Apr 10, 2012 10:42
12 yrs ago
English term
half-way down its melancholy length
English
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In my native town of Salem, at the head of what, half a century ago,
in the days of old King Derby, was a bustling wharf,—but which is now
burdened with decayed wooden warehouses, and exhibits few or no
symptoms of commercial life; except, perhaps, a bark or brig, half-way
down its melancholy length, discharging hides; or, nearer at hand, a
Nova Scotia schooner, pitching out her cargo of firewood,—at the
head, I say, of this dilapidated wharf, which the tide often
Thank you!
in the days of old King Derby, was a bustling wharf,—but which is now
burdened with decayed wooden warehouses, and exhibits few or no
symptoms of commercial life; except, perhaps, a bark or brig, half-way
down its melancholy length, discharging hides; or, nearer at hand, a
Nova Scotia schooner, pitching out her cargo of firewood,—at the
head, I say, of this dilapidated wharf, which the tide often
Thank you!
Responses
| 3 +10 | half way along the wharf |
Mark Nathan
|
Responses
+10
2 mins
Selected
half way along the wharf
i.e. more or less in the middle. It is melancholy because it is no longer bustling.
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Note added at 12 mins (2012-04-10 10:55:22 GMT)
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No, "melancholy" is referring to the atmospere on the wharf. Wharfs have "length" because by their nature they are long and narrow.
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Note added at 13 mins (2012-04-10 10:56:12 GMT)
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sorry, "atmosphere".
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Note added at 12 mins (2012-04-10 10:55:22 GMT)
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No, "melancholy" is referring to the atmospere on the wharf. Wharfs have "length" because by their nature they are long and narrow.
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Note added at 13 mins (2012-04-10 10:56:12 GMT)
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sorry, "atmosphere".
Note from asker:
| In other souces I saw ferefences to "melancholy length" as "long and tedious" (for books). But here the wharf doesn't seem to be long. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
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