More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Next to the general passion we have for society, to a choice in which we are directed by the pleasure we have in the object, the particular passion under this head called sympathy has the greatest extent.
As to imitation and preference, nothing more need be said.
We might expect that the artists themselves would have been our surest guides; but the artists have been too much occupied in the practice:
and as for those called critics, they have generally sought the rule of the arts in the wrong place; they sought it among poems, pictures, engravings, statues, and buildings.
believe, the reason why artists in general, and poets principally, have been confined in so narrow a circle: they have been rather imitators of one another than of nature; and this with so faithful an uniformity, and to so remote an antiquity, that it is hard to say who gave the first model.
In the following parts I shall inquire what things they are that cause in us the affections of the sublime and beautiful, as in this I have considered the affections themselves.
I only desire one favour,—that no part of this discourse may be judged of by itself, and independently of the rest; for I am sensible I have not disposed my materials to abide the test of a captious controversy, but of a sober and even forgiving examination, that they are not armed at all points for battle, but dressed to visit those who are willing to give a peaceful entrance to truth.
December 17th Dies on the Eve of Her Son's Conversion Saint Augustine. (354–430). The Confessions of St. Augustine. Vol. 7, pp. 150-160 of The Harvard Classics The mother of St. Augustine prayed unceasingly for her son's conversion. The most touching, most soul-revealing writing St. Augustine did is in the description of his mother's death.
“Son, for mine own part I have no further delight in any thing in this life. What I do here any longer, and to what end I am here, I know not, now that my hopes in this world are accomplished. One thing there was for which I desired to linger for a while in this life, that I might see thee a Catholic Christian before I died. My God hath done this for me more abundantly, that I should now see thee withal, despising earthly happiness, become His servant: what do I here?”
We hastened round her; but she was soon brought back to her senses; and looking on me and my brother standing by her, said to us enquiringly, “Where was I?” And then looking fixedly on us, with grief amazed: “Here,” saith she, “shall you bury your mother.”
December 18th For a Gentleman John Locke (1632–1704). Some Thoughts Concerning Education. Vol. 37, pp. 136-145 of The Harvard Classics Every schoolboy asks: "What's the use of learning Latin?" John Locke, one of the greatest educators of all time, maintains that Latin is absolutely essential to a well-bred gentleman, and explains why.
December 20th Egypt Visited by the First Reporter Herodotus (c. 484–425 BC), An Account of Egypt: Being the Second Book of His Histories Called Euterpe. Vol. 33 pp. 7-17 of The Harvard Classics All phases of life were pictured by Herodotus in his history. Like a modern newspaper reporter, he combines weird stories, scandals, and battle accounts with descriptions of places, persons, and sights about town.
Cyrus had brought his life to an end, Cambyses received the royal power in succession, being the son of Cyrus and of Cassandane the daughter of Pharnaspes, for whose death, which came about before his own, Cyrus had made great mourning himself and also had proclaimed to all those over whom he bore rule that they should make mourning for her:
If however after I have found fault with the opinions proposed, I am bound to declare an opinion of my own about the matters which are in doubt, I will tell what to my mind is the reason why the Nile increases in the summer.
thus summer prevails always in the upper parts of Libya.
As to the breeze, why none blows from the river, my opinion is that from very hot places it is not natural that anything should blow, and that a breeze is wont to blow from something cold.
December 21st "Madam Bubble" Not to Be Discouraged John Bunyan (1628–1688). The Pilgrim’s Progress. Vol. 15, pp. 306-318 of The Harvard Classics "Madam Bubble," or this vain world, presented both herself and her purse to the wayfarer. Repulsed and scorned, yet she serenely flaunts her bribes enticingly before his bewildered eyes. (John Bunyan made leader of Non-Conformist congregation, Dec. 21, 1671.)
December 22nd Rubbing Noses in New Zealand Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882). The Voyage of the Beagle. Vol. 29, pp. 425-434 of The Harvard Classics Darwin, in exploring New Zealand, finds cannibalism, tattooing, and many weird customs among the natives. Instead of shaking hands, the salutation is by rubbing noses. (Darwin visits New Zealand natives, Dec. 22, 1835.)
December 23rd Saved from a Bonfire of Books Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve (1804-1869), What is a Classic?. Vol. 32, pp. 121-133 of The Harvard Classics If all the books in the world were on fire, some men would risk their lives to save certain priceless writings: the world's classics. Sainte-Beuve here tells why. (Sainte-Beuve born Dec. 23, 1804.)
December 24th Christmas Made a Dull Day Holinshed's Chronicles: A Description of Elizabethan England. Vol. 35, pp. 266-270 of The Harvard Classics Before the Reformation in England almost every third day was a holy day. But the Puritans abolished all the holy days, even Christmas.
December 25th The Christmas Story The Gospel According to Luke. Vol. 44, pp. 357-360 of The Harvard Classics (Christmas Day.) Luke was a Greek physician, a man of culture, trained in the best universities of the ancient world. He became imbued with the spirit of Christ, and wrote the most beautiful story of the birth and life of Jesus.
December 26th Silence Cost Her a Kingdom William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Tragedy of King Lear. Vol. 46, pp. 288-300 of The Harvard Classics Cordelia, daughter of old King Lear, could not convince her father of her love for him. Afterward, when misfortunes made him accept her aid, he learned too late of her real devotion. ("King Lear" presented at Queen Elizabeth's court, Dec. 26, 1606.)
December 27th Million-Year-Old Islands Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882). The Voyage of the Beagle. Vol. 29, pp. 376-389 of The Harvard Classics It was the new-old lands that Darwin visited on his voyage of the "Beagle." The strange specimens of prehistoric life he saw there made the world gape and shudder. (Charles Darwin begins voyage in the "Beagle," Dec. 27, 1831.)
December 28th Ho! for the Spanish Main! Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great Armada. Vol. 33, pp. 229-240 of The Harvard Classics Drake with a fleet of twenty-five ships and twenty-three hundred men sets sail to plunder and lay waste Spain's treasure hoards in the New World. Gold and silver bar, nuggets and jewels awaited the bold adventurers.
December 29th These Guests Outstayed Their Welcome Homer (fl. 850 B.C.). The Odyssey. Vol. 22, pp. 296-309 of The Harvard Classics After twenty years' absence, Odysseus returned home to find his house filled with strangers rioting and wasting his treasure. Crafty Odysseus, with the aid of his son and the gods, devised a bold plan to rid his home of the unwelcome guests.
December 30th Dana Meets a Tattooed Sailor Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (1815–1882). Two Years before the Mast. Vol. 23, pp. 77-86of The Harvard Classics Dana's description of the picturesque, pre-gold-rush California is unique. While he was on the Pacific coast he met a British sailor who was elaborately tattooed and of an unforgetable appearance and personality.
December 31st Curiosity and Interest as Guides to Reading Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881). Inaugural Address at Edinburgh. Vol. 25, pp. 364-374 of The Harvard Classics The most unhappy man, Carlyle says, is the man who has no real work - no interest in life. To avoid this miserable state, he advises faithful and diligent reading along the lines dictated by curiosity and interest.
