1531
Oliver was elected as the unwilling spokesman for all the hungry children.
After he was left orphaned by the death of his mother, little Oliver Twist was ‘cared for’ in a State-run workhouse. The officials who ran it were satisfied that the boys were fed according to Government guidelines, but if so the boys found the guidelines wanting. Eventually they decided they must do something about it — or at any rate, that one of them must do something about it.
Picture: © Coyau, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.. Source.
Posted November 3 2015
1532
Charles Dickens chastises those who alter the plots of classic tales to push some social agenda of their own.
Charles Dickens’s friend, the cartoonist George Cruikshank, rewrote various fairytales as propaganda for teetotalism. Dickens, however, soon appreciated the dangers in allowing social activists to indoctrinate children like this.
Picture: © David Croker, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted November 3 2015
1533
First impressions prove to be quite misleading in the case of handsome, disagreeable Mr Darcy.
The Bennet family’s near-neighbours, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, make an appearance at their first dance in Meryton, and public opinion upon them and their London relatives swings bewilderingly to and fro.
Picture: © Colin Smith, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted November 3 2015
1534
Scotland’s association with the brother of Peter is down to an early 8th century Bishop of Hexham.
St Andrew the Apostle came to be the Patron Saint of Scotland through an early 8th century Bishop of Hexham. His feast day is the 30th of November, and he is patron also of Romania and Russia.
Picture: © Iain Lees, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted March 13 2015
1535
Cats do have a conscience: it tells them when to look innocent.
According to Jerome’s friend Jephson, alongside Nonconformists cats are the only creatures in this world with a functioning conscience. ‘You might almost think they had a soul.’
Picture: © Serena, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted March 13 2015
1536
Ralph Neville spoiled David of Scotland’s alliance with France in the Hundred Years’ War
King David II of Scotland tried to help his ally France in the Hundred Years’ War, by knocking boldly on England’s back door. But after he stumbled across Ralph Neville’s defence force in a mist, things went from bad to worse.
Picture: © Vivienne Smith, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted March 13 2015