ARNOLD, iir'nSIt, CITRISTOPH (1050-95). A German peasant (horn near Leipzig),who carried out interesting astronomical observations and wrote Got tliche G nadenzcieh en, in cincm Son nen nder mom A (igen gest Hit (Leipzig. 1092). lie constructed an observatory at his own house, and devoted himself to astronomical studies. He was the first to observe the comets of 16S2 and 1686, and observed the transit of Mercury in the fall of 1690. An account of the latter ob servation is given in the work before mentioned. ARNOLD, iir'nold, Sir EDwIN (I83:2-1904 ) A popular English author, born at Gravesend, June 10. 1832. From King's School, Rochester, he went to King's College, London, and thence to University College, Oxford, where he won the Newdigate Prize for 1853. In 1854-56, he was master of King Edward's School, Birmingham; and in 1856 he became principal of the Govern ment College at Poona, Bombay. Returning to England in 1861, he obtained a place on the edi torial stall' of the Daily Telegraph. At the death of Thornton Hunt he became chief editor of the paper. While at this exacting work he found time to translate a volume of Greek poems and to produce his most remarkable work, The Light of Asia (1879), a production notable for its lofty philosophy and the vividness and reality with which the scenery, climate, manners. and people
of Hindustan, as they were 2000 years ago, are portrayed. Its full title is The Light of Asia; or, The Great Renunciation; being the Life and Teachings of Caulanur I as told in verse by an Indian Buddhist). fie subsequently published Pearls of the Faith( 1883 ) G al ista 1889 ) ; Poems, Vationat and Xon-Griental (1888): The Light of the World (1891); The Tenth Muse and other Poenis(1895); East acid West (1896) ; The Voyage of I thobal (HMI), and numerous other works. He was made a companion of the Star of India in 1877: a Knight Commander of the Indian Empire in 1888, and decorated by the Sultan of Turkey and other oriental rulers. Ile frequently visited the United States. reading there in 1891.
During, the ten years following the publication of The Light of Asia, Arnold attained to his highest popularity. In the final estimate of his poetry. it will be discovered that his immense vogue was due largely to the freshness of his subject. Ile above all others popularized the philosophy of India. He was excellent at trans lation and paraphrase, hut lacked the inventive genius of the great poets.