As Rilke once told him, being born on a
Leap Day was like "falling through a crack in time," so that four years
of life counted only as one, thus giving him access to "a kingdom
independent of the ordinary changes we mortals have to suffer." --
"Balthus," The Independent, 20 February 2001
Or, Winter in Manhattan, 2008...
It is Rousseau's opinion that the proper way to avenge an insult is, not to fight a duel with your aggressor, but to assassinate him -- an opinion, however, which he is cautious enough only just to indicate in a mysterious note to one of the books of his Emile. -- A.S., The Wisdom of Life
