Peter Calvocoressi

Often there is unfinished business in these posts. In September there was mention of five families from Chios, in A Greek Island. The greatest of these families was Ralli. The Ralli brothers, five of them, were probably the most successful Greek merchant-traders in the 19th century.

Published
Categorised as History

We are the Music-Makers

If you don’t have a clue what a herpetologist does, I will give you one; Gussie Fink-Nottle. That’s right, he studies reptiles and amphibians. Today’s subject (not Ken Livingston) was a herpetologist.

Apple Tart is Off

Coastwise Lights, the second volume of Alan Ross’s autobiography has been lent to me by William (Bill) Sansom’s son, Nick. His father features prominently.

Published
Categorised as Literature

Near and Far

At this time of year many newspapers adopt charities and invite their readers to contribute. I never have but it has led me to reflect on how I allocate my charity budget. It comes down to this.

A King in Soho

I had supposed that the Church of England is busy selling off vicarages and closing churches. Now I have found a new church, opened on St Anne’s Day in July 1991 and it has a link to a mountainous Mediterranean island.

Send Hot Water Bottle

Every Sunday at my Dublin prep school (Castle Park) we had to write a letter to our parents. These were strictly censored to eliminate any off-message remarks about the CP regime. My sister’s first school did not have such a restriction.

Published
Categorised as Family

A to Z

Earlier this year I wrote a post, Two Principled Politicians, about Zac Goldsmith and Adlai Stevenson. They both came to mind again yesterday.

Published
Categorised as Politics

Latte Delivery

The post was delivered six days a week at Barmeath by a postman on a bicycle. He pedalled up the drive and sometimes got a nip on the ankle from an elderly, testy Labrador for his trouble.

Men of Letters

Yesterday (Letters) Rupert Hart-Davis took his son, Adam, to Eton for his first half (Eton slang for term). I forgot to expand on what became of George Lyttelton’s nephew, Charles, mentioned in the letter.

Published
Categorised as Literature

Letters

It’s interesting to reflect on how you first came to read an author. Can you remember your first PG Wodehouse, Evelyn Waugh, etc?