Chapter Lovelace to Lyly of L by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

works are The Principles of Geology (1830-33), and The Elements of Geology (1838). In these books he combated the necessity of stupendous convulsions, and maintained that the greatest geologic changes might be produced by remote causes still in operation. He also published, among other works, Geological Evidence of the Antiquity of Man (1863). He was Professor of Geology in King’s College, London, 1831- 33, president of the British Association 1864, knighted in 1848, and created a Baronet in 1864. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. In his later years he was generally recognised as the greatest of living geologists.

Lyly, John (1554?-1606).—Dramatist and miscellaneous writer, was born in the Weald of Kent, and ed. at both Oxford and Cambridge He wrote several dramas, most of which are on classical and mythological subjects, including Campaspe and Sapho and Phao (1584), Endymion (1591), and Midas (1592). His chief fame, however, rests on his two didactic romances, Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit (1579), and Euphues and his England (1580). These works, which were largely inspired by Ascham’s Toxophilus, and had the same objects in view, viz., the reform of education and manners, exercised a powerful, though temporary, influence on the language, both written and spoken, commemorated in our words “euphuism” and “euphuistic.” The characteristics of the style have been set forth as “pedantic and far- fetched allusion, elaborate indirectness, a cloying smoothness and drowsy monotony of diction, alliteration, punning, and such-like puerilities, which do not, however, exclude a good deal of wit, fancy, and prettiness.” Many contemporary authors, including Shakespeare, made game of it, while others, e.g. Greene, admired and practised it. Lyly also wrote light dramatic pieces for the children of the Chapel Royal, and contributed a pamphlet, Pappe with an Hatchet (1589) to the Mar-prelate controversy in which he supported the Bishops. He sat in Parliament for some years.