Vulgar words in Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 2 (Page 1)
This book at a glance
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~ ~ ~ Sentence 373 ~ ~ ~
To prove the whole system of this school erroneous, it is only necessary to apply the test which dissolved the enchanted Florimel, to place the true by the false Thalia, to contrast the most celebrated characters which have been drawn by the writers of whom we speak with the Bastard in King John or the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 435 ~ ~ ~
Jonson seems to have combined some hints taken from this tale, with others from Boccaccio, in the plot of The Devil is an Ass, a play which, though not the most highly finished of his compositions, is perhaps that which exhibits the strongest proofs of genius.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 1,295 ~ ~ ~
Buffoons, dressed in copes and surplices, came dancing the carmagnole even to the bar of the Convention.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 1,806 ~ ~ ~
But, though at least equal to her model in wit, information, and talents for intrigue, she had not that self-command, that patience, that imperturbable evenness of temper, which had raised the widow of a buffoon to be the consort of the proudest of kings.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 1,972 ~ ~ ~
The horses were knocked up.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 2,057 ~ ~ ~
The indignant general remained accordingly in his favourite city, on the beautiful shores of the Mediterranean, reading Don Quixote, giving balls and suppers, trying in vain to get some good sport out of the Valencia bulls, and making love, not in vain, to the Valencian women.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 3,757 ~ ~ ~
It has never occurred to him that there is a difference between assertion and demonstration, that a rumour does not always prove a fact, that a single fact, when proved, is hardly foundation enough for a theory, that two contradictory propositions cannot be undeniable truths, that to beg the question is not the way to settle it, or that when an objection is raised, it ought to be met with something more convincing than "scoundrel" and "blockhead."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 3,807 ~ ~ ~
Almost all his heroes make love either like Seraphim or like cattle.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 5,793 ~ ~ ~
It must have been inexpressibly consoling to a stupid sergeant, the forerunner of him who, a hundred and fifty years later, "shook his head at Murray as a wit," to know that the most profound thinker and the most accomplished orator of the age was very imperfectly acquainted with the law touching bastard eigne and mulier puisne, and confounded the right of free fishery with that of common piscary.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 6,307 ~ ~ ~
To be the leader of the human race in the career of improvement, to found on the ruins of ancient intellectual dynasties a more prosperous and a more enduring empire, to be revered by the latest generations as the most illustrious among the benefactors of mankind, all this was within his reach, But all this availed him nothing, while some quibbling special pleader was promoted before him to the bench, while some heavy country gentleman took precedence of him by virtue of a purchased coronet, while some pandar, happy in a fair wife, could obtain a more cordial salute from Buckingham, while some buffoon, versed in all the latest scandal of the Court, could draw a louder laugh from James.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 6,741 ~ ~ ~
Again, it is mere trifling to say that Bacon could not have meant to act corruptly, because he employed the agency of men of rank, of bishops, privy councillors, and members of Parliament; as if the whole history of that generation was not full of the low actions of high people; as if it was not notorious that men, as exalted in rank as any of the decoys that Bacon employed, had pimped for Somerset, and poisoned Overbury.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 7,997 ~ ~ ~
It is as essential to his breeding and to his place in society that he should make love to the wives of his neighbours as that he should know French, or that he should have a sword at his side.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 8,196 ~ ~ ~
The Duchess admired him, and proceeded to make love to him, after the fashion of the coarse-minded and shameless circle to which she belonged.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 8,359 ~ ~ ~
But none of them, we will answer for it, ever said to a young lady to whom he was making love, "We wits rail and make love often, but to show our parts: as we have no affections, so we have no malice."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 9,156 ~ ~ ~
Fabius slays Thuris and Butes and Maris and Arses, and the long-haired Adherbes, and the gigantic Thylis, and Sapharus and Monaesus, and the trumpeter Morinus.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 9,421 ~ ~ ~
Voltaire is the prince of buffoons.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 9,833 ~ ~ ~
When Bottom makes his appearance with an ass's head instead of his own, Peter Quince exclaims, "Bless thee!
~ ~ ~ Sentence 10,601 ~ ~ ~
They were as untameable, as much wedded to their desolate freedom, as the wild ass.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 10,771 ~ ~ ~
Churchill was a blockhead.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 10,840 ~ ~ ~
All his books are written in a learned language, in a language which nobody hears front his mother or his nurse, in a language in which nobody ever quarrels, or drives bargains, or makes love, in a language in which nobody ever thinks.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 11,737 ~ ~ ~
Old gentlemen do not criticise the reigning modes, nor do young gentlemen make love, with the balanced epithets and sonorous cadences which, on occasions of great dignity, a skilful writer may use with happy effect.