Great Ideas On The Pleasure Of Hating

by William Hazlitt

Overview

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780141018928
Publisher:	Penguin UK
Publication date:	02/01/2005
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	4.31(w) x 7.11(h) x 0.33(d)

About the Author

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) was a prolific journalist, parliamentary reporter, dramatic and literary critic, essayist and lecturer. He was the one of the first English writers to make a profession of descriptive criticism.

Read an Excerpt

The Fight

'- The fight, the fight's the thing,
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.'

Where there's a will, there's a way - I said to myself, as I walked down Chancery-lane, about half-past six o'clock on Monday the l0th of December, to inquire at Jack Randall's where the fight the next day was to be; and I found 'the proverb' nothing 'musty' in the present instance. I was determined to see this fight, come what would, and see it I did, in great style. It was my first fight, yet it more than answered my expectations. Ladies - it is to you I dedicate this description; nor let it seem out of character for the fair to notice the exploits of the brave. Courage and modesty are the old English virtues; and may they never look cold and askance on one another! Think, ye fairest of the fair, loveliest of the lovely kind, ye practisers of soft enchantment, how many more ye kill with poisoned baits than ever fell in the ring; and listen with subdued air and without shuddering, to a tale tragic only in appearance, and sacred to the FANCY!

Table of Contents

William Hazlitt on The Pleasure of Hating The Fight

The Indian Jugglers

On the Spirit of Monarchy

What is the People?

On Reason and Imagination

On the Pleasure of Hating