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.

History of China

‘Tremblingly Obey!’

Following a historic embassy in 1792-93, Chien Lung, the Emperor of China, despatched a haughty letter rebuffing King George III’s offer of trade.

Length: 113 words

Robert Louis Stevenson

On Falling in Love

Shortly after meeting Fanny Osbourne, Robert Louis Stevenson reflected on the different ways in which falling in love affects a man.

Length: 115 words

History of China

A Very Rapid Promotion

Aeneas Anderson, who accompanied Lord Macartney on Britain’s first embassy to China, shared a tale illustrating the Qianlong Emperor’s notion of fair play.

Length: 117 words

Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

A Jewish man is left for dead by bandits, but help comes from a most unexpected quarter.

Length: 121 words

Anglo-Saxon Era

The Conversion of Norway

Kings of Norway educated in England drew on the experience of English clergy to establish Christianity in their own land.

Length: 110 words

Georgian Era

My Standard of a Statesman

Edmund Burke expressed his frustration at the arrogance of politicians who have no regard for our Constitutional heritage.

Length: 59 words