A Fine Point
Charles Glendinning (CGlendin@AOL.COM)
Thu, 8 Oct 1998 15:29:18 EDT
Dear Mr. Boz:
First, as a complete aside, it might be interesting to hear your explanation
of where the name "Boz" originates (and whether it rhymes with "Oz," as in
Wizard of, or with "nose" as in... nose), and second, I have a question which
is laughably insignificant but curious nonetheless. In "Bleak House" (pg. 238
in my edition) our dear Esther is in the process of taking a rather complete
inventory of a young doctor (seven years older than she), Alan Woodcourt. We
have only an inkling of where her mind is beginning to wander but she says
something in her analysis of him that seems to have the terms reversed:
"I believe -- at least I know -- that he was not rich."
Does it not seem to you that belief is the precursor to knowledge? Belief
exhibits somewhat of a connotation of faith in something that is not yet
known, So why would she not then say, "I know -- at least I believe..." ?
As I said, it is small potatoes... and mealy ones at that. By the way, when is
your new book coming out?
Your H. Servant,
Charles Glendinning