Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit VOL l - Charles Dickens - cover

Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit VOL l - Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

Publisher: ShadowPOET

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTORY, CONCERNING THE PEDIGREE OF THE
CHUZZLEWIT FAMILY
As no lady or gentleman, with any claims to polite breeding, can possibly sympathize with the Chuzzlewit Family without being first assured of the extreme antiquity of the race, it is a great satisfaction to know that it undoubtedly descended in a direct line from Adam and Eve; and was, in the very earliest times, closely connected with the agricultural interest. If it should ever be urged by grudging and malicious persons, that a Chuzzlewit, in any period of the family history, displayed an overweening amount of family pride, surely the weakness will be considered not only pardonable but laudable, when the immense superiority of the house to the rest of mankind, in
respect of this its ancient origin, is taken into account.
It is remarkable that as there was, in the oldest family of which we have any record, a murderer and a vagabond, so we never fail to meet, in the records of all old families, with innumerable repetitions of the same phase of character.
Indeed, it may be laid down as a general principle, that the more extended the ancestry, the greater the amount of violence and vagabondism; for in ancient days those two amusements, combining a wholesome excitement with a promising means of repairing shattered fortunes, were at once the ennobling pursuit and the healthful recreation of the Quality of this land.
Consequently, it is a source of inexpressible comfort and happiness to find, that in various periods of our history, the Chuzzlewits were actively connected with divers slaughterous conspiracies and bloody frays. It is further recorded of them, that being clad from head to heel in steel of proof, they did on many occasions lead their leather-jerkined soldiers to the death with invincible courage, and afterwards return home gracefully to their relations and friends.
There can be no doubt that at least one Chuzzlewit came over with William the Conqueror. It does not appear that this illustrious ancestor 'came over' that monarch, to employ the vulgar phrase, at any subsequent period; inasmuch as the Family do not seem to have been ever greatly distinguished by the possession of landed estate. And it is well known that for the bestowal of that kind of property upon his favourites, the liberality and gratitude of the Norman were as remarkable as those virtues are usually found to be in great men when they give away what belongs to other people
Available since: 10/14/2021.

Other books that might interest you

  • Summary: Never Split the Difference - Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss: Key Takeaways Summary & Analysis Included - cover

    Summary: Never Split the...

    Brook Bryant

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    *PLEASE NOTE: This concise summary is unofficial and is not authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original book’s publisher or author.* 
    Short on time? Or maybe you’ve already read the book, but need a refresh on the most important takeaways. In a quick, easy listen, you can take the main principles from Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It! 
    Ever find yourself in a difficult business situation? Or do you have a difficult time relating to others when conversing? Never Split the Difference, written by Chris Voss, addresses one of the most difficult subjects that most of us learn but never master: the art of a good negotiation. 
    Whether you realize it or not, everyone in this world uses negotiation on a regular basis, whether it is at work, the grocery store, or under their own roof. You may not even realize there are other alternatives to the seemingly normal outcomes of conversations in your life. Voss walks the reader through various difficult and trying conversational situations, showing you what works, and what doesn’t. He also teaches you how to read subtle body language clues as you observe someone you are speaking with. 
    Chris Voss is a well-known businessman as well as an author and professor. He worked for 24 years as a hostage negotiator and is responsible for freeing some of the most famous political prisoners of the late nineties. Voss retired from the FBI in 2007 and currently runs his own consulting company, The Black Swan Group. 
    This audiobook encapsulates key takeaways found in the original book. We’ve also provided an in-depth analysis as well as removing any fluff to save you hours of your time. If you’ve read the original, then this audio summary will help you solidify the most important lessons.
    Show book
  • The Moon Bollino and the Bat - cover

    The Moon Bollino and the Bat

    Livy Former

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    On the rooftops of Paris, on a moonlit night, Bollino, a wise, conformist owl, and Daky, a lazy, eccentric bat, embark on a dangerous adventure to help a small girl. 
     A picture book. 
    Daki, a lazy and eccentric bat, abandoned by his fellow bats, and Bollino, a wise, conformist owl, left with no friends after taking Daki’s side, live in Paris on a beam of the Eiffel Tower, they have chosen as their home. Bollino found this safe spot for both of them. On a night with a clear and silvery moon, Daki tries to convince his friend to search the rooftops of an infamous area of the city, but Bollino, who is afraid to meet bad characters, is not easily convinced. In the end, however, in the name of friendship, he agrees to follow Daki to a very poor area, with houses with cracked walls and crumbling chimneys, where the bat, some time before, had flown into the attic, intrigued by a little girl. They both fly there to spy on her, watching her in her sleep. When they decide to fly back home, they realize the building where the child lives is on fire. At that hour, on the rooftops, people are asleep and don’t see the building going up in flames. How can they save the little girl? One of the two throws himself in danger risking his own life, while the other waits for him in vain. But…
    Show book
  • Tony Takes Off - Pet Sitters: Ready For Anything #3 - cover

    Tony Takes Off - Pet Sitters:...

    Ella Shine

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Two pet sitters. One talking cat. What could possibly go wrong? 
    ‘No chaos! And no emergencies!’ says Mum when Cassie and Lina pet sit again. But Tony the miniature pony isn't your average pet… And when Tony disappears from the paddock with Lina's little brother, someone's going to have to fly to the rescue.
    Show book
  • Leading the Way - Women In Power - cover

    Leading the Way - Women In Power

    Janet Howell, Theresa Howell

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    In this engaging and highly accessible compendium for young readers and aspiring power brokers, Virginia Senator Janet Howell and her daughter-in-law Theresa Howell spotlight the careers of fifty American women in politics - and inspire readers to make a difference. 
    Meet some of the most influential leaders in America, including Jeannette Rankin, who, in 1916, became the first woman elected to Congress; Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress; Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court; and Bella Abzug, who famously declared, "This woman's place is in the House . . . the House of Representatives!" This engaging and wide-ranging collection of biographies highlights the actions, struggles, and accomplishments of more than fifty of the most influential leaders in American political history - leaders who have stood up, blazed trails, and led the way.
    Show book
  • Hollywood vs the Galaxy - cover

    Hollywood vs the Galaxy

    Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Buddy Burger knows how to deliver an out-of-this-world adventure!Now that Buddy has faced off against Citizen Cruel and become a fan favorite on his Hollywood sitcom, he’ll finally catch a break, right? Not likely with the show’s big prime-time special coming up and his planet’s leader still set on returning Buddy home. Will Buddy be able to hide his secret identity from his swarms of fans while also avoiding an evil parrot and the Supreme Leader himself—plus all the usual pitfalls and stresses of Tinseltown? Or will Buddy’s rising start come to an abrupt end?
    Show book
  • Ladybug Ladybug What Are You Doing? - cover

    Ladybug Ladybug What Are You Doing?

    Jo Cleland

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    The Repetitive Question Answer Style Of This Book And Close-Up Photos Of Ladybugs Will Keep Young Children's Attention.
    Show book