19th Century
A Bear’s Diary – Part 15
October 24th, 1809. We are at Romford in Essex, after a circuitous journey to throw pursuers off the scent. Our coaches crossed London Bridge as if bound for Dover, but instead we soon left the [more…]
Hobbies
19th Century
A Bear’s Diary – Part 14
October 20th, 1809. Fred is to be hanged on Monday the 23rd – a perilously short date. We have been conferring as to how to contrive his rescue. Jem was in favour of blowing down [more…]
19th Century
A Bear’s Diary – Part 13
October 18th, 1809. Fred goes up before the judge at the Old Bailey tomorrow, accused of the murder of poor Mr Armitage. We visit him daily in his cell, bringing bribes for the gaoler and [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 9
On a previous trip across the English Channel many years ago, I was returning to England via Calais to Dover on the ferry as a foot passenger. I was sat on deck minding my own [more…]
19th Century
A Bear’s Diary – Part 12
September 25th, 1809. I write this after our customary afternoon performance, as the scenery is being set up for the opening night of La Vestale. The past few days have been a furious succession of [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 8
I’ve settled myself down in modest but adequate lodgings in Istanbul and get into the habit of a daily stroll just after sun down. It’s a five minute walk down to the Bosphorus where a [more…]
19th Century
Milestones in Nineteenth Century Firearms Development, Part Eight
Introduction During the first half of the 19th century great leaps forward were made in firearms technology and by the 1870s soldiers who 50 years earlier would have been supplied with flintlock, smoothbore muskets were [more…]
19th Century
A Bear’s Diary – Part 11
September 5th, 1809. It has been a busy month. Our aimless wanderings took us to Guildford, where we have been encamped in a tumbledown barn. The farmer is quite content with our presence, as we [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 7
We’re off to Lille as a family group. We’re travelling by train the length of England from the Bad Lands to the White Cliffs of Dover. And, dear reader, if you will allow me to [more…]