Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

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55

Émilie’s Plan

The night before the Comte de Lavalette was to be executed, his wife Émilie came to visit him with a proposal that left him speechless.

56

Dancing in the Dock

The fandango is Spain’s most alluring national dance, and the story goes that even the most solemn clergyman could not resist it.

57

How the Pepyses Kept Twelfth Day

In the family of Samuel Pepys, the Feast of the Epiphany was kept with music, cake and quaint traditions.

58

The Great Brassey Keeps his Word

Once railway engineer Thomas Brassey made a promise he kept it — even if he wasn’t aware that he’d made one.

59

Who Can Refute a Sneer?

Clever people have realised that it is easier to get people on your side by mockery than by persuasion.

60

Mind Over Matter

John of Gaunt tries to persuade his son Henry that banishment from England isn’t such a bad thing, if you think about in the right way.