urs, you are in the right to
be proud of him," replied Captain Larchant, "for the memory of his deeds
of this day will live as long as learning shall be held in reverence.
Never before hath such a marvelous display of universal erudition been
heard within these schools. By my faith, I am absolutely
wonder-stricken, and not I alone, but all. In proof of which I need only
tell you, that coupling his matchless scholarship with his extraordinary
accomplishments, the professors in their address to him at the close of
the controversy have bestowed upon him the epithet of 'Admirable'--an
appellation by which he will ever after be distinguished."

"The Admirable Crichton!" echoed Ogilvy--"hear you that!--a title
adjudged to him by the whole conclave of the university--hurrah! The
Admirable Crichton! 'Tis a name will find an echo in the heart of every
true Scot. By Saint Andrew! this is a proud day for us."

"In the mean time," said Larchant, smiling at Ogilvy's exultations, and
describing a circle with the point of his lance, "I must trouble you to
stand back, Messieurs Scholars, and leave free passage for the rector
and his train--Archers advance, and make clear the way, and let the
companies of the Baron D'Epernon and of the Vicomte de Joyeuse be
summoned, as well as the guard of his excellency, Seigneur Rene de
Villequier. Patience, messieurs, you will hear all particulars anon."

So saying, he retired, and the men-at-arms, less complaisant than their
leaders, soon succeeded in forcing back the crowd.

MARK AKENSIDE

(1721-1770)

Mark Akenside is of less importance in genuine poetic rank than in
literary history. He was technically a real poet; but he had not a
great, a spontaneous, nor a fertile poetical mind. Nevertheless, a
writer who gave pleasure to a generation cannot be set aside. The fact
that the mid-eighteenth century ranked him among its foremost poets is
interesting and still significant. It determines the poetic standard and
product of that age; and the fact that, judged thus, Akenside was fairly
entitled to his fame.

[Illustration: Mark Akenside]

He was the son of a butcher, born November 9th, 1721, in
Newcastle-on-Tyne, whence Eldon and Stowell also sprang. He attracted
great attention by an early poem, 'The Virtuoso.' The citizens of that
commercial town have always appreciated their great men and valued
intellectual distinction, and its Dissenters sent him at their own
expense to Edinburgh