It calls for something more than brawn Or muscle to o’ercome An enemy who marcheth not With banner, plume, or drum,-- A foe forever lurking nigh, With silent, stealthy tread; Forever near your board by day, At night beside your bed. All honor, then, to that brave heart, Though poor or rich he be, Who struggles with his baser part,-- Who conquers and is free! He may not wear a hero’s crown, Or fill a hero’s grave; But truth will place his name among The bravest of the brave. THE PEN. EDWARD BULWER LYTTON. BENEATH the rule of men entirely great The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold The arch enchanter’s wand!--itself a nothing But taking sorcery from the master’s hand To paralyze the Cæsars and to strike The loud earth breathless! Take away the sword-- States can be saved without it. _From “Richelieu.”_ [Illustration: MOUNT VERNON, THE HOME OF WASHINGTON.] CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. GEORGE BANCROFT. GEORGE BANCROFT was born at Worcester, Mass., in 1800 and died in 1891. He was graduated from Harvard College when he was seventeen, bearing off the second honors of his class. The following year he sailed for Europe and spent five years studying under the most learned professors in Germany, France, and Italy. On his return to America he became a tutor at Harvard and was afterwards connected with a classical school at Northampton. He was deeply interested in the affairs of the nation, but refused to enter public life, as he had decided to write a history of the United States. The first volume of this history appeared in 1834, and the series occupied his time for many years. Mr. Bancroft held the position of secretary of the navy for about a year under President Polk. It was due to his efforts that the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., was established. He was appointed minister to England in 1846 and remained abroad for three years. He returned to this country and resumed his literary work. In 1867 he was appointed minister to Berlin by President Grant. The “History of the United States” is without a rival. It is generally accepted as an authority. Mr. Bancroft spared no pains in his researches among old manuscripts, and his style is full of interest.