Main Text
Did you ever hear my definition of marriage?
It is, that it resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can not be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who comes between them.
Sydney Smith shares his definition of a strong marriage.
3m 39s
Love-in-a-Mist
Second Suite of English Folk Dances
A gentle English dance, orchestrated by Ernest Tomlinson.
Did you ever hear my definition of marriage?
It is, that it resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can not be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who comes between them.
From a ’Fifties Classroom
The words shear and sheer are homophones. Homophones are words that sound exactly alike, but differ in spelling and in meaning. Even in such a short passage, there are a few more. I found five: see if you can spot them — and any others.
Have an Ear for Language
If you would write melodious English,I fear the gods will require of you what they ought to have given you at birth—something of an ear. Yet the most of us have ears, of sorts; and I believe that, though we can only acquire it by assiduous practice, the most of us can wonderfully improve our talent of the ear.
Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch On the Art of Writing (1916)
Issue 1 •
02 • Biography
Richard Cobden thought his employers were taking a big risk — on him.
03 • George Herbert
A road accident made parish priest George Herbert late for his musical evening, but he was not a bit sorry.
04 • Anecdotes
A Victorian commuter arrived home carrying more than his briefcase.