Ben Jonson died today – 370 years ago

English writer Ben Jonson was born on June 11, 1572 in Westminster, London, England. He said, “Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I'll not look for wine.” [As the Weavers sang in 1950, “Kisses sweeter than wine.”]... Mr. Jonson died in 1637 in Westminster, London, England.

Czech critic Eduard Hanslick was born on September 11, 1825 in Prague, Czech Republic. He said, “On the one hand it is said that the aim and object of music is to excite emotions, i.e., pleasurable emotions; on the other hand, the emotions are said to be the subject matter which musical works are intended to illustrate. Both propositions are alike in this, that one is as false as the other.” [Well, that just took all the joy out of music. He just analyzed things WAY too much!]... Mr. Hanslick died in 1904 in Baden, Austria.

U.S. Governor (23rd, California, 1911-1917) Hiram Johnson was born on September 2, 1866 in Sacramento, California. He said, “The first casualty of war is truth.” [The truth probably died a while before that.]... Mr. Johnson died in 1945 in Bethesda, Maryland.

U.S. television journalist Harry Reasoner was born on April 17, 1923 in Dakota City, Iowa. He said, “When 25 percent of the population believe the President should be impeached and 51 percent of the population believe in UFOs, you may or may not need a new President, but you definitely need a new population.” [Hmmmm.]... Mr. Reasoner died in 1991 in Westport, Connecticut.

U.S. harmonica player Larry Adler was born on February 10, 1914 in Baltimore, Maryland. He said, “Even Bach comes down to the basic suck, blow, suck, suck, blow." [OK!]... Mr. Adler died in 2001 in London, England.