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Rose Bowl Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Preserves of loaves and fishes
This is from Two Cities:
There were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a
plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with
a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of
France. In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the
lords of the State preserves of loaves and fishes, that things
in general were settled for ever.
I feel that "preserves of loaves and fishes" is out-of-place, shouldn't there be a connector; for instance, wouldn't "as it had plenty of preserves of loaves and fishes" be more appropriate or not?
There were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a
plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with
a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of
France. In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the
lords of the State preserves of loaves and fishes, that things
in general were settled for ever.
I feel that "preserves of loaves and fishes" is out-of-place, shouldn't there be a connector; for instance, wouldn't "as it had plenty of preserves of loaves and fishes" be more appropriate or not?
Top answer
I read "State preserves" as meaning "stores maintained by or for the use of the state".
- I read "State preserves" as meaning "stores maintained by or for the use of the state".
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6 Answers
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I read "State preserves" as meaning "stores maintained by or for the use of the state".
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Don't we solely associate a lord with the land he possesses rather than a food reserve that happens to be within his jurisdiction though? That's what makes this expression difficult to digest.
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This is a popular question:
This is an oblique reference to the Church, by the way, mentioning one of Christ's miracles.
(loaves and fishes)
I think Henry put the "state" in charge. (Edit. Well, that wouldn't apply to France.)
This is an oblique reference to the Church, by the way, mentioning one of Christ's miracles.
(loaves and fishes)
I think Henry put the "state" in charge. (Edit. Well, that wouldn't apply to France.)
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toiletbowels
Don't we solely associate a lord with the land he possesses rather than a food reserve that happens to be within his jurisdiction though?
Hmm... I don't see a problem with this. I'm happy associating a "lord" with everything in his jurisdiction, which presumably would include land and thereby the means of food production.
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Mr Wordy Hmm... I don't see a problem with this. I'm happy associating a "lord" with everything in his jurisdiction, which presumably would include land and thereby the means of food production.Agreed! - A.
And I think the nobility were famously jealous of their game preserves. (Eg., Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham)
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