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.

Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)

Call of Duty

When Horatio Nelson stepped aboard HMS Victory in September 1805, the great Admiral knew he had every reason to stay on dry land.

Length: 115 words

Georgian Era

Roof Riders

On a visit to England in 1782, young German author Karl Philipp Moritz was very excited about riding on an English stage.

Length: 114 words

Discovery and Invention

It’s Better by Rail

A contributor to the ‘Annual Review’ shared a flurry of facts about the new Liverpool and Manchester Railway, showing what a blessing it already was.

Length: 116 words

Discovery and Invention

Roses and Poor-Rates

When Robert Southey called for a fairer and greener economy, Thomas Macaulay warned that only politicians and bureaucrats would thank him.

Length: 115 words

Character and Conduct

Career Change

An unemployed French labourer was amazed when a friend suggested becoming a French master to refined English ladies.

Length: 118 words

Character and Conduct

Up Before the Bench

As a young prince Henry V was ‘fierce and of wanton courage,’ Thomas Elyot tells us, but there was one man with courage to match his.

Length: 119 words