Episode 334: “The Adventures of a Shilling” by Joseph Addison – Short Story Summer Remix

Today on The Literary Life, we continue our summer short story series of episodes from the archives. In this episode, Cindy Rollins and Angelina Stanford are joined by Angelina’s husband, Thomas Banks. This week’s selection for our summer series is Joseph Addison’s “The Adventures of a Shilling.”

Their conversation kicks off with an attempt at defining the “essay” form and giving a brief history on its development. Thomas shares a little background information on Joseph Addison and his writing, as well as several other essayists who came before and after Addison. Thomas also talks about why essays are a significant part of his reading life. The conversation also spins off into a discussion of the importance of how we spend our leisure time.

Finally, our hosts chat about this week’s essay, which gives highlights of England’s history from the perspective of a silver coin. Addison’s tale is full of humor and satire, as well as layers of social commentary and pathos.

If you want to connect more with Cindy, you can visit MorningTimeforMoms.com. You can also check out Angelina and Thomas’ current classes and summer events at HouseofHumaneLetters.com.

Check out the schedule for the podcast’s summer episodes on our Upcoming Events page.

Listen to The Literary Life:

Commonplace Quotes

It is not uncommon for those who have grown wise by the labor of others to add a little of their own and overlook their masters.
Samuel Johnson

The “Four Quartets” stands as Eliot’s valedictory to the modern world. I myself would place it along with the Chartres Cathedral, the Divine Comedy, Van Eyke’s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, and the Mozart Requiem, as a major edifice in the history of the Christian west.
Thomas Howard

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Joseph Addison

When I Consider How My Light Is Spent

by John Milton

When I consider how my light is spent,
   Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
   And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
   My true account, lest He returning chide;
   “Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
   Either man’s work or His own gifts. Who best
   Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed,
   And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
   They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Book List:

Lives of the Poets by Samuel Johnson

The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell

Dove Descending by Thomas Howard

Four Quartets by T. S. Elliot

The Essays by Sir Frances Bacon

The Essays: A Selection by Michel de Montaigne

The Defendant by G. K. Chesterton

The Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb

Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas de Quincy

Why Orwell Matters by Christopher Hitchens

Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell

Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper

Pensées by Blaise Pascal

Cato: A Tragedy by Joseph Addison

Gulliver’s Travels and The Battle of the Books by Jonathon Swift

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Connect with Us:

You can find Angelina and Thomas at HouseofHumaneLetters.com, on Instagram @angelinastanford, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ANGStanford/

You can find Cindy Rollins at MorningTimeforMoms.com, over on her podcast The New Mason Jar, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CindyRollinsWriter. You can also check out her Patreon for additional content.

Follow The Literary Life on Instagram, and jump into our private Facebook group, The Literary Life Discussion Group, and let’s get the book talk going! http://bit.ly/literarylifeFB