June 7: "There's Rosemary — that's for Rememberance!" (Vol. 46, pp. 176-183)

And the rest of Ophelia's words? "...pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that’s for thoughts." Edwin Booth, a famed Shakespearean actor of the 19th century, died this day in 1893, which is why we get this selection from "Hamlet" today.

June 6: A Shrill Cry in the Night! (Vol. 23, pp. 285-295)

Sailing around Cape Horn on a bleak midwinter night in 1836, R.H. Dana was standing watch. He heard a bloodcurdling scream pierce the air. What was it? It turned out to be a crewman having a nightmare. Just another sea tale from Dana's "Two Years Before The Mast."

June 5: The Rent of Land from Human Food (Vol. 10, pp. 149-157)

Adam Smith was born this day in 1723, but the editors pick a bland piece from "Wealth of Nations" to mark his birthday. It is an explanation about rent — how it is set, how it is paid and the balance between the two. Not the most gripping part of this book.

June 4: 'Neath the Iron Hand of Spain (Vol. 19, pp. 253-259)

Count Egmont, the people's hero, was sentenced to death this day in 1658 when the Duke of Alva and the Spaniards put down an uprising. Goethe turned this episode into a play, "Egmont," which is today's selection. Not that interesting.

June 3: Pulse Aids Epochal Discoveries (Vol. 38, pp. 75-86)

Dr. William Harvey died this day in 1657. Here, in his "Motion of the Heart and Blood," he deduced that arteries carry blood through the body. This is dry and scientific writing, but Harvey's discovery is exciting when you consider how little was known in the 17th century about how the body works.

June 2: "Back to Nature" in the Seventeenth Century (Vol. 34, pp. 239-249)

Jean Jacques Rousseau was born this day in 1712, and today's selection from "A Savoyard Vicar," is characteristically deep as all of Rousseau's work is. Rousseau didn't care much for civilization and believe man thrived best in a natural state.

June 1: Thrilling Play by Tutor of Shakespeare (Vol. 19, pp. 241-250)

Christopher Marlowe, the man who taught Shakespeare how to write better plays, died this day in 1593. We get Marlowe's blank verse retelling of the Faust legend, "Dr. Faustus," and while the editors think it's thrilling, I think it's hallucinatory nonsense.