Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By Carl Rudolf Huber (1839-1896), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
The tale of how a prim little English horse cleaned up his Continental stables.
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© By William Hemsley (?1817-1906), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Sir Thomas Smith, one of Elizabeth I’s diplomats, explains how in her day criminals were brought to trial.
© Trescastillos, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 4.0.
The young Christian from ancient Northumbria was healed of a lame leg in a manner that reminded Bede of the archangel Rafael.
By Tom Roberts (1856-1931), via the Royal Collection and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
In 1890, Sir Henry Parkes reminded Australians that they had a natural kinship and declared them ready to manage their own affairs.
© Coekon, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
In 1852 the Council of New South Wales sent a strongly-worded petition to London, demanding the right of self-government.
Thomas Phillips, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Lord Durham warned Westminster that colonial Canada must be run by elected MPs, not career bureaucrats.