A Commonplace Book

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Benjamin Disraeli lies buried in the churchyard of this small parish church in the Hughenden Valley just below the manor that was his country home for more than 30 years.[/caption]

PAGE 36

‘I WONDER ANYBODY DOES ANYTHING AT OXFORD BUT DREAM AND REMEMBER,THE PLACE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.ONE ALMOST EXPECTS THE PEOPLE TO SING INSTEAD OF SPEAKING. IT IS ALL LIKE AN OPERA.’
—William Butler Yeats

PAGE 28

‘IN HIS HOLY FLIRTATION WITH THE WORLD, GOD OCCASIONALLY DROPS A HANDKERCHIEF. THESE HANDKERCHIEFS ARE CALLED SAINTS.’
—Frederick Buechner

PAGE 50

‘I AM NEVER AT MY BEST IN THE EARLY MORNING, ESPECIALLY A COLD MORNING IN THE YORKSHIRE SPRING WITH A PIERCING MARCH WIND SWEEPING DOWN FROM THE FELLS, FINDING ITS WAY INSIDE MY CLOTHING, NIPPING AT MY NOSE AND EARS.’
—James Herriot

PAGE 16

‘THE SILVER THAMES TAKES SOME PART OF THIS COUNTY IN ITS JOURNEY TO OXFORD.’
—John Aubrey