Feeding the Curious Mind
She Snuffed It – Literally
What is snuff? For those who don’t know, it is powdered tobacco and was the forerunner to smoking cigarettes. There are still snuff takers but it has fallen out in popularity over the years. Just as cigarettes can become an addiction, so could sniffing up snuff. In fact, in past years, it was classified inContinue reading “She Snuffed It – Literally”
My New Address is Buckingham Palace
Over the years there have been a few occasions when someone has tried to get inside Buckingham Palace in order to see the Queen. With the exception of one famous episode when an intruder got into the Queen’s bedroom and for a time talked to her before help arrived and he was arrested, most attemptsContinue reading “My New Address is Buckingham Palace”
Red Lion Square or Red Blood Square?
Just north of Holborn Tube station is Red Lion Square. There is nothing particularly amazing about it, nor is there anything bad about it. It is made up of period houses, some new office buildings and a building of note which holds talks and other events; the Conway Hall. However, the origin of Red LionContinue reading “Red Lion Square or Red Blood Square?”
Prisoner of Art
A strange title. Could it mean an artist who was so caught up in his profession that it almost imprisoned him from doing other things? No. What it means is that it should be taken more literally. This is about an artist who was commissioned by City of London to design a statue of QueenContinue reading “Prisoner of Art”
Money Maketh the Miser
Money maketh the man is the correct saying but in some cases, it appears to have the opposite effect. The more money you earn or inherit, the more-stingy you become. And this applies to the miser as well as most others he or she would meet. In addition, the condition can affect whole families andContinue reading “Money Maketh the Miser”
Mall or Shopping Mall? It’s All a Game
The Mall in Central London is the long straight road that leads from Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and down to Buckingham Palace. To the south side, we have St James’s Park and to the north, rather grand-looking buildings which includes other palaces, government conference centres and an art gallery to mention but a few.Continue reading “Mall or Shopping Mall? It’s All a Game”
Last in Class
I have it fairly good authority that the following story is true. And if so, I’m a little bit concerned it might give the railway companies of today some ideas that were put into operation by their forebears. This is a story about class which immediately takes us to the Victorian era. But, is thisContinue reading “Last in Class”
It’s Not Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey has stood in Westminster for hundreds of years. Thousands of tourists and locals visit it every year. It is one of the most recognisable buildings in London and would be near the top of any list of attractions. However, there is one slight problem with all this. And that is, it is notContinue reading “It’s Not Westminster Abbey”
Good Luck. Break a Leg!
The term “Break a Leg” has been around in the theatrical world since the eighteenth century. It is often said to an actor who is about to go on stage and is meant to be a sign of good luck. It’s a strange thing to say, you might think, but like most things, there isContinue reading “Good Luck. Break a Leg!”
Dr Graham’s Celestial Bed
Today, doctors undergo a lot of training and study before they are even allowed near patients. And even then, they have further years of experience to acquire before they lose the term Junior Doctor. But that wasn’t always the case. If we go back to the eighteenth century, even those doctors who had been trainedContinue reading “Dr Graham’s Celestial Bed”
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John Pullen 