David James Harkness and R. Lincoln, comparatively speaking, had no knowledge of literature. He was familiar with the bible, and now and then evinced a fancy for some poem or short sketch to which his attention was called by some one else, or which he happened to run across in his cursory reading of books or newspapers.
He never in his life sat down and read a book through, and yet he could readily quote any number of passages from the few volumes whose pages he had hastily scanned. Lincoln scholars David James Harkness and R. It is appropriate that Abe Lincoln should have found a kindred spirit in Bobby Burns, who spoke to his heart of the innermost yearnings, disappointments, and sorrows which both had experience through similar backgrounds.
That was one of the sources of his wisdom and wit. As years passed on he did not quote Burns so much. He had then taken up Shakespeare and become deeply interested in him, and yet I fancyβ¦that a great deal of Abraham Lincoln is bottomed on Robert Burns and William Shakespeare. Sometimes I think I can see the traces of both men in his writings. When you consider the bringing up of Lincoln, what a writer he was!
The Anglo-Saxon mother in her own land, centuries ago. I can say nothing worthy of his generous heart and transcending genius. Thinking of what he has said, I cannot say anything which seems worth saying.
Arnold, a member of Congress from Chicago. In the course of conversation the President expressed his admiration for Dr. I was pleased to be able to inform him that it was written by William Knox, a young Scottish poet who died in Annie Laurie , Mary of Argyle , and especially Auld Robin Gray , never lost their charm for him; and all songs which had for their theme the rapid flight of time, decay, the recollections of early days, were sure to make a deep impression. The song which he liked best, above others, was one called Twenty Years Ago β a simple air, the words to which are supposed to be uttered by a man who revisits the play-ground of his youth.
