Vulgar words in Literary Character of Men of Genius - Drawn from Their Own Feelings and Confessions (Page 1)
This book at a glance
|
|
~ ~ ~ Sentence 231 ~ ~ ~
They have sunk these pursuits into the class of what they term "unproductive labour;" and by another result of their line and level system, men of letters, with some other important characters, are forced down into the class "of buffoons, singers, opera-dancers, &c." In a system of political economy it has been discovered that "that _unprosperous race_ of men, called _men of letters_, must _necessarily_ occupy their present _forlorn state_ in society much as formerly, when a scholar and a beggar seem to have been terms very nearly synonymous.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 882 ~ ~ ~
From a manuscript letter of our poet's, written when employed on his "Summer," I transcribe his sentiments on his former literary friends in Scotland--he is writing to Mallet: "Far from defending these two lines, I damn them to the lowest depth of the poetical Tophet, prepared of old for Mitchell, Morrice, Rook, Cook, Beckingham, and a long &c. Wherever I have evidence, or think I have evidence, which is the same thing, I'll be as obstinate as all the mules in Persia."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 974 ~ ~ ~
Our poet, with all his gratitude and veneration for "the noble Glencairn," was "wounded to the soul" because his lordship showed "so much attention, engrossing attention, to the only blockhead at table; the whole company consisted of his lordship, Dunderpate, and myself."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 1,267 ~ ~ ~
That thing of silk, Sporus, that mere white curd of ass's milk!
~ ~ ~ Sentence 3,119 ~ ~ ~
Racine's motive for making love the constant source of action in his tragedies, was from the principle which has influenced so many poets, who usually conform to the prevalent taste of the times.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 4,823 ~ ~ ~
"My dear Kitty,--If this billet catches you in bed, you are a lazy, sleepy little slut, and I am a giddy, foolish, unthinking fellow, for keeping you so late up--but this Sabbath is a day of rest, at the same time that it is a day of sorrow; for I shall not see my dear creature to-day, unless you meet me at Taylor's half an hour after twelve; but in this do as you like.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 4,831 ~ ~ ~
"_London, May 8._ "My dear Kitty,--I have arrived here safe and sound--except for the hole in my heart which you have made, like a dear enchanting slut as you are.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 5,802 ~ ~ ~
One of its attendant calamities was the prevalent one of that day, the plague; and one of those state libels, which were early suppressed, or never printed, entitled, "Balaam's Ass," has this passage: "In this deluge of new buildings, we shall be all poisoned with breathing in one another's faces; and your Majesty has most truly said, England will shortly be London, and London, England."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 6,191 ~ ~ ~
[Footnote A: The MS. is entitled "Balaam's Ass, or a True Discoverie touching the Murmurs and Feared Discontents of the Times, directed to King James."