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Re: Update on the holiday

Posted by bsj on December 7, 2003, at 18:15:30

In reply to Re: Update on the holiday, posted by krazybirdlady on December 7, 2003, at 16:53:04

CONFESSIONS OF AN ENGLISH OPIUM-EATER:

http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/socl/socialconcerns/ConfessionsofanEnglishOpium-Eater/toc.html

De Quincy was a fascinating charater of the early 19th century. Despite the great pains it brought him, he never denounced opium, never became a crusader against it; for him, it was like dabbling with food of the gods--something so strong that mere mortals couldn't bear it. He begins with glowing passages like this:

"Here was a panacea for all human woes; here was the secret of happiness, about which philosophers had disputed for so many ages, at once discovered: happiness might now be bought for a penny, and carried in the waistcoat pocket; portable ecstacies might be had corked up in a pint bottle, and peace of mind could be sent down in gallons by the mail-coach."

But he also presents the other side, in a rather disconnected narrative that forms the second half of the book. He shows the dangers of becoming too complacent with opium, too careless of its power.


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poster:bsj thread:286967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20031014/msgs/287500.html