How is "yeomanry" used in this context?

zorro astor — Sat, 06 May 2006 12:57:31 -0800

Can someone explain a WF Buckley use of the word "yeomanry"? Here is an excerpt from Buckley's review of Galbraith's The Culture of Contentment:

"It is fortunate for Professor Galbraith that he was born with singular gifts as a writer. It is a pity he hasn't used these skills in other ways than to try year after year to bail out his sinking ships. Granted, one can take satisfaction from his anti-historical exertions, and wholesome pleasure from his yeomanry as a sump-pumper. Indeed, his rhythm and grace recall the skills we remember having been developed by Ben-Hur, the model galley slave, whose only request of the quartermaster was that he be allowed every month to move to the other side of the boat, to ensure a parallel development in the musculature of his arms and legs."

I know what a yeoman is. And I am familiar with Yeoman Regiments. But I just don't get the nuance.

Political Philosophy

frankenklein — Sun, 12 Dec 2004 18:45:43 -0800

Keynes? Hayek? Galbraith? Burke? I'm reevaluating all of my political stances and I'm trying to find a few books that will give me a decent understanding of the basis for today's Conservative and Liberal philosophies. What are the 3 to 5 best books per side to get a reasonably strong overview of what they're about?

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How is "yeomanry" used in this context?

Political Philosophy