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A review by lnatal
The History of Henry Esmond, Esq. by William Makepeace Thackeray
2.0
Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
Opening lines:
The actors in the old tragedies, as we read, piped their iambics to a tune, speaking from under a mask, and wearing stilts and a great head-dress. 'Twas thought the dignity of the Tragic Muse required these appurtenances, and that she was not to move except to a measure and cadence. So Queen Medea slew her children to a slow music: and King Agamemnon perished in a dying fall (to use Mr. Dryden's words): the Chorus standing by in a set attitude, and rhythmically and decorously bewailing the fates of those great crowned persons.
Page 117:
Ah! no man knows his strength or his weakness, till occasion proves them. If there be some thoughts and actions of his life from the memory of which a man shrinks with shame, sure there are some which he may be proud to own and remember; forgiven injuries, conquered temptations (now and then) and difficulties vanquished by endurance.
3* Vanity Fair
3* Barry Lyndon
3* The Mahogany Tree
3* The Rose and the King
2,5* The History of Henry Esmond
TR The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh and The Irish Sketch Book
TR Christmas Books
Opening lines:
The actors in the old tragedies, as we read, piped their iambics to a tune, speaking from under a mask, and wearing stilts and a great head-dress. 'Twas thought the dignity of the Tragic Muse required these appurtenances, and that she was not to move except to a measure and cadence. So Queen Medea slew her children to a slow music: and King Agamemnon perished in a dying fall (to use Mr. Dryden's words): the Chorus standing by in a set attitude, and rhythmically and decorously bewailing the fates of those great crowned persons.
Page 117:
Ah! no man knows his strength or his weakness, till occasion proves them. If there be some thoughts and actions of his life from the memory of which a man shrinks with shame, sure there are some which he may be proud to own and remember; forgiven injuries, conquered temptations (now and then) and difficulties vanquished by endurance.
3* Vanity Fair
3* Barry Lyndon
3* The Mahogany Tree
3* The Rose and the King
2,5* The History of Henry Esmond
TR The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh and The Irish Sketch Book
TR Christmas Books