For years I had experienced difficulties with 18th Century prose, earning many a headache trying to wrap my brain around the prose of geniuses written in a bygone style. The idea of America's Civic Religion having its own bible made up of Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers made sense if one could treat the text as though it were truly from the pens of the editors of the King James edition.
You're right in that it is a lot of really hard work. But once the prose is separated into chapter-and-verse and the punctuation is modernized, the prose flows like water in a mountain brook, especially Hamilton's contributions.
I've come to see Hamilton and Madison as kindred spirits and in different ways.
Hamilton started his life in business and then "read law" to qualify for public office. His contributions come across like those of a brilliant business lawyer, which at that time he had become. If I wanted to invite someone to a dinner party who could entertain a whole room full of people, I'd ask Hamilton.
Madison, like myself, was something of a history geek, and he comes across like the earnest student of history. If I wanted to have someone over for a beer and a conversation, I'd ask Madison. (Hamilton probably wouldn't shut up, and Madison only drank in moderation.)
This is becoming a wonderful project for myself and Billthedrill.
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Though I too have had difficulty in reading the complex writing of 200 years ago, it seems to have gotten easier the more time I’ve spent with such authors. And I have to wonder...If we’re not able to comprehend what they wrote, will we be able to understand and weigh what they thought?
This is not pulp fiction, after all, to be consumed rapidly and then swapped out at the used book store. Much of what these men had to say requires re-reading and reflection, digestion and discussion. (Hence this FReeper book club.) Once that effort is made, their archaic prose ceases to perplex, and often becomes simply beautiful.
Please add me to your list.