Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor by Thomas L. Masson, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Thomas L. Masson ISBN: 9781465501912
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Thomas L. Masson
ISBN: 9781465501912
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
Agnes Repplier. A PLEA FOR HUMOR More than half a dozen years have passed since Mr. Andrew Lang, startled for once out of his customary light-heartedness, asked himself, and his readers, and the ghost of Charles Dickens—all three powerless to answer—whether the dismal seriousness of the present day was going to last forever; or whether, when the great wave of earnestness had rippled over our heads, we would pluck up heart to be merry and, if needs be, foolish once again. Not that mirth and folly are in any degree synonymous, as of old; for the merry fool, too scarce, alas! even in the times when Jacke of Dover hunted for him in the highways, has since then grown to be rarer than a phenix. He has carried his cap and bells and jests and laughter elsewhere, and has left us to the mercies of the serious fool, who is by no means so seductive a companion. If the Cocquecigrues are in possession of the land, and if they are tenants exceedingly hard to evict, it is because of the encouragement they receive from those to whom we innocently turn for help: from the poets, novelists and men of letters whose duty it is to brighten and make glad our days. “It is obvious,” sighs Mr. Birrell dejectedly, “that many people appear to like a drab-colored world, hung around with dusky shreds of philosophy”; but it is more obvious still that, whether they like it or not, the drapings grow a trifle dingier every year, and that no one seems to have the courage to tack up something gay. What is much worse, even those bits of wanton color which have rested generations of weary eyes are being rapidly obscured by somber and intricate scroll-work, warranted to oppress and fatigue.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Agnes Repplier. A PLEA FOR HUMOR More than half a dozen years have passed since Mr. Andrew Lang, startled for once out of his customary light-heartedness, asked himself, and his readers, and the ghost of Charles Dickens—all three powerless to answer—whether the dismal seriousness of the present day was going to last forever; or whether, when the great wave of earnestness had rippled over our heads, we would pluck up heart to be merry and, if needs be, foolish once again. Not that mirth and folly are in any degree synonymous, as of old; for the merry fool, too scarce, alas! even in the times when Jacke of Dover hunted for him in the highways, has since then grown to be rarer than a phenix. He has carried his cap and bells and jests and laughter elsewhere, and has left us to the mercies of the serious fool, who is by no means so seductive a companion. If the Cocquecigrues are in possession of the land, and if they are tenants exceedingly hard to evict, it is because of the encouragement they receive from those to whom we innocently turn for help: from the poets, novelists and men of letters whose duty it is to brighten and make glad our days. “It is obvious,” sighs Mr. Birrell dejectedly, “that many people appear to like a drab-colored world, hung around with dusky shreds of philosophy”; but it is more obvious still that, whether they like it or not, the drapings grow a trifle dingier every year, and that no one seems to have the courage to tack up something gay. What is much worse, even those bits of wanton color which have rested generations of weary eyes are being rapidly obscured by somber and intricate scroll-work, warranted to oppress and fatigue.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Ohio Narratives by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book The Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India, Vol. II of II by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book Aphorisms by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book Fitz the Filibuster by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book Mighty Mikko: A Book of Finnish Fairy Tales and Folk Tales by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book Hope of the Gospel by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book The Light of Scarthey by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book John Marshall and The Constitution: A Chronicle of The Supreme Court by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book The Border and the Buffalo: An Untold Story of the Southwest Plains by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book A Desperate Character and Other Stories by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book Animal Intelligence: The International Scientific Series by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book The Book of Enoch the Prophet by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book At a Winter's Fire by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book La Tosca: Drame en Cinq Actes by Thomas L. Masson
Cover of the book De varios colores by Thomas L. Masson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy