[1] From: Hugh Nicoll <hnicoll@funatsuka.miyazaki- (16)
mu.ac.jp>
Subject: Re: "houses of reading"
In Humanist 9.415 Jim O'Donnell asked about George Steiner's dream of
"houses of reading". I found the following citation in Lanham's _The
Electronic Word_. It is footnote 9 to chapter 1.
9. George Steiner remarked on the historical connection between books and
monasteries: "I would not be surprised if that which lies ahead for
classical modes of reading resembles the monasticism from which those modes
sprung. I sometimes dream of houses of reading-a Hebrew phrase-in which
those passionate to learn how to read well would find the necessary
guidance, silence, and complicity of disciplined companionship" ("The End
of Bookishness?" Times Literary Supplement, 8-14 July 1988, 754). We may
expect a warm welcome for this monastic alternative to technological
change.
I wonder how others respond to the irony in Lanham's commentary in the
final sentence.
Best wishes to all on Christmas Day.
Hugh Nicoll, Miyazaki Municipal University
hnicoll@funatsuka.miyazaki-mu.ac.jp