Books · Observations · Humour
They helped us not to lose. They played, but did not win. They prevented us from winning. They did not prevent us. They were unwell. Quite possibly the wittiest table of contents in history. Though the title, "Heavenly Sweat", is not without merit either. A book about the
Architecture · Heritage · Humour
The Leaning Tower of Zaragoza was almost 30 metres taller than Pisa's. Its height was 80 metres. True, it was built 330 years after the Pisan one, in 1504, and almost at once it began to lean. For hundreds of years, however, there was no threat of collapse.
Archaeology · Archive · The East · London · Museums · Heritage
This Is How the British Museum Displays the Library of Nineveh. The legendary Library of King Ashurbanipal was discovered by the Englishman Austen Henry Layard in 1849. He managed to unearth one part of the vast library, which had been kept in the north-west palace on the banks of
Archive · Observations · Mores · Pop Culture
Stumbled upon this photograph by chance and may have found the longest wedding veil in history; its owner was the British-born Australian dancer and actress Madge Elliott. In September 1935 Madge married the Australian actor Cyril Ritchard. The dress and veil were created by the English couturier Peter Russell.
NB! · Architecture · Observations · Heritage
NB! · Nature
In the Press · Art · Humour
In 1966 it appeared on the cover of LOOK magazine
Cinema · Books · Humour
Are Snakes Necessary? Hugo Martzditz A book with this title is being read by the hero of the 1941 film The Lady Eve, Charles Pike, heir to millions, in the bar of an ocean liner sailing from South America. He has spent a year in the jungle studying snakes. Which
NB! · Humour
NB! · Archive · People
Aristocracy · Archaeology · Moscow · Museums · People
The Historical Museum has launched an online project dedicated to Count Alexei Uvarov, scholar, archaeologist, founder of the Moscow Archaeological Society, collector and patron of the arts. Uvarov was the author of the idea of creating the Historical Museum and devoted all his strength and knowledge to the successful realisation
Monarchies · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
Remember the Australian comedian who calls himself the secret son of King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles? He has turned up again, and all the more opportunely, since the King and Queen's visit to Australia has come at just the right moment. As fresh proof of his royal