Oh! what sanity, a fixed point in an ever changing crazy mixed up world, I am sitting in my study smoking my pipe, surrounded by my old books , a friend of mine once accused me of being an armchair adventurer, my answer to that one, was Yes! and what adventures I have had, with the added advantage, of always being home, for tea and buns. I look forward to your next video Malcolm !
Malcolm sir, at the risk of getting off topic, may I impose a moment and implore you to do a show dedicated to pipes and pipe tobacco? I’m a tad fascinated about the subject and would really enjoy listening to you give us a little symposium if you’d be so kind one of these days!! Thank you wonderful sir! 🙏
i happened upon you by a happy accident and once i saw a book about bob dylan on the same shelf as books by sam. johnson I knew I had met a friend. Thank you for inviting us into your study.
If I lived near this gentleman, I would be completely honoured if I was allowed to come in and sit and listen to him. I would make it my life goal to befriend him, to constantly be inspired to read so much more.
I saw him give a sermon at Easter in Cambridge. He is a masterful orator and gave a talk that was both energetic and deeply informative, completely without notes.
I picked up your book David’s Crown on the Psalms and it has been added to my morning reading after I read each Psalm adding light and appreciation to my reading. The poem for Psalm 19 and the reference to Elliot’s Four Quartets opened a new world to me including Dante and Virgil in addition to Lewis’s Reflections on the Psalms. I’m still exploring and feel late to the party (obviously new to this world), but so fun to discover this lineage of poetry and truth. Thank you.
"Huddled in the variety of things"-- how true that rings today for those seeking publication! Johnson is a delight. Thank you once again for letting us in!
"The Prince promised secrecy, and waited for the performance, not wholly hopeless of success.... The artist was every day more certain that he should leave vultures and eagles behind him, and the contagion of his confidence seized upon the Prince. In a year the wings were finished; and on a morning appointed the maker appeared, furnished for flight, on a little promontory: he waved his pinions a while to gather air, then leaped from his stand, and in an instant dropped into the lake." Marvellous. You inspired me to dig out my old copy.
Nice read and chat on Johnson. I did notice when the camera scanned the room, you have quite a pipe collection. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and treasures with us.
What struggle to eat the cloying mass that is a slice of hot dry toast? How many spoons of butter could a person face before its oily nature provokes a bilious attack? Marmalade a bitter sweet concoction too concentrated to use alone. Yet in the right proportion these things together with tea and fine company make heaven come to life. Malcolm you show us how to taste these great works and enjoy them at their best. Thank you
My university had just that edition in their rare books collection (in much worse condition, the volumes were like split into three pieces down the spine). Any student could get any rare book and read it at a desk in the old library, though you of course could not check it out, so I got the copies out a few times and read from them. I love Johnson. They even had Croker's edition of Boswell's Life, the one Macaulay savaged in his review of it. Wow that is pretty cool that you got one of his father's books. I read Rasselas last year, really liked it. His writing is just full of memorable phrases. I still need to read Candide, a novel whose relationship to Rasselas is obvious but I actually don't know the specifics of it.
Another delightful video Malcolm. I must say your topic selections have led me to obtain a hodgepodge of books you read from in your library including works by Greville MacDonald. As a bit of a poet myself, I thoroughly enjoy your presentations and look forward to many more from my quiet abode in Southern Ontario, Canada.
Thanks for introducing me to the Rambler. The full set is about 25 quid online and I am now tempted to urge my wife to get it for me as my Christmas present after hearing the potent and funny excerpt from you. Cheers Malcolm! Also, I tried Theakston Old Peculier too upon your recommendation. I'd been drinking a bit too much wine, which I love but it is quite strong, so I'm now alternating between wine and the Old Peculier. Very good indeed. Thanks and keep it up. God bless you.
I feel every person ever given life has a voice, a gift, it is for ea of us to explore those gifts love this theme of yours Malcolm, so intimate, so personal. very much looking forward to your next invite. Take care champ.
Another wonderful walk down a very interesting road to the roots of civilization. A wonderful pipe is a sine qua non for this small adventure you let us experience Malcolm. Thank you again.
Malcolm , you have shared a gift which when received is teaching me a whole new view of life . Extracts like ‘ And Someone Called Me By My Name ; ‘ and so many more now reside at forefront of thoughts , prayers , chants and songs . These came to convergence at that moment God orchestrated during the remembrance service for my mom who answered the call to join the cloud of witnesses on Thursday 29th August . thx so much for your help , Kevin Clements
James Boswell's father, Alexander, was a Scottish landed proprietor, or "laird", who owned the estate of Auchinleck in Ayrshire and therefore, in traditional Scottish fashion, styled himself with the territorial designation of "Alexander Boswell, of Auchinleck". A lawyer, he became a judge of the Court of Session in Edinburgh with his judicial title taken from his estate: "Lord Auchinleck", though he was not a peer. Auchinleck is apparently pronounced "Affleck". When Johnson met him they famously fell out about Oliver Cromwell. When the Doctor asked Auchinleck what good Cromwell had ever done, the old Whig replied "Good God, Doctor, he gart kings ken they have a lith in their neck" (he made kings know they have a joint in their neck).
I find the forsight of ariel warfare particularly facinating. Its true, country's capitals have been subject to the 'irresistable violence' since the beginning of the 20th century even if this violence has been resisted at times as it partially was by 'the few' in the summer of 1940 over Britain. I suppose due to the advent of ariel warfare man had to develop weapons and capabilities even more terrible than those Johnson forsaw. In some ways the 'security of the good' (or bad) is no longer the mountains or valleys but the terifying weapons of mass destruction man now posseses and such is the dark side of the technological advancement from Johnsons time to ours.
I would just like to add, that about 25 years or so ago I was in a book shop in Cambridge and there was an 18th century copy of a Dr Johnson dictionary in very good condition, they wanted £3000 for it, I thought at the time that I could not possibly clear out all my savings on an old book. I have regretted not purchasing that book , ever since !
Before there was Chesterton, there was Johnson! Love Johnson, even though he had a low opinion of us Yanks! It's my understanding that Johnson had long, deep friendships with women, more so than men, which was highly unusual for an 18th century man. Leo Damrosch, the American historian of the Enlightenment, wrote a excellent book called "The Club", which is about a social club he and Boswell co-founded at a London tavern.
Good morning Malcolm! In a past video when showing your study I believe I remember you having a print of The Accolade by Edmund Blair Leighton. My favorite piece of art of all time, of which I also have framed in my home. I was wondering if at any point you can show that piece and discuss why you chose to have it! Well wishes
It's very curious that you mention Johnson's description of the earth seen from above, because I am just embarking on my dissertation which shall be on just this subject: the View from Above - from Plato to Milton. I wasn't aware that Johnson used this image as well, but it does not surprise me. Thank you.
I recall Paul Fussell telling me that Johnson was so fearful of losing his mind and running amok that he kept a length of chain in his lodgings with instructions to his faithful servant, Francis Barber, to lash him to a stout post in the house should the need arise.
My wife and I are travelling to Cambridge in December. I wonder if you are still active in your priestly ministry, Malcolm. It would be a pleasure to come to one of your services.
Malcolm , I have really enjoyed my copy of the Cambridge edition of the BCP . As I understand it the Scriptures it uses are from the Miles Coverdale translation. Please let me know if there is a way to locate the whole bible in this same text . thx so much for your helpful gifts , kev
If anyone is intrigued by the thought of Boswell's Life of Johnson but daunted by its length, I would recommend a Penguin Classics abridgement from 1979, edited by Christopher Hibbert.
Somewhere C. S. Lewis referred to Boswell's Life of Johnson as a great gossipy formless book that you can pick up anywhere to read. I think I'm right about that. Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy was another book just to pick up any dip into anywhere. I don't know if there's anyone alive who has read that one cover to cover.
The black dog's hunger is insatiable, as it goes sniffing around for the finest hunk of flesh: Robin Williams, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Jim Carrey, Prince Harry, Bruce Springsteen, and the list goes on. Pleasurable company huh? I noticed a poetry manual on your shelf: Turco's "The Book of Forms." Good, but a times, I think he's talking over reader's heads on fundamentals, as opposed to actually conversing with them in a generous disposition. In the book, I remember he made a rather smug remark about there being no such thing as free verse. Too restrictive for my taste.
Hello dear Malcolm, do you accept gifts and if so where may I send it? I have made a lovely book sleave and pixi figurine that i think youd really like. ✨
Oh! what sanity, a fixed point in an ever changing crazy mixed up world, I am sitting in my study smoking my pipe, surrounded by my old books , a friend of mine once accused me of being an armchair adventurer, my answer to that one, was Yes! and what adventures I have had, with the added advantage, of always being home, for tea and buns. I look forward to your next video Malcolm !
Malcolm sir, at the risk of getting off topic, may I impose a moment and implore you to do a show dedicated to pipes and pipe tobacco? I’m a tad fascinated about the subject and would really enjoy listening to you give us a little symposium if you’d be so kind one of these days!! Thank you wonderful sir! 🙏
I second this!!!
That would be wonderful, I don’t smoke myself but it would be fascinating.
I would say that folks are as interested in this as they were in the professor and Lewis’ pipes and tobacco
That would be amazing to see.
I got into pipe smoking partly because of watching Dr. Guite, and this sounds like a great idea!
i happened upon you by a happy accident and once i saw a book about bob dylan on the same shelf as books by sam. johnson I knew I had met a friend. Thank you for inviting us into your study.
If I lived near this gentleman, I would be completely honoured if I was allowed to come in and sit and listen to him. I would make it my life goal to befriend him, to constantly be inspired to read so much more.
I saw him give a sermon at Easter in Cambridge. He is a masterful orator and gave a talk that was both energetic and deeply informative, completely without notes.
How wonderful it is to have such old books with so much history with them. Thanks for sharing your books and reading to us .
I picked up your book David’s Crown on the Psalms and it has been added to my morning reading after I read each Psalm adding light and appreciation to my reading. The poem for Psalm 19 and the reference to Elliot’s Four Quartets opened a new world to me including Dante and Virgil in addition to Lewis’s Reflections on the Psalms. I’m still exploring and feel late to the party (obviously new to this world), but so fun to discover this lineage of poetry and truth. Thank you.
"Huddled in the variety of things"-- how true that rings today for those seeking publication! Johnson is a delight. Thank you once again for letting us in!
The long S is known as a swash s - wonderful name! Thanks Malcolm for opening up the life of Dr Johnson.
A delightful way to awaken here in South Carolina. The voice of Malcolm!!
as a fellow south carolinian, i love a good malcolm guite video to accompany my first pipe of the day
"The Prince promised secrecy, and waited for the performance, not wholly hopeless of success....
The artist was every day more certain that he should leave vultures and eagles behind him, and the contagion of his confidence seized upon the Prince. In a year the wings were finished; and on a morning appointed the maker appeared, furnished for flight, on a little promontory: he waved his pinions a while to gather air, then leaped from his stand, and in an instant dropped into the lake."
Marvellous. You inspired me to dig out my old copy.
Nice read and chat on Johnson.
I did notice when the camera scanned the room, you have quite a pipe collection.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and treasures with us.
I love all your videos Malcolm, but your Dr. Johnson videos I love most!
One of the most calming voices on the planet❤️
This man is an absolute delight.
What struggle to eat the cloying mass that is a slice of hot dry toast? How many spoons of butter could a person face before its oily nature provokes a bilious attack? Marmalade a bitter sweet concoction too concentrated to use alone. Yet in the right proportion these things together with tea and fine company make heaven come to life.
Malcolm you show us how to taste these great works and enjoy them at their best.
Thank you
Thank you Malcolm, a very welcomed and entertaining interlude in my day.
I had a lovely pipe and a dram with you.
I realy love your Library wonderfull good old book’s
My university had just that edition in their rare books collection (in much worse condition, the volumes were like split into three pieces down the spine). Any student could get any rare book and read it at a desk in the old library, though you of course could not check it out, so I got the copies out a few times and read from them. I love Johnson. They even had Croker's edition of Boswell's Life, the one Macaulay savaged in his review of it. Wow that is pretty cool that you got one of his father's books. I read Rasselas last year, really liked it. His writing is just full of memorable phrases. I still need to read Candide, a novel whose relationship to Rasselas is obvious but I actually don't know the specifics of it.
Another delightful video Malcolm. I must say your topic selections have led me to obtain a hodgepodge of books you read from in your library including works by Greville MacDonald. As a bit of a poet myself, I thoroughly enjoy your presentations and look forward to many more from my quiet abode in Southern Ontario, Canada.
wonderful literary history. Reminds me of our Lord saying, "all these things will pass away, but my word will never pass away"
Thanks for introducing me to the Rambler. The full set is about 25 quid online and I am now tempted to urge my wife to get it for me as my Christmas present after hearing the potent and funny excerpt from you. Cheers Malcolm! Also, I tried Theakston Old Peculier too upon your recommendation. I'd been drinking a bit too much wine, which I love but it is quite strong, so I'm now alternating between wine and the Old Peculier. Very good indeed. Thanks and keep it up. God bless you.
Thanks for a bit of history and reflection. Always good to learn a little more about those who came before us.
Dudes a G cuh id spark up a green bowl with you sir keep up the good smoke and spirits boss man from los angeles
That was informative & fun, thank you. Please do take us round your shelves more often.
Thank you for a wonderful time spent.
I feel every person ever given life has a voice, a gift, it is for ea of us to explore those gifts
love this theme of yours Malcolm, so intimate, so personal. very much looking forward to your next invite. Take care champ.
Malcolm is a human treasure. Case closed....
Thank you for another wonderful visit.
Yet again another brilliant video Malcolm!
Warm thanks from France, Mr Guite !
Another wonderful walk down a very interesting road to the roots of civilization. A wonderful pipe is a sine qua non for this small adventure you let us experience Malcolm. Thank you again.
Malcolm , you have shared a gift which when received is teaching me a whole new view of life . Extracts like ‘ And Someone Called Me By My Name ; ‘ and so many more now reside at forefront of thoughts , prayers , chants and songs . These came to convergence at that moment God orchestrated during the remembrance service for my mom who answered the call to join the cloud of witnesses on Thursday 29th August . thx so much for your help , Kevin Clements
I’m sorry for the loss of your mum Kevin but glad if my work has helped you say goodbye I
' For faith , that panting for a happier seat , Counts death kind Nature ' s signal of retreat : ' The Power of Prayer - Samuel Johnson
Thank you.
Once again Malcolm you give us a talk that provides a moral that I am in the situation in which I needed to hear.
Thank you for having us 😊🙏
Malcome absolutely brilliant ❤
I learnt more about history by watching Blackadder than I ever did in school. "Sausages?"
James Boswell's father, Alexander, was a Scottish landed proprietor, or "laird", who owned the estate of Auchinleck in Ayrshire and therefore, in traditional Scottish fashion, styled himself with the territorial designation of "Alexander Boswell, of Auchinleck". A lawyer, he became a judge of the Court of Session in Edinburgh with his judicial title taken from his estate: "Lord Auchinleck", though he was not a peer. Auchinleck is apparently pronounced "Affleck". When Johnson met him they famously fell out about Oliver Cromwell. When the Doctor asked Auchinleck what good Cromwell had ever done, the old Whig replied "Good God, Doctor, he gart kings ken they have a lith in their neck" (he made kings know they have a joint in their neck).
"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes" - Attributed to Erasmus
I find the forsight of ariel warfare particularly facinating. Its true, country's capitals have been subject to the 'irresistable violence' since the beginning of the 20th century even if this violence has been resisted at times as it partially was by 'the few' in the summer of 1940 over Britain. I suppose due to the advent of ariel warfare man had to develop weapons and capabilities even more terrible than those Johnson forsaw. In some ways the 'security of the good' (or bad) is no longer the mountains or valleys but the terifying weapons of mass destruction man now posseses and such is the dark side of the technological advancement from Johnsons time to ours.
A friend of mine has just completed the restoration of a bust of Johnson, which is very soon to be returned to Lichfield.
I would just like to add, that about 25 years or so ago I was in a book shop in Cambridge and there was an 18th century copy of a Dr Johnson dictionary in very good condition, they wanted £3000 for it, I thought at the time that I could not possibly clear out all my savings on an old book. I have regretted not purchasing that book , ever since !
story well told.
I think this is a great idea. Would love reading sessions.
I'm excited. Let me know how and when, and I'll be there . Thank you
Sublime.
Me too I'll purchase an old book just to see what's inside of it
Before there was Chesterton, there was Johnson! Love Johnson, even though he had a low opinion of us Yanks! It's my understanding that Johnson had long, deep friendships with women, more so than men, which was highly unusual for an 18th century man. Leo Damrosch, the American historian of the Enlightenment, wrote a excellent book called "The Club", which is about a social club he and Boswell co-founded at a London tavern.
Good morning Malcolm! In a past video when showing your study I believe I remember you having a print of The Accolade by Edmund Blair Leighton. My favorite piece of art of all time, of which I also have framed in my home. I was wondering if at any point you can show that piece and discuss why you chose to have it! Well wishes
Oh, to be a harmless drudge.
It's good
always an inspiration
It's very curious that you mention Johnson's description of the earth seen from above, because I am just embarking on my dissertation which shall be on just this subject: the View from Above - from Plato to Milton. I wasn't aware that Johnson used this image as well, but it does not surprise me. Thank you.
Malcolm Guite and Sam Johnson in one hit - and they say there is no God!
I recall Paul Fussell telling me that Johnson was so fearful of losing his mind and running amok that he kept a length of chain in his lodgings with instructions to his faithful servant, Francis Barber, to lash him to a stout post in the house should the need arise.
My wife and I are travelling to Cambridge in December. I wonder if you are still active in your priestly ministry, Malcolm. It would be a pleasure to come to one of your services.
I see a david jones anathemata on your shelves..does this mean you might give a talk on this intriguing artist poet..i do hope so..g.r.e.n.d.e.l...
No more videos of you in the temple of peace?
Thanks again, malcolm.
Do you have any upcoming in person events in thr UK? Anyone know where to find Malcolms event calendar?
Malcolm , I have really enjoyed my copy of the Cambridge edition of the BCP . As I understand it the Scriptures it uses are from the Miles Coverdale translation. Please let me know if there is a way to locate the whole bible in this same text . thx so much for your helpful gifts , kev
I wish the audio on you videos was louder. At 100% volume I sometimes feel that it isn't enough.
If anyone is intrigued by the thought of Boswell's Life of Johnson but daunted by its length, I would recommend a Penguin Classics abridgement from 1979, edited by Christopher Hibbert.
The true art of memory, is the art of attention
@malcomguite did you go to Iwan Reis tobacco while you were in Chicago?
Was anyone else thinking of blackadder
Sausage…SAUSAGE!! ?
Ah!! The brilliant Robbie Coltrane. Such a great episode of BA. 👍👌👌
Malcolm, what happened to your usual pipe lighter? Did you stop using it for a particular reason, or is it a matter of running out of fuel?
'A harmless drudge...'
What does it have in its pocketses
Somewhere C. S. Lewis referred to Boswell's Life of Johnson as a great gossipy formless book that you can pick up anywhere to read. I think I'm right about that. Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy was another book just to pick up any dip into anywhere. I don't know if there's anyone alive who has read that one cover to cover.
Are those smoke signals😊
The black dog's hunger is insatiable, as it goes sniffing around for the finest hunk of flesh: Robin Williams, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Jim Carrey, Prince Harry, Bruce Springsteen, and the list goes on. Pleasurable company huh?
I noticed a poetry manual on your shelf: Turco's "The Book of Forms." Good, but a times, I think he's talking over reader's heads on fundamentals, as opposed to actually conversing with them in a generous disposition. In the book, I remember he made a rather smug remark about there being no such thing as free verse. Too restrictive for my taste.
Hello dear Malcolm, do you accept gifts and if so where may I send it? I have made a lovely book sleave and pixi figurine that i think youd really like. ✨
Baldricks definitions are better. A B: a buzzing thing. C: blue wobbly thing that Mermaids live in. Dog: not a cat
I like to think this is Jack Black‘s half brother.
The drudges I know are only mostly harmless, alas
Depression, sadly, is just part of the human condition. Fortunately, it’s usually only temporary.
Johnsom, Sir? Why do you speak to me of Johnson?
I did not know he endured visits from the Black Dog. I wonder how many wonderfully creative and prolific people have suffered likewise.
You should make a video using a vape
Why?
Ah yes. The warm inviting aroma of cotton candy cough syrup to accompany the poetry.