Links in the chain of life

[storeynicholas]

I once held Sir Isaac Newton's own, annotated copy of his Principia Mathematica in my hands: a great privilege. I should also like to hold - or even to possess - certain other artefacts - the lucky sixpence which Brummell found in Berkeley Stree on his way home in the wee small hours and lost - probably by negligently handing it to a cabbie - just before his run of bad luck, is an example. Anyone else have similar thoughts - which, I confess might lead some people, outside the Lounge, to believe that we have too much time on our hands and too little to do?
NJS

[RWS]

. . . . Anyone else have . . . thoughts - which, I confess might lead some people, outside the Lounge, to believe that we have too much time on our hands and too little to do?
NJS

Well . . . yes. Such felt thoughts form a major part of my interest in ancient Greek silver (visual and tactile aesthetics comprise much of the rest) and, only slightly more tenuously, in such ephemera as engraved banknotes (those no longer susceptible to being spent a la the Beau's sad pass) and printed handbills (with these and others, the stronger if more diffuse tugs on my emotions and imagination arise from feeling myself virtually within world-view, the structure of sentiment and connection of those who have gone before us). Too, the thrill of connection with specific men and women can arise simply -- simply? -- by standing where others have stood, fought, declaimed, or been buried.

And that palpable sense of connection does, indeed, remind us of our place in the great unbroken chain of life and yearning. Thank goodness for it!

[storeynicholas]

Dash it RWS! This was probably so perfectly put that you'll close the thread! Who could keep up with that communicated sense of history. You have recondite knowledge and tastes to be sure and I wonder whether anyone can add to this. delighted if they'd try!
NJS

[storeynicholas]

This was a repeat of my last post and, so, deleted.
NJS

[NicolausN]

Yes, I often feel a deep emotional attachment to the past. That feeling plays a good part of why I love clothes and other things of "elegant living" that this forum often supports. It is through my experience of these things today that I can tie myself to a time in history that I fondly wish I remembered. I wonder how many of us here are the same way, loving tailored clothing due to the connection to the past it provides?