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…]
Hobbies
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…]
19th Century
Milestones in Nineteenth Century Firearms Development, Part Seven
Introduction By the 1860s it had become obvious that the days of the muzzle loading firearm were numbered and that any government that failed to re-arm its troops with breechloaders would quickly be left behind [more…]
19th Century
A Bear’s Diary – Part 10
July 15th, 1809. After our success at Carlton House it would be tempting to expect offers from impresarios of the leading London theatres eager to stage our performance. But we have been – bears and [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 6
We’re travelling the length of England from the Debatable lands to the white cliffs. We’re on the way to Lille but I’ve been distracted by an Arab girl who reminds me of an excellent pen, [more…]