“...we have lost our poor little boy, our pet and our hope. You knew him well, and know his mother’s heart and mine were wrapped up in him, will understand how great is our affliction. He was attacked with a bad form of scarlet fever on Thursday night, and on Sunday night effusion of the brain set in suddenly and carried him off in a couple of hours... as the little fellow was our greatest joy, so is the recollection of him an enduring consolation. It is a heavy payment, but I would buy the four years of him again at the same price.”
(Thomas Huxley writing to philosopher Herbert Spencer on the death of his son in 1860... )
These men were both respected and very busy scientists who’s contribution to geology and evolutionary theory permeates the university lectures halls of today. Time was against them, yet out of the most hurried schedule came such beautiful words...
Strange isn’t it? To think that this is how friends would talk to each other only 140 years ago. Pen. Paper. Emotion. Intent.
Where would I ever find such an interchange between two friends (two male friends for that matter!) in today’s world of hurried correspondence and ‘deadline driven action’.
What a eulogy... Perhaps a symbol of the death of something more.
(Thomas Huxley writing to philosopher Herbert Spencer on the death of his son in 1860... )
These men were both respected and very busy scientists who’s contribution to geology and evolutionary theory permeates the university lectures halls of today. Time was against them, yet out of the most hurried schedule came such beautiful words...
Strange isn’t it? To think that this is how friends would talk to each other only 140 years ago. Pen. Paper. Emotion. Intent.
Where would I ever find such an interchange between two friends (two male friends for that matter!) in today’s world of hurried correspondence and ‘deadline driven action’.
What a eulogy... Perhaps a symbol of the death of something more.
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1 comment:
I know what you mean and feel it seems like something is dead in the world that male friends can no longer be so close in how open they are, I would hope thou that even worlds apart I am this way with my male friends
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