DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
23 August.--"The expected always happens" How well Disraeli knew life. Our bird when he found the cage open would not fly, so all our subtle arrangements were for nought. At any rate, we have proved one thing, that the spells of quietness last a reasonable time. We shall in future be able to ease his bonds for a few hours each day. I have given orders to the night attendant merely to shut him in the padded room, when once he is quiet, until the hour before sunrise. The poor soul's body will enjoy the relief even if his mind cannot appreciate it. Hark! The unexpected again! I am called. The patient has once more escaped.
The actual quotation from Disraeli isn't quite what Seward recalled: "What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expected generally happens." (Henrietta Temple: A Love Story, 1837). Margaret Thatcher put it more succinctly: "Sh*t happens."
Posted by: Leslie S. Klinger | August 27, 2009 at 04:36 PM