| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Essays of Travel by Robert Louis Stevenson: for himself, as he rummages the bookshelves, is the real test and
pleasure. My father's library was a spot of some austerity; the
proceedings of learned societies, some Latin divinity, cyclopaedias,
physical science, and, above all, optics, held the chief place upon
the shelves, and it was only in holes and corners that anything
really legible existed as by accident. The PARENT'S ASSISTANT, ROB
ROY, WAVERLEY, and GUY MANNERING, the VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN WOODS
ROGERS, Fuller's and Bunyan's HOLY WARS, THE REFLECTIONS OF ROBINSON
CRUSOE, THE FEMALE BLUEBEARD, G. Sand's MARE AU DIABLE - (how came it
in that grave assembly!), Ainsworth's TOWER OF LONDON, and four old
volumes of Punch - these were the chief exceptions. In these latter,
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Merry Men by Robert Louis Stevenson: comprehension. Many were the glasses they emptied, many the topics
they discussed.
'Anastasie,' the Doctor said on the third morning, 'take an example
from your husband, from Jean-Marie! The excitement has done more
for the boy than all my tonics, he takes his turn as sentry with
positive gusto. As for me, you behold me. I have made friends
with the Egyptians; and my Pharaoh is, I swear it, a most agreeable
companion. You alone are hipped. About a house - a few dresses?
What are they in comparison to the "Pharmacopoeia" - the labour of
years lying buried below stones and sticks in this depressing
hamlet? The snow falls; I shake it from my cloak! Imitate me.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe: that passed them in their sad journey.
Simon rode on, however, apparently well pleased, occasionally
pulling away at a flask of spirit, which he kept in his pocket.
"I say, _you!_" he said, as he turned back and caught a
glance at the dispirited faces behind him. "Strike up a song,
boys,--come!"
The men looked at each other, and the "_come_" was repeated,
with a smart crack of the whip which the driver carried in
his hands. Tom began a Methodist hymn.
"Jerusalem, my happy home,
Name ever dear to me!
Uncle Tom's Cabin |
