NB! · Archive · Observations

Léopold Dubois, 1870

Léopold Dubois, 1870. Learn to take people as they are, or as they wish to be, and not as you would like to see them. It is never too late to begin. Have a good week, friends!

NB! · Books · Monarchies · Observations

I Noticed a Rather Odd Passage in Part II of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Which Seems Even More Preposterous in the Russian Translation

I noticed a rather odd passage in Part II of Shakespeare's Henry IV, which seems even more preposterous in the Russian translation. But even this gibberish has an explanation

Archive · Faith · Books · Observations · Mores

The ban on musical entertainments in the decisions of the Stoglav Council of 1551

The ban on balalaikas is usually linked to a decree of 1648 by Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, which ordered stringed instruments to be destroyed. But the idea of banning musical amusements was originally laid down in the answers of the Stoglav Council of 1551, so called for the number of its

Observations · Science · Education

I was a student of Yevgeny Nikolayevich, and I remember his lectures very well

I was a student of Yevgeny Nikolayevich, and I remember his lectures very well. A first-class teacher, after whose course it is hard not to fall in love with the history of science and even with philosophy. One of the finest professors in my memory. I think everything will

Monarchies · Moscow · Museums · Observations

This, by the way, is no legend: the saddle really was presented to Sheremetev by Peter I

This, by the way, is no legend: the saddle really was presented to Sheremetev by Peter I. I saw it with my own eyes at the 2009 exhibition in the Kremlin, marking the 300th anniversary of the Great Northern War and the Battle of Poltava. I remember it as if

NB! · Interviews · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour

Remember how Maria Zakharova, in her interview with Tatler, gushed and simpered about her dolls' house?

Remember how Maria Zakharova, in her interview with Tatler, gushed and simpered about her dolls' house? Such vulgarity... A Victorian funeral parlour for dolls is another matter entirely. Now that is a hobby!

NB! · Observations

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Observations · Science · Education

How the Babylonians and Greeks solved quadratic equations, and who solved cubics

Remember the quadratic equation ax^{2}+bx+c=0? Well, the ancient Babylonians and Greeks knew how to solve it, except that the Babylonians had no negative numbers, so for them it was not one quadratic equation but eight: they had to work through every possible combination of signs. And

NB! · Art · Observations · Humour

Jan Miense Molenaer, 17th century

Jan Miense Molenaer, 17th century. Children PLAYING AND MAKING MERRY. I can imagine what my mother would have done to these children for such games. Not that I am any fonder of tormentors of animals myself 👿

Seated stone statue of a bearded man in a cap with large eyes, his robe covered in cuneiform, with a display case of pottery behind.

NB! · Archaeology · The East · Art · Museums · Observations · Humour

Statue of Idrimi, King of Alalakh, with an autobiographical inscription on his robe

King Idrimi of Alalakh has been extremely tense for 3,500 years, as though disturbed at an inconvenient moment. And his face seems to say more than the autobiographical text inscribed across his robe

NB! · Faith · Monarchies · Observations · Humour

Queen Victoria Presents a Bible to an Ambassador from an East African Country

Queen Victoria presents a Bible to an ambassador from an East African country. I do love English humour