"And now his strongroom for the gold." (U2.211)
"Stephen's embarrassed hand moved over the shells heaped in the cold stone mortar: whelks and money cowries and leopard shells: and this, whorled as an emir's turban, and this, the scallop of saint James. An old pilgrim's hoard, dead treasure, hollow shells." (U2.212)
"A sovereign fell, bright and new, on the soft pile of the tablecloth" (U2.217)
The Edward VII sovereign was minted, bright and new, in 1902; the portrait was the work of Mr. de Saulles.
The Edward VII sovereign was minted, bright and new, in 1902; the portrait was the work of Mr. de Saulles.
"- Three, Mr Deasy said, turning his little savingsbox about in his hand. These are handy things to have. See. This is for sovereigns." (U2.218)
A 'sovereign' = a £1 gold coin depicting the monarch on the obverse, and St George on the reverse.
A 'sovereign' = a £1 gold coin depicting the monarch on the obverse, and St George on the reverse.
"This is for shillings. Sixpences, halfcrowns. And here crowns. See.
- He shot from it two crowns and two shillings.
- Three twelve, he said. I think you'll find that's right." (U2.219)
- He shot from it two crowns and two shillings.
- Three twelve, he said. I think you'll find that's right." (U2.219)
Some definitions:
£sd = pounds, shillings, pence
£1 = 4 crowns = 20 shillings = 240 pence
1 guinea = £1 + 1s
2s coin = florin
Stephen's pay of 'three twelve' means 3 pounds and 12 shillings. It can be written as £3-12-0 or £3/12/0.
Mr Deasy gives it as: 2 £1 notes + 1 sovereign + 2 crowns (= 10s) + 2s.
The next step is understanding this postcard!
£sd = pounds, shillings, pence
£1 = 4 crowns = 20 shillings = 240 pence
1 guinea = £1 + 1s
2s coin = florin
Stephen's pay of 'three twelve' means 3 pounds and 12 shillings. It can be written as £3-12-0 or £3/12/0.
Mr Deasy gives it as: 2 £1 notes + 1 sovereign + 2 crowns (= 10s) + 2s.
The next step is understanding this postcard!
"- Thank you, sir, Stephen said, gathering the money together with shy haste and putting it all in a pocket of his trousers.
- No thanks at all, Mr Deasy said. You have earned it." (U2.223)
This PC shows details of Edwardian currency.
- No thanks at all, Mr Deasy said. You have earned it." (U2.223)
This PC shows details of Edwardian currency.
"Stephen's hand, free again, went back to the hollow shells. Symbols too of beauty and of power. A lump in my pocket: symbols soiled by greed and misery.
- Don't carry it like that, Mr Deasy said. You'll pull it out somewhere and lose it. You just buy of of these machines. You'll find them very handy.
Answer something." (U2.226)
- Don't carry it like that, Mr Deasy said. You'll pull it out somewhere and lose it. You just buy of of these machines. You'll find them very handy.
Answer something." (U2.226)
"- Mine would be often empty, Stephen said.
The same room and hour, the same wisdom: and I the same. Three times now. Three nooses round me here. Well? I can break them in this instant if I will." (U2.232)
The same room and hour, the same wisdom: and I the same. Three times now. Three nooses round me here. Well? I can break them in this instant if I will." (U2.232)
"- Because you don't save, Mr Deasy said, pointing his finger. You don't know yet what money is." (U2.236)
"Money is power. When you have lived as long as I have. I know, I know." (U2.237)
"If youth but knew." (U2.238)
From a traditional French saying: 'Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait' = If youth but knew...
From a traditional French saying: 'Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait' = If youth but knew...
... If old age but could
" But what does Shakespeare say? Put but money in thy purse.
- Iago, Stephen murmured.
He lifted his gaze from the idle shells to the old man's stare.
- He knew what money was, Mr Deasy said. He made money. A poet, yes, but an Englishman too. Do you know what is the pride of the English? Do you know what is the proudest word you will ever hear from an Englishman's mouth?" (U2.245)
- Iago, Stephen murmured.
He lifted his gaze from the idle shells to the old man's stare.
- He knew what money was, Mr Deasy said. He made money. A poet, yes, but an Englishman too. Do you know what is the pride of the English? Do you know what is the proudest word you will ever hear from an Englishman's mouth?" (U2.245)
"The seas' ruler. His seacold eyes looked on the empty bay: it seems history is to blame: on me and on my words, unhating.
- That on his empire, Stephen said, the sun never sets.
- Ba! Mr Deasy cried. That's not English. A French Celt said that." (U2.246)
- That on his empire, Stephen said, the sun never sets.
- Ba! Mr Deasy cried. That's not English. A French Celt said that." (U2.246)
"He tapped his savingsbox against his thumbnail.
- I will tell you, he said solemnly, what is his proudest boast. I paid my way.
Good man, good man." (U2.250)
- I will tell you, he said solemnly, what is his proudest boast. I paid my way.
Good man, good man." (U2.250)