HEMANS, FELICIA DOROTHEA (BROWNE) (1793-1835).--Poetess, _dau._ of a Liverpool merchant, who, owing to reverses, retired to North Wales. While yet little more than a child she _pub._ her first poems, the reception of which was not encouraging. In the same year, 1808, a further publication appeared which drew a letter from Shelley. Her first important work, _The Domestic Affections_, appeared in 1812, in which year she was _m._ to Captain Hemans, an Irish officer. The union, however, was not a happy one, and her husband practically deserted her and her five sons in 1818. Her literary activity was continued during the whole of her short life, and her works include, _The Vespers of Palermo_, a drama, which was not successful, _The Forest Sanctuary_ (1826), her best poem, _Records of Woman_, _Lays of Leisure Hours_, _Songs of the Affections_, _Hymns for Childhood_, and _Thoughts during Sickness_ (1834), her last effort. In 1829 she visited Scotland, where she was the guest of Scott, who held her in affectionate regard. She also enjoyed the friendship of Wordsworth. Always somewhat delicate, her health latterly entirely gave way, and she _d._ of a decline in 1835. Her shorter pieces enjoyed much popularity, and still, owing to their grace and tenderness, retain a certain place, but her long poems are lacking in energy and depth, and are forgotten. HENLEY, WILLIAM ERNEST (1849-1903).--Poet and critic, _b._ at Gloucester, made the acquaintance of Robert Louis Stevenson (_q.v._), and collaborated with him in several dramas, including _Deacon Brodie_, and _Robert Macaire_. He engaged in journalism, and became ed. of _The Magazine of Art_, _The National Observer_, and _The New Review_, compiled _Lyra Heroica_, an anthology of English poetry for boys, and, with Mr. Farmer, ed. a _Dictionary of Slang_. His poems, which include _Hospital Rhymes_, _London Voluntaries_, _The Song of the Sword_, _For England's Sake_, and _Hawthorn and Lavender_, are very unequal in quality, and range from strains of the purest music to an uncouth and unmusical realism of no poetic worth. He wrote with T.F. Henderson a _Life of Burns_, in which the poet is set forth as a "lewd peasant of genius." Complete works, 7 vols., 1908. HENRY VIII. (1491-1547).--Besides writing songs including _The Kings Ballad_, was a learned controversialist, and contended against Luther in _Assertio Septem Sacramentorum_ (Defence of the Seven Sacraments), a treatise which gained for him the title of Defender of the Faith. HENRY of HUNTINGDON (1084-1155).--Historian, was Archdeacon of Huntingdon from 1109. His _Historia Anglorum_ (History of the English) comes down to 1154. He also wrote a treatise, _De Contemptu Mundi_ (on Contempt of the World).