Introductory note on Virgil (Volume 13, Harvard Classics)

They battered down the palace gates and ravaged with fire and sword the chambers of King Priam's hundred wives. Through halls resounding with shrieks of terror, Priam and his household fled to sanctuary. (Volume 13, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on William Drummond (Wikipedia)

"Here is the pleasant place - and nothing wanting is, save She, alas!" How often we too are faced with like adversity. So sings Drummond - a master songster and composer. (Volume 40, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on John Calvin (Wikipedia)

Steadfast allegiance to duty, simple living and adherence to plain, honest, homely doctrines are Calvin's principles. Are not these same old-fashioned truths followed to-day? (Volume 39, Harvard Classics)

Calvin issues "Dedication," Aug. 1, 1536.

Introductory note on Daniel Defoe (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)

Lack of education, writes Defoe, makes a woman "turbulent, clamorous, noisy – " Defoe defied his generation and preached equal education for women. To-day we have co-education, but have we the benefits Defoe predicted? (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)

Defoe pilloried for defiance of public opinion, July 31, 1703.

Introductory note on Sir Humphrey Gilbert (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)

When the whole coast of America north of Florida was free to the first comer, Sir Humphrey Gilbert naively chose to settle on the rugged shores of Newfoundland. Read the glowing account of his great adventure "to plant Christian inhabitants in places convenient." (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)

Gilbert lands at Newfoundland near St. John's, July 30, 1583.