| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: performed in relation to the state. The scene, in fact, but little
lends itself to the intrusion of violence or drunken riot; ugly speech
and ugly deeds alike are out of place. Amongst other good results
obtained through this out-door system of meals may be mentioned these:
There is the necessity of walking home when the meal is over, and a
consequent anxiety not to be caught tripping under the influence of
wine, since they all know of course that the supper-table must be
presently abandoned,[10] and that they must move as freely in the dark
as in the day, even the help of a torch[11] to guide the steps being
forbidden to all on active service.
[7] Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 240 C; {elix eklika terpei}, "Equals delight
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Silas Marner by George Eliot: "Oh, there was a little account between us," said Dunsey,
carelessly, "and Wildfire made it even. I accommodated him by
taking the horse, though it was against my will, for I'd got an itch
for a mare o' Jortin's--as rare a bit o' blood as ever you threw
your leg across. But I shall keep Wildfire, now I've got him,
though I'd a bid of a hundred and fifty for him the other day, from
a man over at Flitton--he's buying for Lord Cromleck--a fellow
with a cast in his eye, and a green waistcoat. But I mean to stick
to Wildfire: I shan't get a better at a fence in a hurry. The
mare's got more blood, but she's a bit too weak in the
hind-quarters."
Silas Marner |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: points where most rivalry and opposition were apprehended from
the Northwest Company.
A third party, headed by Mr. David Stuart, was to repair with
supplies to the post of that gentleman on the Oakinagan. In
addition to these expeditions, a fourth was necessary to convey
despatches to Mr. Astor, at New York, in place of those
unfortunately lost by John Reed. The safe conveyance of these
despatches was highly important, as by them Mr. Astor would
receive an account of the state of the factory, and regulate his
reinforcements and supplies accordingly. The mission was one of
peril and hardship and required a man of nerve and vigor. It was
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