Wednesday 2 February 2011

Sweetness and Light Part I

"For the rest, whatever we have got has been by infinite labour and search, and ranging through every corner of nature; the difference is, that, instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to till our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light."

                  Jonathan Swift, An Account of a Battel Between the Antient and Modern Books in St. James's Library (London: John Nutt, 1704). 

Third Edition, 1704

The early offerings from Harlequin Books are apt to have "dirt and poison" rather than "sweetness and light". Here are three from Harlequin's first year, 1949.

Harlequin 2

Harlequin 2 back

Harlequin 9

Harlequin 9 back

Harlequin 10

Harlequin 10 back

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