Chapter L: C. Van Noppen, after pursuing his studies of Dutch literature in

Holland, came to Pittsburgh and wrote a translation of Vondel's great Dutch classical poem "Lucifer." Vondel published the original of this work some ten or fifteen years before Milton's "Paradise Lost" appeared, and critics have tried to show by the deadly parallel column that Milton drew the inspiration for some of his highest poetical flights from Vondel. It is probable, however, that Milton was unconscious of the existence of Vondel's work.

S. L. Fleishman has translated the poems of Heine with tenderness and feeling. Ella Boyce Kirk has written several educational pamphlets. Morgan Neville published a poem, "Comparisons." From that Prince Rupert of the astronomers, Professor James E. Keeler, who has made more than one fiery dash across the borderland of known science, we have "Spectroscopic Observations of Nebulae." That truly gifted woman, Margaretta Wade Deland, was born in Pittsburgh in 1857 and resided here until her marriage in 1880. Among her books are "John Ward, Preacher," "The Story of a Child," "Philip and His Wife," and "Old Chester Tales." Jane Grey Swisshelm wrote the recollections of an eventful experience under the title "Half a Century of Life." Nicholas Biddle composed a studious "Life of Sebastian Cabot," and another book, "Modern Chivalry." Mrs. Annie Wade has written poems and stories. The city has fathered many able writers against slavery and intemperance, among whom was William H. Burleigh, who wrote "Our Country." William B. Conway wrote "Cottage on the Cliff." From Rev. John Black we have "The Everlasting Kingdom," and Rev. John Tassey published a "Life of Christ." William G. Johnston's interesting book, "Experiences of a Forty-niner," was published in 1892. John Reed Scott has published two successful novels, "The Colonel of the Red Hussars" and "Beatrix of Clare." Martha Fry Boggs wrote "A Romance of New Virginia." Then there are "Polly and I," by Cora Thurmston; "Free at Last" and "Emma's Triumph," by Mrs. Jane S. Collins; "Her Brother Donnard," by Emily E. Verder; "Essays," by Anna Pierpont Siviter; "Human Progress," by Thomas S. Blair; "Steel: A Manual for Steel Users," a useful monograph by William Metcalf; and "Memoir of John B. Gibson," by Colonel Thomas P. Roberts. Then there are some poor things from my own pen, if, in order to make the record complete, I may add them at the end--"Oliver Cromwell: A History" (1894); "John Marmaduke: A Romance of the English Invasion of Ireland in 1649" (1897); "Beowulf: A Poem" (1901); "Penruddock of the White Lambs," a novel (1903); "The Brayton Episode," a play (1903); "The Sword of the Parliament," a play (1907); and this, "A Short History of Pittsburgh" (1908).

And such is the list. Imperfect though it may be, it is the best that I have been able to compose. But how large and full the measure of it all is! History, biography, philosophy, religion, nature, science, criticism, government, coinage and finance, art, poetry, the drama, travel, adventure, fiction, society, education, all avenues of human activity, all themes of human speculation, have been covered in books written with more or less interest and power by men and women of Pittsburgh. Much of this volume of production is ephemeral, but some of it on the other hand is undoubtedly a permanent addition to the world's literature.