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Often appears with: crime and punishment · justice as a virtue · religious persecution and toleration · plague, famine, and mass death · fate, destiny, and necessity · the city and urban life · political legitimacy and consent · custom and the manners of a people · rank, class, and social order · conquest, plunder, and captives · honor, shame, and reputation · censorship and the press
Usually: narrative (93) · detachment (76) · argument (56) · indignation (53) · crisis of belief (33) · lament (32) · skepticism (31) · curiosity (29) · censure (28) · reflection (25)
“If, then, Tragedy is superior to Epic poetry in all these respects, and, moreover, fulfils its specific function better as an art for each art ought to produce, not any chance pleasure, but the pleasure proper to it, as already stated it plainly follows that Tragedy is the higher art, as attaining its end more perfectly.” Aristotle, The Poetics of Aristotle · insight
“Modern industry has converted the little workshop of the patriarchal master into the great factory of the industrial capitalist.” Karl Marx; Friedrich Engels, Manifesto of the Communist Party · observation
“He realizes at last that silently, resistlessly, the world about flows by him in two great streams: they ripple on in the same sunshine, they approach and mingle their waters in seeming carelessness,—then they divide and flow wide apart.” W. E. B. Du Bois (William Edward Burghardt Du Bois), The Souls of Black Folk · vivid
“It is done quietly; no mistakes are made, or if one occurs, the swift arm of the law and of public opinion swings down for a moment, as when the other day a black man and a white woman were arrested for talking together on Whitehall Street in Atlanta.” W. E. B. Du Bois (William Edward Burghardt Du Bois), The Souls of Black Folk · observation
“In the United States each separate journal exercises but little authority, but the power of the periodical press is only second to that of the people. The opinions established in the United States under the empire of the liberty of the press are frequently more firmly rooted than those which are formed elsewhere under the sanction of a censor.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · insight
“The militia was called out, but no one obeyed the call; and the only means of saving the poor wretches who were threatened by the frenzy of the mob was to throw them into prison as common malefactors.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · vivid
“The authority of a king is purely physical, and it controls the actions of the subject without subduing his private will; but the majority possesses a power which is physical and moral at the same time; it acts upon the will as well as upon the actions of men, and it represses not only all contest, but all controversy.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · insight
“Nevertheless, I look upon the size of certain American cities, and especially on the nature of their population, as a real danger which threatens the future security of the democratic republics of the New World.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · observation
“Society can only exist when a great number of men consider a great number of things in the same point of view; when they hold the same opinions upon many subjects, and when the same occurrences suggest the same thoughts and impressions to their minds.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · insight
“conversation is the key: wine is a pick-lock, which forces open the box and injures it.” James Boswell, Boswell's Life of Johnson · insight
“You are insolent and cruel, and think yourself a great man because you live in a little world, and that a bad one.” Homer, The Odyssey · wit
“We should have to digress to show how often this instinct is prevented from going the direct road, how often it must yield to the difficulties arising from more important considerations: we shall, therefore, rest contented with affirming it to be a general natural law of the combat.” Carl von Clausewitz, On War · observation
Pepys repeats reports of Fanatical violence and evaluates how few attackers caused major damage, describing their slogans, limited quarter, and the King coming into town amid arrests and damaged City order.
great stir. What mischief these rogues have done! and I think near a dozen had been killed this morning on both sides. The shops shut, and all things in trouble. 10th. After dinner Will. comes to tell me that he had presented my piece of plate to Mr. Coventry, who takes it very kindly, and sends me a very kind letter, and the plate back again; of which my heart is very glad. Mr. Davis told us the particular examin…
Pepys notes rain after the coronation ceremonies, minimal disorder, a canopy dispute involving Barons of the Cinque Ports, and then goes to the King Street area where people drink the king’s health and riotous revels occur.
which people did take great notice of; God's blessing of the work of these two days, which is a foolery to take too much notice of such things. I observed little disorder in all this, only the King's footmen had got hold of the canopy and would keep it from the Barons of the Cinque Ports, which they endeavoured to force from them again, but could not do it till my Lord Duke of Albemarle caused it to be put into Sir R…
Pepys continues his coronation-night observations, including a firebrand injuring a woman’s eye, and then concludes that he has seen the grandest state spectacle and does not expect to see such things again.
1666.] and rode in the cavalcade with Maynard, to whom people wish the same fortune. [John Maynard, an eminent lawyer; made Serjeant to Cromwell in 1653, and afterwards King's Serjeant by Charles II., who knighted him. In 1661 he was chosen Member for Berealston, and sat in every Parliament till the Revolution. Ob. 1690, aged 88.] There was also this night in King-streete, a woman had her eye put out by a boy's fli…
Samuel Pepys reports daily events in London—seeing the Quakers expanding, meeting Lord Privy Seal, attending plays, assessing Navy finances, and recording deaths from fever and the illness of Monk.
ways being very bad, got to Baldwick. [Baldock.] I find that both here, and every where else that I come, the Quakers do still continue, and rather grow than lessen. 9th. I to White Hall, where, after four o'clock, comes my Lord Privy Seale, [William, first Viscount, and second Baron Say and Sele, made Lord Privy Seal at the Restoration. Ob. April, 1662.] and so we went up to his chamber over the gate at White Hal…
Pepys notes court hospitality and shifting favor, hears Castlemaine’s influence has revived, and then records his travel to Epsom and its Wells amid crowds and wagers about the best social visitors.
them of and killed many of them. To-morrow the King and Queene for certain go down to Tunbridge. But the King comes back again against Monday to raise the Parliament. 25th. Having intended this day to go to Banstead Downes to see a famous race, I sent Will. to get himself ready to go with me: but I hear it is put off, because the Lords do sit in Parliament to-day. After some debate, Creed and I resolved to go to C…
In August 1665 Pepys and others check weekly plague bills around Dagenhams, amid fears of sick neighbors, forced burials, and a frantic incident involving a plague-infected maid in a pest coach.
Lady do confess exceedingly, and the latter do also now call me cozen, which I am glad of. So God preserve us all friends long, and continue health among us. AUGUST 3, 1665. To Dagenhams. All the way people, citizens, walking to and fro, enquire how the plague is in the City this week by the Bill; which by chance, at Greenwich, I had heard was 2020 of the plague, and 3000 and odd of all diseases. By and by met my…
Pepys notes that early victory news spreads, a communal fast and church whispering follows, he joins street celebration at bonfires, and hears confirmation of heavy Dutch losses from Sir Daniel Harvy.
success of the fleet, I did not go. No manner of news this day, but of the Rainbow's being put in from the fleet maimed as the other ships are. 6th. By and by walking a little further, Sir Philip Frowde [Secretary to the Duchess of York.] did meet the Duke with an express to Sir W. Coventry (who was by) from Captain Taylor, the Storekeeper at Harwich, being the narration of Captain Hayward of the Dunkirke; who giv…
On the 11th Pepys visits a wounded surgeon, hears that hundreds of seamen are abandoning the fleet, and comments on women of the court dressing in riding clothes at Whitehall.
and the hazard of the spoiling of the ship in lying till next spring, besides the disgrace of it, news is brought that the Loyall London is launched at Deptford. 11th. I with my Lady Pen and her daughter to see Harman; whom we find lame in bed. His bones of his ancle are broke, but he hopes to do well soon; and a fine person by his discourse he seems to be: and he did plainly tell me that at the Council of War be…
At St. James’s-day Pepys hears cannon from the Park during the naval battle, dines with the court, reflects on conduct and profit, and later records reports of ship actions and the duke’s taste and supper conversations.
cannot get clear of the River, but expect the first wind to be out, and then to be sure to fight. The Queene and Maids of Honour are at Tunbridge. 23rd. All full of expectation of the fleet's engagement, but it is not yet. Sir W. Coventry says they are eighty-nine men-of- war, but one fifth-rate; and that the Sweepstakes, which carries forty guns. They are most infinitely manned. He tells me the Loyal London, Si…
Pepys hears the town exult in victory, then judges the results cautiously: ships burned, people guessing motives, Coventry dissatisfied with management, and Pepys returns home to domestic music disputes.
most brave drink cooled in ice, (which at this hot time was welcome,) and I drinking no wine, had metheglin for the King's own drinking, which did please me mightily. 27th. To Sir W. Coventry's lodging, and there he showed me Captain Talbot's letter, wherein he says that the fight begun on the 25th: that our White squadron begun with one of the Dutch squadrons, and then the Red with another, so hot that we put the…
Pepys recounts an extended day of amusement—sport at the Bear-garden and fireworks/party dancing—then describes a later naval burning expedition and its success with fire-ships and captured supply ships.
7th. I receive fresh intelligence that Deptford and Greenwich are now afresh exceedingly afflicted with the sickness more than ever. 8th. Discoursed with Mr. Hooke about the nature of sounds, and he did make me understand the nature of musicall sounds made by strings, mighty prettily; and told me that having come to a certain number of vibrations proper to make any tone, he is able to tell how many strokes a fly ma…
During the Great Fire Pepys stays with guests, receives news of burned friends in Fish Street, walks through crowded streets of people moving goods, manages errands by boat to the King and Duke of York, and describes the spread by fire-flakes.
she mighty fine, and her husband, for aught I see, a likely man. But Mr. Moone's design and mine, which was to look over my closet, and please him with the sight thereof, which he hath long desired, was wholly disappointed; for we were in great trouble and disturbance at this fire, not knowing what to think of it. However, we had an extraordinary good dinner, and as merry as at this time we could be. While at dinner …
Pepys visits a fire in Bishopsgate, suspects a plot, sees women fighting flames, then moves through Southwark and Westminster, dining with officials as Clothworkers’ Hall burns and laborers sleep at the office.
Sunday, having been always full of variety of actions, and little sleep, that it looked like a week or more, and I had forgot almost the day of the week. 6th. Up about five o'clock; and met Mr. Gauden at the gate of the office, (I intending to go out, as I used, every now and then to-day, to see how the fire is,) to call our men to Bishop's- gate, where no fire had yet been near, and there is now one broke out: wh…
On St. Bartholomew’s Day Pepys records proclamations of peace with the United Provinces and others, notes lack of bonfires from popular dissatisfaction, and relates a plan to lend the King money with 10% interest.
give 10 per cent. to all lenders; which make some think that the Dutch themselves will send over money, and lend it upon our publick faith, the Act of Parliament. 28th. To the office, where we sat upon a particular business all the morning: and my Lord Anglesy with us; who, and my Lord Brouncker, do bring us news how my Lord Chancellor's seal is to be taken away from him to-day. The thing is so great and sudden t…
Pepys notes Parliament’s worsening pressure on Commissioner Pett after narratives from Albemarle and Rupert, then describes court-related smallpox rumors and day-to-day theatre attendance.
and so they sent her away, and were ashamed of their foolery, in giving occasion to 500 seamen and seamen's wives to come before them, as there were this afternoon. 31st. I to Westminster; and there at the lobby do hear by Commissioner Pett, to my great amazement, that he is in worse condition than before, by the coming in of the Duke of Albemarle's and Prince Rupert's Narratives this day; wherein the former do mos…
After Telemachus’ account and Theoclymenus’ confident prophecy that Ulysses is in Ithaca preparing a reckoning, the suitors practice games outside until dinner begins; meanwhile Ulysses and Eumaeus travel to town as Melanthius insults and kicks the disguised Ulysses.
to make it clear to me before the suitors came back to the house, whether or no you had been able to hear anything about the return of your father.” “I will tell you then truth,” replied her son. “We went to Pylos and saw Nestor, who took me to his house and treated me as hospitably as though I were a son of his own who had just returned after a long absence; so also did his sons; but he said he had not heard a word…
After Minerva puts Penelope into a sweet sleep and restores her beauty, Penelope comes down veiled among the suitors, who lust for her, while she rebukes Telemachus and Telemachus curses the wooers; Eurymachus praises her and offers flattering speeches.
them. They must be with me when I am in the cloister; I am not going among the men alone; it would not be proper for me to do so.” On this the old woman150 went out of the room to bid the maids go to their mistress. In the meantime Minerva bethought her of another matter, and sent Penelope off into a sweet slumber; so she lay down on her couch and her limbs became heavy with sleep. Then the goddess shed grace and be…
Ulysses challenges the suitor Eurymachus to work and fight tests, threatens his escape if he flees his house, and after a stool incident Telemachus calms the uproar and the suitors resume drinking and leave.
you go, then? Not you; for you have got into bad ways, and do not want to work; you had rather fill your belly by going round the country begging.” “Eurymachus,” answered Ulysses, “if you and I were to work one against the other in early summer when the days are at their longest—give me a good scythe, and take another yourself, and let us see which will last the longer or mow the stronger, from dawn till dark when t…
After Telemachus rebukes Ctesippus, the suitors mock prophets and the house becomes a stage for dread omens, while Penelope watches from her seat as the dinner and impending doom unfold.
while Philoetius handed round the bread in the bread baskets, and Melanthius poured them out their wine. Then they laid their hands upon the good things that were before them. Telemachus purposely made Ulysses sit in the part of the cloister that was paved with stone;158 he gave him a shabby looking seat at a little table to himself, and had his portion of the inward meats brought to him, with his wine in a gold cup…
Eurylochus resists going to Circe, fearing further transformation like the Cyclops episode, but Odysseus and the others proceed; Circe continues to bathe and clothe them and they feast together for a year.
“So spake I, and at once they hearkened to my words, but Eurylochus alone would have holden all my companions, and uttering his voice he spake to them winged words: “‘Wretched men that we are! whither are we going? Why are your hearts so set on sorrow that ye should go down to the hall of Circe, who will surely change us all to swine, or wolves, or lions, to guard her great house perforce, according to the deeds tha…
He lists major ways people in shared communities contact each other—physical proximity, economic relations, political relations, intellectual exchange, social life, and religious enterprise—then begins explaining how Black and white Southerners meet, starting with residential segregation.
must ask, what are the actual relations of whites and blacks in the South? and we must be answered, not by apology or fault-finding, but by a plain, unvarnished tale. In the civilized life of to-day the contact of men and their relations to each other fall in a few main lines of action and communication: there is, first, the physical proximity of home and dwelling-places, the way in which neighborhoods group themsel…
Du Bois shifts to the “atmosphere” of the South, describing a color line that outsiders barely see at first, then grows undeniable as life flows in two streams—culminating in arrests of a Black man and white woman in Atlanta.
economic life, and a swaying and lifting and sinking of human hearts which have made this land a land of mingled sorrow and joy, of change and excitement and unrest. The centre of this spiritual turmoil has ever been the millions of black freedmen and their sons, whose destiny is so fatefully bound up with that of the nation. And yet the casual observer visiting the South sees at first little of this. He notes the g…
Du Bois describes how Atlanta’s racial segregation prevents real intellectual exchange between Black and white people, despite everyday contact, and argues the South’s color-line blocks otherwise well-meaning social and philanthropic efforts.
of public opinion swings down for a moment, as when the other day a black man and a white woman were arrested for talking together on Whitehall Street in Atlanta. Now if one notices carefully one will see that between these two worlds, despite much physical contact and daily intermingling, there is almost no community of intellectual life or point of transference where the thoughts and feelings of one race can come …
After the Diana riot, Paul departs from Ephesus through Macedonia and Greece, travels to Troas, and raises Eutychus after he falls from a window during a midnight preaching session.
peril to be set at nought: but that also the temple of great Diana should be despised. And her majesty should be destroyed, which all Asia, and the world worshippeth. When they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And all the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarcus, men of Macedonia, Pau…
Livy records the Trasimenus disaster’s statistics and Rome’s panic: women gather in the streets for news, rumors claim Flaminius is slain, and the senate considers how to oppose Hannibal.
depart with single garments, if they would deliver up their arms, they surrendered themselves; which promise was kept by Hannibal with Punic fidelity, and he threw them all into chains. 7. This is the celebrated battle at the Trasimenus, and recorded among the few disasters of the Roman people. Fifteen thousand Romans were slain in the battle. Ten thousand, who had been scattered in the flight through all Etruria, r…
After Cannae, terrified Roman captives oath themselves to Scipio and surrender to his custody; meanwhile refugees reach Venusia and the city hears reports that both consuls and their armies were annihilated by Hannibal.
this sword is drawn against him." Terrified, as though they were beholding the victorious Hannibal, they all take the oath, and deliver themselves to Scipio to be kept in custody. 54. During the time in which these things were going on at Canusium, as many as four thousand foot and horse, who had been dispersed through the country in the flight, came to Venusia, to the consul. These the Venusini distributed througho…
Marcus Junius urges ransom by contrasting captives with Hannibal’s leniency and with harsh enemy treatment, warns that denying them will harm Roman honor, and moves the crowd to tears as women appear publicly.
I hear that eight thousand slaves are being armed. We are no fewer in number; nor will the expense of redeeming us be greater than that of purchasing these. Should I compare ourselves with them, I should injure the name of Roman. I should think also, conscript fathers, that in deliberating on such a measure, it ought also to be considered, (if you are disposed to be over severe, which you cannot do from any demerit o…
Cretan troops at Megara mutiny after Hippocrates and Epicydes seize control, spreading false reports and using a forged letter to trigger panic, leading praetors to flee toward Syracuse amid violent disorder.
them into their ranks, protect them when received, and not betray them to the Syracusans, by whom they themselves would soon be delivered up to the Romans to be butchered. 31. But the Cretans with one accord called out to them to be of good courage; that they would share every fortune with them. During this conversation, the vanguard had halted, and the march was delayed; nor had the cause of the delay as yet reache…
Hannibal marches along the Latin Road toward Rome after ravaging places near Casinum and Liris; meanwhile Fulvius is delayed by destroyed ships at the Vulturnus, and Rome panics with women and public alarms.
army across in one night, after providing a stock of provisions for ten days, he led his legions down to the river by night, and passed them over before daylight. 8. Fulvius Flaccus, who had discovered from deserters that this would happen, before it took place, having written to Rome to the senate to apprize them of it, men's minds were variously affected by it according to the disposition of each. As might be expe…
To man a fleet, the consuls issue an edict requiring private citizens to provide rowers by income and rank; the people protest publicly that the state has stripped them of slaves, money, and means of payment, and the senate later argues the burden must fall on individuals.
consequence of these decrees; and now they no longer complained of the severity of Quintus Fulvius towards them, but of the malignity of the gods and their own accursed fortune. 35. After the Sicilians and Campanians were dismissed, a levy was made; and after the troops had been enlisted for the army, they then began to consider about making up the number of rowers; but as there was neither a sufficient supply of me…
He describes the Exposition’s opening-day conditions: procession to the grounds, a packed audience, cheers from Black attendees, faint cheers from some whites, fear of ridicule, and a trustee, William H. Baldwin Jr., waiting nervously outside.
this, from an old coloured man near by: “Dat’s de man of my race what’s gwine to make a speech at de Exposition to-morrow. I’se sho’ gwine to hear him.” Atlanta was literally packed, at the time, with people from all parts of the country, and with representatives of foreign governments, as well as with military and civic organizations. The afternoon papers had forecasts of the next day’s proceedings in flaring headl…
Washington credits public acclaim for his Atlanta address to James Creelman’s report describing the crowd’s excitement, Cleveland starting the Exposition machinery, a Negro oration as a new epoch, and an unprecedented white audience response.
The Secret Of Success In Public Speaking As to how my address at Atlanta was received by the audience in the Exposition building, I think I prefer to let Mr. James Creelman, the noted war correspondent, tell. Mr. Creelman was present, and telegraphed the following account to the New York World:— Atlanta, September 18. While President Cleveland was waiting at Gray Gables to-day, to send the electric spark that star…
Creelman’s vivid description portrays Washington’s commanding physical presence and delivery before a white audience, including the famous ‘separate as the fingers’ line, followed by tears from listeners and Bullock rushing onstage to shake his hand.
enthusiasm—handkerchiefs were waved, canes were flourished, hats were tossed in the air. The fairest women of Georgia stood up and cheered. It was as if the orator had bewitched them. And when he held his dusky hand high above his head, with the fingers stretched wide apart, and said to the white people of the South on behalf of his race, “In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, ye…
After the Spanish-American war, Washington describes Chicago’s Jubilee week address on October 16, the enormous crowd including President McKinley, and backlash in Southern papers later prompting him to clarify his meaning.
public addresses, but in dramatic effect I have never seen or experienced anything which equalled this. For a number of minutes the audience seemed to entirely lose control of itself. In the general rejoicing throughout the country which followed the close of the Spanish-American war, peace celebrations were arranged in several of the large cities. I was asked by President William R. Harper, of the University of Chi…
Washington reflects on misunderstandings, says he does not speak differently to Northern and Southern audiences, criticizes cranks at public events, and recounts intrusive visitors seeking more of his talks.
waving handkerchiefs and hats and canes, until the President arose in the box and bowed his acknowledgements. At that the enthusiasm broke out again, and the demonstration was almost indescribable. One portion of my address at Chicago seemed to have been misunderstood by the Southern press, and some of the Southern papers took occasion to criticise me rather strongly. These criticisms continued for several weeks, un…
Machiavelli discusses measuring a principality’s strength: princes can defend themselves either with their own resources and armies or behind walls, and he counsels fortifying towns and managing subjects to prevent hatred.
CONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIES It only remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities, touching which all difficulties are prior to getting possession, because they are acquired either by capacity or good fortune, and they can be held without either; for they are sustained by the ancient ordinances of religion, which are so all-powerful, and of such a character that the principalities may be held no…
Defoe describes how London streets grew eerily empty during the plague, with watchmen guarding shut houses, and he notes people avoiding mingling or infected smells.
death was so always before their eyes, that they did not so much concern themselves for the loss of their friends, expecting that themselves should be summoned the next hour. Business led me out sometimes to the other end of the town, even when the sickness was chiefly there; and as the thing was new to me, as well as to everybody else, it was a most surprising thing to see those streets which were…
He explains rising public terror through popular omens—comets, dreams, prophecies, and street preachers—arguing these fears helped spread the expectation of catastrophe.
of these things; but sure they were so many, and so many wizards and cunning people propagating them, that I have often wondered there was any (women especially) left behind. In the first place, a blazing star or comet appeared for several months before the plague, as there did the year after another, a little before the fire. The old women and the phlegmatic hypochondriac part of the other sex, wh…
He records personal attempts to rationally look at supposed celestial and angelic apparitions, and describes how crowds accept visions as real even when he sees only clouds.
So hypochondriac fancies represent Ships, armies, battles in the firmament; Till steady eyes the exhalations solve, And all to its first matter, cloud, resolve. I could fill this account with the strange relations such people gave every day of what they had seen; and every one was so positive of their having seen what they pretended to see, that there was no contradicting them without breach of fri…
In Bishopsgate Churchyard’s narrow passage, a man claims to see a ghost that appears at eleven and frightens people away; Defoe reports he sees nothing yet notes the crowd’s certainty.
the alms-houses are on the left; and a dwarf-wall with a palisado on it on the right hand, and the city wall on the other side more to the right. In this narrow passage stands a man looking through between the palisadoes into the burying-place, and as many people as the narrowness of the passage would admit to stop, without hindering the passage of others, and he was talking mightily eagerly to …
With trade and navigation stopped, Defoe says displaced workers fled or died on the road from hunger and despair, while parish magistrates tried to prevent tumults and famine.
to these that the river was in a manner without boats, and all or most part of the watermen, lightermen, boat-builders, and lighter-builders in like manner idle and laid by. 5. All families retrenched their living as much as possible, as well those that fled as those that stayed; so that an innumerable multitude of footmen, serving-men, shopkeepers, journeymen, merchants’ bookkeepers, and such sort…
He describes public religious and frantic behavior during panic, then recounts dying penitents calling for ministers, confessing sins, and warning others not to delay repentance.
they were always cleared away and carried off every night, so that it was never to be said of London that the living were not able to bury the dead. As the desolation was greater during those terrible times, so the amazement of the people increased, and a thousand unaccountable things they would do in the violence of their fright, as others did the same in the agonies of their distemper, and this p…
Because Redriff and Wapping had believed themselves safe, when plague surged in September and October they were unprepared and barred outsiders, worsening deaths for those who wandered into the countryside.
in that part of the town as a place of safety, and as a place which they thought God would pass over, and not visit as the rest was visited. And this was the reason that when it came upon them they were more surprised, more unprovided, and more at a loss what to do than they were in other places; for when it came among them really and with violence, as it did indeed in September and October, …
The travelers avoid the plague-hotter north parishes by routing east then back inland through Poplar and Bow toward Old Ford; constables fear rumors of unrest, yet the group is questioned only briefly.
morning when they set out the wind blew, as the sailor said, by his pocket-compass, at N.W. by W. So they directed, or rather resolved to direct, their course N.W. But then a difficulty came in their way, that, as they set out from the hither end of Wapping, near the Hermitage, and that the plague was now very violent, especially on the north side of the city, as in Shoreditch and Cripplegate paris…
Defoe describes how plague-infected people were allowed to run at night or when officers were not present, leading to sudden death or terrifying awakenings and cries, and how harsher watching began to restrict such wandering.
would make a dreadful outcry at their being confined, and at their being not permitted to die at large, as they called it, and as they would have done before. This running of distempered people about the streets was very dismal, and the magistrates did their utmost to prevent it; but as it was generally in the night and always sudden when such attempts were made, the officers could not be at hand t…
From his window Defoe describes a plague-stricken naked man roaming and dancing in Whitechapel streets while women and children beg him to return, but no one dares touch him; he also records disputes about whether fires help.
to come back, and entreating the help of others to bring him back, but all in vain, nobody daring to lay a hand upon him or to come near him? This was a most grievous and afflicting thing to me, who saw it all from my own windows; for all this while the poor afflicted man was, as I observed it, even then in the utmost agony of pain, having (as they said) two swellings upon him which could not be …
With so many dead and desolation, Defoe says people become bold, venture into public conversation, and crowd into churches without caring who sits near them, valuing worship because they treat it as possibly their last day.
an ancient woman who came in to take charge of the goods for the master of the family’s brother, who lived not far off, and who had not been sick. Many houses were then left desolate, all the people being carried away dead, and especially in an alley farther on the same side beyond the Bars, going in at the sign of Moses and Aaron, there were several houses together which, they said, had not one pe…
Defoe depicts the night transport of dead bodies from Harrow Alley near the churchyard, with distraught crowds crying 'Murder' or 'Fire,' and he notes the city’s mortality-burial rules and the disappearance of astrologers and fortune-tellers.
for if it went in it could not well turn again, and could go in but a little way. There, I say, it stood to receive dead bodies, and as the churchyard was but a little way off, if it went away full it would soon be back again. It is impossible to describe the most horrible cries and noise the poor people would make at their bringing the dead bodies of their children and friends out …
The narrative shifts to the contagion theory that infection can spread from seemingly healthy people, illustrated by panic in Aldgate Church, which made worshipers flee and changed attendance patterns.
namely, that the infection is retained in bodies apparently well, and conveyed from them to those they converse with, while it is known to neither the one nor the other. Great were the confusions at that time upon this very account, and when people began to be convinced that the infection was received in this surprising manner from persons apparently well, they began to be exceeding shy and jealous…
While Pericles endures public ridicule, he keeps control by not joining a fleet in person, continues sea and land ravaging around the Peloponnese and Megara, and then faces the plague that angers Athenians against him.
Yet to gnash your teeth you're seen, When the little dagger keen, Whetted every day anew, Of sharp Cleon touches you. Pericles, however, was not at all moved by any attacks, but took all patiently, and submitted in silence to the disgrace they threw upon him and the ill-will they bore him; and, sending out a fleet of a hundred galleys to Peloponnesus, he did not go along with it in person, but stayed behind, that he…
Although Alcibiades’ arrival coincides with the religiously inauspicious Plynteria festival of Minerva, his delayed departure for mysteries and procession by land succeeds, and popular support turns toward tyranny.
pronounced against him by sentence of the people. Which when all the rest obeyed, Theodorus, the high-priest, excused himself, "For," said he, "if he is innocent, I never cursed him." But notwithstanding the affairs of Alcibiades went so prosperously, and so much to his glory, yet many were still somewhat disturbed, and looked upon the time of his arrival to be ominous. For on the day that he came into the port, th…
After corn arrives in Rome, the senate debates whether to distribute it; Marcius argues bounties embolden plebeians and tribunes, then clashes with popular supporters until the crowd nearly attacks the senate-house.
arts of war, when out upon expeditions, and their model in that true emulation and love of excellence which makes men extol, without envy or jealousy, each other's brave achievements. In the midst of these distempers, a large quantity of corn reached Rome, a great part bought up in Italy, but an equal amount sent as a present from Syracuse, from Gelo, then reigning there. Many began now to hope well of their affair…
On a snowy, windy day the conspirators enter Thebes and assemble at Charon’s house; Phillidas hosts drunk Archias, but a guard summons Charon, almost exposing the plot.
laid aside all thoughts of his journey, and went away to some other business. So nearly had these great and glorious designs, even in their very birth, lost their opportunity. But Pelopidas and his companions, dressing themselves like countrymen, divided, and, whilst it was yet day, entered at different quarters of the city. It was, besides, a windy day, and it now just began to snow, which contributed much to thei…
Alexander grants Athenians favor after Thebes is destroyed; he later regrets severity toward Thebans, interprets remorse as tempering him toward others, and then receives Greek leaders at the Isthmus and meets Diogenes of Sinope at Corinth.
so surprised, both at what she had done, and what she said, that he could not choose but give her and her children their freedom to go whither they pleased. After this he received the Athenians into favor, although they had shown themselves so much concerned at the calamity of Thebes that out of sorrow they omitted the celebration of the Mysteries, and entertained those who escaped with all possible humanity. Wheth…
Plutarch argues that in public calamity and distress people become touchy and defensive, so even truthful counsel is taken as contempt, making politics hazardous and often destroying those who try to lead.
and ill fortune, that instead of due returns of honor and gratitude, obloquy and unjust surmises may often prevail, to weaken, in a considerable degree, the credit of their virtue. It is commonly said that public bodies are most insulting and contumelious to a good man, when they are puffed up with prosperity and success. But the contrary often happens; afflictions and public calamities naturally embittering and so…
After a late-night report of total loss near Thapsus, Utica panics; Cato calms the people, convenes a council of three hundred men in the temple of Jupiter, and begins managing their next decisions.
overthrown, for his part he would not stay at Rome, but would retire from the cruelty and inhumanity of Scipio, who had already uttered fierce and proud threats against many. But what Cato had looked for, fell out sooner than he expected. Late in the evening came one from the army, whence he had been three days coming, who brought word there had been a great battle near Thapsus; that all was utterly lost; Caesar had…
Demetrius celebrates festivals at Athens, campaigns against the Aetolians, fights Pyrrhus but is mocked by Macedonian criticism of his theatrical luxury and inaccessible rule, culminating in his slipping away when his army mutinies.
alleging it was great reason those honors should be paid in that place, Apollo being the paternal god of the Athenian people, and the reputed first founder of their race. From thence Demetrius returned to Macedon, and as he not only was of a restless temper himself, but saw also that the Macedonians were ever the best subjects when employed in military expeditions, but turbulent and desirous of change in the idlenes…
In the Third Olynthiac section, Demosthenes says orators wrongly focus on punishing Philip; the immediate priority is preserving Athens’ allies, managing the crisis rationally, and avoiding popular haranguing.
this or that person advises. If ye act thus, not only will ye praise the speaker at the moment, but yourselves afterward, when the condition of the country is improved. THE THIRD OLYNTHIAC. THE ARGUMENT. The Athenians had dispatched succors to Olynthus, and received, as Libanius says, some favorable intelligence; more probably, however, some vague rumors, which led them to imagine the danger was for the time…
He defends the French Revolution’s outrages as products of degraded pre-revolution governments, insists mobs were created by injustice, and praises the National Assembly’s restraint while criticizing Burke’s “theatrical” omissions.
kind on a whole people? As well may he charge the riots and outrages of 1780 on all the people of London, or those in Ireland on all his countrymen. But everything we see or hear offensive to our feelings and derogatory to the human character should lead to other reflections than those of reproach. Even the beings who commit them have some claim to our consideration. How then is it that such vast classes of mankind …
Paine says the King and Queen appeared openly during the disturbances, that the procession from Versailles to Paris was orderly with no molestation, and he ridicules Burke’s claim of people shouting “All bishops to the lamp-posts.”
the event of which was that the Garde du Corps put on the national cockade, and the matter ended as by oblivion, after the loss of two or three lives. During the latter part of the time in which this confusion was acting, the King and Queen were in public at the balcony, and neither of them concealed for safety's sake, as Mr. Burke insinuates. Matters being thus appeased, and tranquility restored, a general acclamat…