Introductory note on Charles Darwin (#2) (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)

Darwin visited a South American city ruined by an earthquake. There he heard the superstitious account of the phenomenon. The ignorant people accused Indian women of bewitching the volcano. But Darwin has another explanation. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Francis Bacon (Volume 3, Harvard Classics)

There are styles in friendship as well as in clothes. The mode of friendship of Bacon's time went out with plumed hats and long hose. But Bacon knew the true test of a friend. (Volume 3, Harvard Classics)

Francis Bacon knighted, July 23, 1603.

Introductory note on Homer (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)

Odysseus was wrecked with his men on an island inhabited by one-eyed giants. Trapped in the cave of a giant who gobbled up some of the crew for supper, the cunning Odysseus blinded the giant and rescued the survivors of his crew. (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)

Introductory note on Robert Burns (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)

The songs of Burns are the links, the watchwords, the symbols of the Scots. He is the last of the ballad singers. In his works are preserved the best songs of his people. (Volume 6, Harvard Classics)

Robert Burns died July 21, 1796.

Introductory note on John Bunyan (Volume 15, Harvard Classics)

John Bunyan, imprisoned for preaching without a license, gave to the world "Pilgrim's Progress," the greatest allegory in any language, second only to the Bible. (Volume 15, Harvard Classics)