Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Monica Miron, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
A fastidious prince felt he deserved a girl of royal refinement, and he certainly found one.
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© David Dixon, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Eli Parish of Teignmouth in Devon became one of Europe’s most celebrated virtuosos.
© Ashley Dace, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
The 17th-century entrepreneur developed a way of smelting iron with coke rather than charcoal, but the Civil War frustrated his plans.
By Kamil Isik, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Nicholas used his inheritance to help three vulnerable girls escape a life of exploitation.
By Edmund Blair Leighton (1852-1922), via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain image.
A touchy subject, especially when your lover is listening in.
© Colin Smith, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Fanny Price, eight years after being adopted by her wealthy uncle and aunt, has gone back home for the first time, full of anticipation.