The Andrew Lang Library

Lost Leaders Essay 27 - The Dry Fly

In which the gentle art of trout fishing is tenderly examined, transporting the reader from the languid waters of London’s outskirts to the delicate, dance-like casting over the clear streams of Kennet, revealing the patient skill and subtlety required to outwit these wary inhabitants. The narrative lovingly contrasts the ease of past centuries with the present challenge, celebrating the angler’s quiet perseverance amid nature’s ephemeral beauty and the fine science of fly-dressing and presentation.

Lost Leaders Essay 26 - Show Sunday

In which we are given a gentle survey of the annual Show Sunday, where painters, once bohemian and wild, reveal themselves as domesticated figures often more akin to affluent merchants than the romantic artists of yore. The episode with a wistful eye contemplates the trials artists endure under the gaze of well-meaning but often uninformed visitors, concluding with a thoughtful reflection on the nature of originality and the repeated themes beloved by both critics and the public alike.

Lost Leaders Essay 25 - Western Drolls

In which we explore the distinctive character of American humour, marked by its blend of local, middle-class jests and a bold irreverence toward sacred subjects, and admire the subtlety and intellectual vigour of celebrated figures such as Mark Twain and Mr. Frank Stockton amidst this lively tradition. The essay reflects on the contrast between American and English tastes in comedy, the rich oral storytelling culture that nourishes the former, and the enduring legacy of literary wits like Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose wit combines scholarship with geniality.

Lost Leaders Essay 24 - Torrid Summer

In which the oppressive heat of a torrid summer in London is keenly observed through the clothing of its citizens, the scarcity of refreshing indulgences, and the natural pleasures accessible to beasts and anglers alike. Amidst the trials of enduring fashion and medical decrees, the simple joys of water and twilight offer a gentle reprieve from the weariness of man’s restless spirit.

Lost Leaders Essay 23 - Thackeray’s London

In which the author reflects upon the spectral presence of Thackeray’s characters who haunt the streets of London with timeless familiarity, illustrating the intimate connection between place and literary imagination. There is a gentle contemplation of vanished clubs, forgotten allusions, and the enduring need for detailed guides to the cities graced by novelistic creations, highlighting the delicate interplay between memory, history, and fiction.