What do you think?
Rate this book
Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd
A series of aphorisms and observations upon life, character, manners, and politics, Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd is the product of a mind both vigorous and reflective. As Cambridge Apostle, private secretary to the powerful, Clerk of the Privy Council, Sir Arthur Helps (1813 – 1875) had ample opportunity to observe men and affairs at their grandest. By Queen Victoria he was recognised as a man of great judgement and fine character. From his obituary in The Times, we read: “No one had learnt to appreciate his qualities more highly than her Majesty. In her Clerk of the Council she always could reckon upon a staunch, thoughtful, and capable adviser, whose views had not been rashly arrived at, whose information was ample, and who had neither personal nor party interests to serve.” So it is that this notice of the end of his life may serve too as an introduction to it, and this book as a monument to a species of mind so rarely encountered today.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2010
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 24, 2022
This is a short book of aphorisms (pithy saying, maxims, etc.) purported nugatory wisdom advice for a good life and for appreciation and proper analysis of life. Generally the sayings are prosaic but in a few cases they are rather specific as when it includes a quote from John Herschel on the method of residual phenomenon in natural investigation and suggests a parallel method in understanding historical developments. Most of the aphorisms are a sentence of two, some a paragraph or two and several stretch over one or more page.
A short excerpt should help illustrate the mood and type of aphorism offered:
"It has been said with some meaning, that if men would but rest in silence, they might always hear the music of the spheres."
I read this as a pdf of a scan of the 1835 edition, it was a little messy here or there but totally legible. I think I got it from the website of University of Pennsylvania professor Max Cavitch.
A short excerpt should help illustrate the mood and type of aphorism offered:
"It has been said with some meaning, that if men would but rest in silence, they might always hear the music of the spheres."
I read this as a pdf of a scan of the 1835 edition, it was a little messy here or there but totally legible. I think I got it from the website of University of Pennsylvania professor Max Cavitch.
Displaying 1 of 1 review