HARRINGTON, JAMES (1611-1677).--Political theorist, _s._ of Sir Sapcotes H., was _b._ at Upton, Northamptonshire, and _ed._ at Oxf., where he was a pupil of Chillingworth. After leaving the university he travelled on the Continent, visiting, among other places, The Hague and Venice, where he imbibed republican principles. He was for some time a groom of the bedchamber to Charles I. On the outbreak of the Civil War he sided with the Parliament, but disapproved of the execution of the King, for whom he appears, notwithstanding his political theories, to have cherished a personal attachment. Thereafter he withdrew from active life, and devoted himself to composing his political romance (as it may be called) of _Oceana_, which he _pub._ in 1656, and in which Oceana represents England, Marpesia Scotland, and Panopæa Ireland. In this work he propounds the theory that the natural element of power in states is property, of which land is the most important. He further endeavoured to propagate his views by establishing a debating society called the Rota, and by his conversations with his friends. After the Restoration he was confined in the Tower, and subsequently at Plymouth. He issued several defences of _Oceana_, and made translations from Virgil. In his later years he laboured under mental delusions. Aubrey describes him as of middle stature, strong, well-set, with quick, fiery hazel eyes, and thick curly hair. HARRIS, JAMES (1709-1780).--Grammarian, was a wealthy country gentleman and member of Parliament, who held office in the Admiralty and the Treasury. He was the author of a singular and learned work entitled _Hermes, or a Philosophical Inquiry concerning Universal Grammar_. For the purpose which it had in view it is useless; but it contains much curious matter. His _s._ was the eminent diplomatist, James H., 1st Earl of Malmesbury. HARRIS, JOEL CHANDLER (1848-1908).--Writer of tales, etc., _b._ at Eatonton, Georgia, was successively printer, lawyer, and journalist. He struck out an original line in his stories of animal life as it presents itself to the mind of the Southern negro, in whose dialect they are written. These not only achieved and retain an exceptional popularity among children, to whom they were in the first instance addressed, but attracted the attention of students of folklore and anthology. Among his writings are _Uncle Remus_ (1880), _Nights with Uncle Remus_ (1884), _Mr. Rabbit at Home_ (1895), _Aaron in the Wild Woods_ (1897), _Chronicles of Aunt Minervy Ann_ (1899), etc.