1123
As proof that ‘Providence protects children and idiots’, Mark Twain recalls his first taste of ten-pin bowling.
Mark Twain was invited by fellow office-workers to go bowling with them. He declined as he knew nothing of the game, but now they seemed so anxious for his company that he was rather flattered, and gave in.
Picture: By William M. Vander Weyde (1871–1929), via George Eastman House Collection and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: No known copyright restrictions.. Source.
Posted May 26 2017
1124
Sam felt that his epic romance might have started more promisingly.
Wodehouse puts forth all his powers here to tell us everything we need to know about rich, athletic and amiably dim Sam Marlowe. The susceptible Sam has just arrived in New York from England, and now finds himself next to a very pretty girl. Something, however, seems to be clouding this sunshine moment.
Picture: © Nowaqowski, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 4.0.. Source.
Posted May 26 2017
1125
Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf imagines the farewell between Jesus and his Apostles, forty days after his resurrection.
Cynewulf (possibly the 8th century bishop Cynewulf of Lindisfarne) imagines Christ’s last words to his Apostles, before a cloud came and took him from their sight, never to be seen again – and yet, somehow, never to leave them.
Picture: © Trevor Littlewood, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted May 25 2017
1126
Lady Glencora scolds the Earl of Brentford for political inactivity, but he warns her to be careful what she wishes for.
The rising politician Phineas Finn eavesdrops as Lady Glencora, the young, pretty and ambitious wife of Plantagenet Palliser, Chancellor of the Exchequer, playfully berates the Earl of Brentford for blocking her husband’s policy initiatives.
Picture: © The Prime Minister’s Office (Crown Copyright), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted May 24 2017
1127
A Roman commander facing court martial took refuge in politics, and for ten years London was an imperial capital.
Roman Britain was no backwater: it was prosperous and civilised, and its people were critical of Rome’s bungled wars in the East and porous borders in Europe. In fact, her people felt ready to govern themselves, making Britannia a good place to start for would-be Emperors.
Picture: © Portable Antiquities Scheme, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted May 22 2017
1128
A princess covets the belt of a warrior-queen, so Heracles is despatched to get it for her.
The Ninth Labour of Heracles follows a break in the Labours, during which Heracles has been travelling with Jason and his Argonauts. It must also be told in two parts. Later we will follow Heracles to Troy, but first his jealous cousin Eurystheus sends him from Tiryns, near Athens, to the land of the fearsome Amazons.
Picture: Walters Museum, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.
Posted May 21 2017