Category: PG Wodehouse

Eating with Anatole

Handel was employed for just under two years by the 1st Duke of Chandos at Cannons, his immense Baroque/Palladian pile in Stanmore, Middlesex. Under the Duke’s patronage he composed the Chandos Anthems and “other important works”, says Wikipedia vaguely.

Mid-Season Form

Last year Paul Kent published This is jolly old Fame, an examination of PG Wodehouse’s early oeuvre, in which he pokes around to find the seeds that  germinated into the glorious world Plum created.

Sunset at Barons Court

A good sunset in the cemetery yesterday. I had a walk with Luna, a small, bonkers black spaniel that struck up an instant emotional rapport with Bertie. I likewise warmed to Luna’s owner. 

Black Friday

I made a small purchase at a shop that does not observe Black Friday and has reassuringly high prices.

Bills

Don’t think I was ever on “The Bill”, when you have to report to the Head Master for a misdemeanour. Today there are three more Bills – eyes down, get ready to tick them off.

Thank You, Hilary

I imagine when our Queen dies we will all feel a deep sense of loss and, of course, grief. Yesterday morning I got some inkling of how this will feel.

Cork and Orrery

In September 1941 after supper at the White House, “a jolly party”, Franklin Roosevelt asked his guests to name four outstanding leaders. Eleanor chose: Anne Hutchinson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Emily Dickinson and Carrie Chapman Catt. Franklin nominated: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and the Earl of Orrery.

Sweetness and Light

“The pursuit of perfection, then, is the pursuit of sweetness and light … He who works for sweetness and light united, works to make reason and the will of God prevail.“ (Culture and Anarchy, 1869, Matthew Arnold)