#jonathan swift

[atomic-chronoscaph]

The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960)

[marlinspirkhall]

Wow, how ironic. It's almost as if a misquote changes its pyjamas in a private jet while the truth naps on the bus.

[your-disobedient-servant]

where are my swifties

[uwmspeccoll]

Wood Engraving Wednesday

On this last Wood Engraving Wednesday of 2023, it seems appropriate to end the year with some engravings by one of the principal revivers of the wood engraving in the early 20th century, Robert Gibbings (1889-1958). Gibbings acquired the Golden Cockerel Press in 1924, and in 1928 the press published this book, Miscellaneous Poems by Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) with twelve original wood engravings by Gibbings, printed in Waltham Saint Lawrence, Berkshire in an edition of 375 copies (of which, 150 were distributed in the U. S. by Random House, which had been founded a year earlier).

It also seems appropriate that Gibbings would print and publish a work by Swift as both shared parallels in their biographies: both were writers; both had deep connections to the Anglican Church of Ireland; and both were born in Ireland (Swift to an English family, spending the rest of his life in Ireland; Gibbings to an Irish family, and spending the rest of his life in England). And judging by these engravings, both shared an interest in the whimsical.

Our copy of Miscellaneous Poems is another gift from our friend Jerry Buff.

View more posts with engravings by Robert Gibbings.

View more posts from the Golden Cockerel Press.

View more posts with wood engravings!

[aussie-bookworm]

I could be completely wrong but I’m just makin guesses while the official lyrics aren’t out. Eat Your Young does seem to be partially inspired by A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift.

In case you haven’t read A Modest Proposal (which I do recommend reading as it’s a short yet interesting read), it’s a satirical essay suggesting that the poor in Ireland sell their children as food to the rich

[chaotic-history]

18thC equivalent of me using strikethrough text on Discord

[dabiconcordia]

On Snow A Riddle

From Heaven I fall, though from earth I begin, No lady alive can show such a skin. I'm bright as an angel, and light as a feather, But heavy and dark, when you squeeze me together. Though candour and truth in my aspect I bear, Yet many poor creatures I help to ensnare. Though so much of Heaven appears in my make, The foulest impressions I easily take. My parent and I produce one another, The mother the daughter, the daughter the mother. By Jonathan Swift

[gwleddgymreig]

Hozier's "Eat Your Young" 🤝Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

Irishmen satirically proposing the cannibalism of children as an alternative to them (and us) living in a modern hell

[balkanbitch]

RIP Jonathan Swift you would have loved hozier

[timetravelonion]

Hozier really said

[itsbansheebitch]

Image #1: Trees have been trimmed outside Universal Studios, taking away the shade from protestors on a 90 Degree Fahrenheit Week. After some investigation it was found that the tress belonged the the city and they had not issued permits for them to be trimmed.

Image #2: A picture posted to r/Disneyland with the caption "Today at the Park...". The picture shows a sign that reads, "Notice of Filming Today. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will be filming at this location today. By entering this location, you irrevocably consent to and authorize Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, its affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, 'Producer'), to photograph you, make audio and video recordings of you, and use such photographs and recordings throughout the world, for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity and in any media including, but not limited to, online, social media, streaming platforms, television broadcast and home entertainment products. All such photographs and recordings will be the sole property of the Producer." At the bottom of the sign it says, "Disney: Haunted Mansion, World Premiere, Disneyland"

Imagine getting paid 400 times more than your lowest paid worker and complaining about workers being "unrealistic." Like, listen Bobby boy, I think even 40 times more or whatever the rate was in 1990. I'm about to make a new Modest Proposal if you know what I mean lol

[atomic-chronoscaph]

The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960)

[vintagegeekculture]

Gulliver’s Travels Guessed the Moons of Mars Existed

In Gulliver’s Travels, written in 1726, explorer Lemuel Gulliver reached Laputa, the Floating Island, home to scientists and astronomers. There, he finds that through their observation, the scientists discovered Mars has two moons. This was long before Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, were discovered in 1877, over 150 years later. How did Johnathan Swift know?

“They have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or ‘satellites,’which revolve about Mars, whereof the inner most is distant from the center of the primary planet exactly three of his diameters, and the outermost five; the former revolves in the space of ten hours, and the latter in twenty-one and a half .

This is strikingly close to their actual rotations. Phobos goes around Mars once every 9.5 hours (not 10), and the other takes 21 hours (closer to his guess of 30). 

How did Jonathan Swift know? Well, there have been some guesses. Emmanuel Velikovsky (a name I don’t hear much anymore) guessed that he learned of this through ancient Irish texts left over from the days of Atlantis. Erich von Daniken assumed it was ancient lore from visiting spacemen. 

The most probable explanation, however, is that they got the right answer for the wrong reason. It was known in 1726 that Jupiter had four moons (more have since been discovered). So, the astronomer Kepler concluded that Mars must therefore have two moons, since he was a big believer in the idea of cosmic ratios. Voltaire mentioned the idea of Mars having two moons in his scifi novel, Micromegas as well. In short, everyone guessed Mars had two moons, and got the right answer for the wrong reason. 

Strange as it sounds, Mars seems to be a great case of guesses turning out to be correct but for the wrong reasons. It was widely believed in scifi, long before the Viking landers, that Mars landscapes resembled Arizona, with deserts and craggy mesas. But not because of any scientific knowledge. Scifi writers assumed that space would be just like the Old West, and Mars would look like Arizona. Astonishingly, they were correct but not for that reason.

As for the rotations being so close, Swift was probably trying to be funny and satirical. The idea of a moon going around a few times a day was meant to be surreal, crazy, and draw laughter from the audience. Who knew his wild guess made as a joke would turn out to be close to the mark?

[anghraine]

I should be working on my dissertation, and have been, but I thought it'd be fun (for me :P) to loop you all in somehow. Therefore I bring you a very silly poll!

*best means whatever it means to you; feel free to propagandize

**yes, I deliberately excluded Shakespeare (from the poll, not the dissertation, lol)

[thebarroomortheboy]

In behalf of the peoples of Blefuscu and Lilliput, with eternal gratitude and love in our hearts, we christen thee, Gulliver!

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (1939) | dir. Dave Fleischer, Willard Bowsky and Orestes Calpini

[abybweisse]

It just dawned on me that the snake, Jonathan, is probably named after the satirist, Jonathan Swift.

Just like Snake has an Emily and a Brontë, he probably has a Jonathan and a Swift....