The Way of All Flesh
Samuel Butler
Paperback
(Forgotten Books, Aug. 25, 2012)
Vigneron sremark about Meyerbeer; for Samuel Butler died without my noticing it; I didnt even know he was sick. Shortly after his cremated ashes had been scattered to the winds of heaven, a learned lady asked me if I knew anything about Samuel Butler. Although I have ceased to be shocked at anything the azure-footed say or do, I did feel a penumbra of chagrin, for I earn my bread by teaching English Literature. I proceeded to emit a few platitudes about Hudibras, when I was sharply interrupted, and informed that the subject for discussion was the great Samuel Butler, the Samuel Butler, the greatest novelist of the nineteenth century. This is a title that few writers of modern fiction have escaped, and I breathed easier. I gnorance, Madam, pure ignorance, how often Johnson has helped us! Now I am grateful to my fair tutor, for while the name of the Erewhon philosopher must eventually have penetrated even into academic circles, I might have remained a few months longer in the outer darkness, and thus have postponed my acquaintance with The Way of All Flesh. Butler spent a good many years writing this extraordinary book, and finished it a good many years ago, but in 1902, on his deathbed, gave for the first time permission to have it printed, characteristically reversing the conventional deathbed repentance and confession. He, who had abandoned all faith except in his own infallibility, ardently believed in his posthumous fame, which has become a reality. I ts slow growth seems to indicate permanence.(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention