In my wild eclectic reading I came across this today-
Quote: An Englishman loves liberty like his lawful wife, the Frenchman loves her like his mistress, the German loves her like his old grandmother.
And yet, after all, no one can ever tell how things may turn out. The grumpy Englishman, in an ill-temper with his wife, is capable of some day putting a rope round her neck, and taking her to be sold at Smithfield. The inconstant Frenchman may become unfaithful to his adored mistress, and be seen fluttering about the Palais Royal after another. But the German will never quite abandon his old grandmother; he will always keep for her a nook by the chimney-corner, where she can tell her fairy stories to the listening children.
Who wrote that beautiful piece of literature?
Nope. He quoted it though.
The same guy who wrote this:
Ein Fichtenbaum steht einsam
Im Norden auf kahler Hoeh'....
Well, McTag is correct.
Heine wrote ...
Es läßt sich nicht leugnen, daß auch die Deutschen die Freiheit lieben, aber anders wie andere Völker. Der Engländer liebt die Freiheit wie sein rechtmäßiges Weib, er besitzt sie, und wenn er sie auch nicht mit absonderlicher Zärtlichkeit behandelt, so weiß er sie doch im Notfall wie ein Mann zu verteidigen ... Der Franzose liebt die Freiheit wie seine Braut. Er glüht für sie, er flammt, er wirft sich zu ihren Füßen mit den überspanntesten Beteuerungen, er schlägt sich für sie auf Tod und Leben, er begeht für sie tausenderlei Torheiten. Der Deutsche liebt die Freiheit wie seine alte Großmutter. (
"Englische Fragmente - III. Die Engländer" @ Projekt Gutenberg)
... that in 1828.
So most probably Matthew Arnold read those "English Fragments" by Heine as well.
I'm sorry I have stimulated the quiz question reflex.
I wondered what our Europhiles thought of the literature actually. And possibly I had a hope that they would offer a view in a similar vein of the American position.
Speaking about culture, this really is a nice piece of such:
Source:
South London Press
It's a bit gratuitous Walt.
Perhaps the "creative artist" could do with some re-hab.
Hey--have you seen the spectacle of the serried ranks of English womanhood in conscientious mood belting it out on Last Choir Standing.
It's enough to make any sane young man scarper off into the hills.
Scenes like that should be banned.
The funniest scene I've ever seen featuring a conscientious woman was when the horse tipped Princess Anne into the pond at Badmington.
Any other entrants?
Yeah, right!!
Imagine being beaten by the Poms. A national shame.
A desperation to win Margo betrays an inferiority complex and results in all sorts of perverted activities such as cheating, rate busting and masochistic training, treatments, diets and going to bed early in spartan surroundings two-ed up with Mr Symonds.
Spendy, sometimes your blinding shafts of insight pierce the Stygian gloom.
Okay I'm back.
We've been to Edinburgh, where the Festival is getting under way, and where we ascended Arthur's Seat, then to Kirkcudbright where there was a festival of the arts on, principally painting and crafts. Marvellous.
Lovely weather, and had a lovely time, ate and drunk loads.
You're not available for selection for the next Ashes series then I presume Mac?
Cricket, are we talking? I know nothing about that.
I imagine it's harder than it looks to play, though.
Is there any other competitive game where they have tea breaks?
Football.
Cricket is the most gruelling game there is in the five day Test Match form which is the only true version of the game.
Cricket stops for lunch and tea, though.
That's unique I suppose.
What do they do during polo?
The regiment in Poona
Would sooner
Play solo polo
Than play a single chukka
With a fellow who wasn't pukka.
McTag wrote:Spendy, sometimes your blinding shafts of insight pierce the Stygian gloom.
He may possibly have shafts of insight - but this wasn't one of them
