Incidents of my life, professional, literary, social, with services in the cause of Ireland / by Thomas Addis Emmet.
- Thomas Addis Emmet
- Date:
- 1911
Licence: In copyright
Credit: Incidents of my life, professional, literary, social, with services in the cause of Ireland / by Thomas Addis Emmet. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![“Our style is our personal signature affixed to our idea.’’ Ernest Hello. HE preface is the most important part of a book, yet often it is never read. If properly written, it should develop a favorable impression, and as the author thus has the first say, it should be his fault when he fails to properly direct public opinion. The opportunity is thus given him to create the first impression, which in the case of most people is not only the more abiding but is often the only one received. Most mortals like to be humbugged, for it is very restful to one’s vanity to feel that one has an opinion, and it is natural to thinlc it all one’s own brain-work; moreover, a peaceful mind contributes as much to mental digestion as the proper digestion of food by the stomach. If the preface gives the hint, it is a great advantage to know when to laugh, and when this is done heartily, without hesitation, it sounds well and always makes a favorable impression on those about, who have not had the same advan- tage to guide them. The unthinking, under such circumstances, always give credit to the boisterous one for the existence of more brains than are generally possessed. It was found after the death of a noted clergyman that he had written on the margin of his sermons “cry here,’’ “be slightly jocular,’’ some- where else, etc. Now these directions facilitated a prompt exhibition of feeling on his part, which, whether called for or not, was always touching in appearance, at least to his audience, and seemingly creditable to him- self. The force of example is great, and with the women of the con- gregation in tears a pleasing break is made in the monotony attending most sermons which have to be read. Many readers are satisfied as they are thankful to know where the joke comes in, something not easily determined, as the author himself, with so little [as a rule] on his mind, does not always know when to](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28034776_0019.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
