Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

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1153

Redeeming Time

Pip Pirrip never misses a moment of visiting time with Abel Magwitch, the convict who made him into a gentleman, in the prison hospital.

Pip Pirrip has finally met the anonymous benefactor who made him a gentleman – a transported felon, Abel Magwitch, illegally back in Britain just to see him. But shock and disgust have given way to pity and respect; and now Abel lies in a prison hospital, unlikely to trouble the hangman, Pip never misses a minute of visiting hour.

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Picture: © X7photo, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.. Source.

1154

The Six Leaps of Faith

The eighth-century English bishop and poet Cynewulf explores a prophecy from the Song of Solomon.

In these lines from ‘Christ’ by Cynewulf (possibly the 8th century bishop Cynewulf of Lindisfarne), the poet reflects upon some beautiful words from the Song of Solomon, which he understands as a prophecy of Jesus Christ.

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Picture: © Timst, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.. Source.

1155

At Heaven’s Gate

The eighth-century English bishop and poet Cynewulf takes us to the threshold of God’s holy city, and gives us a choice.

Cynewulf (possibly the 8th century bishop Cynewulf of Lindisfarne) presents the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as a choice given to all mankind: what kind of life do we want in the hereafter, and what are we prepared to do in order to obtain it?

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Picture: © Kevin King, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1156

Guardian of Peace

J. S. Mill argues that free trade has done more to put an end to war than any political union or military alliance.

Many religions and political ideologies promise prosperity and an end to war, but on closer inspection there is a price to pay: all must submit, or be punished. But for Victorian philosopher J. S. Mill, great progress had already been made by sovereign nations sharing trade ungrudgingly – we need only to widen our horizons.

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Picture: © David Dixon, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1157

Heracles and the Cretan Bull

Heracles seems to be the only one who can keep Poseidon’s rampaging white bull under control.

News that a mad bull is loose on Crete and destroying crops and livelihoods reaches Eurystheus, and naturally he thinks at once that the gods have given him another opportunity to dispose of his cousin Heracles.

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Picture: © Jebulon, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.

1158

Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday is a peculiarly British celebration of Christian faith, close family and responsible freedom.

Mothering Sunday is a peculiarly British celebration. In contrast to state-sponsored days honouring women or mothers in other religions or countries, it is an ancient custom of the people that acknowledges the intimate connection between Christian faith, close-knit families founded on a mother’s love, and a free society.

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Picture: Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.