'In the Troops’ Quarters outside Paris'

by Anton von Werner

This is actually a really beautiful picture.

We can see the lady and daughter of the house in the background, obviously and understandably concerned that their home (not to mention their country) has been invaded by German soldiers. And yet at the same time the artist gives us every reason to be optimistic. Though they are making a bit of a mess, as soldiers (and young men generally) tend to, and though they are apparently helping themselves to the firewood, the men here come across as cheerful, well-meaning fellows who have not smashed the place up. (The ornaments on the chimney-piece are still clearly intact.) A couple of soldiers are relaxing and having a drink, one is singing, one is making up the fire, and one is playing the piano. (”We are not all barbarians!”) And one, perhaps most “relaxed” of all, seems to have changed into the tunic and cap of his old university fraternity, as if in expectation of further singing and beer and fellowship - though for now he is content with a quiet smoke next to the fire.

Another soldier, in the background, seems to be apologetically explaining to their hostess that all this is only temporary, and things should be back to normal soon…

'Portrait of T E Lawrence'

[Henry Scott Tuke]

Actually Rory Stewart's mini hagiography of Lawrence, of which I saw the second part this evening, was quite engaging and he himself comes across as an impressive figure. On the other hand, there was more than a whiff of not just self-justification from Stewart, given his own small part in Britain's most recent balls-up in Iraq, and even a spot of exorcising of personal demons.

Controversial? Moi?



Genevieve Morton

 

[Sports Illustrated]

Cheeky Boy

Big boys and little boys together are always a joy.

The bigger boy revels in his superiority, and yet at the same time here he is allowed, however briefly or vicariously, to enjoy the freedom and irresponsibility of what it was to be a little kid again. And the little boy in his turn looks forward excitedly to when he will be tall and strong and clever, and yet at the same time is himself revelling in this brief opportunity to be cheeky to the older boy and get one over on him.

A brief moment, captured on camera, that will nonetheless probably last no longer than when the camera is lowered again! The two boys will go back to their respective worlds, and a moment of sweetness and boyishness will have passed away.

Meanwhile, in the States...

Modern America is little more than a degraded and degenerate shadow of its former self, and now even the old elites such as the military and the Ivy League universities are starting to show it. But West Point presumably does still have some excellent young men who are proud to serve their country at each other's sides.