The Copybook

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

529

By an Anonymous artist, via the Museum of London and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

‘London Was, but Is No More!’ John Evelyn

The day after the Great Fire of London finally burned itself out, John Evelyn walked through the charred streets.

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530

Jakub Hałun, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Unrivalled Grace Sir Henry Craik

Sir Henry Craik had heard such glowing reports of Agra’s Taj Mahal, that he was afraid it might prove to be an anticlimax.

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531

By Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827), via the Wellcome Collection and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Imperfect Government Algernon Sidney

Politicians who demand that everyone in the country unite behind their vision of society are standing in the way of real progress.

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532

© Julian Paren, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

Land of Opportunity Thomas Fuller

Edward III enticed over-regulated Dutch textile workers across the Channel with the promise of English beef and English beauties.

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533

By an Anonymous artist (British School), via the National Trust and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Woman in White Wilkie Collins

Walter Hartright tried to help a distressed woman find her way into London, but the incident has left him with nagging doubts.

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534

By Alexei Kondratievich Savrasov (1830–1897), via the Russian Museum and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Grendel’s Mother Zenaide Alexeievna Ragozin

After driving the man-eating ogre Grendel from Hrothgar’s hall, Beowulf must now deal with Grendel’s anguished and vengeful mother.

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