“But still, wine constantly leads a man to the brink of absurdity and extravagance, and, beyond a certain point, it is sure to volatize and to disperse the intellectual energies: whereas opium always seems to compose what has been agitated, and to concentrate what had been distracted. In short, to sum up all in oneContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Two) (Thomas De Quincey)”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part One) (Thomas De Quincey)
“But the main distinction is this, that whereas wine disorders the mental faculties, opium, on the contrary (if taken in a proper manner), introduces amongst them the most exquisite order, legislation, and harmony. Wine robs a man of his self-possession; opium greatly invigorates it. Wine unsettles and clouds the judgement, and gives a preternatural brightness,Continue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part One) (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: Natural Courage and a Sudden Influx of Money (Thomas De Quincey)
“…that vast power and possessions make a man shamefully afraid of dying: and I am convinced that many of the most intrepid adventurers, who by fortunately by being vey poor, enjoy the full use of their natural courage, would, at the very instant of going into action news were brought to them that they hasContinue reading “RKS British Literature: Natural Courage and a Sudden Influx of Money (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: The World as a Stage is Badly Cast (Oscar Wilde)
“Actors are so fortunate. They can choose whether they will appear in tragedy or in comedy, whether they will suffer or make merry, laugh or shed tears. But in real life it is different. Most men and women are forced to perform parts for which they have no qualifications. Our Guildensterns play Hamlet for us,Continue reading “RKS British Literature: The World as a Stage is Badly Cast (Oscar Wilde)”
RKS British Literature: Who Are the Opium Eaters in England? (Thomas De Quincey)
“Reader, I am sorry to say, a very numerous class indeed. Of this I became convinced some years ago by computing at that time, the number of those in one small class of English society (the class of men distinguished for talents, or of eminent station), who were known to me, directly or indirectly, asContinue reading “RKS British Literature: Who Are the Opium Eaters in England? (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: A Philosopher’s Reflection on Opium (Thomas De Quincey)
“I may affirm that my life has been on the whole, the life of a philosopher; from my birth I was made an intellectual creature: and intellectual in the highest sense of my pursuits and pleasures have been, even from my school-boy days. If opium eating be a sensual pleasure, and if I am boundContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Philosopher’s Reflection on Opium (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS CANADIAN WHISKY: Bearface Elementally Aged Triple Oak Canadian Whisky
A single grain Canadian Whisky matured in ex-bourbon oak barrels then aged in French red wine oak barrels and new Hungarian oak and with select barrels matured in repurposed shipping containers “exposed to the elements in the Canadian wild in our extreme northern climate…” “Bearface appeals to “adventure loving” whisky drinkers and bartenders”. Aroma: Apricot,Continue reading “RKS CANADIAN WHISKY: Bearface Elementally Aged Triple Oak Canadian Whisky”
RKS British Literature: What is So Revolting to Englanders (Thomas De Quincey)
“Nothing, indeed, is more revolting to English feelings, than the spectacle of a human being obtruding on our notice his moral ulcers or scars, and tearing away that ‘decent drapery’, which time, or indulgence to human frailty, may have drawn over them: accordingly; the greater part of our confessions (that is, spontaneous and extra-judicial confessions)Continue reading “RKS British Literature: What is So Revolting to Englanders (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS Literature: Bozo the British Beggar Comments on the Cremation He Saw in India (George Orwell)
“Have you ever seen a corpse burned? I have, in India. They put the old chap on the fire, and the next moment I almost jumped out of my skin, because he started kicking. It was only his muscles contracting in the heat-still it gave me a turn. Well, he wriggled around a bit likeContinue reading “RKS Literature: Bozo the British Beggar Comments on the Cremation He Saw in India (George Orwell)”
RKS Literature: The Salvation Army and Stench of Charity in England (George Orwell)
“Since then I have slept in a number of Salvation Army shelters, and found that, though the different houses vary a little, this semi-military discipline is the same in all of them. They are certainly cheap, but they are too like workhouses for my taste. In some of them there is even a compulsory religiousContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Salvation Army and Stench of Charity in England (George Orwell)”
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