Matt

“The prospect of spending an evening by himself with his pipe and a book was so agreeable that it made the misery of that journey across the lake positively worth while.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Ashenden Or the British Agent

“290. November 2nd. Hans Ziegler of Brodt, alias der Botz, who threatened to burn down the houses of his friends and guardians for refusing him money, though he had formerly squandered it on women and prostitutes. Beheaded with the sword, as a favour.”
― Franz Schmidt, A Hangman's Diary: The Journal of Master Franz Schmidt, Public Executioner of Nuremberg, 1573?1617

“the cubicles of sin”
― Susan Orlean, The Library Book

“When placed on the stone his head turned several times as if it wanted to look about it, moved its tongue and opened its mouth as if wanting to speak, for a good half quarter of an hour. I have never seen the like of this.”
― Franz Schmidt, A Hangman's Diary: The Journal of Master Franz Schmidt, Public Executioner of Nuremberg, 1573?1617