
FIRST AND LAST - BY H. BELLOC
CONTENTS
FIRST AND LAST
On Weighing Anchor
The Reveillon
On Cheeses
The Captain of Industry
The Inventor
The Views of England
The Lunatic
The opening draws the listener into a lively meditation on the simple act of weighing anchor. Through vivid sketches of capstans, fiddlers, and rope‑wrapped donkey‑engines, the narrator turns a routine shipboard chore into a colorful tableau that feels both nostalgic and playful. He invites us to picture the moment a small vessel slips its moorings, wind filling the sails, and the exhilaration of setting out into the unknown.
From that nautical vignette, the work expands into a series of thoughtful essays that treat the sea as a mirror for life’s own departures. Each piece balances humor with keen observation, wandering from the mechanics of sailing to reflections on history, industry, and the quirks of human nature. Listeners will find a charming blend of anecdote and philosophy, perfect for anyone who enjoys a contemplative stroll along the shoreline of ideas.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (375K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Tonya Allen, Eric Eldred, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
Jan 1, 2005
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1870–1953
Best known for his witty verse and sharp essays, this French-born English man of letters brought energy, humor, and strong opinions to everything he wrote. His work ranges from playful poems for children to history, politics, travel writing, and religious reflection.
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