Now, this is a subject on which I flatter myself I really am au fait. The gentleman who, when I was young, bathed me at wisdom's font for nine guineas a term-no extras-used to say he never knew a boy who could do less work in more time; and I remember my poor grandmother once incidentally observing, in the course of an instruction upon the use of the Prayer-book, that it was highly improbable that I should ever do much that I ought not to do, but that she felt convinced beyond a doubt that I should leave undone pretty well everything that I ought to do. I am afraid I have somewhat belied half the dear old lady's prophecy. Heaven help me! I have done a good many things that I ought not to have done, in spite of my laziness. But I have fully confirmed the accuracy of her judgment so far as neglecting much that I ought not to have neglected is concerned. Idling always has been my strong point. I take no credit to myself in the matter-it is a gift. Few possess it. There are plenty of lazy people and plenty of slow-coaches, but a genuine idler is a rarity. He is not a man who slouches about with his hands in his pockets. On the contrary, his most startling characteristic is that he is always intensely busy.

Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humourist. Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow is a collection of humorous and entertaining essays. These are amusing thoughts on all aspects of life, from love to poverty, vanity to ambition, babies to cats and dogs.

Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humourist. Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow is a collection of humorous and entertaining essays. These are amusing thoughts on all aspects of life, from love to poverty, vanity to ambition, babies to cats and dogs.

George, J., Harris and Montmorency, the dog, are the best of friends. Armed with interesting anecdotes, their quirky personalities and a boat, the three men and the dog decide to go on a boat trip across River Thames. But they discover that their fancy ideas of a boat trip, which includes visits to many famous riverside towns of England in the 19th-century, are very different from the reality! Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat is a comic tale of friendship, misadventure and fun. It is a delightful story for all ages and seasons. Hidden within the seemingly funny incidents and comments are the writer’s opinions on the foibles in England’s history and society. The book offers a refreshing look at the various places, people and mannerisms in the country.

Excerpt: ...with enthusiasm, and every means were adopted to induce him to stay. His little whims were carefully studied, his favourite dishes kept in constant readiness.

Three Men on the Bummel is the sequel to Three Men in a Boat, which Jerome K. Jerome originally wrote as a travel guide. As the humorous anecdotes took over the story, it eventually turned into a masterpiece of comedy. This novel reprises the same three characters as they explore the Black Forest in Germany.

Humor in essay format: Jerome Klapka Jerome (1859-1927) was an English author known for his humorous essays. "What readers ask nowadays in a book is that it should improve, instruct, and elevate. This book wouldn't elevate a cow. I cannot conscientiously recommend it for any useful purposes whatever. All I can suggest is that when you get tired of reading 'the best hundred books,' you may take this up for half an hour. It will be a change." (from the Preface to "Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome Jerome)