The Copybook

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

1579

From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

‘Better Habits, Not Greater Rights’ Samuel Smiles

The extraordinary productivity and social mobility of the Victorian era is to the credit not of the governing class, but of the working man.

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1580

© tango7174, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Theseus and the Minotaur Clay Lane

A warning not to be forgetful of others, even in triumph.

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1581

© Heinz Schmitz, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.5.

Heracles and the Nemean Lion Clay Lane

Sending a hero off to ‘certain death’ never seems to work out...

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1582

© Peter Trimming, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

Perseus and Andromeda Clay Lane

Wielding the Gorgon’s head, Perseus saves a beautiful maiden from a ravening sea-monster.

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1583

From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Heracles at the Crossroads Clay Lane

The gods had given Heracles every grace of body and mind, but there was one thing he must do for himself: choose how to use them.

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1584

Photo by Jastrow, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Hunt for the Wild Boar of Calydon Clay Lane

Artemis, goddess of the hunt, pursued a bitter and relentless vengeance upon a king who carelessly slighted her.

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