Man and woman smoking in a dim corridor
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How silver became the basis of the Ming tax system and why its shortage destroyed the dynasty
The emperors of the Ming dynasty, which ruled China from 1368 to 1644, were in dire need of silver in the sixteenth century. It went chiefly on prestige projects such as the Forbidden City in Beijing and the repair of the Great Wall. The historian Mark Cartwright writes in the
The White Mouse cocktail from London's The Stafford hotel and the life of spy Nancy Wake
Thirty millilitres of saffron gin, fifteen millilitres of fresh lemon juice, fifteen millilitres of honey and rosemary syrup, dry champagne and a star anise for garnish. The White Mouse cocktail is named after the legendary Nancy Wake, the most decorated servicewoman of the Second World War. The Gestapo nicknamed her
ARTPLAY Visual Dominant Open Call Terms and a Call to Read Contracts
How is this even a thing? Will there be any comment from the very party in question? And yes: young and not so young, seasoned hands and novices, the naive and the prudent alike, let us always read the contract with the utmost care. Whoever proposes that we sign it,
The Centre Pompidou in Paris is closed for renovation until 2030
My beloved Centre Pompidou is now wrapped in scaffolding. Until 2030, Paris has one fewer brilliant place of pilgrimage. But, honestly, every time I glance at it in passing, I am afraid: what if it never reopens?