Archive · Books · Observations · Society
Perhaps not the most intriguing piece of news, but still, to some extent, topical. In the diary of the Dutch poet Willem de Clercq (not to be confused with his exact namesake, the President of South Africa in the 1990s), there is an entry about a sorrowful letter from Beler,
NB! · Art · Observations · Nature · Humour
NB! · Books · Monarchies · Moscow · Observations
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, recommends on her Instagram blog Amor Towles's "A Gentleman in Moscow", a book about the life of Count Rostov, confined by the Bolsheviks in... the Metropol Hotel. Well, for a third recommendation it is an interesting choice. One can hardly refuse Cam,
Monarchies · Observations · Mores
Today is the fifty-ninth wedding anniversary of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofía. Looking at these loving people, one wishes everyone to carry through the whole of life a kind, warm and tender feeling for somebody, be it a spouse, a partner, a child, a friend, or
Faith · Observations · Rome · Humour
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
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?
NB! · Monarchies · Observations · Science · Humour
NB! · Observations · Humour
Observations · People · Nature
I did not know this fact from the life of Audrey Hepburn, but I shall remark in passing that, unlike nearly all bulbous flowers, tulips are not merely non-poisonous but perfectly edible. Tulip bulbs are sometimes baked, and they resemble baked potatoes. The stems, leaves and blooms of tulips
NB! · Faith · London · Observations · Mores · Humour
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
Faith · Observations · Ethnography
Warmest congratulations to all on the approaching feast of Easter! For those who are only now getting ready to dye their eggs, I remind you of the custom of dyeing Easter eggs red. Violet and blue, however, are for a family that has lost someone in the course of the
Cinema · Books · Observations · Pop Culture
The recently released trailer for "Pishcheblok" once again draws attention to Russian television series: it looks intriguing, stylish and atmospheric. The makers have plainly succeeded in recreating the atmosphere of the Soviet era. For those who are not well versed in our contemporary literature, this is an adaptation