Minis
Mini Copy Book

Each post in this section is a short précis (summary) of a passage in The Copy Book. All of them are in modern English. They are intended for students of English as a Foreign Language at Elementary Level.

Animal Stories

French Leave

A French poodle won the heart of a fastidious English officer by covering him in mud.

Length: 118 words

Animal Stories

Oh Hame Fain Wad I Be!

A cat moved home from Edinburgh to Glasgow and seemed to settle in nicely, but it turned out she was only biding her time.

Length: 114 words

Abolition of Slavery

True Colours

The Russian Consul in New York issued a stern rebuke to those trying to break Britain’s ban on slave-trading by sailing under his nation’s colours.

Length: 58 words

Extracts from Literature

Carry Opinion With You

Britain’s first qualified female doctor, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, had a message for the first women to study for London University’s degree in medicine.

Length: 116 words

Stuart Era

A Gallant Attempt for the Crown

Only months after kidnapping the Duke of Ormond, Irish radical Thomas Blood was at it again, this time attempting to steal the Crown Jewels.

Length: 176 words

Georgian Era

Three Criminal Types

Karl Philipp Moritz described three kinds of criminal in Georgian England, from the gentlemanly cutpurse to the deadly footpad.

Length: 113 words