Page 1179 - ULYSSES
P. 1179
Ulysses
Outdoor: garden and fieldwork, cycling on level
macadamised causeways ascents of moderately high hills,
natation in secluded fresh water and unmolested river
boating in secure wherry or light curricle with kedge
anchor on reaches free from weirs and rapids (period of
estivation), vespertinal perambulation or equestrian
circumprocession with inspection of sterile landscape and
contrastingly agreeable cottagers’ fires of smoking peat
turves (period of hibernation). Indoor: discussion in tepid
security of unsolved historical and criminal problems:
lecture of unexpurgated exotic erotic masterpieces: house
carpentry with toolbox containing hammer, awl nails,
screws, tintacks, gimlet, tweezers, bullnose plane and
turnscrew. Might he become a gentleman farmer of field
produce and live stock?
Not impossibly, with 1 or 2 stripper cows, 1 pike of
upland hay and requisite farming implements, e.g., an end-
to-end churn, a turnip pulper etc.
What would be his civic functions and social status
among the county families and landed gentry?
Arranged successively in ascending powers of
hierarchical order, that of gardener, groundsman,
cultivator, breeder, and at the zenith of his career, resident
magistrate or justice of the peace with a family crest and
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