| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: are not of much importance.
Nor can we reckon the Codfish as very dangerous to literature, unless, indeed,
he be of the Roman obedience, like that wonderful Ichthiobibliophage
(pardon me, Professor Owen) who, in the year 1626, swallowed three Puritanical
treatises of John Frith, the Protestant martyr. No wonder, after such a meal,
he was soon caught, and became famous in the annals of literature.
The following is the title of a little book issued upon the occasion:
"Vox Piscis, or the Book-Fish containing Three Treatises, which were found
in the belly of a Cod-Fish in Cambridge Market on Midsummer Eve, A'0 1626."
Lowndes says (see under "Tracey,") "great was the consternation at Cambridge
upon the publication of this work."
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber: "Hm--what?" demanded Fanny. "It sounds unflattering,
whatever it means."
"Gloves!" repeated Father Fitzpatrick, unheeding her.
"Well, now, what d'you think of that! Millions of dollars'
worth, I'll wager, in your time."
"Two million and a half in my department last year," replied
Ella, without the least trace of boastfulness. One talked
only in terms of millions at Haynes-Cooper's.
"What an age it is! When two slips of women can earn
salaries that would make the old kings of Ireland look like
beggars." He twinkled upon the older woman. "And what a
Fanny Herself |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Contrast by Royall Tyler: approve, my family is decent, and my rank honourable.
MARIA
You distress me, Sir.
MANLY
Then I will sincerely beg your excuse for obtruding
so disagreeable a subject, and retire. [Going.
MARIA
Stay, Sir! your generosity and good opinion of me
deserve a return; but why must I declare what, for
these few hours, I have scarce suffered myself to
think?--I am--
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