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| Name: | Anne O'Marah |
| E-mail address: | anneomarah@wirralark.org.uk |
| Comments: | Updating our records - hopefully !!
Anne |
| Name: | Janet Davies |
| E-mail address: | janetmarydavies@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | Dear Father O' Brien,
I wonder if you could check if these readings and bidding prayers are okay for the wedding ceremony on 25th July? First Reading read by Philomena Davies Ephesians 3: 16 – 19 I ask the father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong in spirit. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love. I pray that you can understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than any person can ever know. But I pray that you will be able to know love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God. This is the word of the Lord Psalm 100 read by George McKinlay The response to the psalm is: The Lord is good. His love continues forever. Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with joy. Come before him with singing. Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he tends. Response Come into this city with songs of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with songs of praise Thank him, and praise his name. The Lord is good. His love continues forever. His loyalty continues from now on. Response Second reading read by Heather McMahon 1 John 4: 7 – 16 Love comes from God Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. The person who loves has become God’s child and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love to us: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. God sent his Son to be the way to take away our sins. That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. If we love each other, God’s love has reached its goal. It is made perfect in us. We know that we live in God and God lives in us. We know this because God gave us his Spirit. We have seen that the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. That is what we teach. If someone says, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,” then God lives in him. And he lives in God. And so we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him. This is the word of the Lord Gospel Reading John 15: 9 – 17 Reflecting God’s Love I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have. I want your joy to be the fullest joy. “This is my command: love each other as I have loved you. The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you servants now. A servant does not know what his master is doing. But now I call you friends because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work, to go and produce fruit. I want you to produce fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. This is my command: love each other. This is the Gospel of the Lord Bidding prayers to be read by George McKinlay Christ is present to Andrew and Janet in this Sacrament of Matrimony. We pray that he will continue to make his presence felt throughout their lives. Lord hear us Congregation: Lord graciously hear us May the grace given to Andrew and Janet in this Sacrament of Matrimony be always active in them. May it inspire them when life seems dull and strengthen them in times of trial. May it give them understanding in moments of tension, and fill them with gratitude when all goes well. Lord hear us Congregation: Lord graciously hear us We pray for all the relatives and friends of Andrew and Janet. We pray especially for those who have had some part in bringing them to this happy day. May God bless them with the gift of his own undying friendship. Lord hear us Congregation: Lord graciously hear us May all married people here with us today be reminded of the joy of their own wedding day. May they give thanks for all the happiness they have known. May each day find them ever more devoted to one another. Lord hear us Congregation: Lord graciously hear us We pray for those of our dear ones who have departed this life especially Andrew’s parents. May God give them eternal rest. Lord hear us Congregation: Lord graciously hear us We ask Our Lady to present our intentions to her Son as we say: Hail Mary…………. Thanks Janet |
| Name: | John Tobin |
| E-mail address: | johntobin@optusnet.com.au |
| Comments: | Just e-mailing to say hello and God bless.
John Tobin Mackay Queensland Australia. |
| Name: | Celia McVey |
| E-mail address: | mcvey1@hotmailco.uk |
| Comments: | Hi ,I've just moved to the Wirral 5 months ago with a 7 yr old boy. I was recomended Ladymount, and I would love to hear from parents of children going to Ladymount -I'm not concerned with the academic side of school life but how well the children interact (boys-boys, girls-boys) and is there a big football influence in the school(i'm looking for a school where boys that don't play football aren't excluded, socially).
Thank you Celia |
| Name: | ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld |
| E-mail address: | ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld ebaumsworld |
| Homepage URL: | http://ebaumsworld.com |
| Comments: |
Well Prince so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes But I warn you if you don t tell me that this means war if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist I really believe he is Antichrist I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend no longer my faithful slave as you call yourself But how do you do I see I have frightened you sit down and tell me all the news It was in July 1805 and the speaker was the well known Anna Pavlovna Scherer maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Marya Fedorovna With these words she greeted Prince Vasili Kuragin a man of high rank and importance who was the first to arrive at her reception Anna Pavlovna had had a cough for some days She was as she said suffering from la grippe; grippe being then a new word in St Petersburg used only by the elite All her invitations without exception written in French and delivered by a scarlet liveried footman that morning ran as follows: If you have nothing better to do Count or Prince and if the prospect of spending an evening with a poor invalid is not too terrible I shall be very charmed to see you tonight between 7 and 10 Annette Scherer Heavens what a virulent attack replied the prince not in the least disconcerted by this reception He had just entered wearing an embroidered court uniform knee breeches and shoes and had stars on his breast and a serene expression on his flat face He spoke in that refined French in which our grandfathers not only spoke but thought and with the gentle patronizing intonation natural to a man of importance who had grown old in society and at court He went up to Anna Pavlovna kissed her hand presenting to her his bald scented and shining head and complacently seated himself on the sofa First of all dear friend tell me how you are Set your friend s mind at rest said he without altering his tone beneath the politeness and affected sympathy of which indifference and even irony could be discerned Can one be well while suffering morally Can one be calm in times like these if one has any feeling said Anna Pavlovna You are staying the whole evening I hope And the fete at the English ambassador s Today is Wednesday I must put in an appearance there said the prince My daughter is coming for me to take me there I thought today s fete had been canceled I confess all these festivities and fireworks are becoming wearisome If they had known that you wished it the entertainment would have been put off said the prince who like a wound up clock by force of habit said things he did not even wish to be believed Don t tease Well and what has been decided about Novosiltsev s dispatch You know everything What can one say about it replied the prince in a cold listless tone What has been decided They have decided that Buonaparte has burnt his boats and I believe that we are ready to burn ours Prince Vasili always spoke languidly like an actor repeating a stale part Anna Pavlovna Scherer on the contrary despite her forty years overflowed with animation and impulsiveness To be an enthusiast had become her social vocation and sometimes even when she did not feel like it she became enthusiastic in order not to disappoint the expectations of those who knew her The subdued smile which though it did not suit her faded features always played round her lips expressed as in a spoiled child a continual consciousness of her charming defect which she neither wished nor could nor considered it necessary to correct In the midst of a conversation on political matters Anna Pavlovna burst out: Oh don t speak to me of Austria Perhaps I don t understand things but Austria never has wished and does not wish for war She is betraying us Russia alone must save Europe Our gracious sovereign recognizes his high vocation and will be true to it That is the one thing I have faith in Our good and wonderful sovereign has to perform the noblest role on earth and he is so virtuous and noble that God will not forsake him He will fulfill his vocation and crush the hydra of revolution which has become more terrible than ever in the person of this murderer and villain We alone must avenge the blood of the just one Whom I ask you can we rely on England with her commercial spirit will not and cannot understand the Emperor Alexander s loftiness of soul She has refused to evacuate Malta She wanted to find and still seeks some secret motive in our actions What answer did Novosiltsev get None The English have not understood and cannot understand the self abnegation of our Emperor who wants nothing for himself but only desires the good of mankind And what have they promised Nothing And what little they have promised they will not perform Prussia has always declared that Buonaparte is invincible and that all Europe is powerless before him And I don t believe a word that Hardenburg says or Haugwitz either This famous Prussian neutrality is just a trap I have faith only in God and the lofty destiny of our adored monarch He will save Europe She suddenly paused smiling at her own impetuosity I think said the prince with a smile that if you had been sent instead of our dear Wintzingerode you would have captured the King of Prussia s consent by assault You are so eloquent Will you give me a cup of tea In a moment A propos she added becoming calm again I am expecting two very interesting men tonight le Vicomte de Mortemart who is connected with the Montmorencys through the Rohans one of the best French families He is one of the genuine emigres the good ones And also the Abbe Morio Do you know that profound thinker He has been received by the Emperor Had you heard I shall be delighted to meet them said the prince But tell me he added with studied carelessness as if it had only just occurred to him though the question he was about to ask was the chief motive of his visit is it true that the Dowager Empress wants Baron Funke to be appointed first secretary at Vienna The baron by all accounts is a poor creature Prince Vasili wished to obtain this post for his son but others were trying through the Dowager Empress Marya Fedorovna to secure it for the baron Anna Pavlovna almost closed her eyes to indicate that neither she nor anyone else had a right to criticize what the Empress desired or was pleased with Baron Funke has been recommended to the Dowager Empress by her sister was all she said in a dry and mournful tone As she named the Empress Anna Pavlovna s face suddenly assumed an expression of profound and sincere devotion and respect mingled with sadness and this occurred every time she mentioned her illustrious patroness She added that Her Majesty had deigned to show Baron Funke beaucoup d estime and again her face clouded over with sadness The prince was silent and looked indifferent But with the womanly and courtierlike quickness and tact habitual to her Anna Pavlovna wished both to rebuke him for daring to speak he had done of a man recommended to the Empress and at the same time to console him so she said: Now about your family Do you know that since your daughter came out everyone has been enraptured by her They say she is amazingly beautiful The prince bowed to signify his respect and gratitude I often think she continued after a short pause drawing nearer to the prince and smiling amiably at him as if to show that political and social topics were ended and the time had come for intimate conversation I often think how unfairly sometimes the joys of life are distributed Why has fate given you two such splendid children I don t speak of Anatole your youngest I don t like him she added in a tone admitting of no rejoinder and raising her eyebrows Two such charming children And really you appreciate them less than anyone and so you don t deserve to have them And she smiled her ecstatic smile I can t help it said the prince Lavater would have said I lack the bump of paternity Don t joke; I mean to have a serious talk with you Do you know I am dissatisfied with your younger son Between ourselves and her face assumed its melancholy expression he was mentioned at Her Majesty s and you were pitied The prince answered nothing but she looked at him significantly awaiting a reply He frowned What would you have me do he said at last You know I did all a father could for their education and they have both turned out fools Hippolyte is at least a quiet fool but Anatole is an active one That is the only difference between them He said this smiling in a way more natural and animated than usual so that the wrinkles round his mouth very clearly revealed something unexpectedly coarse and unpleasant And why are children born to such men as you If you were not a father there would be nothing I could reproach you with said Anna Pavlovna looking up pensively I am your faithful slave and to you alone I can confess that my children are the bane of my life It is the cross I have to bear That is how I explain it to myself It can t be helped He said no more but expressed his resignation to cruel fate by a gesture Anna Pavlovna meditated Have you never thought of marrying your prodigal son Anatole she asked They say old maids have a mania for matchmaking and though I don t feel that weakness in myself as yet I know a little person who is very unhappy with her father She is a relation of yours Princess Mary Bolkonskaya Prince Vasili did not reply though with the quickness of memory and perception befitting a man of the world he indicated by a movement of the head that he was considering this information Do you know he said at last evidently unable to check the sad current of his thoughts that Anatole is costing me forty thousand rubles a year And he went on after a pause what will it be in five years if he goes on like this Presently he added: That s what we fathers have to put up with Is this princess of yours rich Her father is very rich and stingy He lives in the country He is the well known Prince Bolkonski who had to retire from the army under the late Emperor and was nicknamed the King of Prussia He is very clever but eccentric and a bore The poor girl is very unhappy She has a brother; I think you know him he married Lise Meinen lately He is an aide de camp of Kutuzov s and will be here tonight Listen dear Annette said the prince suddenly taking Anna Pavlovna s hand and for some reason drawing it downwards Arrange that affair for me and I shall always be your most devoted slave slafe wigh an f as a village elder of mine writes in his reports She is rich and of good family and that s all I want And with the familiarity and easy grace peculiar to him he raised the maid of honor s hand to his lips kissed it and swung it to and fro as he lay back in his armchair looking in another direction Attendez said Anna Pavlovna reflecting I ll speak to Lise young Bolkonski s wife this very evening and perhaps the thing can be arranged It shall be on your family s behalf that I ll start my apprenticeship as old maid BK1|CH2 CHAPTER II Anna Pavlovna s drawing room was gradually filling The highest Petersburg society was assembled there: people differing widely in age and character but alike in the social circle to which they belonged Prince Vasili s daughter the beautiful Helene came to take her father to the ambassador s entertainment; she wore a ball dress and her badge as maid of honor The youthful little Princess Bolkonskaya known as la femme la plus seduisante de Petersbourg * was also there She had been married during the previous winter and being pregnant did not go to any large gatherings but only to small receptions Prince Vasili s son Hippolyte had come with Mortemart whom he introduced The Abbe Morio and many others had also come *The most fascinating woman in Petersburg To each new arrival Anna Pavlovna said You have not yet seen my aunt or You do not know my aunt and very gravely conducted him or her to a little old lady wearing large bows of ribbon in her cap who had come sailing in from another room as soon as the guests began to arrive; and slowly turning her eyes from the visitor to her aunt Anna Pavlovna mentioned each one s name and then left them Each visitor performed the ceremony of greeting this old aunt whom not one of them knew not one of them wanted to know and not one of them cared about; Anna Pavlovna observed these greetings with mournful and solemn interest and silent approval The aunt spoke to each of them in the same words about their health and her own and the health of Her Majesty who thank God was better today And each visitor though politeness prevented his showing impatience left the old woman with a sense of relief at having performed a vexatious duty and did not return to her the whole evening The young Princess Bolkonskaya had brought some work in a gold embroidered velvet bag Her pretty little upper lip on which a delicate dark down was just perceptible was too short for her teeth but it lifted all the more sweetly and was especially charming when she occasionally drew it down to meet the lower lip As is always the case with a thoroughly attractive woman her defect the shortness of her upper lip and her half open mouth seemed to be her own special and peculiar form of beauty Everyone brightened at the sight of this pretty young woman so soon to become a mother so full of life and health and carrying her burden so lightly Old men and dull dispirited young ones who looked at her after being in her company and talking to her a little while felt as if they too were becoming like her full of life and health All who talked to her and at each word saw her bright smile and the constant gleam of her white teeth thought that they were in a specially amiable mood that day The little princess went round the table with quick short swaying steps her workbag on her arm and gaily spreading out her dress sat down on a sofa near the silver samovar as if all she was doing was a pleasure to herself and to all around her I have brought my work said she in French displaying her bag and addressing all present Mind Annette I hope you have not played a wicked trick on me she added turning to her hostess You wrote that it was to be quite a small reception and just see how badly I am dressed And she spread out her arms to show her short waisted lace trimmed dainty gray dress girdled with a broad ribbon just below the breast Soyez tranquille Lise you will always be prettier than anyone else replied Anna Pavlovna You know said the princess in the same tone of voice and still in French turning to a general my husband is deserting me He is going to get himself killed Tell me what this wretched war is for she added addressing Prince Vasili and without waiting for an answer she turned to speak to his daughter the beautiful Helene What a delightful woman this little princess is said Prince Vasili to Anna Pavlovna One of the next arrivals was a stout heavily built young man with close cropped hair spectacles the light colored breeches fashionable at that time a very high ruffle and a brown dress coat This stout young man was an illegitimate son of Count Bezukhov a well known grandee of Catherine s time who now lay dying in Moscow The young man had not yet entered either the military or civil service as he had only just returned from abroad where he had been educated and this was his first appearance in society Anna Pavlovna greeted him with the nod she accorded to the lowest hierarchy in her drawing room But in spite of this lowest grade greeting a look of anxiety and fear as at the sight of something too large and unsuited to the place came over her face when she saw Pierre enter Though he was certainly rather bigger than the other men in the room her anxiety could only have reference to the clever though shy but observant and natural expression which distinguished him from everyone else in that drawing room It is very good of you Monsieur Pierre to come and visit a poor invalid said Anna Pavlovna exchanging an alarmed glance with her aunt as she conducted him to her Pierre murmured something unintelligible and continued to look round as if in search of something On his way to the aunt he bowed to the little princess with a pleased smile as to an intimate acquaintance Anna Pavlovna s alarm was justified for Pierre turned away from the aunt without waiting to hear her speech about Her Majesty s health Anna Pavlovna in dismay detained him with the words: Do you know the Abbe Morio He is a most interesting man Yes I have heard of his scheme for perpetual peace and it is very interesting but hardly feasible You think so rejoined Anna Pavlovna in order to say something and get away to attend to her duties as hostess But Pierre now committed a reverse act of impoliteness First he had left a lady before she had finished speaking to him and now he continued to speak to another who wished to get away With his head bent and his big feet spread apart he began explaining his reasons for thinking the abbe s plan chimerical We will talk of it later said Anna Pavlovna with a smile And having got rid of this young man who did not know how to behave she resumed her duties as hostess and continued to listen and watch ready to help at any point where the conversation might happen to flag As the foreman of a spinning mill when he has set the hands to work goes round and notices here a spindle that has stopped or there one that creaks or makes more noise than it should and hastens to check the machine or set it in proper motion so Anna Pavlovna moved about her drawing room approaching now a silent now a too noisy group and by a word or slight rearrangement kept the conversational machine in steady proper and regular motion But amid these cares her anxiety about Pierre was evident She kept an anxious watch on him when he approached the group round Mortemart to listen to what was being said there and again when he passed to another group whose center was the abbe Pierre had been educated abroad and this reception at Anna Pavlovna s was the first he had attended in Russia He knew that all the intellectual lights of Petersburg were gathered there and like a child in a toyshop did not know which way to look afraid of missing any clever conversation that was to be heard Seeing the self confident and refined expression on the faces of those present he was always expecting to hear something very profound At last he came up to Morio Here the conversation seemed interesting and he stood waiting for an opportunity to express his own views as young people are fond of doing BK1|CH3 CHAPTER III Anna Pavlovna s reception was in full swing The spindles hummed steadily and ceaselessly on all sides With the exception of the aunt beside whom sat only one elderly lady who with her thin careworn face was rather out of place in this brilliant society the whole company had settled into three groups One chiefly masculine had formed round the abbe Another of young people was grouped round the beautiful Princess Helene Prince Vasili s daughter and the little Princess Bolkonskaya very pretty and rosy though rather too plump for her age The third group was gathered round Mortemart and Anna Pavlovna The vicomte was a nice looking young man with soft features and polished manners who evidently considered himself a celebrity but out of politeness modestly placed himself at the disposal of the circle in which he found himself Anna Pavlovna was obviously serving him up as a treat to her guests As a clever maitre d hotel serves up as a specially choice delicacy a piece of meat that no one who had seen it in the kitchen would have cared to eat so Anna Pavlovna served up to her guests first the vicomte and then the abbe as peculiarly choice morsels The group about Mortemart immediately began discussing the murder of the Duc d Enghien The vicomte said that the Duc d Enghien had perished by his own magnanimity and that there were particular reasons for Buonaparte s hatred of him Ah yes Do tell us all about it Vicomte said Anna Pavlovna with a pleasant feeling that there was something a la Louis XV in the sound of that sentence: Contez nous cela Vicomte The vicomte bowed and smiled courteously in token of his willingness to comply Anna Pavlovna arranged a group round him inviting everyone to listen to his tale The vicomte knew the duc personally whispered Anna Pavlovna to of the guests The vicomte is a wonderful raconteur said she to another How evidently he belongs to the best society said she to a third; and the vicomte was served up to the company in the choicest and most advantageous style like a well garnished joint of roast beef on a hot dish The vicomte wished to begin his story and gave a subtle smile Come over here Helene dear said Anna Pavlovna to the beautiful young princess who was sitting some way off the center of another group The princess smiled She rose with the same unchanging smile with which she had first entered the room the smile of a perfectly beautiful woman With a slight rustle of her white dress trimmed with moss and ivy with a gleam of white shoulders glossy hair and sparkling diamonds she passed between the men who made way for her not looking at any of them but smiling on all as if graciously allowing each the privilege of admiring her beautiful figure and shapely shoulders back and bosom which in the fashion of those days were very much exposed and she seemed to bring the glamour of a ballroom with her as she moved toward Anna Pavlovna Helene was so lovely that not only did she not show any trace of coquetry but on the contrary she even appeared shy of her unquestionable and all too victorious beauty She seemed to wish but to be unable to diminish its effect How lovely said everyone who saw her; and the vicomte lifted his shoulders and dropped his eyes as if startled by something extraordinary when she took her seat opposite and beamed upon him also with her unchanging smile Madame I doubt my ability before such an audience said he smilingly inclining his head The princess rested her bare round arm on a little table and considered a reply unnecessary She smilingly waited All the time the story was being told she sat upright glancing now at her beautiful round arm altered in shape by its pressure on the table now at her still more beautiful bosom on which she readjusted a diamond necklace From time to time she smoothed the folds of her dress and whenever the story produced an effect she glanced at Anna Pavlovna at once adopted just the expression she saw on the maid of honor s face and again relapsed into her radiant smile The little princess had also left the tea table and followed Helene Wait a moment I ll get my work Now then what are you thinking of she went on turning to Prince Hippolyte Fetch me my workbag There was a general movement as the princess smiling and talking merrily to everyone at once sat down and gaily arranged herself in her seat Now I am all right she said and asking the vicomte to begin she took up her work Prince Hippolyte having brought the workbag joined the circle and moving a chair close to hers seated himself beside her Le charmant Hippolyte was surprising by his extraordinary resemblance to his beautiful sister but yet more by the fact that in spite of this resemblance he was exceedingly ugly His features were like his sister s but while in her case everything was lit up by a joyous self satisfied youthful and constant smile of animation and by the wonderful classic beauty of her figure his face on the contrary was dulled by imbecility and a constant expression of sullen self confidence while his body was thin and weak His eyes nose and mouth all seemed puckered into a vacant wearied grimace and his arms and legs always fell into unnatural positions It s not going to be a ghost story said he sitting down beside the princess and hastily adjusting his lorgnette as if without this instrument he could not begin to speak Why no my dear fellow said the astonished narrator shrugging his shoulders Because I hate ghost stories said Prince Hippolyte in a tone which showed that he only understood the meaning of his words after he had uttered them He spoke with such self confidence that his hearers could not be sure whether what he said was very witty or very stupid He was dressed in a dark green dress coat knee breeches of the color of cuisse de nymphe effrayee as he called it shoes and silk stockings The vicomte told his tale very neatly It was an anecdote then current to the effect that the Duc d Enghien had gone secretly to Paris to visit Mademoiselle George; that at her house he came upon Bonaparte who also enjoyed the famous actress favors and that in his presence Napoleon happened to fall into one of the fainting fits to which he was subject and was thus at the duc s mercy The latter spared him and this magnanimity Bonaparte subsequently repaid by death The story was very pretty and interesting especially at the point where the rivals suddenly recognized one another; and the ladies looked agitated Charming said Anna Pavlovna with an inquiring glance at the little princess Charming whispered the little princess sticking the needle into her work as if to testify that the interest and fascination of the story prevented her from going on with it The vicomte appreciated this silent praise and smiling gratefully prepared to continue but just then Anna Pavlovna who had kept a watchful eye on the young man who so alarmed her noticed that he was talking too loudly and vehemently with the abbe so she hurried to the rescue Pierre had managed to start a conversation with the abbe about the balance of power and the latter evidently interested by the young man s simple minded eagerness was explaining his pet theory Both were talking and listening too eagerly and too naturally which was why Anna Pavlovna disapproved The means are the balance of power in Europe and the rights of the people the abbe was saying It is only necessary for one powerful nation like Russia barbaric as she is said to be to place herself disinterestedly at the head of an alliance having for its object the maintenance of the balance of power of Europe and it would save the world But how are you to get that balance Pierre was beginning At that moment Anna Pavlovna came up and looking severely at Pierre asked the Italian how he stood Russian climate The Italian s face instantly changed and assumed an offensively affected sugary expression evidently habitual to him when conversing with women I am so enchanted by the brilliancy of the wit and culture of the society more especially of the feminine society in which I have had the honor of being received that I have not yet had time to think of the climate said he Not letting the abbe and Pierre escape Anna Pavlovna the more conveniently to keep them under observation brought them into the larger circle BK1|CH4 CHAPTER IV Just them another visitor entered the drawing room: Prince Andrew Bolkonski the little princess husband He was a very handsome young man of medium height with firm clearcut features Everything about him from his weary bored expression to his quiet measured step offered a most striking contrast to his quiet little wife It was evident that he not only knew everyone in the drawing room but had found them to be so tiresome that it wearied him to look at or listen to them And among all these faces that he found so tedious none seemed to bore him so much as that of his pretty wife He turned away from her with a grimace that distorted his handsome face kissed Anna Pavlovna s hand and screwing up his eyes scanned the whole company You are off to the war Prince said Anna Pavlovna General Kutuzov said Bolkonski speaking French and stressing the last syllable of the general s name like a Frenchman has been pleased to take me as an aide de camp And Lise your wife She will go to the country Are you not ashamed to deprive us of your charming wife Andre said his wife addressing her husband in the same coquettish manner in which she spoke to other men the vicomte has been telling us such a tale about Mademoiselle George and Buonaparte Prince Andrew screwed up his eyes and turned away Pierre who from the moment Prince Andrew entered the room had watched him with glad affectionate eyes now came up and took his arm Before he looked round Prince Andrew frowned again expressing his annoyance with whoever was touching his arm but when he saw Pierre s beaming face he gave him an unexpectedly kind and pleasant smile There now So you too are in the great world said he to Pierre I knew you would be here replied Pierre I will come to supper with you May I he added in a low voice so as not to disturb the vicomte who was continuing his story No impossible said Prince Andrew laughing and pressing Pierre s hand to show that there was no need to ask the question He wished to say something more but at that moment Prince Vasili and his daughter got up to go and the two young men rose to let them pass You must excuse me dear Vicomte said Prince Vasili to the Frenchman holding him down by the sleeve in a friendly way to prevent his rising This unfortunate fete at the ambassador s deprives me of a pleasure and obliges me to interrupt you I am very sorry to leave your enchanting party said he turning to Anna Pavlovna His daughter Princess Helene passed between the chairs lightly holding up the folds of her dress and the smile shone still more radiantly on her beautiful face Pierre gazed at her with rapturous almost frightened eyes as she passed him Very lovely said Prince Andrew Very said Pierre In passing Prince Vasili seized Pierre s hand and said to Anna Pavlovna: Educate this bear for me He has been staying with me a whole month and this is the first time I have seen him in society Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the society of clever women Anna Pavlovna smiled and promised to take Pierre in hand She knew his father to be a connection of Prince Vasili s The elderly lady who had been sitting with the old aunt rose hurriedly and overtook Prince Vasili in the anteroom All the affectation of interest she had assumed had left her kindly and tearworn face and it now expressed only anxiety and fear How about my son Boris Prince said she hurrying after him into the anteroom I can t remain any longer in Petersburg Tell me what news I may take back to my poor boy Although Prince Vasili listened reluctantly and not very politely to the elderly lady even betraying some impatience she gave him an ingratiating and appealing smile and took his hand that he might not go away What would it cost you to say a word to the Emperor and then he would be transferred to the Guards at once said she Believe me Princess I am ready to do all I can answered Prince Vasili but it is difficult for me to ask the Emperor I should advise you to appeal to Rumyantsev through Prince Golitsyn That would be the best way The elderly lady was a Princess Drubetskaya belonging to one of the best families in Russia but she was poor and having long been out of society had lost her former influential connections She had now come to Petersburg to procure an appointment in the Guards for her only son It was in fact solely to meet Prince Vasili that she had obtained an invitation to Anna Pavlovna s reception and had sat listening to the vicomte s story Prince Vasili s words frightened her an embittered look clouded her once handsome face but only for a moment; then she smiled again and dutched Prince Vasili s arm more tightly Listen to me Prince said she I have never yet asked you for anything and I never will again nor have I ever reminded you of my father s friendship for you; but now I entreat you for God s sake to do this for my son and I shall always regard you as a benefactor she added hurriedly No don t be angry but promise I have asked Golitsyn and he has refused Be the kindhearted man you always were she said trying to smile though tears were in her eyes Papa we shall be late said Princess Helene turning her beautiful head and looking over her classically molded shoulder as she stood waiting by the door Influence in society however is a capital which has to be economized if it is to last Prince Vasili knew this and having once realized that if he asked on behalf of all who begged of him he would soon be unable to ask for himself he became chary of using his influence But in Princess Drubetskaya s case he felt after her second appeal something like qualms of conscience She had reminded him of what was quite true; he had been indebted to her father for the first steps in his career Moreover he could see by her manners that she was one of those women mostly mothers who having once made up their minds will not rest until they have gained their end and are prepared if necessary to go on insisting day after day and hour after hour and even to make scenes This last consideration moved him My dear Anna Mikhaylovna said he with his usual familiarity and weariness of tone it is almost impossible for me to do what you ask; but to prove my devotion to you and how I respect your father s memory I will do the impossible your son shall be transferred to the Guards Here is my hand on it Are you satisfied My dear benefactor This is what I expected from you I knew your kindness He turned to go Wait just a word When he has been transferred to the Guards she faltered You are on good terms with Michael Ilarionovich Kutuzov recommend Boris to him as adjutant Then I shall be at rest and then Prince Vasili smiled No I won t promise that You don t know how Kutuzov is pestered since his appointment as Commander in Chief He told me himself that all the Moscow ladies have conspired to give him all their sons as adjutants No but do promise I won t let you go My dear benefactor Papa said his beautiful daughter in the same tone as before we shall be late Well au revoir Good by You hear her Then tomorrow you will speak to the Emperor Certainly; but about Kutuzov I don t promise Do promise do promise Vasili cried Anna Mikhaylovna as he went with the smile of a coquettish girl which at one time probably came naturally to her but was now very ill suited to her careworn face Apparently she had forgotten her age and by force of habit employed all the old feminine arts But as soon as the prince had gone her face resumed its former cold artificial expression She returned to the group where the vicomte was still talking and again pretended to listen while waiting till it would be time to leave Her task was accomplished BK1|CH5 CHAPTER V And what do you think of this latest comedy the coronation at Milan asked Anna Pavlovna and of the comedy of the people of Genoa and Lucca laying their petitions before Monsieur Buonaparte and Monsieur Buonaparte sitting on a throne and granting the petitions of the nations Adorable It is enough to make one s head whirl It is as if the whole world had gone crazy Prince Andrew looked Anna Pavlovna straight in the face with a sarcastic smile Dieu me la donne gare a qui la touche * They say he was very fine when he said that he remarked repeating the words in Italian: Dio mi l ha dato Guai a chi la tocchi *God has given it to me let him who touches it beware I hope this will prove the last drop that will make the glass run over Anna Pavlovna continued The sovereigns will not be able to endure this man who is a menace to everything The sovereigns I do not speak of Russia said the vicomte polite but hopeless: The sovereigns madame What have they done for Louis XVII for the Queen or for Madame Elizabeth Nothing and he became more animated And believe me they are reaping the reward of their betrayal of the Bourbon cause The sovereigns Why they are sending ambassadors to compliment the usurper And sighing disdainfully he again changed his position Prince Hippolyte who had been gazing at the vicomte for some time through his lorgnette suddenly turned completely round toward the little princess and having asked for a needle began tracing the Conde coat of arms on the table He explained this to her with as much gravity as if she had asked him to do it Baton de gueules engrele de gueules d azur maison Conde said he The princess listened smiling If Buonaparte remains on the throne of France a year longer the vicomte continued with the air of a man who in a matter with which he is better acquainted than anyone else does not listen to others but follows the current of his own thoughts things will have gone too far By intrigues violence exile and executions French society I mean good French society will have been forever destroyed and then He shrugged his shoulders and spread out his hands Pierre wished to make a remark for the conversation interested him but Anna Pavlovna who had him under observation interrupted: The Emperor Alexander said she with the melancholy which always accompanied any reference of hers to the Imperial family has declared that he will leave it to the French people themselves to choose their own form of government; and I believe that once free from the usurper the whole nation will certainly throw itself into the arms of its rightful king she concluded trying to be amiable to the royalist emigrant That is doubtful said Prince Andrew Monsieur le Vicomte quite rightly supposes that matters have already gone too far I think it will be difficult to return to the old regime From what I have heard said Pierre blushing and breaking into the conversation almost all the aristocracy has already gone over to Bonaparte s side It is the Buonapartists who say that replied the vicomte without looking at Pierre At the present time it is difficult to know th |
| Name: | Ann Newby |
| E-mail address: | a.newby08@tiscali.co.uk |
| Comments: | just starting out on the net.Pleased to find our website without too much bother.loved the poem about the two boxes. |
| Name: | Martin Brabander |
| E-mail address: | crazy-horse@paradise.net.nz |
| Comments: | Visited the Parish on a flying visit with my son last year when Dad was first diagnosed, and then flew back for his last hours (literally) and his funeral. Thank you for all of the kind wishes and support at the time. It is a weight off my shoulders knowing my mother is part of a community that shows their faith by sharing so much love. |
| Name: | Derek Kitchin |
| E-mail address: | assisiman@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | Have recently returned to parish - in mass on sunday first time to find father simon had gone.
Nice to see a familiar face in Jeff. - please let him know i have a current first aid at work certificate. |
| Name: | vincent curtis |
| E-mail address: | vincent.curtis1@btopenworld.com |
| Comments: | I was interested in seeing your street address but was unable to find it.
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| Name: | Fran |
| E-mail address: | fransaunders@msn.com |
| Comments: | Here is a poem that I thought people might like, it's currently doing the e-mail rounds,
God's Boxes I have in my hands two boxes, Which God gave me to hold. He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box, And all your joys in the gold." I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, Both my joys and sorrows I stored, But though the gold became heavier each day, The black was as light as before. With curiosity, I opened the black, I wanted to find out why, And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole, Which my sorrows had fallen out by. I showed the hole to God, and mused, "I wonder where my sorrows could be!" He smiled a gentle smile and said, "My child, they're all here with me.." I asked God, why He gave me the boxes, Why the gold and the black with the hole? "My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, the black is for you to let go." We should consider all of our friends a blessing. Send this to a friend today just to let them know you are thinking of them and that they are a joy in your life. A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see, Is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me. Today I pass the friendship ball to you. Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you... |
| Name: | John Condron |
| E-mail address: | jcondron@btinternet.com |
| Name: | R. Corish |
| E-mail address: | corish2@tiscali.co.uk |
| Name: | steve burke |
| E-mail address: | steveburkerc@hotmail |
| Comments: | 2 problems i am Us WITH COMPUTERS
ANDI DONT KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT TO PLACE TO HIGHLIGHT A BOOK I HAVE NOT LONG FINISHED PLUS SOME FAB C /Ds talks by the same man MARINO RESTREPO. MARINO LEFT HIS FAITH WHEN HE WAS 14 AND INVOLVED HIMSELF WITH EVERYTHING NOT OF GOD YOU CAN IMAGIN AND A LOT MORE YOU COULD NOT AS HE DID END UP IN HOLLYWOOD.HE WAS CAPTURED ON A VISIT HOME TO COLUMBIA? BY REBELS 4 6 MONTHS AND HAD AN OUTERBODY EXPERIENCE WHERE HE WAS TAKEN TO BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD AND SHOWN HIS LIFE IT IS A VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING BOOK BUT AT THE SAME TIME ITS NOTHING WE HAVENT BEEN TAUGHT OR KNOW ALREADY. THE IS FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT £10 address GOLDEN CHAINS OF ENGLAND PO BOX 830 WEMBLEY HA91AQ YOU REQUEST THE BOOK FIRST AND INVOICE YOU ITS A VERY EASY READ AND WELL WORTH £10 |
| Name: | Phil H |
| Comments: |
I like the write up about GREENBELT . It brings it all back to me and I cannot wait until GREENBELT 2007. The website is great. |
| Name: | Lol |
| Comments: | Congratulations Mum- you've done a good job on this website. Of course my favourite article has to be greenbelt 2006!
|
| Name: | Rebecca Cartledge |
| E-mail address: | beckydunne320@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I was so happy with my wedding in Holy Family RC Church, it wouldn't have been as special anywhere else. And I feel really honoured to have my wedding picture on this site. |
| Name: | Helen Burke |
| E-mail address: | burkey_rc@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Its really lovely to be able to read all the news from my home parish while i'm away at uni-does make me a little homesick though!!
Great site! |
| Name: | Helen Burke |
| E-mail address: | burkey_rc@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Its really lovely to be able to read all the news from my parish at home whilst at uni, does make me a little homesick though!
Great site! |
| Name: | Angela |
| E-mail address: | Angela@sandfieldhouse.com |
| Comments: |
Site easy to find and navigate. Researching for own church website so seek permission to 'use your brains' as site develops! God bless |
| Name: | Sylvia McGlynn |
| E-mail address: | smcglynn99@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Nice to see you have a website, we just need to entice more people to use it - could be very useful. Keep up the good work! |
| Name: | Fr Paul Lomas |
| E-mail address: | paul.lomas54@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | Good to see that your parish has a website. Well done! |
| Name: | Clairlyn Blankenship |
| E-mail address: | clairlyn.blankenship@standrew-cfc.org |
| Comments: | Glad to finally find you. A warm welcome home to Fr. Simon although we will miss you. Your friends in AZ love you!!! |
| Name: | The Rev |
| Comments: | Felt sorry for you Carole, Keep up the great work!!! |
| Name: | Carole |
| Comments: | this is test number 2 |
| Name: | Carole |
| Comments: | This is a test. |
| Name: | Webmaster |
| Comments: | This is a test. |