Reading Assignment for January 31st.)
FEBRUARY
. . . howling Winter fled ajar
To hills that prop the polar star;
And loves on deer-borne car to ride
With barren darkness at his side . . .
. . . sullen Winterl hear my prayer,
And gently rule the ruin'd year . . .
CAMPBELL (Vol. 41, p. 772)
J J T h e Q u e e n Freezes H e r Philosophy
Descartes w a s slain t h r o u g h the eccentric w h i m of a q u e e n w h o
d e m a n d e d that he tutor her in the f r e e z i n g d a w n in the d e a d
of winter. H i s philosophy lives in this essay.
(Rene Descartes died at Stockholm, Feb. 1 1 , 1650.)
Read from Descartes' DISCOURSE ON METHOD Vol. 34, pp. 5-20
32 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
FEBRUARY Reading Guide
J 2 O x f o r d Corrects Lincoln's Mistake
L i n c o l n h i m s e l f t h o u g h t his f a m o u s G e t t y s b u r g A d d r e s s w a s a
failure. T o - d a y the w h o l e w o r l d acclaims its greatness. Cast
i n b r o n z e , it h a n g s o n the w a l l of Balliol C o l l e g e , O x f o r d , re
g a r d e d as the perfection of E n g l i s h prose.
(Abraham Lincoln born Feb. 12, 1809.)
Read: LINCOLN'S WRITINGS Vol. 43, pp. 415-420
15 T h e W o r l d W e l l Lost?
T h e romantic and heedless loves of A n t o n y and Cleopatra figure
p r o m i n e n t l y in history, literature, and d r a m a . D r y d e n m a d e a
fascinating play f r o m the story of A n t o n y , w h o sacrificed the
leadership o f R o m e , reputation, and life itself for love of the
E g y p t i a n q u e e n , w h o f o l l o w e d h i m in death.
(Mark. Antony offers Casar crown at Rome, Feb. 15, 44 B. C.)
Read from Dryden's A L L FOR LOVE Vol. 18, pp. 53-69
Social Circles A m o n g Ants
16 A n t s h a v e slaves w h o w o r k for t h e m . T h e s e slaves m a k e the
nests, feed the master ants, tend the e g g s , and d o the m o v i n g
w h e n a colony of ants m i g r a t e . D a r w i n m i n u t e l y describes the
habits and lives of the industrious ants and their m a r v e l o u s social
o r g a n i z a t i o n — a w o n d e r to m a n k i n d .
Read from Darwin's ORIGIN OF SPECIES Vol. 11, pp. 264-268
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 33
BRUARY Reading Guide
Death H i s Curtain Call
W h i l e acting i n o n e of h i s o w n plays, M o l i e r e w a s s u d d e n l y
stricken a n d died shortly after t h e final curtain. H e took a n i m
portant role in " T a r t u f f e " w h i c h introduces to literature a char
acter as famous as Shakespeare's Falstaff.
(Moliere died Feb. 17, 1673.)
Read from Moliere's T A R T U F F E Vol. 26, pp. 199-217
Lasting Peace w i t h Great Britain
A l l A m e r i c a n s should k n o w this treaty w h i c h finally i n a u g u
rated a n era o f peace a n d g o o d u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h E n g l a n d .
F o r over a h u n d r e d years this peace h a s b e e n u n b r o k e n .
(Treaty with Great Britain proclaimed Feb. 18, 1815.)
Read: TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN (1814) Vol. 43, pp. 255-264
Earthly Experience of a Chinese Goddess
T h e thousandth celestial w i f e o f t h e G a r l a n d G o d slipped a n d
fell t o earth, w h e r e she t o o k m e r t a l f o r m a n d served as a n at
tendant i n a t e m p l e . D e a t h finally released h e r a n d she w e n t
back to heaven to tell h e r lord o f t h e w a y s o f m e n .
Read from the BUDDHIST WRITINGS Vol. 45, pp. 693-701
Voltaire Observes t h e Quakers
Because the early Q u a k e r s shook, t r e m b l e d , a n d q u a k e d w h e n
they became inspired—they received t h e title o f " Q u a k e r s . " T h i s
sect attracted the k e e n - m i n d e d V o l t a i r e , w h o m a d e interesting
notes o n t h e m d u r i n g h i s visit to E n g l a n d .
Read from Voltaire's LETTERS ON T H E ENGLISH Vol. 34, pp. 65-78
Does Football Make a College?
Just w h a t m a k e s a university? A g r o u p o f fine b u i l d i n g s ? A
library? A staff o f well-trained teachers? A b o d y o f eager stu
dents? A w i n n i n g football t e a m ? C a r d i n a l N e w m a n defines
the p r i m e functions o f a university.
(Cardinal Newman born Feb. 21, 1801.)
Read from Newman's T H E IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY Vol. 28, pp. 31-39
A D a v i d W h o Side-stepped Goliath
26 H u g o w a s insulted by the most powerful critics in F r a n c e . H e
p u t into the preface of a play "his sling and his stone" by w h i c h
others m i g h t slay "the classical G o l i a t h . "
(Victor Hugo born Feb. 26, 1802.)
Read: HUGO'S PREFACE TO CROMWELL Vol. 39, pp. 337-349
Dr. William Harvey established the fact that the arteries carry
blood by feeling his own pulse while in a hot bath. (See Reading
Assignment for June 3rd.)
A B L E S S E D C O M P A N I O N IS A B O O K , — A B O O K T H A T F I T L Y
C H O S E N I S A L I F E - L O N G F R I E N D . — D O U G L A S JERROULD.
FIFTEEN M I N U T E S A DAY
MARCH
Old Winter bac\ to the savage hills
Withdraweth his force, decrepid now.
GOETHE (Vol. 19, p. 43)
W h a t Sailors D o o n S u n d a y
" A sailor's liberty is b u t for a d a y , " as D a n a explains. Dressed
i n his S u n d a y best, t h e sailor feels l i k e a d a s h i n g B e a u B r u m m e l ;
a n d sets o u t t o enjoy his f r e e d o m . " W h i l e it lasts it is perfect.
H e is u n d e r n o one's eye a n d c a n d o w h a t e v e r he pleases."
Read from Dana's T w o YEARS BEFORE T H E MAST Vol. 23, pp. 112-119
Laughed at Locks
P r i s o n w a l l s w e r e t h e least of C e l l i n i ' s troubles. " L o c k m e w e l l
u p a n d w a t c h m e , for I shall certainly contrive t o escape." I n
spite of this w a r n i n g , t h e utmost care o f the jailers only furnished
a m u s e m e n t for the dauntless C e l l i n i .
Read from CELLINI'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Vol. 31, pp. 214-224
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 37
14 A Maiden's Forfeit
" T h i s g e n t l e w o m a n that y e lead w i t h y o u is a m a i d ? " d e m a n d e d
the k n i g h t . " S i r , " said she, "a m a i d I a m . " " T h e n she m u s t
yield us the c u s t o m of this castle."
(Malory, recorder of King Arthur stories, died March 14, 1470.)
Read from T H E HOLY GRAIL Vol. 35, pp. 194-200
B e w a r e t h e Ides of M a r c h !
15 (Ides of March, March 1;.)
T w i c e w a r n e d of the d a n g e r that threatened h i m o n the Ides
of M a r c h , a l t h o u g h "the earth rocked and the stars fell and
headless m e n w a l k e d in the F o r u m , " Caesar goes to the d o o m
a w a i t i n g h i m in the Senate C h a m b e r .
Read from Plutarch's CESAR Vol. 12, pp. 315-321
Crabs Climb Trees?
16 M a n y a m a z i n g t h i n g s h a p p e n in the M a l a y j u n g l e s . F o r ex
a m p l e , D a r w i n tells about a crab that climbs trees and w a l k s
d o w n the t r u n k s for a n occasional bath in a pool.
Read from Darwin's VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE Vol. 29, pp. 466-475
A n O l d Irish Legend
17 (St. Patrick's Day.)
A n old Irish l e g e n d tells h o w , w h i l e St. P a t r i c k w a s preaching
a b o u t Paradise and H e l l , several of his audience b e g g e d to be
a l l o w e d to investigate the reality of these places. St. Patrick
actually satisfied their curiosity.
Read from T H E POETRY OF THE C E L T I C RACES Vol. 32, pp. 174-182
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 39
Sir Francis Bacon believed that "the supreme law of all is the weal
of the people." (See Reading Assignment for March Jth.)
APRIL
. . . proud-pied April, dress'd in all his trim,
Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,
That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him.
SHAKESPEARE (Vol. 40, p. 278)
A Spoon D a n c e s i n t h e Moonlight
A h u g e spoon dressed in h u m a n finery, placed o n a g r a v e , ap
pears to b e c o m e convulsed w h e n the m o o n ' s rays fall o n it a n d
dances t o the t u n e of c h a n t i n g natives. W e i r d sights, according
to D a r w i n , a b o u n d in t h e S o u t h Seas.
Read from Darwin's VOYAGE OF T H E BEAGLE Vol. 29, pp. 462-471
T h e Mistakes of a N i g h t
G e n i a l a n d r o l l i c k i n g fun are p r o v i d e d in this h i g h l y entertain
i n g story of a m a n w h o mistakes a private house for an i n n ,
a n d w h o treats his host's d a u g h t e r l i k e a serving m a i d .
(Oliver Goldsmith born April 4, 1774.)
Read from SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER Vol. 18, pp. 205-215
J J D a n g e r in Being Y o u n g a n d Fair
T h e v i r g i n beauty of M a r g a r e t enchanted F a u s t , w h o d a z z l e d
her w i t h the brilliance o f m a n y g e m s . M a r g a r e t innocently t o o k
his gifts, b e l i e v i n g that beauty should n o t " b l u s h u n s e e n " — b u t
u n m i n d f u l o f consequences t o f o l l o w .
Read from Goethe's FAUST Vol. 19, pp. 115-131
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
IL Reading Guide
The Perfect Argument
Y o u w o u l d d o u b d e s s l i k e to k n o w h o w to hold y o u r o w n i n a n y
a r g u m e n t . R e a d w h a t Leslie Stephen declares the finest speci
m e n i n o u r l a n g u a g e of the c o n d u c t of a r g u m e n t .
Read from Berkeley's T H R E E DIALOGUES Vol. 37, pp. 230-240
Michelangelo H i s Boon Companion
K i n g s , emperors, the greatest artists a n d sculptors of the Renais
sance at its m o s t m a g n i f i c e n t period, w a l k t h r o u g h the pages of
his a u t o b i o g r a p h y — n o t as cold, austere, historical character,
b u t as t h e intimate friends o f C e l l i n i .
Read from CELLINI'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Vol. 31, pp. 23-35
A Raid o n Spanish Treasure i n America
Spanish t o w n s i n the N e w W o r l d w e r e rich in treasure a n d tempt
i n g booty for E n g l i s h soldiers of fortune, w h o w e r e venturesome
a n d merciless. " H o ! for the S p a n i s h M a i n ! " w a s the rallying
cry for all freebooters a n d buccaneers.
Read from Biggs' DRAKE'S GREAT ARMADA Vol. 33, pp. 229-242
O Captain! My Captain!
{Lincoln died April 15, 1865.)
T h e r u g g e d , g e n u i n e L i n c o l n w a s idealized by W a l t W h i t m a n —
the f o u n d e r of the n e w school of A m e r i c a n poetry. T w o of
W h i t m a n ' s finest p o e m s w e r e inspired b y L i n c o l n .
Read: WHITMAN'S POEMS Vol. 42, pp. 1412-1420
Inside t h e Gates of Hell
T h e city of D i s , w i t h i n t h e gates of H e l l , w a s g u a r d e d by mon
sters a n d surrounded b y a m o a t filled w i t h the tormented. D a n t e ,
protected b y V i r g i l , entered the forbidden city, and v i e w e d
sights n e v e r before seen b y l i v i n g m a n .
(Dante urges attack, on the city of Florence, April 16, 1311.)
Read from Dante's D I V I N E COMEDY Vol. 20, pp. 32-39
Benjamin Franklin—Book Salesman
I n 1 7 3 1 there w e r e not m a n y b o o k s i n A m e r i c a . F r a n k l i n s a w
t h e need for m o r e b o o k s a n d b y house-to-house canvassing per
suaded P h i l a d e l p h i a n s t o aid h i m in f o u n d i n g a public library
w h i c h to-day stands as a lasting m e m o r i a l to F r a n k l i n .
(Benjamin Franklin died April 17, 1790.)
Read from FRANKLIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Vol. 1, pp. 66-77
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 45
J 9 Battle of Concord
(Fought April 19, 1775.)
D r . E l i o t says of the o p e n i n g stanza o f t h e " C o n c o r d H y m n " :
" I n twenty-eight w o r d s here are the w h o l e scene a n d all t h e
essential circumstances . . . w h a t a n accurate, m o v i n g , i m m o r t a l
description is this!"
Read: Emerson's CONCORD H Y M N Vol. 42, pp. 1245-1246
20 B y r o n G a v e H i s Life f o r F r e e d o m
E n g l a n d ' s romantic poet died w h i l e f i g h t i n g against t h e T u r k s o n
the side of the G r e e k s . H i s p o e m s , " T h e Isles of G r e e c e " a n d
" T h e Prisoner of C h i l l o n , " p r o c l a i m f r e e d o m .
(At Missolonghi, Greece, 37 guns honor Byron, April 20, 1824.)
Read: BYRON'S POEMS Vol. 41, pp. 801-815
B o o k s as W i n d o w s t o t h e P a s t
21 T h r o u g h the pages of a b o o k the reader sees t h e life o f past d a y s .
C a r n i v a l s , processions, battles, coronations, v o y a g e s — t h e w h o l e
history of the w o r l d a n d its people is revealed i n a s t u p e n d o u s
pageant. T a i n e w a s a F r e n c h m a n w h o w r o t e a n unsurpassed
history of E n g l i s h literature; its introduction reveals the u n u s u a l
c o m b i n a t i o n of a n i m a g i n a t i v e a n d a n analytical style.
(H. A. Taine born April 21, 1828.)
Read from INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH L I T E R A T U R E . . . .Vol. 39, pp. 410-418
22 H a p p i n e s s as a D u t y
I m m a n u e l K a n t , the most influential of G e r m a n philosophers,
t a u g h t that it w a s m a n ' s d u t y t o be h a p p y , for a n u n h a p p y m a n
is tempted to sin. Seekers after happiness find aid a n d inspiration
in K a n t ' s w r i t i n g s .
(Immanuel Kant born April 22, 1724.)
Read from FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MORALS. .. .Vol. 32, pp. 310-317
46 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
24 N i n e t e e n Million Elephants
A t the rate at w h i c h elephants naturally increase, D a r w i n esti
m a t e d that in 750 years there could be nearly 19,000,000 elephants.
B u t d i d D a r w i n consider the ravages of civilization and circuses?
Read from Darwin's ORIGIN OF SPECIES Vol. 11, pp. 74-86
27 H e D a r e d t o See F o r b i d d e n Beauty
T h e P u r i t a n w o r l d feared B e a u t y . E m e r s o n , great A m e r i c a n
essayist and philosopher, declared that the w o r l d w a s m a d e for
beauty, a n d o pen ly w o r s h i p e d at beauty's shrine.
(Emerson died April 27, 1882.)
Read: Emerson's BEAUTY Vol. 5, pp. 297-310
MAY
When the hounds of spring are on winter's traces,
The mother of months in meadow or plain
Fills the shadows and windy places
With lisp of leaves and ripple of rain. . .
SWINBURNE (Vol. 42, p. 1199)
|^ W h a t W o u l d You A s k J u d a s Iscariot?
O n c e H a z l i t t a n d his friends took to discussing t h e famous peo
ple they w o u l d l i k e t o m e e t — G u y F a w k e s , S i r Isaac N e w t o n ,
C h a u c e r , Boccaccio, C r o m w e l l , G a r r i c k , a n d Judas.
Read: PERSONS O N E WOULD WISH TO HAVE SEEN Vol. 27, pp. 270-283
^ W h y "Machiavellian"?
T r a v e l i n g f r o m court t o court i n t h e stirring d a y s o f the Renais
sance, M a c h i a v e l l i studied the intrigues o f princes. H i s writ
i n g s h a v e affected the destiny o f m i g h t y dynasties.
(Machiavelli horn May 3, 1469.)
Read from Machiavelli's THE PRINCE Vol. 36, pp. 7-17
^j. A C h a m p i o n o f S c i e n c e
W h e n science w a s s t r u g g l i n g f o r a place in popular education,
H u x l e y distinguished himself as its c h a m p i o n . W h i l e the arts
w e r e t o beautify life a n d increase pleasure, H u x l e y saw science
as a m e a n s of benefiting m a n ' s prosperity.
(Huxley born May 4, /S25.)
Read from SCIENCE AND CULTURE Vol. 28, pp. 209-319
J J L a t e s t Gossip i n Malfi
Latest n e w s abroad in M a l f i : T h e D u c h e s s has r u n off w i t h h e r
butler. B u t this happened before t h e days o f n e w s p a p e r s or
radio, so W e b s t e r m a d e from it an e x c i t i n g p l a y .
Read from Webster's T H E DUCHESS OF M A L F I Vol. 47, pp. 721-737
50 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
20 Shakespeare's Finest W o r k
T h e most concentrated beauty of Shakespeare's u n b o u n d e d crea
tive g e n i u s is found in his sonnets. W r i t t e n as personal messages
to friends and not intended for publication, they reveal t h e
inner Shakespeare m o r e truly than d o any of his great p l a y s .
(Sonnets entered in the London Stationers' Register, May 20. /609.)
Read from Shakespeare's SONNETS Vol. 40, pp. 270-276
T r u e Love in Difficulty
22 Because of a fancy for a peasant g i r l , the tyrannical lord o f a n
Italian village sent desperadoes to threaten the priest if he mar
ried the girl to her village lover.
(Manzoni died May 22, 1873.)
Read from Manzoni's I PROMESSI SPOSI Vol. 21, pp. 7-24
2^ D a u g h t e r Declares H e r Love
G o n e r i l and R e g a n falsely s w o r e they loved their father, K i n g
L e a r , m o r e t h a n life itself. C o r d e l i a could find no w o r d s to ex
press her sincere d e v o t i o n . T h e n K i n g L e a r m a d e the decision
that started a series of e x c i t i n g events.
(Shakespeare's first daughter, Susanna, baptized May 26, 1583.)
Read from Shakespeare's KING LEAR Vol. 46, pp. 215-225
27 Lessing's C o u r a g e o u s S t a n d f o r Toleration
T o a d v a n c e freedom of t h o u g h t , L e s s i n g published an essay of
one h u n d r e d paragraphs o u t l i n i n g the history of religion. T h e
w r a t h of o r t h o d o x c h u r c h m e n w a s hurled at his head, and L e s s i n g
w a s left alone to defend his d a r i n g theories.
Read from T H E EDUCATION OF THE H U M A N RACE Vol. 32, pp. 185-195
2^ Adventures in Bagdad
A B a g d a d m e r c h a n t d r e a m e d of .the m o n e y he w o u l d m a k e from
the sale of a tray of glassware, and of m a r r y i n g the k i n g ' s d a u g h
ter. B u t , d a y d r e a m i n g , he k i c k e d over the tray.
Read from T H E THOUSAND AND O N E NIGHTS Vol. 16, pp. 177-184
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 53
Edward Jenner laid the foundation for the making of modern small
pox vaccine. He made his first experiment in 1796 by inoculating
a boy of eight. (See Reading Assignment for May 14th.)
JUNE
When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,
And merry lark\s are ploughmen s clocks,
When turtles tread, and roo\s, and daws,
And maidens bleach their summer smock\s.
SHAKESPEARE (Vol. 40, p. 265)
Thrilling P l a y b y T u t o r of Shakespeare
F o r the best b l a n k verse i n E n g l i s h , read " D r . F a u s t u s , " the mas
terpiece of M a r l o w e , w h o g a v e Shakespeare lessons i n playwrit-
ing. T h i s g e n i u s k n e w the secret of g r i p p i n g d r a m a .
(Marlowe died ]une 1, 1593.)
Read from Marlowe's DR. FAUSTUS Vol. 19, pp. 241-250
"Back to N a t u r e " in the Seventeenth Century
A " B a c k to N a t u r e " m o v e m e n t in the seventeenth century w a s
headed by Rousseau, w h o believed that civilization w a s degrad
ing. T o save m o n e y for his w o r k , he entrusted each of his chil
dren to the tender mercies of a f o u n d l i n g house.
(Jean Jacques Rousseau born June 2, 1712.)
Read from Rousseau's A SAVOYARD VICAR Vol. 34, pp. 239-249
21 W o u l d Y o u Converse w i t h Royalty?
W h y gossip w i t h lesser persons w h e n y o u m i g h t b e t a l k i n g t o
queens and k i n g s ? Just h o w w e m a y g e t to t a l k t o q u e e n s
and k i n g s , R u s k i n delightfully points out a n d escorts us to the
very doors of the audience c h a m b e r .
Read from Ruskin's SESAME Vol. 28, pp. 99-110
E Reading Guide
Had N o Right Hand
A h a n d s o m e y o u n g m a n w a s seen t o eat only w i t h his left hand,
w h i c h w a s contrary t o the customs o f A r a b i a . T h e y o u t h , w h e n
u r g e d , told w h y he used only h i s left h a n d , a n d revealed a
story o f love a n d a d v e n t u r e a n d t h e lover's need for g o l d — a l l
h a p p e n i n g i n ancient C a i r o .
Read from T H E THOUSAND AND O N E NIGHTS Vol. 16, pp. 120-133
D o Y o u T a k e Poison Daily?
T h e r e is a h u m a n trait most poisonous t o a m a n ' s blood. M a n
seeks t o a v o i d it because h e k n o w s that it lies like a curse upon
h i m . Just w h a t is the poisonous h u m a n failing? W h o are most
subject to it? B a c o n tells y o u i n one o f his best essays.
(Francis Bacon enrolled at Cambridge University, June 27, 1576.)
Read from BACON'S ESSAYS Vol. 3, pp. 22-26
IF Y O U R E A D T E N P A G E S O F A G O O D B O O K , L E T T E R B Y
L E T T E R — T H A T IS T O S A Y , W I T H R E A L ACCURACY—YOU
ARE FOREVERMORE IN SOME MEASURE AN EDUCATED
P E R S O N . — J O H N RUSKIN.
FIFTEEN MINUTES ADAY
JULY
Rosy summer next advancing, . . .
On Calpe's olive-shaded steep
Or India's citron-cover'd isles. . . .
C A M P B E L L (Vol. 41, p. 772)
D a r w i n N o t First Evolutionist
W h i l e D a r w i n w a s w o r k i n g o n his theory of evolution, another
scientist independently arrived at the same conclusions. D a r w i n ,
then, w a s not the first to study evolution.
(Darwin publishes outline of "Origin of Species," July 1 , 1858.)
Read from Darwin's ORIGIN OF SPECIES Vol. 11, pp. 5-17
Gettysburg b y an Eyewitness
A n officer i n that m o m e n t o u s battle narrates every major action
of both armies. T h u s w e see the s w a r m i n g lines of Confeder
ates a d v a n c e — t h e hand-to-hand struggle.
(Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863.)
Read from Haskell's BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG Vol. 43, pp. 326-335
America's First I m m i g r a n t s
10 T h e s h a d o w of a p h a n t o m cast u p o n t h e cradle o f Snorri, t h e
first w h i t e child born in A m e r i c a , w a s a w a r n i n g o f a n I n d i a n
attack o n t h e settlement o f c o u r a g e o u s N o r s e m e n w h o h a d
risked t h e terrors of u n k n o w n seas t o visit " W i n e l a n d . "
Read from T H E VOYAGES TO VINLAND Vol. 43. pp. 14-20
1^ T h e M o h a m m e d a n Jesus
T h e sacred b o o k of the M o s l e m s , t h e K o r a n , g i v e s a n account of
the birth of C h r i s t . T h e K o r a n g i v e s Jesus a h i g h position a m o n g
the prophets but holds the first place for M o h a m m e d .
(Beginning of Moslem era of time, July 16, 622 A. D.)
Read from T H E KORAN Vol. 45, pp. 908-913
J H A T h r o n e for Son or Stepson?
Phaedre first persecuted H i p p o l y t u s , her h a n d s o m e stepson, then
l o v e d h i m . S u d d e n l y he and her o w n son became rivals for the
throne. S h o u l d she push her son's claims or let H i p p o l y t u s take
the c r o w n ?
(Racine elected to French Academy, July 17, 1673.)
Read from Racine's PH.IDRE Vol. 26, pp. 133-148
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 63
J 9 She W a n t e d H e r o e s A l l t o H e r s e l f
T h e famous gallant w h o spread his g o r g e o u s c l o a k so the dainty
slipper of his q u e e n w o u l d be unspotted, soon lost the h i g h favor
this action w o n for h i m . In spite of his glorious v o y a g e s , R a l e i g h
c o n d e m n e d himself w h e n he fell in l o v e w i t h another w o m a n .
(Sir Walter Raleigh imprisoned July 19, 1603.)
Read from Raleigh's DISCOVERY OF GUIANA Vol. 33, pp. 311-320
20 A C o b b l e r i n Jail
John B u n y a n , imprisoned for p r e a c h i n g w i t h o u t a license, g a v e
to the w o r l d " P i l g r i m ' s P r o g r e s s , " the greatest allegory i n a n y
l a n g u a g e , second only to the B i b l e .
Read from Bunyan's PILGRIM'S PROGRESS Vol. 15, pp. 59-69
2 \ Scotland's O w n Poet
T h e songs of B u r n s are the l i n k s , the w a t c h w o r d s , the s y m b o l s
of the Scots. H e is the last of the ballad singers. I n his w o r k s
are preserved the best songs of his people.
(Robert Burns died July 21, 1796.)
Read from BURNS' POEMS Vol. 6, pp. 70-79
23 Friendship A b o v e Love?
T h e r e are styles in friendship as w e l l as in clothes. T h e m o d e
of friendship of Bacon's t i m e w e n t o u t w i t h p l u m e d hats a n d
l o n g hose. B u t B a c o n k n e w the true test of a friend.
(Francis Bacon \nighted, July 23, 1603.)
Read from BACON'S ESSAYS Vol. 3, pp. 65-72
64 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
28 A n Idyl of Agriculture
C o w l e y portrays the ideal life—that of a farmer, and blazons it
forth in heraldry. " A p l o w in a field arable"—to h i m , the most
honorable of all e m b l e m s .
(Abraham Cowley died July 28, 1667.)
Read: Cowley's O F AGRICULTURE Vol. 27, pp. 61-69
Stonehenge—England's Unsolved Mystery
29 S t o n e h e n g e , that g r o u p of h u g e , rudely architectural stones on a
vast plain in E n g l a n d , w a s erected no m a n k n o w s w h e n , nor
w h y , nor h o w . E m e r s o n , A m e r i c a ' s greatest thinker, visited this
m o n u m e n t and w a s a m a z e d at the " u n c a n n y stones."
Read: Emerson's STONEHENGE Vol. 5, pp. 453-462
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 65
J ULY Reading Guide
T h e First E n g l i s h C o l o n y i n N o r t h America
W h e n the w h o l e coast of A m e r i c a north of F l o r i d a w a s free t o
the first comer, Sir H u m p h r e y G i l b e r t naively chose t o settle
o n the r u g g e d shores of N e w f o u n d l a n d . R e a d the g l o w i n g ac
count of his great a d v e n t u r e " t o plant C h r i s t i a n inhabitants i n
places c o n v e n i e n t . "
(Gilbert lands at Newfoundland near St. John's, July 30, 1583.)
Read: Gilbert's VOYAGE TO NEWFOUNDLAND Vol. 33, pp. 263-273
C h a r m School f o r W o m e n
31 L a c k of education, writes D e f o e , m a k e s a w o m a n "turbulent,
clamorous, n o i s y — " D e f o e defied his generation a n d preached
e q u a l education for w o m e n . T o - d a y w e h a v e co-education, b u t
h a v e w e the benefits D e f o e predicted?
(Defoe pilloried for defiance of public opinion, July 31, 1703.)
Read: Defoe's EDUCATION OF W O M E N Vol. 27, pp. 148-150
"Between the Devil and the Deep Sea" was originated by Homer,
who wrote it "Between Scylla and Charybdis." Sailing through
this narrow channel was one of the many exciting adventures of
Odysseus. (See Reading Assignment for July 22d.)
THE T R U E U N I V E R S I T Y O F O U R D A Y S IS A C O L L E C T I O N
O F BOOKS.—CARLYLE.
FIFTEEN M I N U T E S A DAY
AUGUST
Now westlin winds and slaught'ring guns
Bring Autumn's pleasant weather. . . .
Now waving grain, wide o'er the plain,
Delights the weary farmer. . . .
BURNS (Vol. 6, p. 45)
W o r l d ' s G r e a t e s t B e d t i m e Stories
H a n s C h r i s t i a n A n d e r s e n h a d a n extraordinary capacity for amus
i n g c h i l d r e n . W e r e he l i v i n g to-day he m i g h t be in great de
m a n d as a radio b e d t i m e story m a n .
(H. C. Andersen died Aug. 4, 187;.)
Read: ANDERSEN'S T A L E S Vol. 17, pp. 221-230
Joys o f t h e Simple Life
" C o t t e r ' s Saturday N i g h t " for generations to c o m e w i l l remain
the choicest picture of Scotch h o m e life. Into this p o e m B u r n s
instills the sense of all-pervading peace a n d happiness that comes
at the e n d of a well-spent d a y .
(Robert Burns married Jean Armour, Aug. 5, 1788.)
Read: Burns' COTTERS' SATURDAY NIGHT Vol. 6, pp. 134-140
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 67
13 T o o C l o s e t o See t h e B a t t l e
(Battle of Blenheim, Aug. 13, 1704.)
E n g l a n d a n d F r a n c e c a m e to battle near B l e n h e i m . Y e a r s later
the people of B l e n h e i m called it a " f a m o u s victory," but could
not tell w h o s e victory it w a s .
Read: Southey's A F T E R BLENHEIM and other poems. . . Vol. 41, pp. 732-735
14 A C o l l e g e B o y G o e s t o Sea
L e a v i n g H a r v a r d o n account of ill health, D a n a sought adventure
a n d thrilling experience aboard a sailing vessel that rounded
C a p e H o r n . H e turned the dangers, hardships, and keen joys
of a sailor's life into a fascinating story.
(Dana begins famous two-year voyage, Aug. 14, 1834.)
Read from Dana's T w o YEARS BEFORE THE MAST Vol. 23, pp. 30-37
H i d d e n Treasures i n an O l d Book
21 A certain m a n w a s w i l l e d a Bible. H e scorned t h e l e g a c y until
one day, penniless a n d d o w n c a s t , he turned t o the b o o k for con
solation. I m a g i n e his a m a z e m e n t o n finding h u n d r e d dollar
bills b e t w e e n the pages. St. A u g u s t i n e explains h o w h e f o u n d
even greater treasures in the Bible.
Read from CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE Vol. 7, pp. 118-126
22 A b o a r d t h e O l d S a i l i n g Ships
In the days w h e n sailing ships plied the seven seas, c o m m o n
sailors w e r e often subject to a brutal captain w h o s e w h i m w a s
l a w . D a n a , a Boston college b o y , m a k e s a n e x c i t i n g story o f h i s
sea experiences.
Read from Dana's T w o YEARS BEFORE T H E MAST Vol. 23, pp. 99-111
23 W h i c h Is a B e a u t i f u l Woman?
T h e Hottentot thinks his w i f e beautiful. E v e r y A m e r i c a n be
lieves his w i f e also to be beautiful. B u t the A m e r i c a n a n d the
Hottentot are quite different. W h a t , after a l l , is B e a u t y ?
Read from Burke's O N THE SUBLIME AND B E A U T I F U L . . . .Vol. 24, pp. 78-88
70 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
AS G O O D , A L M O S T , K I L L A M A N A S K I L L A G O O D BOOK.
—JOHN MILTON.
72 FIFTEEN M I N U T E S A DAY
SEPTEMBER
Season of mists and mellow fmitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run. . .
KEATS (Vol. 41, p. 879)
J E x p e l l e d f r o m C o l l e g e , F o u n d e d a City-
W h i l e at O x f o r d , P e n n rejected the student's g o w n a n d thereby
created a furore. L a t e r he f o u n d e d a city w h e r e he sought t o
p u t h i s n e w ideas into practice.
(Penn arrested for preaching in London, Sept. 1, 1670.)
Read from Perm's SOME FRUITS OF SOLITUDE Vol. 1, pp. 321-331
2 T o o Great a Price for Love
W h i l e his soldiers f o u g h t the battle of A c t i u m , A n t o n y fled to
the a r m s o f C l e o p a t r a . B y his flight he forfeited his right to an
e m p i r e . D r y d e n ' s story of A n t o n y ' s love m a k e s u s realize the
folly of his infatuation for the N i l e siren.
(Battle of Actium, Sept. 2, 31 B. C.)
Read from Dryden's A L L FOR LOVE Vol. 18, pp. 88-100
^ Seven Years to Reach England
U n t i l 1783 the British refused to believe that the L i b e r t y Bell
h a d r u n g . T h e n they signed a treaty formally r e c o g n i z i n g the
C o l o n i e s as free a n d i n d e p e n d e n t states.
(Treaty between England and the United States signed Sept. 3, 1783.)
Read: T R E A T Y WITH GREAT BRITAIN (1783) Vol. 43, pp. 174-179
4 Voltaire Criticizes
V o l t a i r e ' s d a r i n g courage led h i m to publish a series of letters
w h i c h contained unfavorable comparisons of F r e n c h customs
w i t h the E n g l i s h . F o r this he w a s threatened w i t h the Bastille.
Read: Voltaire's LETTERS ON THE ENGLISH Vol. 34, pp. 85-93
^ Survival of the Fittest
Just as t h e i n d i v i d u a l has a definite l e n g t h of life, so have species
a l i m i t e d d u r a t i o n . T h e progress a n d transition of the w o r l d ,
D a r w i n declares, w i l l see the extinction of certain variants of
h u m a n life.
(Darwin first outlines his theory of natural selection, Sept. 5, 1857.)
Read from Darwin's ORIGIN OF SPECIES Vol. n , pp. 353-357
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 73
D a n t e and St. P e t e r
D a n t e , h a v i n g j o u r n e y e d t h r o u g h H e l l and P u r g a t o r y , comes at
last to St. Peter o n his throne. St. Peter calls for the aid of St.
James and St. John before passing final j u d g m e n t on D a n t e ' s
righteousness.
(Dante died Sept. 14, 1321.)
Read from Dante's DIVINE COMEDY Vol. 20, pp. 387-395
P e n a l t y for Silence
" S u c h felons as stand m u t e [ d o not confess] are pressed to death
by h u g e w e i g h t s laid u p o n a board that lieth over their breast
a n d a sharp stone u n d e r their b a c k s . " O l d E n g l i s h punishments,
recorded b y H o l i n s h e d , m a k e startling reading.
Read from HOLINSHED'S CHRONICLES Vol. 35, pp. 363-370
FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY 75
SEPTEMBER Reading Guide
1 J Romance on a N e w England Farm
" F o r of all sad w o r d s of t o n g u e or pen, the saddest are these: 'It
m i g h t h a v e b e e n . ' " O n this t h e m e W h i t t i e r based the story o f
a fair farmer girl and a rich j u d g e .
(Whittier died Sept. 17, 1892.)
Read: WHITTIER'S POEMS Vol. 42, pp. 1351-1364
H o m e A f t e r Storms and A d v e n t u r e s
18 " E v e r y sight w a s full of beauty. W e w e r e c o m i n g b a c k to our
h o m e s , and the signs of c i v i l i z a t i o n f r o m w h i c h w e h a d b e e n so
l o n g b a n i s h e d — " w r o t e D a n a , as his ship entered B o s t o n H a r b o r .
(Dana returns from two-year voyage, Sept. 18, 1836.)
Read from Dana's Two YEARS BEFORE THE MAST Vol. 23, pp. 348-356
H u m o r That Survived Slavery
19 H e l d as a M o o r i s h slave for five years, C e r v a n t e s w a s submitted
to almost daily tortures. B u t e v e n the horrors of slavery could
not dull his sense of h u m o r , as e v i n c e d by his m o s t w i t t y and
a m u s i n g novel.
(Cervantes ransomed from slavery, Sept. 19, 1580.)
Read from Cervantes' DON QUIXOTE Vol. 14, pp. 48-54
JEneas a n d t h e O l d W i t c h
21 T h e Sybil, an old w i t c h , personally conducts ^Eneas t h r o u g h the
gate and into the j a w s of hell, w h e r e terrors a b o u n d o n every
hand and frightful mysterious forms rule. T h e r e he is told o f
the greatness and glory that w a s to c o m e .
(Virgil died Sept. 21, 19 B. C.)
Read from Virgil's /ENEID Vol. 13, pp. 207-218
25 A Courtship of T w e n t y Years
John Stuart M i l l in his a u t o b i o g r a p h y boldly tells of his love for
his friend's w i f e . A f t e r t w e n t y years, she w a s freed from her first
husband a n d w a s happily married to John Stuart M i l l . R e a d the
account of M i l l ' s courtship.
Read from Mill's AUTOBIOGRAPHY Vol. 25, pp. 116-120, 149
T H E MASTER SAID: B Y B R E A D T H O F R E A D I N G A N D T H E
TIES O F COURTESY A G E N T L E M A N WILL A L S O KEEP F R O M
E R R O R ' S PATH.—CONFUCIUS.
FIFTEEN MINUTES ADAY
OCTOBER
The s\ies they were ashen and sober;
The leaves they were crisped and sere—
The leaves they were withering and sere. . .
POE (Vol. 42, p. 1230)
A F u g i t i v e i n Boy's C l o t h e s
T h e romance-stricken D o n Q u i x o t e sees a fair youth seated by the
side of a stream, " h i s feet l i k e t w o crystals, his h a n d s l i k e snow-
flakes." T h e y o u t h was a c h a r m i n g g i r l !
(Cervantes aided in the capture of Tunis, Oct. 10, 1573.)
Read from Cervantes' D O N QUIXOTE Vol. 14, pp. 252-266
19 V i r t u e i n Smiles
W e e p if y o u m u s t . It is far better than to repress y o u r tears.
B u t L e i g h H u n t finds greater virtue in cheerfulness. F a n c i f u l
and graceful—his w r i t i n g s exerted a w h o l e s o m e influence o n all
nineteenth century journalism.
(James Henry Leigh Hunt born Oct. tg, 1784.)
Read: Hunt's ESSAYS Vol. 27, pp. 285-295
2Q Odysseus Adrift on a R a f t
T h e g o d s met in council and decreed that O d y s s e u s be set adrift.
Poseidon, G o d of the Sea, shattered the raft a n d O d y s s e u s w a s cast
ashore to encounter further adventures.
Read from Homer's ODYSSEUS Vol. 22, pp. 68-80
2 J N o Fault to Find w i t h O l d A g e
C i c e r o agrees w i t h B r o w n i n g that old a g e is the g o l d e n t i m e of
life, w h e n the fruits of a well-spent life are harvested. C i c e r o ,
the wise R o m a n , w e l c o m e d old a g e for its gifts: w i s d o m , sound
j u d g m e n t , and contentment.
Read from Cicero's O N OLD AGE Vol. 9, pp. 45-56
23 W h e n Caesar T u r n e d t h e T a b l e s
W h e n only a boy, Caesar w a s captured by pirates. W h i l e a w a i t i n g
ransom he entered into every sport and g a m e w i t h t h e m . O n c e
freed, he q u i c k l y returned w i t h forces that captured the o u t l a w s .
T h e n he took deliberate r e v e n g e .
Read from Plutarch's CESAR Vol. 12, pp. 264-273
82 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
John Loc\e taught spelling by means of dice with letters of the alpha
bet pasted on them. (See Reading Assignment for October 28th.)
T H E F I R S T T I M E I R E A D A N E X C E L L E N T B O O K , I T IS T O
M E J U S T A S I F I H A D G A I N E D A N E W FRIEND.—GOLDSMITH.
84 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
NOVEMBER
When biting Boreas, fell and dour,
Sharp shivers thro' the leafless bow'r;
When Phcebus gies a short-liv'd glow'r,
Far south the lift,
Dim-dar\'ning thro' the flafoi show'r,
Or whirling drift.
BURNS (Vol. 6, p. 248)
^ Letters to an Emperor
P l i n y s o u g h t the a d v i c e of the E m p e r o r T r a j a n for d e a l i n g w i t h
the Christians w h o w e r e a l a r m i n g l y o n the increase. H e casu
ally relates h o w he h a d tortured t w o Christians.
Read from Pliny's LETTERS Vol. 9, pp. 404-406
^ Gold or Glory?
P o l y e u c t e , an A r m e n i a n noble, w a n t e d to b e c o m e a Christian. If
he w e r e b a p t i z e d , he w o u l d h a v e to g i v e u p his h i g h position,
his w e a l t h a n d his p a g a n w i f e . W a s the heavenly crown worth
this sacrifice?
Read from Corneille's POLYEUCTE Vol. 26, pp. 87-97
Blind B u t Unconquered
Milton's indomitable courage kept h i m at his w o r k e v e n after h e
lost his sight. B l i n d , he dictated a sequel t o his "Paradise L o s t , "
w h i c h he called "Paradise R e g a i n e d . "
(]ohn Milton died Nov. 8, 1674.)
Read from Milton's PARADISE REGAINED Vol. 4, pp. 359-369
A m e r i c a ' s D o u g h b o y Glorified
(Armistice Day)
T h e y o u t h o f A m e r i c a — t y p i f i e d in t h e d o u g h b o y o f t h e past
w a r — w a s gloriously portrayed b y W a l t W h i t m a n . H e also sang
of the vast plains a n d the beauty o f A m e r i c a .
Read: WHITMAN'S POEMS Vol. 42, pp. 1402-1412
86 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
He Worried About It
14 W e w o n d e r if the m a n w h o w o r r i e d about the "scientifical" pre
diction that " T h e sun's heat w i l l g i v e o u t i n ten million years
m o r e , " h a d read L y e l l o n t h e g r a d u a l changes i n t h e earth's
surface.
(Sir Charles Lyell born Nov. 14, 1797.)
Read: Lyell's UNIFORMITY OF CHANGE Vol. 38, pp. 398-405
v E M B E R Reading Gu ide
T h e Book that Upset Tennessee
T h e signal for the b e g i n n i n g of a great controversy, still r a g i n g ,
w a s the publication of D a r w i n ' s " O r i g i n of Species." T h i s w a s
the first c o m p l e t e statement of the evolution theory, w h i c h had
been privately a d v a n c e d but never publicly taught. A n e w epoch
in science dates from this great w o r k .
("Origin of Species" published Nov. 24, 1859.)
Read from Darwin's ORIGIN OF SPECIES Vol. I I , pp. 23-30
C u p i d as a S h o e m a k e r
W e are indebted to T h o m a s D e k k e r for one of the most h u m o r o u s
characters in all E l i z a b e t h a n literature; n a m e l y , S i m o n E y r e , an
old s h o e m a k e r w h o s e affairs b e c a m e hilariously involved w i t h
those o f the g e n t r y .
Read from Dekker's T H E SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY Vol. 47, pp. 469-483
S h a k e s p e a r e S h o u l d Be H e a r d
C h a r l e s L a m b , favorite essayist, t h o u g h t that no stage could d o
justice to Shakespeare's tragedies. H e advocated reading the
plays, and w i t h the i m a g i n a t i o n c o s t u m i n g the players and build
i n g the g o r g e o u s scenery in a w a y equaled by no scene painter
o r costumer.
Read: Lamb O N THE TRAGEDIES or SHAKSPF.RE Vol. 27, pp. 299-310
W h a t L a n d is T h i s ?
I n w o n d r o u s U t o p i a pearls and precious stones w e r e used as
p l a y t h i n g s for little children. G o l d rings and bracelets w e r e only
w o r n by outcasts, w h i l e great g o l d e n chains shackled criminals
a n d felons. W h e n ambassadors f r o m foreign lands c a m e in fine
raiment, the U t o p i a n s treated the plainest dressed as the greatest;
the others seemed to t h e m like children.
Read from Sir Thomas More's UTOPIA Vol. 36, pp. 191-204
DECEMBER
When icicles hang by the wall
And Dic\ the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And mil\ comes frozen home in pail. . .
SHAKESPEARE (Vol. 40, p. 262)
g D r e a m W o m e n Shaped H i s D e s t i n y
D e Q u i n c y i m a g i n e d that three w o m e n w e r e sent to h i m so that
he m i g h t k n o w the depths of his soul. R e a l w o m e n c o u l d not
have w i e l d e d greater influence. It is fortunate that everyone does
not meet these w e i r d w o m e n .
(Thomas De Quincy died Dec. 8, /S59.)
Read: LEVANA AND OUR LADIES OF SORROW. Vol. 27, pp. 319-325
9 S l a v e r y ' s Last Stand
B y the F u g i t i v e Slave A c t of 1850 stringent l a w s w e r e m a d e to
prevent assistance b e i n g g i v e n to any slaves a t t e m p t i n g to escape.
T h e antislavery a n s w e r to these l a w s w a s a perfection of the
"Underground Railroad."
Read: T H E FUGITIVE SLAVE A C T Vol. 43, pp. 306-312
J Q B e n v e n u t o Boasts o f Gallantry
T a k i n g offense at a soldier w h o m a d e advances t o w a r d his
favorite lady, C e l l i n i j u m p e d from the w i n d o w , k n i f e in h a n d ,
to a v e n g e himself. T h i s incident w a s recorded w i t h character
istic conceit by C e l l i n i in his a m a z i n g diary.
Read from CELLINI'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Vol. 31, pp. 62-72
^ T o t h e S o u t h Seas w i t h t h e G a l l a n t Drake
A f a m o u s v o y a g e w a s Sir F r a n c i s D r a k e ' s around the w o r l d .
D r a k e ' s c r e w , t h e first w h i t e m e n to visit m a n y parts of the
w o r l d , received a m a z i n g receptions from the natives.
(Sir Francis Drake embarked for South Seas, Dec. 13, 1577.)
Read from DRAKE'S VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD Vol. 33, pp. 199-208
Pastoral Poems and Politics
4 T h e many-sided M a r v e l l , w h o w i e l d e d a pen that w a s both
feared a n d courted, is seen at his best in stirring verse. " A
G a r d e n , " "Prospect of F l o w e r s , " w i t h the " H o r a t i a n O d e upon
C r o m w e l l , " s h o w the p o w e r of his g e n i u s .
(Marvell entered Cambridge, Dec. 14, 1633.)
Read: MARVELL'S POEMS Vol. 40, pp. 370-379
^ Odysseus Talks w i t h Ghosts
T h i s is another of those m a r v e l o u s a n d unforgetable tales of the
w a n d e r i n g O d y s s e u s . T h e fantasy takes h i m into regions w h e r e
he discourses w i t h deceased heroes.
Read from Homer's ODYSSEY Vol. 22, pp. 145-153
J "Madam B u b b l e " N o t to Be D i s c o u r a g e d
" M a d a m B u b b l e , " or this v a i n w o r l d , presented both herself a n d
her purse to the w a y f a r e r . Repulsed a n d scorned, yet she serenely
flaunts her bribes enticingly before his b e w i l d e r e d eyes.
(John Bunyan made leader of Non-Conformist congregation, Dec. 21, 1671.)
Read from Bunyan's PILGRIM'S PROGRESS Vol. 15, pp. 306-318
^ Rubbing Noses in N e w Zealand
D a r w i n , in e x p l o r i n g N e w Z e a l a n d , finds c a n n i b a l i s m , tattooing,
and m a n y w e i r d customs a m o n g the natives. Instead of s h a k i n g
hands, the salutation is by r u b b i n g noses.
(Darwin visits New Zealand natives, Dec. 22, 1835.)
Read from Darwin's VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE Vol. 29, pp. 425-434
S a v e d f r o m a Bonfire o f B o o k s
3 If all the b o o k s in the w o r l d w e r e o n fire, some m e n w o u l d risk
their lives to save certain priceless w r i t i n g s : the w o r l d ' s classics.
Sainte-Beuve here tells w h y .
(Sainte-Beuve born Dec. 23, 1804.)
Read: Sainte-Beuve's W H A T IS A CLASSIC? Vol. 32, pp. 121-133
94 FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY
26 Silence Cost H e r a K i n g d o m
C o r d e l i a , d a u g h t e r of old K i n g L e a r , could not convince her
father of her love for h i m . A f t e r w a r d , w h e n misfortunes m a d e
h i m accept her aid, he learned too late of her real devotion.
("King Lear" presented at Queen Elizabeth's court, Dec. 26, 1606.)
Read from Shakespeare's KING LEAR Vol. 46, pp. 288-300
Million-Year-Old Islands
27 It w a s the n e w - o l d lands that D a r w i n visited o n his v o y a g e of
the " B e a g l e . " T h e strange specimens of prehistoric life he saw
there m a d e the w o r l d g a p e and shudder.
(Charles Darwin begins voyage in the "Beagle," Dec. 27, 1831.)
Read from Darwin's VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE Vol. 29, pp. 376-389
31 C u r i o s i t y a n d I n t e r e s t as G u i d e s t o R e a d i n g
T h e most u n h a p p y m a n , C a r l y l e says, is t h e m a n w h o h a s n o
real w o r k — n o interest in life. T o a v o i d this miserable state, he
advises faithful a n d diligent r e a d i n g a l o n g the lines dictated b y
curiosity a n d interest.
Read from Carlyle's INAUGURAL ADDRESS Vol. 25, pp. 364-374