Chapter 7 The joy of lying down and reading (1)

Last night, as I wrote down what you have just read about the virtues of fairy tales, it occurred to me that I should revisit those stories that have so often brought me joy and solace.So I picked out at least twenty books and piled them on the table next to my bed, thinking that it would be almost dawn when I fell asleep.I first turned a few pages of Ketley [Thomas Ketley (1789-1872), British fairy tale writer. ]'s "Fairy Myths" to begin my diversion, next picked up at random: Crofton Crocker's "Southern Irish Traditions," Mrs. Kelly's "Tales from the Provinces of France," Andrew Lange's Book of Fairy Tales in Green, Blue and Red, La Polayer's The Last Fairy Tale, Hauff's The Inn at Speysart, Julia Goddard's The Golden Weatherbeacon, Feli's Western Fairy Tales, Asper Johnson's Folk Tales, Susan Pindar's The Midsummer Fairy, Nesbet Bain's Cossack Fairy Tales [Fairy Tales Authors Mentioned Here Among them: Crofton Crocker (1798-1854), Irish collector, noted for his collection of folklore and ballads.La Polaye (1811-1883), French writer and historian.Wilhelm Hauf (1802-1927), a German poet and novelist, is the most famous creation of fairy tales with worldwide influence.Mary Fairey (1845-1911), British writer.Asper Johnson (1812-1885), Norwegian writer.Susan Pindar (1820-1892), American writer, whose "Midsummer Fairy" was published in 1850. 】,Etc., etc.

As I fell into a deep sleep, with a volume of Fairy Tales from Villa Maria in my hand, I had a delightful dream.Under the protection and guidance of my fairy godmother, I undertake to rescue a beautiful princess who has been enchanted by a cruel witch and imprisoned in prison by the witch's son.He was an ugly monster with seven heads, and his companions were four equally ugly dragons. This commitment got me into five years of trouble, but for a man who was dreaming of his own success for a beautiful princess, the time was hardly worth the time.My fairy godmother (who wore a lace bonnet and was somewhat stooped) took good care of me and guided me well over the devils, giants, dragons, witches, snakes, monsters, trolls, and the like that I encountered.Just when I had rescued the princess, broken the spell that bound her, and we "lived peacefully together at last", I woke up and realized that it was all just a dream.The gas lamp hanging high above the bed has been radiating its light during my five years of war over the beautiful maiden.

This little incident affords me an opportunity to state an observation which has convinced me that all good and devoted bibliophiles must experience the pleasure of lying down.Indeed, I am quite in agreement with Judge Methuen: A book is not worth mentioning if it does not accompany me to sleep and to my dreams.Maybe, you can recall Cicero [Cicero (106-43 BC), Roman statesman, philosopher, lawyer, classical scholar, writer.He had sharply criticized Caesar's tyranny and Antony's ambition.The quotations that follow come from his most famous defense, "In Defense of the Poet Alzias", originally written in Latin. ] in that eloquent passage of his noble defense of the poet Alzias, in which he refers to his literary studies: "These studies are nourishment in youth, consolation in old age, and comfort in old age; It is the icing on the cake, comforting and sheltering us when we are down and down; bringing us happiness when we are at home, but not a burden when we go out; accompanying us through dark nights and long journeys, accompanying us to retreat to the country and wander in the woods."

In the name of God!You're right, Cicero man, it's absolutely true. I have bolded "Dark Night" because: it is this word that exposes Cicero's habit of reading while lying down.My God, I can almost see him right now, propped up on his couch, unrolling his favorite works, roll after roll, so happy and happy.The enjoyment is occasionally interrupted when our noble reader mutters to scold careless servants for dimming their oil lamps too dimly, or forgetting to trim candle wicks. Long journey?Indeed, they share our travels, which is what these literary studies do.If Thomas Hayne [Thomas Hayne (1678-1735), British writer and collector.He has worked in the Bodrien Library of Oxford University for a long time. ] (Deceased) If he were still alive today, he would tell us that whenever he went out for a walk, he always invited a book with him, and was in the habit of reading it as he walked.Several times (he tells us in his diary) he was so engrossed in his reading that he lost his way, and before he could discern his way back, night fell upon him.

I have always wondered why book lovers seldom talk about Hein, because he is also a well-known collector, and he has also felt the blazing heat of the holy fire in the depths of his life.The following prayer, which may serve as an illustration of his character, is preserved in the Bodrien Library. 】In his other literature: "Oh, most gracious Lord, your care is so miraculous. I do my best to give you all my thanks for the care you have given me all the time. I have encountered such blessings from you time and time again. The scene happened just yesterday when I came across three volumes of ancient manuscripts. For their unique appearance, I would like to thank you for your care and pray that you will continue to grant the same grace to me, a poor and helpless sinner." Etc., etc.

Another prayer of Hein's, illustrating his reliance on oracle.At that time, Dr. Bray, Bishop of London, pestered him to go to Maryland and play the part of a missionary. "O Lord, Father of the Kingdom of Heaven, look down on me in your mercy," cried the pious man, "and guide me, now that I am being forced to leave this place, the place where I was educated. University. By your great kindness, I humbly beseech your divinity as to how I should proceed with this matter."