Thanks for the mention. I was just thinking recently of that post where you discuss bird formations. At long last, I thought when I read it, someone is bringing the sensibility of Thomas Browne to the internet! Exactly what I've been waiting for!
Studious Observators may discover more analogies in the orderly book of nature, and cannot escape the Elegancy of her hand in other correspondencies. The Figures of nails and crucifying appurtenances, are but precariously made out in the Granadilla or flower of Christs passion; And we despair to behold in these parts that handsome draught of crucifixion in the fruit of the Barbado Pine. The seminal Spike of Phalaris, or great shaking grasse, more nearly answers the tayl of a Rattle-Snake, then many resemblances in Porta: And if the man Orchis of Culumna be well made out, it excelleth all analogies. In young Wall-nuts cut athwart, it is not hard to apprehend strange characters; and in those of somewhat elder growth, handsome ornamental draughts about a plain crosse. In the root of Osmond or Water-fern, every eye may discern the form of a Half Moon, Rain-bow, or half the character of Pisces. Some finde Hebrew, Arabick, Greek, and Latine Characters in Plants; In a common one among us we seem to reade Acaia, Viviu, Lilil.
Great quote! I think such an appreciation for the orderliness of nature is a useful corrective to the sweeping generalisations that is often made about it in literary criticism, for example this from Paglia’s Sexual Personae: “The Oresteia recapitulates history, moving from nature to society, from chaos to order, from emotion to reason, from revenge to justice, from female to male.” As if nature was all female emotional chaos until Man put things in order!
You might really like Thomas Browne! The Garden of Cyrus is a whole book dedicated to finding lozenge-shaped forms in nature and culture alike. It's literally just that. He's amazing. On the broader point, I totally agree. Especially where human beings are concerned--as we've already discussed, our evolution is social! Ridiculous to draw some hard nature/culture line in a species whose natural behavior is learned, adaptive group behavior. I like the Oresteia reference though: it's definitely the tragedy of the moment.
Unfortunately my knowledge of Greek drama is next to non-existent.
(If only there was an Invisible College to take a class from Prof. Werlin!)
On the forgetting of our social nature, it strikes me that we keep on inventing evermore mechanical terms to describe interpersonal relationships: ties, bonds, connections, links, networks...
Thank you for the mention! Your writing deserves more than the attention I alone can provide and it’s wonderful to see the number of hearts on the bottom of this page increase every time I check out a new post. Here’s to taking my own plunge in the new year!
Thank you for the shoutout and what a lovely post! You’ve been a class act ever since I first came across your work. Really enjoying everything you write!
Thank you, Mary Jane, for your consistently edifying essays. They've reignited an interest in the mystical, and now I'm reading and loving Critchley's very interesting new book.
Thanks for the mention. I was just thinking recently of that post where you discuss bird formations. At long last, I thought when I read it, someone is bringing the sensibility of Thomas Browne to the internet! Exactly what I've been waiting for!
Studious Observators may discover more analogies in the orderly book of nature, and cannot escape the Elegancy of her hand in other correspondencies. The Figures of nails and crucifying appurtenances, are but precariously made out in the Granadilla or flower of Christs passion; And we despair to behold in these parts that handsome draught of crucifixion in the fruit of the Barbado Pine. The seminal Spike of Phalaris, or great shaking grasse, more nearly answers the tayl of a Rattle-Snake, then many resemblances in Porta: And if the man Orchis of Culumna be well made out, it excelleth all analogies. In young Wall-nuts cut athwart, it is not hard to apprehend strange characters; and in those of somewhat elder growth, handsome ornamental draughts about a plain crosse. In the root of Osmond or Water-fern, every eye may discern the form of a Half Moon, Rain-bow, or half the character of Pisces. Some finde Hebrew, Arabick, Greek, and Latine Characters in Plants; In a common one among us we seem to reade Acaia, Viviu, Lilil.
Great quote! I think such an appreciation for the orderliness of nature is a useful corrective to the sweeping generalisations that is often made about it in literary criticism, for example this from Paglia’s Sexual Personae: “The Oresteia recapitulates history, moving from nature to society, from chaos to order, from emotion to reason, from revenge to justice, from female to male.” As if nature was all female emotional chaos until Man put things in order!
You might really like Thomas Browne! The Garden of Cyrus is a whole book dedicated to finding lozenge-shaped forms in nature and culture alike. It's literally just that. He's amazing. On the broader point, I totally agree. Especially where human beings are concerned--as we've already discussed, our evolution is social! Ridiculous to draw some hard nature/culture line in a species whose natural behavior is learned, adaptive group behavior. I like the Oresteia reference though: it's definitely the tragedy of the moment.
Unfortunately my knowledge of Greek drama is next to non-existent.
(If only there was an Invisible College to take a class from Prof. Werlin!)
On the forgetting of our social nature, it strikes me that we keep on inventing evermore mechanical terms to describe interpersonal relationships: ties, bonds, connections, links, networks...
Thank you MJE, and thanks again for coming down to our reading in London - wish I'd had the time to chat more. Next time!
Ditto to what everyone is saying!
Thank you for the mention! Your writing deserves more than the attention I alone can provide and it’s wonderful to see the number of hearts on the bottom of this page increase every time I check out a new post. Here’s to taking my own plunge in the new year!
Thank you for the shoutout and what a lovely post! You’ve been a class act ever since I first came across your work. Really enjoying everything you write!
Thanks MJE, excited to see what you've (and everyone else mentioned) have in store for 2025.
Thank YOU, Mary Jane, for sharing your writing. I am learning so much from you. 'n geseënde kersfees e.s.v.!
You’re too kind. I’ve enjoyed your writing and it has been great fun interacting with the intellectual community that’s emerging on this website.
Thank you! I’ve found your posts and comments consistently stimulating and thought provoking over the last year, I’m honored to be on your list!
Too kind, Mary Jane! (Which, I suppose, given how I have here been typed, you might be tempted to take literally. :) )
And thank you in turn, for your genuine curiosity and humor! Honestly, I'm glad to be here.
Thank you, Mary Jane, for your consistently edifying essays. They've reignited an interest in the mystical, and now I'm reading and loving Critchley's very interesting new book.
And thank *you*, MJ, for being my closest reader and for your witty and rigorous reflections.
Thank you Mary Jane; this is an extraordinary list to be on.