E STARR ELIZA ALLEN STARR. LIZA ALLEN STARR was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1824. The founder of the family in America, Dr. Comfort Starr of Ashford, County Kent, England, came to Cambridge, Mass., in 1634. His son, the Rev. Comfort Starr, D. D., was graduated from Harvard University in 1647 and was one of the five Fellows named in the College Charter dated May 10th, 1650. On the maternal side Miss Starr is descended from the "Allens of the Bars"— originally of Chelmsford, Essex distinguished in the colonial history of Deerfield from the time of King Philip's war. The domestic atmosphere Miss Starr breathed from childhood was of that rarer sort in which heart and mind alike develop vigorously, stimulated by the tenderest family affection, union of intellectual interests and a noble ideal of social obligations; while the love of, and familiarity with nature, so noticeable in her poems, and her highly cultivated artistic sense, found their first discipline in the woods and vales, the picturesque surroundings and traditions of her New England birthplace. While still in early womanhood she passed from the scholarly influences of the home circle to enjoy all that was best in Boston culture, and to profit also by the intellectual resources of Philadelphia, where her cousin, George Allen, LL.D., was Professor of Greek and Latin in the University of Pennsylvania. In the latter city Miss Starr was privileged to number among her most intimate friends the illustrous Archbishop Kenrick, most widely known, perhaps, through his translation of the Holy Scriptures. With his encouragement several of her earlier poems found their way into print, and the influence of the same learned prelate introduced her to those deeper studies which eventually led her into the Catholic Church. When some years later the family settled in the West, Miss Starr, while continuing always her purely literary pursuits, began the special art work with which her name is inseparably associated a work in scope, form and execution entirely unique. This work is not confined to the very original articles upon art and artists from her pen with which readers of various periodicals are familiar, nor to the training of pupils in drawing and painting, but has its chief development in the inimitable lectures given in her studio, and, sometimes, at the houses of friends in Chicago and elsewhere. In 1867 Miss Starr published a volume of poems which was most favorably received, and, later, two delightful books entitled "Patron Saints." A sharer in the terrible experiences of the great Chicago fire of 1871, our author, as soon as circumstances permitted, resumed her labors and was enabled in 1875 to visit Europe. After a prolonged stay abroad "Pilgrims and Shrines" was given to the public, a most original and altogether charming contribution to art literature. The "Songs of a Lifetime" is her latest publication. Miss Starr's quaintly beautiful home is a treasurehouse of the "Ideas," which, as she strongly expresses it," must make the first furnishing of a home" a centre of art and education, of benevolent enterprises and social influence, the highest charm of which is the remarkable personality of its venerated mistress. E. A. C. THE FIRST SNOWFLAKE. I WELL remember how, a girl, I watched the first fair snowflake whirl For Hoosac hills and pastures too, And catch the first far candle's light And now, though I no longer dwell Its changes sad, or changes gay, A pleasant evening with a friend. And often do I close my eyes And all their gold and crimson banners tost On the wild wind, like some victorious host. REQUIESCAT.. "POPPIES," she said and sighed; Sighed, too, as if she needed rest, This woman in life's beauty and life's pride, Whom all the world called, blest. Swiftly the summer sped: Yet ere the August days had passed Friends whispered to each other“ She is dead; The high tide could not last." Love strewed her couch with bloom; Laid rose and pansy on her breast, Who took so gently to that silent room White poppies? Dear one, rest! VIOLETS. So fair the life, so calm the heavenly sense The sodded graves on many a hillside fair PATIENCE. The noonday sunshine, calm and warm, Came less from years than care; -Six Stone Steps. PASCHAL FLOWER. From a crown of pale leaves like the thorny, In grace and fair fashion Like the crocus, save as in wild roses - The Paschal Flower. FRANCIS HOWARD WILLIAMS. F RANCIS HOWARD WILLIAMS, well known as poet and critic, is a native of Philadelphia. Although he had previously contributed occasional verse to periodicals, his literary career may be said to have begun with the publication, in 1880, of his dramatic poem The Princess Elizabeth," which was at once recognized as occupying a high place in the department of historic drama and as showing a mastery of the standard forms of English verse. The book received from the leading English critical reviews, as well as from the press of this country, high encomiums. It was followed by "Theodora: a Christmas Pastoral," a work of imaginative character, written on lines entirely dif ferent from the author's previous efforts and containing several songs which showed felicity in handling purely lyric measures. Mr. Williams' exacting duties as book reviewer of a leading Philadelphia daily did not prevent him from publishing two satirical plays in prose, namely, "The Higher Education," touching upon an advanced curriculum for women, and "A Reformer in Ruffles," dealing with the question of woman's suffrage. These comedies were successful, but the author regarded verse as his natural medium and continued to produce numerous poems, notably a considerable body of sonnets some of which have already appeared in the magazines, and several longer poems in narrative form as well as a number of purely lyrical pieces. His "Cradle Song" is a marvel of grace and melody. His attention being again drawn to the drama by his acceptance of the post of dramatic critic on a well known weekly journal, he wrote and published a melodramatic play, called Master and Man," and the libretto for an opera on classical lines, not yet placed upon the stage. Mr. Williams is identified with the literary and artistic interests of Philadelphia and is prominent in the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the Penn. Club, and other organizations of like character. His critical papers, especially his essays on the English Poets, have received general commendation for their accuracy and judical fairness of statement. He is now devoting himself almost exclusively to poetry. Mr. Williams' home is in Germantown; a tasteful cottage in which some of the most distinguished men and women of the land have been welcome guests. His thorough refinement of feeling, courtesy of demeanor and conversational gifts attract to him the best elements of the community he adorns. Walt Whitman, Louisa M. Alcott, George W. Cable, George Riddle, Alexander Harrison, the artist, and scores of other literary and artistic celebrities have lingered on summer evenings under the trees in the garden, and gathered on winter nights about the host and his graciously sympathetic |