EUSTON ROAD
The statue is Eduardo Paolozzi’s
bronze Isaac Newton, inspired by William Blake’s image.
The British Library is one of
the largest in the world and is estimated to have around 200 million items.
Thankfully, they’ve thoughtfully exhibited all the best bits in one hall of
treasures. This is free and takes about an hour – unless you are one of those
people who likes to read everything (good luck with Dickens handwriting).
There’s a nice café with indoor and outdoor seating and a great gift shop.
Surprisingly you’re allowed to photograph many of the historic manuscripts – but only on your phone so I’m afraid some of the images are not great quality.
Magna Carta (1215): This legendary
document was created to establish the principle that everyone (including King
John) was subject to the rule of law. Although most of its clauses have been repealed
it is still considered the cornerstone of the British Constitution and has
become an international symbol of individual freedom and human rights. This is
one of two copies the British Library holds. It was discovered in a tailor’s
shop and, being parchment, would likely have been cut up to insert in collars.
At least thirteen copies of the Magna Carta existed of which four survive. The
other two are in Salisbury Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. The text is tiny, and
in Latin.
There’s a large tapestry in the entrance hall of the British Library by artist R B Kitay – someone I’d never heard of. But it turns out the world’s most expensive Post-it Note is also a work by Kitay. It is called After Rembrandt and was sold at auction for £640.
Spencer
Silver, co-inventor of the yellow Post-It note, was actually attempting to
produce an adhesive strong enough to be used in aircraft construction which
unsurprisingly never got off the ground. It is estimated that between 30-50% of
inventions are accidental e.g. matches, penicillin, microwave ovens, X-rays,
safety glass, Teflon, Viagra (don’t ask), corn flakes, bubble wrap.
I take
lunch in the British Library café which is very quiet. Well, it is a library.
But, having only just been allowed to open after lockdown, also quiet in the
sense that only around 30 of London’s 9.5 million population are there. So it’s
a huge coincidence to bump into my neighbour Shahid. He informs me he’s a
registered reader and is there studying ancient African texts (or something like
that). I’m very impressed. I sense he’s equally impressed when I reveal I’m
there because Euston Road is on the Monopoly board.
The Rocket
This
statue of George Stephenson’s son Robert had stood on the forecourt of Euston
Station since 1871. But it is currently mothballed until HS2 is finished.
Robert Stephenson’s achievements as an engineer arguably exceeded those of his
father. He built the London and Birmingham railway which ran from Euston to
Curzon Street Station and was a leading light in a golden age of British
engineering. He died in 1859, just a few days after the death of Isambard
Kingdom Brunel, and is buried in Westminster Abbey next to Thomas Telford.
St Pancras
New Church
Napoleon Bonaparte’s toothbrush has
a silver gilt handle and horse hair bristles. He used opium-based toothpaste.
Lord Nelson’s cut-throat razor would have required a considerable amount of
dexterity for a man with one arm. You could easily have your eye out with one
of those.
Dear Mick,
I enjoyed Lydia's playing. There is a vacancy for a keyboard player in the Wallies as well as a drummer!
Best wishes,
Martin
Dear Mick,
ReplyDeleteI expect Dr Lydia is one of those very annoying people who can hear a song once then play it perfectly by ear. We do already have a sax player, and he can only play by ear. We play him the song, tell him where to start, and off he goes. I'll check out the Roebucks.
We had a slight problem at our gig at the Wallington Methodist Church last Monday. The other band, Papa Ratsy, finished their set with Psycho KIller. It was a great version! There was a very slow build up whilst the lead singer went offstage to get into his "costume". He appeared in a white lab coat, covered in fake blood with Psycho in large red letters on the back, and a white mask. Perhaps carrying a fake chainsaw covered in red was a bridge too far? Anyway several of the audience complained afterwards and one very religious person was deeply offended by the performance.
So now we have to have our setlists vetted for satanic references, blasphemy, sex and violence. Perhaps this will rule out Sympathy for the Devil, or anything by Black Sabbath?
Best wishes,
Martin
Martin - Love your story. Yep, Dr Lydia can play by ear. She's Dr Lydia, because she's actually a junior doctor and adding her title avoids confusion with another Lydia Chang in the family. I have to say Dr Lydia the Night Tripper has a certain ring to it.
ReplyDelete- Mick