...hearts as cold as asbestos...

[anteros_lmc]

Had I read that in an Age of Sail novel or fic I would have thought it a really jarring and anachronistic misuse of language. Not so. The following quote is taken from Donat Henchy O'Brian's My Adventures During the Late War: comprising a narrative of shipwreck, captivity, escapes from French prisons, etc from 1804 - 1827. O'Brian, a fugitive midshipman from the wrecked frigate Hussar who was "on the tramp" from Verdun prison, is describing an elderly couple who refuse to give him and his three companions shelter during a storm while they are fleeing to the Breton coast.

"To all our bribery their hearts and minds were cold as asbestos."

Who'd a thunk it?!

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

My husband has studied the history of asbestos. (He advises companies on how to remove it. Worked with it its removal in the USN too.)

He says asbestos has been used since ancient Egypt. Also used in Rome. Weird, right?

My mom had asbestos potholders. They dated from the 40's that scares me more!

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

Oh, I remember those asbsestos potholders! My mother had them, too.
Didn't the Romans make fabric from it?

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

My h says yes. He also says that Pliny noticed the slaves who worked with asbestos died a lot. (More than the rest.)

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

I love the way the past surprises us. Like seeing the word 'punk' in Shakespeare.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Language is just lovely stuff intit?! :D

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Well. You learn something new everyday :D

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

My mother used to say that.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

:D

PS. D'you like my new H/A icon? :}

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

It looks as if Horatio is saying something Archie finds appalling!

[sarlania.livejournal.com]

Now THAT is fascinating. *g*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Didn't the Romans make fabric from it?
Goodness! That's new to me! Isn't this fandom educational?!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

My husband has studied the history of asbestos
Wow! That sounds fascinating!

I kind of knew that asbestos had been used since antiquity but I had no idea its properties were sufficiently well known for it to find its way into the language like this. Though I am now suspecting the O'Brien likes his fancy scientific analogies as I have also just come across the following:

I saw a light in the window, got close to the door, peeped through the keyhole and window alternately, and at last saw a woman spinning by a rousing fire. The effect was electrical.

Thanks for the tip!

[kcstp.livejournal.com]

Thanks for mentioning this book. Found a copy online at: http://www.archive.org/stream/myadventuresdur00omangoog#page/n10/mode/2up

Re: Thanks for the tip!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome indeed! And thanks for posting the link. I'm reading a digitised copy I downloaded form google books which has it too. It's an amazing story!

I can also recommend Escape from the French by Maurice Hewson, who was one of O'Brien's companions on his third and final escape attempt.

[sarlania.livejournal.com]

When I first of Asbestos I was 12? 13? and thought it was a bird disease. I was bewildered at anyone could have inhaled bird germs from knocking down old buildings...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Lol! What made you think asbestos had anything to do with birds?!

[sarlania.livejournal.com]

Ummmm albatross? The words sort of looks similar. =/

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Mind is boggling at idea of asbestos albatrosses!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I am also now thinking that "hearts and minds as cold as albatrosses" is a rather nice simile!

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

They would be unstoppable!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

And incombustible!