The Literary melange; or, Weekly register of literature and the arts

Front Cover
1822
 

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Page 113 - In one corner was a stagnant pool of water, surrounding an island of muck; there were several half -drowned fowls crowded together under a cart, among which was a miserable, crest-fallen cock, drenched out of all life and spirit ; his drooping tail matted, as it were, into a single feather, along which the water trickled from his back...
Page 87 - His hand guides the plough, and the plough his thoughts, and his ditch and landmark is the very mound of his meditations. He expostulates with his oxen very understandingly, and speaks gee and ree better than English. His mind is not much distracted with objects: but if a good fat cow come in his way, he stands dumb and astonished, and though his haste be never so great, will fix here half an hour's contemplation.
Page 16 - I did advise them to engage to do it; but, notwithstanding, — (for I love to be explicit) — I cannot give them my confidence. — Pardon me, gentlemen, — (bowing to them) — confidence is a plant of slow growth.
Page 104 - ... fire, and a glass of sherry was brought me from the sideboard, which I snatched up with eagerness ; but, oh ! how shall I tell the sequel? whether the butler by accident mistook,, or purposely designed to drive me mad, he gave me the strongest brandy, with which I filled my mouth, already flayed and blistered ; totally unused to...
Page 114 - I was dreadfully hipped. The hours seemed as if they would never creep by. The very ticking of the clock became irksome. At length the stillness of the house was interrupted by the ringing of a bell. Shortly after I heard the voice of a waiter at the bar: "The stout gentleman in No. 13 wants his breakfast. Tea and bread and butter, with ham and eggs; the eggs not to be too much done.
Page 87 - His religion is a part of his copyhold, which he takes from his landlord, and refers it wholly to his discretion. Yet if he give him leave, he is a good Christian to his power ; that is, comes to church in his best clothes, and sits there with his neighbours, where he is capable only of two prayers, for rains and fair weather.
Page 115 - In such a situation as mine, every incident is of importance. Here was a subject of speculation presented to my mind, and ample exercise for my imagination. I am prone to paint pictures to myself, and on this occasion I had some materials to work upon. Had the guest upstairs been mentioned as Mr. Smith, or Mr. Brown, or Mr. Jackson, or Mr. Johnson, or merely as "the gentleman in No. 13," it would have been a perfect blank to me.
Page 44 - Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff : you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search.
Page 113 - Sunday in a country inn! whoever has had the luck to experience one can alone judge of my situation. The rain pattered against the casements; the bells tolled for church with a melancholy sound. I went to the windows in quest of something to amuse the eye; but it seemed as if I had been placed completely out of the reach of all amusement. The windows of my bedroom looked out among tiled roofs and stacks of chimneys, while those of my sitting-room commanded a full view of the stable-yard. I know of...
Page 17 - Displeased, as well as pleased, allow it to be the finest speech that was ever made and it was observed, that, by his first two periods, he brought the house to a silence and attention, that you might have heard a pin drop.

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