On the latest episode of the podcast with readings so interesting they put you to sleep, our sixth installment from the 1898 book “Philip’s Experiments, or, Physical Science at Home,” by John Trowbridge.

Our narrator, Philip’s father, continues his contemplation of Philip’s interest in athletic feats of strength. Their friend Scribain says “Excess in athletics is like all forms of dissipation,” and quotes Locke as recommending gardening and woodworking as healthy recreations for a man of study or business. Father and Philip take a trip to Europe and enjoy estimating the height of the Matterhorn as seen from Zermatt using sight lines and geometry. If you stay awake long enough you’ll hear how, at the Swiss resort, they meet an American photographer full of stories about capturing Alpine scenery, especially with telephoto lenses. ”A long focus lens acts like time in bringing out the grandeur of a great character, and sinks the too obtrusive present,” he says.

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On the latest episode of the podcast with readings so interesting they put you to sleep, our fifth installment from the 1898 book “Philip’s Experiments, or, Physical Science at Home,” by John Trowbridge. Philip and his father, trying to survey their estate to build a golf course, discover that distance measurements may produce unexpected results when you go down into a ravine and back up the other side. Father’s friend Ruysart, a sculptor, works tirelessly on a statue representing Honor for the state capitol, but ignores his own son’s curiosity. Another friend pooh-poohs the idea of learning about such things as electricity: you can simply hire someone to do that for you; the important skill in life is to control men. If you stay awake long enough, you’ll hear further discussion about the value of athletics, as a friend says: “If your boy’s physical system is not constantly exercised, he will seek excitement in undesirable ways.”

You can support The Forgotten Bookshelf and get a bonus reading of an essay by Edgar Allan Poe. Please go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theforgottenbookshelf/extras, and thank you!

On the latest episode of the podcast with readings so interesting they put you to sleep, our fourth installment from “Philip’s Principles, or, Physical Science at Home,” by John Trowbridge, published 1898. Our narrator endeavors to teach geometry to his son Philip by surveying their yard with the intention of building a golf course with appropriate drainage. Father exploits Philip’s interest in George Washington by studying Washington’s youthful work as a surveyor. If you stay awake long enough, you’ll hear an old-fashioned adventure story in which Washington leads his crew in avoiding a party of Indians and their dog. Spoiler: by Washington’s order, the dog is not harmed.

You can support The Forgotten Bookshelf and get a bonus reading of an essay by Edgar Allan Poe. Please go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theforgottenbookshelf/extras, and thank you!