Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory. These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125]
Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years. Perhaps at the first there were old fellows still alive who could remember Shakespeare; who still sat in chimney-corners and babbled through their toothless gums of Blackfriars and the Globe.[126] And at the end we find a reference to President Lincoln and his freeing of the slaves.
Here are a hundred authors, perhaps a thousand, tucking up their cuffs, looking out from their familiar windows, scribbling their masterpieces.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS
- Why does the writer of an essay need a desk and a library?
- Explain the figure of speech that compares an essay with something that cooks slowly.
- Why must essays be written slowly?
- Why does an essayist make great use of books?
- Why does an essayist keep a note-book?
- Why is an essayist “modest with his own thoughts and tolerant of others”?
- Why does the essayist enjoy the little things of life?
- What is meant by “mending small habits here and there”?
- In what ways are many books of biography like essays?
- Prove that Mr. Brooks' article is an essay.
- Point out unusual expressions, or striking sentences.
SUBJECTS FOR WRITTEN IMITATION
| 1. The Writing of School Compositions | 11. A Clerk in a Store |
| 2. The Preparation of a Debate | 12. A Teacher of Chemistry |
| 3. The Writing of Letters | 13. Preparing an Experiment |
| 4. A Pupil in School | 14. The Work of a Book Agent |
| 5. The Work of a Blacksmith | 15. Buying a Dress |
| 6. The Leader of an Orchestra | 16. Selecting a New Hat |
| 7. The Cheer-Leader at a Game | 17. Being Photographed |
| 8. Memorizing a Speech | 18. The Senior |
| 9. The Janitor of a School | 19. The Freshman |
| 10. The Editor of a Paper | 20. The Alumnus |
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING
Your aim is to write an essay in imitation of the one written by Mr. Brooks. Read Mr. Brooks' essay so carefully that you will know just what to imitate.
Notice how easily and how pleasantly Mr. Brooks writes, and especially how he makes use of figurative language rather than of direct statement. Then, too, he uses some very striking expressions, such as “He desires neither typhoon nor tempest,” and “He paints old thoughts in shiny varnish.” At the same time he uses common expressions now and then, as if to give a touch of familiarity or of humor,—“He flaps to no great heights,” “He mends small habits,” “Who still sat in chimney corners and babbled through their toothless gums.” With it all, he gives a clear conception of the essayist and his work.