The Critic Volume 620-645 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 Excerpt: ... has now produced an admirable portrait bust, which by many is pronounced the best one yet made of the poet. A greater celebration, however, is at hand, one that, although not strictly literary, yet has such historical importance as to be well worth a paragraph. Massachusetts has abandoned Fast Day as a holiday. Nobody observed it in the sense originally intended, and it became simply a day to mark the opening of the base-ball season. Under these circumstances both churchmen and laymen felt that it was better to avoid the pretence of its observation. In its place has been substituted April 19, and as a consequence that day has become like Homer dead. In other words, " seven cities," or at least nearly as many towns, are claiming that they saw its birth in historic importance, and that therefore the day should be named after them. The fight started in Lexington, and so Lexingtonians cry that it be "Lexington Day." The actual battle where was fired the shot that was heard around the world occurred at Concord, and therefore the good people of that town, forgetting the harmonious intimation contained in its name, declare that it must be "Concord Day." Acton and Bedford and other towns sent men, and want a share in the naming. As a result of the contest the day will probably be known simply as " The Nineteenth of April." But Lexington and Concord will both celebrate. The usual diabolical tooting of fish-horns, dinging of bells and explosion of powder, which we good Americans seem to think absolutely essential for a display of patriotism, will wake up the honest citizens at sunrise. Through the town of Lexington, Paul Revere, or his modern impersonator, will dash, while, as the sun creeps up the hills, a drum-corps will par...