6. Spars is a general term for mast, yard, boom, and gaff.

7. This adjective is not well chosen. "Enjoying the benefit of the Gulf Stream, the climate of the Hebrides is peculiarly mild. Snow seldom lies long on the sea-shores or low grounds, and in sheltered spots tender plants are not nipped by winter frosts."

8. In this stanza we discern the uncompromising moralist, who condemns everything that debases society, — the slave-trade, the opium traffic, and the liquor curse.

BARCLAY OF URY.

In reference to this poem, Whittier has the following note: "Among the earliest converts to the doctrines of Friends in Scotland was Barclay of Ury, an old and distinguished soldier, who had fought under Gustavus Adolphus in Germany. As a Quaker, he became the object of persecution and abuse at the hands of the magistrates and the populace. None bore the indignities of the mob with greater patience and nobleness of soul than this once proud gentleman and soldier. One of his friends, on an occasion of uncommon rudeness, lamented that he should be treated so harshly in his old age who had been so honored before. 'I find more satisfaction,' said Barclay, ‘as well as honor, in being thus insulted for my religious principles, than when, a few years ago, it was usual for the magistrates, as I passed the city of Aberdeen, to meet me on the road and conduct me to public entertainment in their hall, and then escort me out again, to gain my favor."

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1. Aberdeen is the chief city and seaport in the north of Scotland, at the mouth of the river Dee. It is the seat of Marischal College, referred to in the next line. In 1860 this college, united with King's College, became the University of Aberdeen.

2. Carlin a stout old woman; a Scottish word.

3. Lützen is a small town in Saxony. At this point a great battle was fought in 1632 between Gustavus Adolphus and Wallenstein. Victory finally remained with the Swedes.

4. Tilly was one of the greatest generals of the seventeenth century. During the Thirty Years' War he was victor in thirty-six battles; but finally he met Gustavus Adolphus, by whom he was defeated.

5. The Walloons are descendants of the old Gallic Belgæ, “who held their ground among the Ardennes Mountains when the rest of Gaul was overrun by the German conquerors. They number about two millions in Belgium and Holland.

6. Reeve an officer, steward.

in compounds; as, shire-reeve, now written sheriff.

A. S. gerefa, steward. Obsolete except

7. Snooded wearing a snood; that is, a band which binds the hair of a young, unmarried woman. (Scot.)

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MAUD MULLER.

This is, perhaps, the most popular of Whittier's poems. It is remarkably clear throughout. It illustrates the thoughtful moral tone of the poet; and the last stanzas, with their touching sadness, seem to have sprung from his own experience. This fact gives them an additional interest. The poet has been mildly criticised for calling the heroine, a plain New England country girl, by the name of Maud; but it is not easy to think of any other name that would have suited better.

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1. Spinnet a musical instrument resembling the harpsichord, but of smaller size and lighter tone.

2. Astral astral lamp; a lamp with a ring-shaped reservoir so placed that its shadow does not fall directly below the flame.

TAULER.

"The religious element in Whittier's poems," says Underwood, "is something vital and inseparable. The supremacy of moral ideas is indeed inculcated by almost all great poets, and at no time more than in the present. And in almost all modern verse the filial relation of man to his Creator, and the immanence of the Spirit in the human heart, are at least tacitly recognized. 'The leading poets of America are, one and all, reverent in feeling and tone. But it is quite evident that Whittier alone is religious in a high and inward sense. His deep religious feeling is exhibited in this poem.

1. John Tauler (1290–1361) was born at Strasburg, where he spent most of his life. He was one of the most prominent representatives of mediaval German mysticism, and one of the greatest preachers of his time. His words came home to the heart of both high and low, spreading light everywhere, and justly procuring for him the title of doctor illuminatus.” 2. Plinth "the square member at the bottom of the base of a column. Also the plain projecting band forming a base of a wall." CHAMBERS. 3. Pediment the triangular ornamental space over a portico, or over doors, windows, and gates.

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4. Architrave

column.

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the part of an entablature that rests immediately on the Above the architrave is the frieze. See Dictionary for illustration. 5. Erwin of Steinbach was one of the architects of the Strasburg Cathedral, which was four centuries in building.

6. This tower reaches to a height of 465 feet.

And a crook is in his back,
And a melancholy crack
In his laugh.

I know it is a sin

For me to sit and grin

At him here;

But the old three-cornered hat,
And the breeches, and all that,
Are so queer!

And if I should live to be
The last leaf upon the tree

In the spring,

Let them smile, as I do now,
At the old forsaken bough
Where I cling.

THE HEIGHT OF THE RIDICULOUS.

I WROTE Some lines once on a time
In wondrous merry mood,
And thought, as usual, men would say
They were exceeding good.

They were so queer, so very queer,
I laughed as I would die;

Albeit, in the general way,
A sober man am I.

I called my servant, and he came;
How kind it was of him
To mind a slender man like me,
He of the mighty limb!

"These to the printer," I exclaimed,

And, in my humorous way,

I added (as a trifling jest)

"There'll be the devil to pay."