Ex Libris Kirkland is my entirely self-centered way to keep track of what I read, what I enjoy, and what I want to remember.
đź“– Recent Quotes đź“–
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Towards this end, indeed, he had purposed to introduce, in this place, a dissertation touching the divine right of beadles, and elucidative of the position, that a beadle can do no wrong: which could not fail to have been both pleasurable and profitable to the right-minded reader but which he is unfortunately compelled, by want of time and space, to postpone to some more convenient and fitting opportunity; on the arrival of which, he will be prepared to show, that a beadle properly constituted: that is to say, a parochial beadle, attached to a parochial workhouse, and attending in his official capacity the parochial church: is, in right and virtue of his office, possessed of all the excellences and best qualities of humanity; and that to none of those excellences, can mere companies’ beadles, or court-of-law beadles, or even chapel-of-ease beadles (save the last, and they in a very lowly and inferior degree), lay the remotest sustainable claim.
an excerpt from Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens in 1839
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There is nothing more pleasing to a traveller——or more terrible to travel-writers, than a large rich plain; especially if it is without great rivers or bridges; and presents nothing to the eye, but one unvaried picture of plenty: for after they have once told you, that ’tis delicious! or delightful! (as the case happens)—that the soil was grateful, and that nature pours out all her abundance, &c. . . . they have then a large plain upon their hands, which they know not what to do with—and which is of little or no use to them but to carry them to some town; and that town, perhaps of little more, but a new place to start from to the next plain——and so on. —This is most terrible work; judge if I don’t manage my plains better.
an excerpt from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, written by Laurence Sterne in 1769
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Was I in a condition to stipulate with Death, as I am this moment with my apothecary, how and where I will take his clyster——I should certainly declare against submitting to it before my friends; and therefore I never seriously think upon the mode and manner of this great catastrophe, which generally takes up and torments my thoughts as much as the catastrophe itself; but I constantly draw the curtain across it with this wish, that the Disposer of all things may so order it, that it happen not to me in my own house——but rather in some decent inn——at home, I know it,——the concern of my friends, and the last services of wiping my brows, and smoothing my pillow, which the quivering hand of pale affection shall pay me, will so crucify my soul; that I shall die of a distemper which my physician is not aware of: but in an inn, the few cold offices I wanted, would be purchased with a few guineas, and paid me with an undisturbed, but punctual attention.
an excerpt from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, written by Laurence Sterne in 1769
đź““ Recent Notes đź““
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I read this hot on the heels of David Copperfield; gotta space out the Dickens orphan stories!
an note about Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens in 1839
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A cautionary tale about unquestioning idealism? A distressing love story? Graham Greene always says: porqueno dos?
an note about The Quiet American, written by Graham Greene in 1956
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I lost a Learned League quiz question on this because I didn't know that in Italian this book is referred to as Il Milione. I won't forget it now!
an note about The Travels of Marco Polo, written by Marco Polo in 1300
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