Wake Up

First I drink an espresso, then I pick up my pen.
"Brain Brew: How coffee fueled Voltaire's Candide, Newton's theory of gravity, and Juan Valdez's modern woes." (via aldaily.com)

Image: Actor Ioan Gruffud (Horatio Hornblower, The Fantastic Four)

Oh, Behave! Part II

More highly entertaining excerpts from "The Lady's Guide to Perfect Gentility (1856)."

Conversing with modesty and simplicity.--Always seek to converse with gentlemen into whose society you may be introduced, with a dignified modesty and simplicity, which will effectually check on their part any attempt at familiarity; but never say or do anything that may lead them to suppose you are soliciting their notice. (I guess making out with them on the dance floor is out?--Kim)
An instance can scarcely be recalled of a lady, either by direct or indirect means, attempting to storm a man's heart into admiration (charmingly put --Kim), who did not effectually defeat her purpose, and instead of the coveted homage to her charms, awaken a feeling directly its opposite.

How to treat flattery.--If a gentleman approaches you with words of flattery, and profuse attentions, especially after a short acquaintance, extend no encouraging word or smile; for a flatterer can never be otherwise than an unprofitable companion. It is better, by a diginified composure, to appear not to notice (a la Mr. Darcy --Kim), than, with smiles and blushes to disclaim flattery; since these are frequently considered as encouragements for further effusions of these "painted words."

You may with propriety accept such delicate attentions as polished and refined men are desirous of paying, but never solicit them, or appear to be expecting them. Ladies not unfrequently, as a matter of course, extend their hand to take a gentleman's arm before he has made any offer of such civility, but it is a mark of familiarity which has a most unfavorable appearance.

Ancient Verses Preserved in Mummy's Remains

The Guardian reports that a newly-discovered poem of 101 words by Sappho was found wrapped around an Egyptian mummy.

"On hearing one of Sappho's poems sung, the sixth century BC Greek ruler Solon, a contemporary of hers, asked for someone to teach him the song 'because I want to learn it and die'"

All at Sea

Three new biographies further illuminate Lord Nelson's adventures, both public and private. ("Horatio Nelson, Conjuror of Victory," Economist.com)

No Quibbles, Just Bits

7 minutes in heaven, the trailer for Cameron Crowe's upcoming film Elizabethtown.
This story calls to mind The Monk.
"Stimulated by those moods that poets turn into words, I turn my ideas into tones, which resound, roar, and rage, until at last they stand before me in the form of notes," wrote Beethoven. (via aldaily.com)

Spring Fever

As reported on my other blog Romancing the Tome, Hayden Christensen and Mischa Barton (uh oh) are currently filming an adaptation of Boccaccio's The Decameron, about ten members of the Florentine nobility who flee to the countryside where they titillate one other with sexy stories while the Black Death rages. Brush up on all things plague-ish here.

Oh, Behave!

A while back I purchased "The Lady's Guide to Perfect Gentility (1856)," a tiny photocopied book from The Huntington Library in Pasadena. The instructions for living a polite, restrained life perversely make me want to slouch, swear, and wear pants (and all at once, for that matter) but it also makes me laugh. So, for the next few weeks, I'll try and publish an excerpt from the book every Monday. (The best part--the letters--are last).

"THE ART OF CONVERSING WITH FLUENCY AND PROPRIETY."

A practical view of the subject--the power excercised by ladies in conversation--how wives should speak of their husbands, and husbands of their wives--conversing with gentlemen--things, words, and sayings to be avoided in conversation.

A PRACTICAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT
A lady's influence in conversation.--Every woman whose heart and mind have been properly regulated, is capable of exerting a most salutary influence over the gentlemen with whom she associates; and this fact has been acknowledged by the best and wisest of men, and seldom disputed, except by those whose capacities for observation have been perverted by adverse circumstances.

Depression and The Artist

"'What if so-and-so had taken Prozac?' The candidates for drug treatment were drawn from a short roster of tortured 19th-century artists and writers. Friedrich Nietzsche and Edgar Allan Poe made frequent appearances." The author of Listening to Prozac attempts to tackle the question. ("The Neurotic Artist: Romanticizing Depression," The Chronicle of Higher Education via Arts & Letters Daily)

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

The Historian, a vampire thriller by first-time novelist Elizabeth Kostova, is being hailed as this year's The Da Vinci Code. That means everyone will be discussing it and it will probably spawn an adaptation (hopefully starring Johnny Depp rather than Tom Hanks). While I really didn't enjoy The Da Vinci Code myself, after reading the Salon review of The Historian, I might just take a chance on what will surely be a bestseller.

Related: from the archives, "When Is a Da Vinci not a Da Vinci?"; "The Da Vinci Code is boring..." and Photos of Vlad the Impaler and his castle.

The Mystery of Marlowe

This past Thursday The Mechanics' Library hosted David Riggs, author of The World of Christopher Marlow, for a discussion on Marlowe's short life (he was murdered at the age of 29). While the author concurs that there are few verifiable facts available about the playwright's life and his mysterious death, there is quite a bit of interesting information on the unique classical education of Marlowe and his Elizabethan contemporaries Shakespeare, Thomas Kyd, and Ben Jonson.

Longing

Every once in a while when I can't have something I really want, I post a picture of it here as some sort of closure. Usually it involves boots.

Music Meme

1. The person who passed the baton to you
The scintillating and always stylish Lauren Cerand.

2. Total volume of music files on your computer
I'm not at my home computer, so I'll have to update this answer later.

3. The title and artist of the last CD you bought.
Gimme Fiction, Spoon

4. Song playing at the moment of writing
"Fire & Ice," as covered by Rasputina

5. Five songs you have been listening to of late or all-time favorites, or particularly personally meaningful songs
(In heavy rotation this week, especially while trying to stay distracted during take offs and landings, are the following:)
"Somersault (The Dangermouse Remix)," Zero 7
"Public Pervert (Carlos D Remix)," Interpol
"We Both Go Down Together," The Decemberists
"First Song," Andrew Bird
"Alice," Tom Waits

6. The five people to whom you will 'pass the musical baton.'
Cory
Pat
Cecil
Rachel
Gabrielle

New York Cares

Just a quick post today. I'm in Manhattan for Amy's book launch party, which is tonight. Yes, it's hot. When I get back I should have lots to share both here and on Romancing the Tome, including a review of Moby's cafe Teany. Until then, "Joyce Crick's 10 Favourite Fairytales," the literary couple, and what happened when Charles Dickens and Hans Christian Andersen met.