The Copy Book

Sunday in London

Every Sunday, the Englishman is raised to heaven by the choir, and then taken to her bosom by Mother Earth.

Part 1 of 2

published 1820
In the Time of

King George IV 1820-1830

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Sunday in London

By Edmund Blair Leighton (1852–1922), Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Source

‘A Wet Sunday Morning’, by Edmund Leighton.

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‘A Wet Sunday Morning’ by Edmund Blair Leighton (1852–1922), painted in 1896, so admittedly a little late for Irving’s day, and no one reading Irving’s account one could imagine rain in such an ideal London. He paints a pretty picture of the bustle as comfortably middle-class English families set off for a nearby parish church; of the quiet in the street while divine service is in progress, except for the sounds of sacred music borne upon the air; and then of the return of bustle and noise as the families pour forth, looking forward to lunch with close kin whom they have not seen for a week.

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‘A Wet Sunday Morning’, by Edmund Leighton.

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By Edmund Blair Leighton (1852–1922), Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

‘A Wet Sunday Morning’ by Edmund Blair Leighton (1852–1922), painted in 1896, so admittedly a little late for Irving’s day, and no one reading Irving’s account one could imagine rain in such an ideal London. He paints a pretty picture of the bustle as comfortably middle-class English families set off for a nearby parish church; of the quiet in the street while divine service is in progress, except for the sounds of sacred music borne upon the air; and then of the return of bustle and noise as the families pour forth, looking forward to lunch with close kin whom they have not seen for a week.

Introduction

In 1819, while on a five-year visit to England, American author Washington Irving began publishing his ‘Sketches’, which included the famous tale of Rip van Winkle. There were also a number of affectionately teasing reflections on the English. This extract from ‘Sunday in London’ picks up the Englishman as he makes his devotions in the parish church.

For a time every thing is hushed; but soon is heard the deep, pervading sound of the organ, rolling and vibrating through the empty lanes and courts; and the sweet chanting of the choir making them resound with melody and praise. Never have I been more sensible of the sanctifying effect of church music, than when I have heard it thus poured forth, like a river of joy, through the inmost recesses of this great metropolis, elevating it, as it were, from all the sordid pollutions of the week; and bearing the poor world-worn soul on a tide of triumphant harmony to heaven.

The morning service is at an end. The streets are again alive with the congregations returning to their homes, but soon again relapse into silence. Now comes on the Sunday dinner, which, to the city tradesman, is a meal of some importance. There is more leisure for social enjoyment at the board.

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Précis

Writing affectionately of Sunday morning in London, Washington Irving watched the Englishman enter the parish church, and described how deep an impression the sound of sacred music spilling out into the quiet streets had made on him. He then followed his subject home to dinner, a meal of more than usual significance for the family. (55 / 60 words)

Writing affectionately of Sunday morning in London, Washington Irving watched the Englishman enter the parish church, and described how deep an impression the sound of sacred music spilling out into the quiet streets had made on him. He then followed his subject home to dinner, a meal of more than usual significance for the family.

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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, if, just, may, must, until, who.

Word Games

Sevens Based on this passage

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What did Irving describe as ‘a river of joy’?

Suggestion

Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.

Jigsaws Based on this passage

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Irving walked through London one Sunday. He heard music coming from churches. It moved him.

Variation: Try rewriting your sentence so that it uses one or more of these words: 1. Heart 2. Stroll 3. Strike

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