Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, mechanics, navigators, authors, poets, divines, soldiers, savans, etc . obstinacy,his courage was rashness, and his severity was cruelty. He possessed nothingof the great qualities or the amiable virtues of the hero, though he was boldeven to madness, and persevering even to his ruin. At the battle of Narva,when five of his horses were shot, he exclaimed as he mounted a fresh charger,** These people find
Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, mechanics, navigators, authors, poets, divines, soldiers, savans, etc . obstinacy,his courage was rashness, and his severity was cruelty. He possessed nothingof the great qualities or the amiable virtues of the hero, though he was boldeven to madness, and persevering even to his ruin. At the battle of Narva,when five of his horses were shot, he exclaimed as he mounted a fresh charger,** These people find me exercise. When one day dictating to his secretary atStralsund, a bomb fell on the roof of the house, and crushed the room next theplace where they were sitting. But while the secretary dropped his pen, allterrified, the monarch asked calmly what was the matter: The bomb! re-plies the secretary. The bomb ! cries the monarch, what has the bomb todo with what I am dictating; write on. But with all the faults of Charles,there are circumstances which authorize a belief chat, had he lived, he wouldhave reformed his errors, and, perhaps, ultimately have contributed as much tothe happiness of Sweden, as he had already to its glory. 234 GEORGE FREDERICK GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL. THIS great musical composer was born at Halle, in Lower Saxony, on the24th, or, according to the inscription on his monument, on the 23d of February,1684. His father was a physician, and was desirous of educating his son forthe law ; but from his earliest years the boy showed a passion for music, whichnothing could overcome. Forbidden to touch a musical instrument, he wouldspend the greater part of the night, after the rest of the family were asleep, inpractising upon a small clavicord, he kept concealed in a garret; and in thisway he attained such proficiency, that having, while yet a mere child, contrivedto steal an opportunity of playing on the church organ, before the court at SaxeWeisenfels, he s
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectbiography, bookyear18
