The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

637

By John Constable (1776–1837), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Heracles and the Waggoner Sir Roger L’Estrange

Heracles refuses to come to the aid of man who is perfectly able to help himself.

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638

By John Trumbull (1756–1843), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

A Moral and Religious People John Adams

John Adams, the second President of the USA, told army officers in Massachusetts that the Constitution he had helped to draw up could not guarantee them liberty.

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639

By Franz Wenzel Schwarz (1842–1919), from the Civic Museum of Castel Nuovo, Naples, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Democracy in Europe William Lecky

Events in Italy and Austria seemed to be bringing the day ever closer when a European democracy would vote herself into oblivion.

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640

By Robert Nanteuil (1623–1678), from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Gallica Digital Library and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

A Backward Step William Lecky

As William Lecky watched the rapid spread of socialism across the European Continent, he was struck by a powerful sense of déjà vu.

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641

From Wikimedia Commons.

The Spanish Armada D. H. Montgomery

At the height of the Inquisition, King Philip II of Spain sent a glorious fleet against England to bring the nation back to his Church.

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642

By George Romney (1734-1802), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Call of Duty Horatio, Lord Nelson

When Horatio Nelson stepped aboard HMS Victory in September 1805, the great Admiral knew he had every reason to stay on dry land.

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