The Autumn and the Fall of Leaves
HILAIRE BELLOC
—1906—
—Ink and Echoes— The Autumn and the Fall of Leaves Hilaire Belloc —1906— It is not true that the close of a life which ends in a natural fashion—life which is permitted to put on the pomp of death and to go out in glory—inclines the mind to repose. It is not true of a […]
On Artists, Self-Interest, & Birds
H.J. MASSINGHAM
—1919—</small
—Ink and Echoes— On Artists, Self-Interest, & Birds H.J. Massingham —1919— The artist (I throw the net as widely as possible) is one at least of the types in modern life who has a regard both for his own welfare and the community’s. He has to secure the first in order to forward the second. […]
On Walking to (and Away From) Inns
HILAIRE BELLOC
—1911—
—Ink and Echoes— On Walking to (and Away from) Inns Hilaire Belloc —1911— So long as man does not bother about what he is or whence he came or whither he is going, the whole thing seems as simple as the verb “to be”; and you may say that the moment he does begin thinking […]
On Running After One’s Hat
G.K. CHESTERTON
1915
—Ink and Echoes— On Running After One’s Hat G.K. Chesterton —1915— I feel an almost savage envy on hearing that London has been flooded in my absence, while I am in the mere country. My own Battersea has been, I understand, particularly favoured as a meeting of the waters. Battersea was already, as I need […]
Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
1884
—Ink and Echoes— Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. —1884— Not long ago I heard a young man ask why people still kept up Memorial Day, and it set me thinking of the answer. Not the answer that you and I should give to each other — not the expression of […]
Alchemy, Ashes, & the Lessons of Berries
EDWARD PAYSON ROE
1881
—Ink and Echoes— Alchemy, Ashes, & the Lessons of Berries from Success With Small Fruits Edward Payson Roe —1881— Modern knowledge enables us to work changes more beneficial than the alchemist ever dreamed of; and it shall be my aim to make one of these secrets as open as the sunlight in the fields and […]
A Visit to the Mesa Verde
Willa Cather
1916
—Ink and Echoes— A Visit to the Mesa Verde Willa Cather —1916— Any approach to the Mesa Verde is impressive, but one must always think with envy of the entrada of Richard Wetherill, the first white man who discovered the ruins in its canyons forty odd years ago. Until that time the Mesa was entirely […]
The Cell & Chamber of Liberty G.K. CHESTERTON 1910
—Ink and Echoes— The Cell & Chamber of Liberty from What’s Wrong With the World G.K. Chesterton —1910— Of all the modern notions generated by mere wealth the worst is this: the notion that domesticity is dull and tame. Inside the home (they say) is dead decorum and routine; outside is adventure and variety. This […]
It Will Carry You
THOMAS à KEMPIS
c1420
—Ink and Echoes— It Will Carry You from The Imitation of Christ Thomas à Kempis —c 1420— Jesus has many lovers of his heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of his Cross. He has many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions at his table, but few at his fasting. All desire […]
Stay of the Soul JOHN HENRY NEWMAN 1840
I say, by birth we are in a state of defect and want; we have not all that is necessary for the perfection of our nature. As the body is not complete in itself, but requires the soul to give it a meaning, so again the soul till God is present with it and manifested in it, has faculties and affections without a ruling principle, object, or purpose.