In a drear future – or, we may say, a drear past that never was – democracy in England died. England sank into a dull despotism. Its army and police almost vanished; its King was chosen out of alphabetical lists. “No one cared how: no one cared who. He was merely a universal secretary.” In…
Tag: g. k. chesterton
Character Profiles: The Expository Sidekick
“Oh,” he said, with emphasis. “Oh – you don’t think it necessary; then,” and he added the words with great clearness and deliberation, “then, Mr. Ellis Shorter, I can only say that I would like to see you without your whiskers.” And at these words I also rose to my feet, for the great tragedy…
A Poem and its Parody
Years ago, while reading through an old volume of G. K. Chesterton poetry, I came across this poem: THE PHILANTHROPIST (With apologies to a Beautiful Poem) ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe decrease By cautious birth-control and die in peace) Mellow with learning lightly took the word That marked him not with them that love…
The Pardon of Christmas
Here is a Christmas poem by G. K. Chesterton. Comments at the end. The Pardon of Christmas Roofed in with the snows of December It returns, it is left to us yet —A day: with one day to remember. —A day: with long days to forget. Undeterred, recurring, soft-footed It comes down o’er the world,…
In Defense of a Commercial Racket
Recently, I’ve been having a recurring thought: Christmas is coming. This is followed by another recurring thought: I have to start Christmas shopping. Here I am, victim of the commercial racket they’ve made of Christmas. Every year we hear about the commercialization of Christmas. It’s practically a Yuletide tradition. The sentiment is entrenched in the…
Tales of the Long Bow
I’ve been occupied these last couple weeks, so again I’m going to do a simple post, defined as “a post where I mostly quote other people”. But before that, an introduction. G. K. Chesterton is an author more quoted than read. He is interesting, he is humorous, he can turn a clever phrase. But his…