Royal Mistresses-II

Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) The mistress of Louis XV of whom Carlyle wrote, ‘of whom it is not proper to speak without necessity’ was however an exceptional woman. After Encyclopaedia was banned without her active intervention the Enlightenment as a movement could not have got its potential as it did. She was on friendly terms [...]

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Anecdotes: Royal Mistresses of King Louis XV

On their first night Louis XV said reproachfully to his mistress Countess d’Esparbes,”you have slept with every one of my subjects!” Bashfully she said,”Oh Sire!” “You have had the Duc de Choiseul.” “He is so powerful.” “The Marechal de Richelieu.” “He is so witty.” “Monville.” “He has such beautiful legs.” “Very well, but what about [...]

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Dragon’s inkwell-extra virgin

Mashhad and Shahid are two upright grave stones. In the night the spirit of the Turkish Sultan sends his factotum for 72 virgins and what he gets is a crate of olive oil,- it is nothing compared to the excuse his valet gives. ‘Oh Mighty one you are a man of superior tastes. So I [...]

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W. B Yeats-anecdote

At Dublin’s Abbey Theater, poet-playwright Yeats was searching for a particular effect for a glorious sunset. He wanted realism and he coaxed the electricians to try harder with the colors and equipments at their disposal to come up with the effect he could approve. The technicians did all that they could and their experiments at [...]

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Mulla Nasruddin Stories

Old and terminally ill Mulla Nasruddin knew days were coming to an end. To his astonishment he had a visitor all the way from Hindustan. Munshi Abdel Khader spoke about Golgonda and fantastic features of Moghul India. ‘I am a scholar and I am paid from the State treasury by string of pearls,’ Mulla asked [...]

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Theatrical Types-anecdotes

Sir. Herbert Beerbohm- Tree (1853-1917) Hesketh Pearson, the writer was waiting at His Majesty’s Theater for Herbert-Tree. There was also another gentleman waiting for him. Finally Beerbohm-Tree came and flung himself in a chair between them. ‘Consider yourself introduced,’ he said looking at the ceiling, ‘because I only remember one of your names and that [...]

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News of the World: in retro

If News of the World came to its end in scandal its beginnings were not auspicious either. It always had the taint of certain evil star as though it was conceived between a rake-hell who put up the means and the chambermaid the topics of interest. Frederick Greenwood (1830-1909)who was the editor of Pall Mall [...]

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War of Words-3 anecdotes

Samuel Foote (1720-1777) wit, actor and dramatist Charles Howard of Greystock published ‘Thoughts’ a book that was lightweight and of not much merit. He met Samuel Foote at a coffee-house and asked if he had read it. Samuel Foote excused himself saying that he was waiting for his second volume. ‘Why is that? Charles wanted [...]

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War of Words-2 anecdotes

Jonathan Swift ((1667-1745) When literary luminaries like Addison and Swift were in full flow of their talents, the literati used to assemble at Burton’s coffee house. (around 1710). Dean swift was quiet new to the place. English men of letters were quite taken aback at the oddity of his manners and Addison and others were [...]

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War of Words- anecdote

Ben Jonson the poet (1572-1632) was once challenged by Sylvester who challenged him to rhyme with ‘I John Sylvester, Lay with your sister.’ Jonson came up with this ‘I, Ben Jonson, Lay with your wife.’ Sylvester answered,’This is not rhyme.’ Jonson admitted it was so.’But it is true.’ benny

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