Family

The Curé

The Curé (an excellent man, with whom I now regret not having conversed more often, for, even if he cared nothing for the arts, he knew a great many etymologies), being in the habit of showing distinguished visitors over his church (he had even planned to compile a history of the parish of Combray), used to weary her with his endless commentaries which, incidentally, never varied in the least degree.

Narrative Context: 
Lecture on Combray and other cathedrals
Image: 
Église St.-Jacques façade, Illiers-Combray || Source - Jeff Drouin, 7 July 2004
Volume: 
1
Part: 
1
Chapter: 
1
Page_Start: 
142
Page_End: 
142

Then I observed the rare, almost archaic expressions

Then I observed the rare, almost archaic expressions he liked to employ at certain moments, in which a hidden stream of harmony, an inner prelude, would heighten his style; and it was at such points as these, too, that he would begin to speak of the "vain dream of life," of the "inexhaustible torrent of fair forms," of the "sterile and exquisite torment of understanding and loving," of the "moving effigies which ennoble for all time the charming and venerable fonts of our cathedrals," that he would express a whole system of philosophy, new to me, by the use of marvellous images that one felt must be the inspiration of the harp-song which then arose and to which they provided a sublime accompaniment.

Narrative Context: 
Reading Bergotte
Image: 
Sculptured scene depicting the Seven Joys of the Virgin, Brou || Source - http://www.culture.gouv.fr/rhone-alpes/brou/pages/egliseVisite.html
Volume: 
1
Part: 
1
Chapter: 
1
Page_Start: 
129
Page_End: 
130