NEWTON (England--1642-1727).

Very similar was the fate of the great Sir Isaac Newton. Born in 1642, he
entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1660, and thenceforward gave
himself up to the study of mathematics, physics, and astronomy. Making his
home at Woolsthorpe, where he possessed a fine property, he spent his
remaining years there, taking occasional trips to London and Cambridge. In
1672 he became a member of the Royal Society of London, and in 1688 he
represented the University of Cambridge in Parliament. In 1703 he was
elected president of the Royal Society, and held the position until his
death in 1727.

Why he never married is not clear. It is supposed, however, that he was
crossed in love in his youth and on that account abandoned all thoughts of
matrimony.

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG (Sweden--1688-1772).

A mystic from his cradle, Swedenborg blossomed first as a man of letters
and a poet and won considerable popularity in Stockholm and throughout
Sweden. Then he became a member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences
and broached his famous atomic theory. Finally, at the age of fifty-four,
he cast off all mortal interests and became the expounder of new religious
doctrines, claiming that the truths he gave out were secured through
direct inspiration.

His disciples founded the Church of the New Jerusalem, which spread
rapidly, and to-day has offshoots in England, India, Africa, and this
country.

IMMANUEL KANT (Prussia--1724-1804).

Another man of monastic temperament was Immanuel Kant, the eminent founder
of German philosophy. Born at Koenigsberg in 1724, he lived there all his
life. He did not travel; he did not even take flying trips to the great
universities; the old city on the Pregel was good enough for him, and
there he stayed and worked.

An honorable, dignified man, he was practically dead to the world and
lived only that he might do honor to his goddess, Philosophy. Womankind
seems to have had no attraction for him, and from social pleasures he
rigidly abstained. His proper place was in a cloister, and no ascetic ever
lived who apportioned out his time more regularly or did more
conscientious work during the twenty-four hours of each day.

FRANCOIS MARIE AROUET VOLTAIRE (France--1694-1778).

Turning from the recluse to the men of the world, where can we find a more
distinguished bachelor than Voltaire? Born in 1694, this witty Frenchman
lived his memorable life among the gayest men and