Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Jonathan Billinger, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
When Robert Southey called for a fairer and greener economy, Thomas Macaulay warned that only politicians and bureaucrats would thank him.
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By James Walter Chapman-Taylor (1878-1958), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
An unemployed French labourer was amazed when a friend suggested becoming a French master to refined English ladies.
From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
When Lili Dehn was bundled out of the Alexander Palace in the Spring of 1917, Empress Alix reassured her that they would meet again.
By an anonymous artist, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
As a young prince Henry V was ‘fierce and of wanton courage,’ Thomas Elyot tells us, but there was one man with courage to match his.
By Eastman Johnson (1824-1906), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A runaway slave is recaptured, and charged with ingratitude by the master who has taken such pains to afford him economic security.
John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ opens with Christian wondering how to convince his wife that their town and their family are in immediate danger.