| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Eugenie Grandet by Honore de Balzac: shall never speak of it again, never!"
Monsieur Bergerin, the celebrated doctor of Saumur, presently arrived.
After an examination, he told Grandet positively that his wife was
very ill; but that perfect peace of mind, a generous diet, and great
care might prolong her life until the autumn.
"Will all that cost much?" said the old man. "Will she need
medicines?"
"Not much medicine, but a great deal of care," answered the doctor,
who could scarcely restrain a smile.
"Now, Monsieur Bergerin," said Grandet, "you are a man of honor, are
not you? I trust to you! Come and see my wife how and when you think
Eugenie Grandet |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft: by the poor, to the exclusion of improvement; they have not time
to reason or reflect to any extent, or minds sufficiently exercised
to adopt the principles of action, which form perhaps the only
basis of contentment in every station."*
* The copy which appears to have received the author's
last corrections, ends at this place. [Godwin's note]
"And independence," said Darnford, "they are necessarily
strangers to, even the independence of despising their persecutors.
If the poor are happy, or can be happy, _things_ _are_ _very_ _well_
_as_ _they_ _are_. And I cannot conceive on what principle those
writers contend for a change of system, who support this opinion.
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: ROWLEY. Certainly--
SIR PETER. Tho' when it is known that we are reconciled, People
will laugh at me ten times more!
ROWLEY. Let--them laugh--and retort their malice only by
showing them you are happy in spite of it.
SIR PETER. Efaith so I will--and, if I'm not mistaken we may yet
be the happiest couple in the country--
ROWLEY. Nay Sir Peter--He who once lays aside suspicion----
SIR PETER. Hold Master Rowley--if you have any Regard for me--
never let me hear you utter anything like a Sentiment. I have had
enough of THEM to serve me the rest of my Life.
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