14. crypt: secret recess. CONTENTMENT 3. In 1857-1858, when this poem was written, the ideal of elegance in eastern cities of America was a "brown stone front" house. The possession of such a mansion indicated large wealth. In the light of this fact the humor of the verse is evident. The same principle is used throughout. 22. The position of Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of St. James-- England--was considered the highest diplomatic position in the disposal of the United States. How would such a position compare with filling the governor's chair of any state? 35. marrowy: rich. 48. The paintings of Raphael and Titian are beyond purchase price now. Most of them belong to the great galleries of Europe. Turner is a modern painter whose work is greatly admired and held almost above price. 64. vellum: fine parchment made of the skin of calves and used for manuscripts. It turns cream-color with age. 59. Stradivarius: a violin made by Antonio Stradivari, who lived (1644- 1737) in Cremona, Italy. These instruments created a standard so that they are now the most highly prized violins in existence. 64. buhl: brass, white metal, or tortoise shell inlaid in patterns is the wood of furniture. So named from the French woodworker who perfected it. THE DEACON'S MASTERPIECE 10. Georgius Secundus: King George II of England. He was the son of George I, who was elector of Hanover, as well as king of England. 20, felloe: a part of the rim of a wooden wheel in which the spokes are inserted. 92. encore: we can say the same thing about their strength. THOMAS BUCHANAN READ (1822-1872) Born in Pennsylvania, he was early apprenticed to a tailor. He drifted until at last he made his way to Italy, where he studied and painted for several years. Later he made Rome his permanent residence, and died there. He was known as a clever artist and sculptor, but his best work is the two poem; here quoted. The poems by Read are used by special permission of J. B. Lippincott Company, the authorized publishers of the poems. STORM ON ST. BERNARD Storm on St. Bernard may be compared with Excelsior in general subject matter. Do they affect you in the same way? Are they alike in purpose? Which seems most real to you? Why is "Excelsior" the more familiar? DRIFTING Read was essentially an artist, and in this poem he expressed his artistic soul more truly than in anything else he ever did. 19. Ischia: an island in the bay of Naples. 22. Capri: an island in the Mediterranean, best known for the Blue Grotto. WALT WHITMAN (1819-1891) "Walt Whitman...the chanter of adhesiveness, of the love of man for man, may not be attractive to some of us... But Walt Whitman the tender nurse, the cheerer of hospitals, the saver of soldier lives, is much more than attractive he is inspiring." --W. P. TRENT.