The Auto-biography of Edward Gibbon, Esq: Illustrated from His Letters, with Occasional Notes and NarrativesTurner & Hayden, 1846 - 381 pages |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 51
Page
... least detailed account of the most interesting part of his life . His correspondence during that period , will , in great measure , supply the de- ficiency . By many , the Letters will be found a very interesting part of the present ...
... least detailed account of the most interesting part of his life . His correspondence during that period , will , in great measure , supply the de- ficiency . By many , the Letters will be found a very interesting part of the present ...
Page 4
... least natural , I am inclined to believe , since I do not feel myself interested in the cause ; for I can derive from my ancestors neither glory nor shame . Yet a sincere and simple narrative of my own life may amuse some of my leisure ...
... least natural , I am inclined to believe , since I do not feel myself interested in the cause ; for I can derive from my ancestors neither glory nor shame . Yet a sincere and simple narrative of my own life may amuse some of my leisure ...
Page 13
... least to write for the public benefit ; and the slow balance of trade can be pleasing to those persons only , to whom it is advantageous . The successful industry of my granfather raised him above the level of his immediate ancestors ...
... least to write for the public benefit ; and the slow balance of trade can be pleasing to those persons only , to whom it is advantageous . The successful industry of my granfather raised him above the level of his immediate ancestors ...
Page 21
... least equal to the prelate . On the appearance of the Fable of the Bees , he drew his pen against the licentious doctrine that private vices are public benefits ; and morality as well as religion must join in his applause . Mr. Law's ...
... least equal to the prelate . On the appearance of the Fable of the Bees , he drew his pen against the licentious doctrine that private vices are public benefits ; and morality as well as religion must join in his applause . Mr. Law's ...
Page 29
... least a temporary shelter , had not an act of indiscretion again driven him into the world . One day reading prayers in the parish church , he most unluckily forgot the name of King George : his patron , a loyal subject , dismissed him ...
... least a temporary shelter , had not an act of indiscretion again driven him into the world . One day reading prayers in the parish church , he most unluckily forgot the name of King George : his patron , a loyal subject , dismissed him ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abbé acquaintance Adieu admire agreeable amiable amusement appear Archbishop of Arles Beriton Berne CHAP character church Comte de Caylus connexion conversation Coppet Deyverdun dined EDWARD GIBBON England English enjoyed epistle equal essay esteem excuse father favour feel fortune France French friendship Geneva genius geography of Italy Greek habits happiness historian honour hope interest John Gibbon JOURNAL journey labour lady language Latin Lausanne learning less letter lively London Lord Sheffield Madame Magdalen College Memoirs ment merit militia mind months Necker never opinion Oxford Paris passed Pavilliard perhaps persons philosopher pleasure political Porten praise present provinces of France racter residence scene Severy Sheffield-place society soon spirit style summer Swiss Switzerland Tacitus taste tion Vaud volume weeks winter wish write youth
Popular passages
Page 222 - It was on the day, or rather night, of the 27th of June 1787, between the hours of eleven and twelve, that I wrote the last lines of the last page in a summer-house in my garden. After laying down my pen, I took several turns in a berccau, or covered walk of acacias, which commands a prospect of the country, the lake, and the mountains.
Page 222 - After laying down my pen. I took several turns in a berceau or covered walk of acacias which commands a prospect of the country, the lake and the mountains. The air was temperate, the sky was serene: the silver orb of the moon was reflected from the waters, and all Nature was silent. I will not dissemble the first emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and perhaps the establishment of my fame.
Page 207 - that the influence of the Crown had increased, was increasing, and ought to be diminished', and Mr Burke's Bill of Reform was framed with skill, 162 introduced with eloquence, and supported by numbers.
Page 7 - Who builds a church to God, and not to Fame, Will never mark the marble with his name : Go, search it there, where to be born and die, Of rich and poor makes all the history ; Enough, that Virtue fill'd the space between ; Prov'd by the ends of being, to have been.
Page 100 - After a painful struggle I yielded to my fate : I sighed as a lover, I obeyed as a son 9 ; (8) my wound was insensibly healed by time, absence, and the habits of a new life.
Page 169 - It was at Rome, on the 15th of October, 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the bare-footed friars were singing vespers in the temple of Jupiter,* that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind.
Page 44 - My own introduction to the university of Oxford forms a new sera in my life ; and at the distance of forty years I still remember my first emotions of surprise and satisfaction. In my fifteenth year I felt myself suddenly raised from a boy to a man ; the persons whom I respected as my superiors in age and academical rank, entertained me with every mark of attention and civility ; and my vanity was flattered by the velvet cap and silk gown, which distinguish a gentleman commoner from a plebeian student.
Page 205 - I can never forget the delight with which that diffusive and ingenious orator, Mr. Burke, was heard by all sides of the house, and even by those whose existence he proscribed.
Page 237 - France. I admire his eloquence, I approve his politics, I adore his chivalry, and I can almost excuse his reverence for church establishments.
Page 101 - A rich banker of Paris, a citizen of Geneva, had the good fortune and good sense to discover and possess this inestimable treasure ; and in the capital of taste and luxury she resisted the temptations of wealth, as she had sustained the hardships of indigence. The genius of her husband has exalted him to the most conspicuous station in Europe. In every change of prosperity and disgrace he has reclined on the bosom of a faithful friend ; and Mademoiselle Curchod is now the wife of M. Necker, the minister,...