PECK, GEORGE W., author of the “Peck’s Bad Boy” series of articles, began life as a printer’s devil, entered the army in 1863, and when peace was declared returned to Wisconsin and made his name as a humorous writer in the columns of _Peck’s Sun_, Milwaukee. Since the famous articles were published Mr. Peck has entered politics, and for some years held the position of Governor of Wisconsin. PETE PAREAU. _See_ WRIGHT. PETERS, SAMUEL (1735-1826), author of _General History of Connecticut_, a satire. PETROLEUM V. NASBY. _See_ LOCKE. PHARMENAS MIX. _See_ KELLY. POMEROY, MARCUS MILLS, born 1833. After an apprenticeship to journalism in the West, he founded in New York, 1868, the _Brick Pomeroy Democrat_, which for sensationalism was unsurpassed in the history of American journalism. He has the reputation of being able to tell a plainer lie—professionally, of course—than any man in America. His principal books are _Sense_, _Nonsense_, _Brick Dust_, _Home Harmonies_, and _Perpetual Money_. “PORTE CRAYON.” _See_ STROTHER. RILEY, JAMES WHITCOMB (1854). Mr. Riley is writing the typically American verse of the day, and his work is now read by a larger public than any other American poet finds. His poems, humorous or otherwise, are full of tender feeling, and in them the tear invariably accompanies the smile. He has a perfect command of the country dialects, and pictures as no other writer seems able to do, the humorous and the pathetic side of American life. A number of his books have been published in England. _Old Fashioned Roses_, by Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co., and other volumes by Messrs. Gay & Bird. In America the Bowen-Merrill Co., Indianapolis, publish _The Old Swimmin’-Hole, and ’Leven More Poems_; _The Boss Girl, and other Sketches and Poems_; and _Afterwhiles_. Mr. Riley’s verses, “Old Man and Jim,” and “Little Orphant Annie,” are popular with reciters on both sides the Atlantic. ROCHE, JAMES JEFFREY (1847), editor of the _Boston Pilot_, and author of _Songs and Satires_. Has written a great deal of humorous verse. RUSSELL, IRWIN (1853-1879). According to Joel Chandler Harris, Mr. Russell was the first Southern writer to appreciate the literary possibilities of the negro character. Mr. Russell’s short life was one of hard work and disappointments, and it was not until after his death that his poems were collected and published. “Christmas Night in the Quarters” is the best of his poems. SANDERSON, JOHN (1783-1844). _The American in England_ and _The American in Paris_ are works which attained wide circulation at the time of publication.