.i“ * ^ / . . . . . ` `~

“[Proust] likened Agostinelli to a ‘nun of speed,’ because of his motoring attire — boots, a long hooded coat, and goggles — which nearly covered his body. Early chauffeurs were often exposed not only to the elements and the dangers of primitive roads but to untrained drivers speeding toward them from the opposite direction. Proust later interpreted as ominous a passage in the article referring to the risks of being a driver: ‘May the steering wheel of the young chauffeur who is driving me remain always the symbol of his talent rather than the augury of his martrydom!” [Marcel Proust, A Life, William C. Carter.]

This entry was posted on June 22, 2024 at 2:43 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.