Commonplace notes

Oroonoko

"Oroonoko, whose honour was such as he never had violated a word in his life himself, much less a solemn asseveration, believ'd in an instant what this man said; but reply'd, He expected, for a confirmation of this, to have his shameful fetters dismiss'd."

Gulliver's Travels

"And I remember, in frequent discourses with my master concerning the nature of manhood in other parts of the world, having occasion to talk of lying and false representation, it was with much difficulty that he comprehended what I meant, although he had otherwise a most acute judgment. For he argued thus: “that the use of speech was to make us understand one another, and to receive information of facts; now, if any one said the thing which was not, these ends were defeated, because I cannot properly be said to understand him; and I am so far from receiving information, that he leaves me worse than in ignorance; for I am led to believe a thing black, when it is white, and short, when it is long.” And these were all the notions he had concerning that faculty of lying, so perfectly well understood, and so universally practised, among human creatures."

Anne Bradstreet, "Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 10th, 1666"

"In silence ever shalt thou lie, / Adieu, Adieu, all’s vanity."

A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812

"I have been very unwell. I Eat a little cold puding and Cold milk twice in the coars of the day and perform part of my washing. […] I got the men Breakfast but was not able to Eat a morsel my self till after 3 pm but I finisht my washing. […] God grant me patience to go thro the fatages of this life with fortitude looking forward to a more happy state.”

INTERESTING NARRATIVE

"When I told him I intended to go to London that season, and that I had come to visit him before my departure, the good man expressed a great deal of affection for me, and sorrow that I should leave him, and warmly advised me to stay there; insisting, as I was much respected by all the gentlemen in the place, that I might do very well, and in a short time have land and slaves of my own."

Jefferson's Commonplace Book

"In struggling with Misfortunes / Lies the true Proof of Virtue”

Recitation: "An EPIGRAM. On the Reverend Mr. LAURENCE ECHARD's, and Bishop GILBERT BURNET's Histories."

"GIL'S history appears to me

Political anatomy,

A case of skeletons well done,

And malefactors every one.

His sharp and strong incision pen

Historically cuts up men,

And does with lucid skill impart

Their inward ails of head and heart.

LAURENCE proceeds another way,

And well-dress'd figures doth display:

His characters are all in flesh,

Their hands are fair, their faces fresh;

And from his sweet'ning art derive

A better scent than when alive.

He wax-work made to please the sons,

Whose fathers were GIL'S skeletons."