There is a systematic flocci-nauci-nihili-pilification of all other aspects of existence that angers me.

“It was an operation that Dr. Maturin had carried out at sea before, always in t…”

“Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon the…”

“And although in many cases these unions proved happy enough, sailors being exce…”

“Never mind manoeuvres, always go at them.”