Dictionary of English Literature 295
her lively and well-written novels many books of travel, and others dealing with historical subjects. She was a keen observer, and her Oriental travels had given her an accurate and deep knowledge of the peoples and manners of the East. Among her books are The City of the Sultan (1836), Romance of the Harem, Thousand and One Days, Louis XIV. and the Court of France, Court of Francis I., etc.
PARIS, MATTHEW (c. 1195-1259). Chronicler, entered in 1217 the Benedictine Monastery of St. Albans, and continued the work of Roger de Wendover (q.v.) as chronicler of the monastery. In 1248 he went on the invitation of Hacon King of Norway to reform the Abbey of St. Benet Holm. In this he was successful, and on his return to England enjoyed the favour of Henry III., who conversed familiarly with him, and imparted information as to matters of state, which constitutes a valuable element in his his- ories. He had a high reputation for piety and learning, was a patriotic Englishman, and resisted the encroachments of Rome. His chief work is Historia Major, from the Conquest until 1259. In it he embodied the Flores Historiarum of his predecessor Roger, and the original part is a bold and vigorous narrative of the period (1235- 59). He also wrote Historia Minor and Historia Anglorum, a sum- nary of the events (1200-1250).
PARK, MUNGO (1771-1806). Traveller, b. near Selkirk, studied medicine at Edin. As a surgeon in the mercantile marine he visited Sumatra, and on his return attracted the attention of various scientific men by his botanical and zoological investigations. In 1795 he entered the service of the African Association, and made a voyage of discovery on the Niger. His adventures were pub. in Travels in the Interior of Africa (1799), which had great success. He m. and set up in practice in Peebles; but in 1805 accepted an invita- tion by Government to undertake another journey in Africa. From this he never returned, having perished in a conflict with natives. His narratives, written in a straightforward and pleasing style, are among the classics of travel.
PARKER, THEODORE (1810-1860). Theologian, b. at
|,exington, Massachusetts, ed. at Harvard, was an indefatigable
- udent, and made himself master of many languages. In 1837
e was settled at West Roxbury as a Unitarian minister, but the evelopment of his views in a rationalistic direction gradually sparated him from the more conservative portion of his co-religion- 5ts. He lectured on theological subjects in Boston in 1 841 , travelled i Europe, and in 1845 settled in Boston, where he lectured to large udiences, and exercised a wide influence. He took a leading part L the anti-slavery crusade, and specially in resisting the Fugitive lave Act. In 1859 his health, which had never been robust, gave
- he went to Italy in search of restoration, but d. at Florence.
Jthough he was a powerful theological and social influence, his loritings are not of corresponding importance: it was rather as a meaker that he influenced his countrymen, and he left no contribu- l.on to literature of much permanent account, though his coll. works 111 14 vols. Among the most outstanding of his writings are A Dis burse of Matters Pertaining to Religion, and Sermons for the Times.
