Word: meaning
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1870-1879
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...have lately noticed in several of the daily papers remarks blaming the Massachusetts Legislature for granting money to the Museum of Zoology. Such articles evince an exceedingly mean and narrow spirit, which is luckily not shared in by a majority of opulent and influential citizens. The Museum, even in its present condition, is the best in the country; and its extension and improvement will confer honor, not only on the University, but on the State. It has reached its present position mainly through the personal efforts and the personal popularity of Professor Agassiz. But to extend the building or even...
They 're all insulting, mean...
...willingly do, attribute it also to A, and admit that you have observed it in B; but consider honestly your own case as well. Do you say you don't believe any such thing, that there is nothing of the Jim-Fisk in you? Stop and think, - you, I mean! Ah yes, now you remember, when you were spending a few days last summer with your grandmother, (bless her dear old heart!) how, when she introduced you to all the neighbors, as it was her pride and delight to do, you would greet them with a good-natured condescension...
...attentive study of all his works, and especially of those parts in which he is accused of bitterness, will discover facts which go far to refute this accusation. Setting aside those passages in which he is justly allowed to have chastised vices rather than faults, and acts more mean than weak, it will be found that, in almost every instance, his sarcasm produces a revulsion of feeling, - instead of despising, we pity...
...producing a witty article, one that shall make the public laugh in spite of itself; an onerous task for two reasons, - the public is decidedly opposed to laughing without being tickled, and it is exceedingly difficult to find a sensitive spot whereon to apply the straw. By public we mean the average mass of thinking men and women, excluding wholly that class of constitutional gigglers who laugh alike at David's solemnity and Twain's humor...