| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Critias by Plato: legend, or like M. de Humboldt, whom he quotes, are disposed to find in it
a vestige of a widely-spread tradition. Others, adopting a different vein
of reflection, regard the Island of Atlantis as the anticipation of a still
greater island--the Continent of America. 'The tale,' says M. Martin,
'rests upon the authority of the Egyptian priests; and the Egyptian priests
took a pleasure in deceiving the Greeks.' He never appears to suspect that
there is a greater deceiver or magician than the Egyptian priests, that is
to say, Plato himself, from the dominion of whose genius the critic and
natural philosopher of modern times are not wholly emancipated. Although
worthless in respect of any result which can be attained by them,
discussions like those of M. Martin (Timee) have an interest of their own,
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: she will want father in his place; and there are good families round,
where you can get a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy;
and there's a good school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by turns,
and father does look so happy!"
"That's uncommon jolly," said Harry, "and just the right thing, I should say;
it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a page-boy
with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a gardener."
It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough
they should remove to the country, and that the cab and horses
should be sold as soon as possible.
This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Battle of the Books by Jonathan Swift: For both were frightened to the heart,
And just began to cry, - What art!
Then softly turned aside to view,
Whether the lights were burning blue.
The gentle pilgrims soon aware on't,
Told 'em their calling, and their errant;
"Good folks, you need not be afraid,
We are but saints," the hermits said;
"No hurt shall come to you or yours;
But, for that pack of churlish boors,
Not fit to live on Christian ground,
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