16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
presumptuous words in writing to Blaine. From
very early times men had believed that it was
unwise, even impious, to tempt fate: the ancient
generations were not to be despised. The
confident system of his youth – universal reform,
universal changes, universal happiness
and freedom – had ended in something very
like universal tyranny and oppression. The ancient
generations were not to be despised;
and the seamen's firm belief that Friday was
unlucky was perhaps less foolish than the philosophe's
conviction that all the days of the
week could be rendered happy by the application
of an enlightened system of laws. He
wished the main conference had not been set
for Friday.
Blushing at his momentary weakness, he
turned his mind to Hurtado. The General
might have some small absurdities such as a
delight in being fine (he wore the stars of his