Art · Cinema · Museums · New York · Humour

Four-year-old Luise Perthes, captured by her parents' friend Philipp Otto Runge at the moment she realised that in the future she was destined to become a misanthropic lady with pigeons, wandering Central Park in New York in search of Kevin McCallister

Four-year-old Luise Perthes, captured by her parents' friend Philipp Otto Runge at the moment she realised that in the future she was destined to become a misanthropic lady with pigeons, wandering Central Park in New York in search of Kevin McCallister. Portrait of 1805, environs of Hamburg.

Black-and-white photograph of an elderly woman in glasses and a fur hat, wearing a patterned scarf and seated in an upholstered chair.

NB! · Archaeology · Books · Observations · Mores · Humour

Agatha Christie's 46 years of marriage to the archaeologist Max Mallowan

One recalls Agatha Christie's remark about the archaeologist husband, who is so good for a woman because the older she grows, the more interesting she becomes to him. The writer lived to 85, and for 46 of those years she was married to the archaeologist Max Mallowan, who

NB! · Books · Observations · Humour

A Maestro Fresh off the Press

A maestro fresh off the press. Enthusiasts and admirers have a unique opportunity to acquire Ponasenkov's second book, in its 2007 edition, for a mere 115,000 roubles. True, only recently this same book was sitting on Ozon for 419. Nevertheless. My business is to inform.

NB! · Archive · Science · Society · Humour

A Nineteenth-Century Caricature of the Anti-Vaccinationists

NB! · Art · Observations · Nature · Humour

The two most beautiful things I have seen this year are the sumptuous cake at my birthday party and these incredible photographs by the astrophotographer Lukas Hapsis from the Greek island of Delos

Art · Museums · Rome · Humour

Who are you, creature?

Who are you, creature? What are you? Marble sculpture Boy in the Mask of the Satyr Silenus. 1st century AD, Villa Ludovisi. It probably captures a scene from the ritual festivities in honour of Dionysus, in which the figure of Silenus, one of his tutors, held an important place.

Faith · Observations · Rome · Humour

Vatican resumes public papal audiences and forms working group on excommunicating the mafia

Three church news items, which you may rank by importance yourself:. public audiences with the Pope have resumed in the Vatican, having been suspended since November 2020 because of the pandemic; the Pope told the three hundred people gathered that he was very glad to meet them face to face;

Books · Observations · Humour

Complete works of Lev Tolstoy in 90 volumes and of Aleksey Tolstoy in 15

Leo Tolstoy's complete works run to 90 volumes. Alexey Tolstoy's, to 15. As the saying goes, and who's going to give you more?

Monarchies · People · Humour

Queen Elizabeth II, speaking by video link with young lifesavers, recalled that in 1941 she had received a medal for her water-rescue training and had been very proud of it

Queen Elizabeth II, speaking by video link with young lifesavers, recalled that in 1941 she had received a medal for her water-rescue training and had been very proud of it. Princess Elizabeth wore the badge constantly on her swimming costume, never suspecting that she had become the first child

NB! · Monarchies · Observations · Science · Humour

Napoleon, elected to the National Institute of Sciences and Arts, somehow recalls the fashion among rulers of our own day for getting themselves elected to every academy and scientific presidium going, though without such style and class, of course

NB! · Observations · Humour

Damn you, autocorrect!

NB! · Faith · London · Observations · Mores · Humour

How Did They Prepare for the Easter Ball in Georgian England?

How did they prepare for the Easter ball in Georgian England? Mark the caption: Dandies and Dandizettes. An excellent feminine form, and one that ought to be put into circulation; do join in