Books & Arts opener – 19 February 2015
The Spectator
Thursday
The Spectator at war: Distinguished service
From ‘News of the Week’, The Spectator, 20 February 1915: We are very glad to see that the Admiralty have rewarded the captain and crew of the merchant steamer ‘Laertes,’ which skilfully escaped from a German submarine attack last week. Although his vessel was unarmed and rather slow, Captain Propert came through unhurt both by
From the archives | 19 February 2015
From ‘The psychology of drill’, The Spectator, 20 February 1915: One is tempted to divide all men under drill into two classes — the precipitate and the tardy. Every one who has listened to a drill instructor’s words knows that the first part of a command is cautionary. For instance, in ‘Right-turn’ there is a
Wednesday
The Spectator at war: Settling the bill
From ‘The Finance of the War’, The Spectator, 20 February 1915: According to Mr. Lloyd George’s estimate, the three Allied Powers together will have expended on war purposes by December 31st next something like £2,000,000,000. British expenditure, he estimates, will exceed that of each of the other two Powers by something between £100,000,000 and £150,000,000.
Monday
The Spectator at war: A damp squib
From ‘News of the Week’, The Spectator, 20 February 1915: The great event of the week ought to have been the beginning of the blockade by Germany of the whole of the shores of the British Islands. Strangely enough, however, Der Tag passed in complete calm, and we are now informed by German wireless that
Sunday
The Spectator at war: Labour problems
From ‘Labour Problems and the War’, The Spectator, 13 February 1915: The ultimate object of all Trade Union regulations is to improve the pecuniary position of the wage-earner. How far that object is attained by Trade Union methods is a matter of very keen controversy. There are economists, like the late Mr. T. S. Cree,
Saturday
The Spectator at war: Open markets
From News of the Week, The Spectator, 13 February 1915: In the House of Commons on Thursday Mr. Asquith made three notable announcements. In future Sir John French will send twice a week a communication summarizing the doings of the British Force. Evidently “Todgers’s can do it when it likes.” Next Mr. Asquith explained that
Friday
The Spectator at war: The last full measure of devotion
From ‘Prohibition in Scotland during the war’, The Spectator, 13 February 1915: WE note with great interest the movement which is gathering strength in Scotland in favour of prohibition during the war. Let us say at once that, provided a well-marked majority of the representatives of the Scottish constituencies support the movement, we not only
Thursday
Horses 2
‘I expect they’ll turn him into lasagne.’
Snapchat
‘They used to hit each other, now they just Snapchat.’
Glencoe
Fifty Shades
‘It’s so I don’t have to watch Fifty Shades of Grey.’
Fool
‘A word of warning: he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.’
Green 2
Catastrophe
‘Shouldn’t there be a catastrophe in that sentence?’
Banking
Results
‘My results have come back. It’s bad news.’
Bravery
‘...goes to Jack Benson, who, without provocation, turned off his mobile for 24 hours.’
Balls 3
‘Taxi for somebody!’
Boss
‘We will of course keep you fully uninformed.’