George A. Birmingham

Name: The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9. Buoying the Channel
Author: George A. Birmingham

The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

Summary

“The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9. Buoying the Channel”, published in 1913, is a work by George A. Birmingham. It explores elements such as buoys, Michael Geraghty and anchors.

Quotes from The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (George A. Birmingham)

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ We'll have the channel up to the pier marked out with two large buoys."
"It would take more than two buoys to mark out that channel," said Michael, grinning. "Sure the rocks is as thick as fleas on a dog's back."
"It doesn't matter how many they put. Let them put fifty if they like. Our point is that there must be at least two fastened to the bottom of the sea with really first-rate anchors. That is our irreducible minimum. You see the way the thing works out, don't you, Michael? These Boards which spend public money are always most frightfully conscientious about effecting small economies. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ That's all we insist on. Two buoys. Now, supposing each buoy costs the same as a perch. It won't, as a matter of fact, cost as much—I'll explain why in a minute. But supposing each buoy costs as much as a perch, by adopting our scheme the Board will effect an economy of twelve-fourteenths—in other words, six-sevenths of the total amount to be spent. Public money, you recollect, Eccles. Your Board may like wasting money; but we have a highly developed civic conscience, and we'd rather see the sum we don't actually want our- selves spent on some other deserving district. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ When it comes out in Parliament, as it certainly will come out, that it has deliberately flouted local opinion, and has forced a lot of beastly perches which nobody wants down the throats of a decent set of intelligent and progressive people, who asked for a few buoys—when that happens its reputation will be gone, and it will be hauled over the coals for obtaining money under false pretences, saying it was in sympathy with the wishes of the people when it really offers factious and contemptible opposition to a perfectly reasonable demand. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ When the petition had been dispatched with about thirty signatures attached to it, Dr. Whitty had another interview with Michael Geraghty.
"Michael," he said, "it won't do for you simply to sit down and wait for the Board to come along and buy your anchors. You must stir yourself and work things up a bit."
"Is it a public meeting you have in your mind?"
"It is not. A public meeting is an excellent thing in its way, but I strongly suspect that the Board will send down my old friend Eccles to look into this matter. You remember Eccles, don't you?" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ The fact is, that Board particularly prides itself on being in direct touch with the people. It likes all petitions to come from the people, and tries to avoid having anything to do with the educated classes. That's the reason we got Michael Geraghty to draw up the thing himself. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ Then again, see the advertisement it must prove to the district in opening direct communication by sea with tourists and the public generally. I again impress the great urgency there is in the establishment of the scheme, and I assure you I shall do a man's part in making it a huge success. I should mention that the officials of your honourable Board in discharge of their duties will not be near so liable to be drowned provided you grant the buoys, same to mark the worst of the rocks, which as situated presently is a constant danger to boats and ships. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ When we get them to agree to buoy that channel they'll simply jump at your two anchors in order to save the expense of dragging others all the way from Dublin."
"I see that."
"Very well. Go you now and write a proper petition to the Board. When you have it written take it round and get everybody to sign it. Get the priest and the rector and the old colonel first of all. I'll drop in on the colonel as I pass the house and tell him to expect you. Get Thady Glynn and the League fellows. They won't refuse."
Michael Geraghty wasted no time after the doctor left him. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (1913)

“ Whitty, "that the channel is frightfully crooked and dangerous. Boats are continually running on rocks, and though there have been no lives actually lost as yet, there's no saying when some poor fellow with a wife and family depending on him will get drowned. ”

George A. Birmingham

Summary

Quotes from The Adventures of Dr. Whitty — 9… (George A. Birmingham)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature