Cover of Specimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Specimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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  • 6 chapters
  • Reading level: 10th to 12th grade

"Specimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor Coleridge" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a collection of conversations and reflections drawn from the intellectual life of the renowned poet and philosopher, written during the early 19th century. The work compiles insights from his dialogues, showcasing his thoughts on literature, philosophy, politics, and religion, emphasizing the depth and richness of Coleridge's intellect as he interacted with various subjects and individuals. At the start of this collection, we find an engaging preface that outlines the origins of the notes and reflections included. The compiler expresses gratitude to Coleridge and offers reflections on his unique conversational style, which combined profound insights and intricate reasoning often delivered in a meandering manner. The preface also sets the tone by discussing the potential limitations of capturing Coleridge’s expansive thought processes on paper. Additionally, the initial excerpts present Coleridge's views on literary figures and themes, including his analysis of Shakespeare, while hinting at his broader philosophical considerations spanning morality and human understanding. This opening showcases not only Coleridge’s intellectual prowess but also a glimpse into the stimulating environment he created through his discourse.

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  • England · Intellectual life · 19th century
  • Quotations, English
  • Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, 1772-1834 · Interviews
  • Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, 1772-1834 · Quotations
  • Poets, English · 19th century · Interviews
  • Critics · Great Britain · Interviews
  • Poetry · Authorship

Read the opening

Book v: ver. 8.]: [Footnote 3

"But who is this, what thing of sea or land?
Female of sex it seems,
That so bedeck'd, ornate, and gay,
Comes this way sailing
Like a stately ship
Of Tarsus, bound for the isles
Of Javan or Gadire,
With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,
Sails fill'd, and streamers waving,
Courted by all the winds that hold them play;
An amber-scent of odorous perfume
Her harbinger, a damsel train behind!"]

August 9. 1832.

BAPTISMAL SERVICE.—JEWS' DIVISION OF THE SCRIPTURE.—SANSKRIT.

I think the baptismal service almost perfect. What seems erroneous assumption in it to me, is harmless. None of the services of the church affect me so much as this. I never could attend a christening without tears bursting forth at the sight of the helpless innocent in a pious clergyman's arms.

The Jews recognized three degrees of sanctity in their Scriptures:—first, the writings of Moses, who had the [Greek: autopsia]; secondly, the Prophets; and, thirdly, the Good Books. Philo, amusingly enough, places his works somewhere between the second and third degrees.

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Contents

  1. Preface
  2. Book v: ver. 8.]: [Footnote 3
  3. Book v: ver. 8.]: [Footnote 3
  4. Chapter C
  5. Chapter I
  6. Chapter L
  7. Chapter V

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About this edition

This free edition of Specimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor Coleridge by Samuel Taylor Coleridge comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #8489, released 2005-07-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Essays, Letters & Speeches, British Literature, Philosophy & Ethics.

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