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Hereditary Genius
229
called the tragic school of Aeschylus, which continued for the space of 125
years.
Ariosto, Ludovico; author of the epic “Orlando Furioso,” and of many excellent
satires. He wrote dramas as a boy, and showed an early disposition for poetry,
but was educated for the law, which he abandoned under an overpowering
impulse towards literature. Never married; had two illegitimate sons.
B. Gabriel; a poet of some distinction. He finished the comedy of “La Scholastica,”
which his brother had left uncompleted at his death. He wrote several poems,
and left a MS. volume of Latin verses, which were published posthumously.
N. Orazio was an intimate friend of Tasso. He wrote the “Argomenti,” and other
works.
Aristophanes, Greek comedian of the highest order; author of fifty-four comedies,
of which only eleven have reached us. His genius showed itself so early, that
his first play— and it won the second prize—was written when he was under
the age prescribed by law for competitors. It was therefore submitted under a
borrowed name.
3 S. His three sons—Philippus, Araros, and Nicostratus—were all poets of the
middle comedy.
Byron, Lord. Very ill-educated at home; did not show genius when at Harrow; his
“Hours of Idleness” were published aet. 19, and the “English Bards and Scotch
Reviewers,” which made him famous, aet. 21; d. aet. 36.
[G.] Hon. Admiral Byron, circumnavigator; author of the “Narrative.”
[P.] Captain Byron; imprudent and vicious.
[f.] Was strange, proud, passionate, and half-mad. “If ever there were a case in
which hereditary influences, arising out of impulse, passions, and habits of life,
could excuse eccentricities of character and extremes of conduct, this excuse
must be pleaded for Byron, as having descended from a line of ancestry
distinguished on both sides by everything calculated to destroy all harmony of
character, all social concord, all individual happiness.” (Mrs. Ellis.)
s. Ada, Countess of Lovelace; had remarkable mathematical gifts.
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