Lesson 59 Television Day: Edward Lear
TV Commentary:
Do you remember the poem, "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat"? Today we are going to learn something about the man who wrote it. His mane was Edward Lear. He was born in 1812 and th died in 1888. He was the youngest in a family of 21 children. His father was very rich, but lost all his money before Edward grew up. When this happened, Edward's favourite sister, Ann, said she would look after her brother. she said she could teach him to draw, write and play the piano. She said she had to look after him because his health ws so poor.
Edward owed a lot to Ann. When he grew up, he became a well-known artist. he travelled to many parts of the world and drew pictures. For a time during his life he worked as an artist for Lord Derby. He often entertained Lord Derby's grandchildewn with his beautiful "nonsense" poems. The children loved Mr Lear and his poems. Though the poems are very amusing, Edward Lear was ofter ill and unhappy. He never married and he led a lonely life--even though he became quite famous and people everywhere wanted to meet him. Here are a few lines he wrote about himself:
How pleasant to know Mr Lear
Who has written such volumes of stuff!
Some think him ill-tempered and queer,
But a few think him pleasant enough. |