The Copybook

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

451

© Sujayadhar, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Lessons of Empire W. Somerset Maugham

The British Empire’s hostile breakup with India should have taught everyone two things: money cannot buy love, and power does not command respect.

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452

By Franz Seraph von Lenbach (1836-1904), via the National Portrait Gallery and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Verdict of History John Acton, 1st Baron Acton

Two of the Victorian Age’s most distinguished historians locked horns over the question of whether historians should be nice.

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453

By W. and D. Downey, via the National Archives of Canada and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Considerate Queen Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III

When the young Aga Khan visited London in 1898 he was presented to Queen Victoria, and found her cultural sensitivity deeply touching.

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454

© I Love Colour, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Lord Is My Shepherd The Authorized Version

King David expresses his trust in God in terms remembered from his years as a shepherd boy.

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455

By John Everett Millais (1829-1896), from the Metropolitan Museum of Art via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Quality of Mercy William Shakespeare

Shylock is savouring revenge on Antonio for years of disgusting mistreatment, but the judge warns him to temper his demands.

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456

By Henryk Siemiradzki (1843–1902), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Nero’s Torches Cornelius Tacitus

Sensing that the Great Fire of Rome in 64 (though entertaining) was damaging his public image, the Emperor Nero looked around for someone to blame.

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