geries"; the
second was "The New Zealanders." Other publications were issued by the
society until it was dissolved in 1846. Knight continued to send works
out of the press nearly to the end of his useful life, in March, 1873.
Some of these were written by himself, some by friends, and some were
translations. His "Penny Magazine," at the end of its first year, had a
sale of 200,000 copies. Amongst his other publications are Lane's
"Arabian Nights," "The Pictorial Bible," "The Pictorial History of
England," and--the object of his highest ambition--"The Pictorial
Shakespeare." In "Passages of a Working Life," he wrote his own
biography. In spite of his strenuous life he died a poor man. He was an
enthusiast, but his impetuous nature induced him to attempt to carry out
his schemes before they had matured. He had a quick temper and an
eloquent tongue. The esteem in which he was held by his friends is shown
by the admirable jest with which Douglas Jerrold took leave of him one
evening at a social gathering. "Good Knight," Jerrold said.

The "New Zealanders" was published anonymously, and for many years the
authorship was attributed to Lord Brougham. There is no doubt now,
however, that the author was George Lillie Craik, a scholar and a man of
letters. He was born at Kennoway, Fife, in 1798. He studied at St.
Andrew's, and went through a divinity course, but never applied to be
licensed as a preacher. Like Knight, he was attracted by journalism,
which he regarded as a means of instructing the public. When he was only
twenty years of age he was editor of "The Star," a local newspaper. In
London he adopted authorship as a profession. In 1849, he was appointed
Professor of English Literature and History at the Queen's College,
Belfast, and later on, although he still resided at Belfast, he became
examiner for the Indian Civil Service. All his literary work is
distinguished by careful research. Perhaps his best effort is
represented by "The Pursuit of Knowledge Under Difficulties," published
in the same year as "The New Zealanders." With a colleague he edited
"The Pictorial History of England," in four volumes. Amongst his other
works are "A Romance of the Peerage," "Spencer and his Poetry," "A
History of Commerce," "The English of Shakespeare," and "Bacon, his
Writings and Philosophy." He had a flowing and cultured style, and he
embellished his work with many references to the classics. He was one of
the best read men of his tim