London Pride or None-So-Pretty (Saxifraga umbrosa) is a small evergreen plant. It bears green rosettes of leaves from which spring numerous, quaint, tall, hairy flower-stalks bearing panicles of small flowers. Each of the five small white petals is dotted with red, and towards the centre of the flower with yellow; whilst the erect white stamens are terminated by terra- cotta coloured anthers. Research London Pride
John William Donaldson was an English philologist. He was born in 1811 at London and died in 1861. He studied at London University and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was elected a fellow. His first work was The Theatre of the Greeks, a work showing much erudition. In 1839 he published The New Cratylus, which was amongst the earliest attempts to bring the philological literature of the Continent within the reach of the English student. In 1844 appeared the first edition of Varronianus, a work on Latin similar in scope to the Cratylus. Amongst his other writings are grammars of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages.He became headmaster of Bury St Edmundsgrammar school in 1841 and resigned from the post in 1855, thereafter tutoring at Cambridge. *John Donne
John Donne was an English poet and divine. He was born in 1573 at London and died in 1631. The son of a merchant of London, he studied both at Oxford and Cambridge. In his nineteenth year he abjured the Catholic religion, and became secretary to the Lord-chancellor Ellesmere, but finally lost his office by a clandestine marriage with his patron's niece. The young couple were in consequence reduced to great distress, until his father-in-law relented so far as to give his daughter a moderate portion. By the desire of King James John Donne took orders, and, settling in London, was made preacher of Lincoln's Inn. In 1621 he was appointed Dean of St Paul's. He was chosen prolocutor to the convocation in 1623-24. As a poet, and the precursor of Cowley, John Donne may be deemed the founder of what Dr. Johnson calls the metaphysical class of poets. Abounding in thought this school generally neglected versification, and that of John Donne was peculiarly harsh and unmusical. His style is quaint and pedantic; but he displays sound learning, deep thinking, and originality of manner. Besides the works already mentioned, he wrote Letters, Sermons, Essays on Divinity, and other pieces. Research John Donaldson
Samuel Prout was an English painter in water-colours. He was born in 1783 at Plymouth and died in 1852. He became famous for his drawings of street scenes and the quaint mediaeval architecture of Europe. Research Samuel Prout
Zachary Boyd was an eminent Scottish divine of the 17th century. He was born before 1590 in Ayrshire and died in 1653 or 1654. After studying at Glasgow University he went to the College of Saumur, in France, and in 1611 he was made a regent in this university. In consequence of the persecution of the Protestants he was obliged in 1621 to return to his native country, and two years later was appointed minister of the Barony parish, Glasgow, and was thrice elected rector of the university there. He wrote many works, amongst which the principal is the Last Battell of the Soule in Death. His Zion's Flowers, a collection of metrical translations of Scripture history, often called Zachary Boyd's Bible, was bequeathed along with many other manuscripts and a large sum of money to the University of Glasgow. It is a quaint specimen of the devotional culture of the time. Research Zachary Boyd
Dan Leno (real name George Galvin) was a British comedian. He was born in 1860 and died in 1904. He started as an acrobat, and in 1880 became champion clog-dancer of the North of England. He moved to the music hall, where he specialised in eccentric dancing and was renowned for his quaint humour and feverish energy. Research Dan Leno
In architectural terms, Queen Anne is most commonly applied to a style of red brick and stone domestic building which was popular in the early 18th century. The Queen Anne style is also noted for its many angles, gables, irregular windows and quaint features. Research Queen Anne
Abbreviations
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