lookingland

The Hair ~ a profusion of hair is a sign of an amorous disposition, as is also a rough, husky voice. when a man is castrated, he loses his beard and his voice grows feminine. He is also liable to periodical hemorrhages, like the other sex. Likewise he becomes artful, depraved, and foolish.

i just had to share this hilarious quote from The Magic Wand and Medical Guide (1866). this quote and one about acts of rape never resulting in pregnancy made me laugh outloud. i was very tempted to use the above for James's opening diatribe, but that would be cheating on the date (it's still only 1862) and this is a lot more overt than i care to go with his character.

for the moment, i've settled for the definition of an "Archimedean solid", which is geometric and architectural and it suits the purpose for the moment until i can find something more interesting and brilliant. more importantly, i think i've about nailed James's voice: smart-assed, erudite, vulgar, but not too cynical. also not so charming that we might trust him entirely, but amusing enough that we like his company ~ (i hope).

i did a lot of twiddling and organizing tonight. the opening of the book actually looks like it belongs to the Slaughter family now, no longer an illegitimate orphan wanna-be. i'm still a little baffled on the chronology, but i think it's slowly asserting its own order.

and still having problems with Morse, but i'll be very surprised the day that i don't.

: o p