Observations · Mores · Ethnography · Humour
If, like the rest of us, you believe in everything under the sun, do take note of the instructions of a jocular English superstition on the colour of wedding dresses, which by various threats and manipulations compels the choice of white, and white alone. To marry in yellow is to
NB! · Observations · Humour
Museums · Observations · Mores · New York · Humour
If anyone finds the constitutional amendments not frightening enough, I suggest a look at this ghastly automaton of the 1870s, which recalls the work of the Brothers Quay. The "Naturally Crawling Doll" is held by the Smithsonian Institution and by the American Museum of Natural History, where the
The East · Monarchies · Humour
There is a parable. Harun al-Rashid liked to wander about at night. One evening he strayed into a dark hovel in which an elderly woman was offering up a prayer for his health. "How pleasant!" he said. "How may I reward you?" "You see,
NB! · Archive · Books · Observations · Humour
I have seen a thing or two, of course. But a sudoku made of the initials from Gerald of Wales's Topography of Ireland of 1188, his Conquest of Ireland and his Journey Through Wales of 1191 is a first for me. Are you getting off at the next
Books · Museums · Observations · Humour
If you cannot think how to spend 5 million roubles, then far from all Parnassuses and sundry vanities, in the illustrious city of Oryol an entire museum of Sergei Yesenin has been put up for sale. The lifelong labour of the man who assembled this priceless collection is being sold
NB! · Observations · Saint Petersburg · Humour
But shocking models of the Moon can be found not only in Rochester Cathedral. Here a subscriber has sent a photograph of the Moon taken some years ago on the Obvodny Canal, when the new Planetarium was being opened in Saint Petersburg and the luminary was floated down the river.
Faith · Art · Observations · Humour
My favourite pig in the history of world culture, apart from Babe the piglet, of course, is the charming porker of Anthony of Egypt in a late seventeenth-century sculpture in Segovia Cathedral. Just look at this sweet pig with the little spot on its snout! ❤️🐽 Saint Anthony has been
NB! · Faith · Pop Culture · Humour
Faith · Pop Culture · Rome · Humour
On Friday a bishop in mischievous socks bearing the image of a kissing, waving Pope was spotted at Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica. The Catholic community is seething like holy water in films about exorcism: the jaunty bishop, whose name remains a mystery to many, is called an
Art · Monarchies · Observations · Humour
And who is this pockmarked fellow with the playful ringlets? Charles IV, King of Spain, deposed in 1808, bears a resemblance to Trump, especially, as you can see, from behind. Why the Spaniard Juan Boisil painted such a portrait is unclear. Still, given the year of its creation, 1818, one
In the Press · Observations · Humour
Some would call it a chore, but to me it is a rather entertaining pastime: getting to know my readers and studying the search queries that lead to my Yandex.Zen. What I mean to say is that it is very pleasant to bring together people who would like to