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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Archive through April 27, 2001
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Media: Specific Titles:
Ripper Magazines & Newsletters:
The Cloak & Dagger Club -- Ripperologist:
Archive through April 27, 2001
Author: Adam Wood
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 08:12 pm |        | I've had some requests for more information on the Club:
The Cloak and Dagger Club was founded in 1995 to study all aspects of Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel Murders of 1888 - the suspects, the policemen, the victims and the theories. The Club also aims to promote the history of Whitechapel and Spitalfields.
The Club holds six meetings per year with guest speakers. These fall on the first Saturday of February, April, June, August, October and December.
The Club meets at The City Darts, 40-42 Commercial Street, London E1. Telephone 0171 247 3566.
The Club publishes Ripperologist, a magazine which contains news, views and articles about the case and the history of the area.
An annual subscription tothe magazine costs £15 (£20 for two partners). Cheques/ Postal Orders made payable to The Cloak and Dagger Club should be sent to the address below.
For this you will receive the current issue of Ripperologist, the following six issues and a membership card for the Cloak and Dagger Club. You will be able to attend Club meetings.
Non-members interested in attending meetings can alternatively attend without becoming a member, for which there is a £5 charge (a copy of Ripperologist is included).
Talks commence at 8.00pm.
The meeting room at The City Darts opens at 7.00-pm, but many members meet earlier during the day at The City Darts for food and discussion.
Cloak and Dagger Club
66 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1V 7DF
Telephone +44 171 437 0854
email paul.daniel@virgin.net |
Author: June Atherton
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 08:13 pm | | | What subjects are in the pipeline for the meetings in the future. |
Author: adam wood
Sunday, 07 February 1999 - 03:20 pm | | The speaker at the next meeting of The Cloak and Dagger Club (10 April) will be Mike Barrett, in conversation with Keith Skinner.
If anyone has any questions they would like to submit could you please email them to me, and they'll be passed to Keith for perusal.
Many thanks
Adam |
Author: adam wood
Wednesday, 24 February 1999 - 04:06 pm | | I'm please to announce that work is nearly finished on The Cloak and Dagger Club Web site.
You can find out details on the Club, access sample articles form back issues, and read the proceedings of previous meetings. There are also links to many other sites, and a chat room devoted to aspects of the Club.
At the moment I'm still working on putting up the articles themselves, but it's in good enough shape for you to access the site now.
One snag is that the site's on Geocities, so a banner ad pops up on each page. The simplest thing is to minimise this ad.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/7020
Please give me your feedback
Adam |
Author: Ashling
Thursday, 25 February 1999 - 01:36 pm | | ADAM --- Where have you been all my life? : ) Seriously, the links on the C & D Club's Web site are a gold mine. How did you know I've been searching unsucessfully for People of the Abyss? I skimmed the whole book tonight, the photos are truly fabulous!
I bookmarked C & D, will visit often. Attaboy, Goodonya, & all that stuff -- for your hard work. Thanks.
Take care,
Ashling |
Author: adam
Thursday, 25 February 1999 - 07:35 pm | | Hi Ashling
Glad we could provide something useful!
If you or anyone comes across any sites thst might be of interest to someone else, please let me know.
PB has supplied me with 20-odd tenuous JTR links. Watch out for them!
Adam |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 25 February 1999 - 09:11 pm | | If anyone wants a quick and easy download of "The People of the Abyss", without the illustrations, may I suggest:
http://www.thalasson.com/gtn/gtnletL.htm#londonja
Hard-core Ripperphiles will also note that the same sight contains some work by Richard HArding Davies. |
Author: adam wood
Tuesday, 24 October 2000 - 08:07 am | | 
The October issue of Ripperologist has been published.
Contents include a report by Stewart Evans of his visit to the set of From Hell. We exclusively publish some of his photographs. There's a look at Christ Church, Spitalfields, and a report on a Mary Jane Kelly who bears striking parallels with the Ripper's victim. We also have an analysis of the rare Ripper movie Room To Let by Cindy Collins Smith. Other features include the copyrighting of the name Sherlock Holmes.
More details are available on the
Ripperologist site.
Click here to subscribe now! |
Author: Paul Begg
Wednesday, 18 April 2001 - 03:33 am | | | Anyone interested in more information about Ripperologist might like to go to http://casebook.org/books/book_reviews/periodicals/ripperologist.html |
Author: Martin Fido
Wednesday, 18 April 2001 - 06:58 am | | Or, better still, order the current number as a sample and enjoy the editor's wonderful musings on William McGonagall.
Quite seriously, Paul Begg's quarterly essays are a delight, which I look foreard to as Queen Anne must have looked forward to Addison or Steele's latest coming up with her hot chocolate in the morning.
Martin the Sincere Flatterer |
Author: Paul Begg
Wednesday, 18 April 2001 - 07:31 am | | I am genuinely humbled by your generous words, Martin, and can offer nothing in return but to promise to try and improve the other two essays that appear in a magazine that provides a healthy helping of Ripper news and views and related information six times a year, not, er, quarterly. Thus subscribers do get excellent value for their money  |
Author: Tom Wescott
Wednesday, 18 April 2001 - 11:22 am | | Hello all,
Who here has the latest issue of 'Ripperologist'? I thought the cover was great...much better than the last two. It's a shame that Des McKenna's series of articles has come to a close. Those were fun. I also like the article by that Thomas C. Westcott guy. His name is very similar to mine, the difference being that I only have 2 t's in my last name. What a coincidence!
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. I'm just joshing you, Paul. I do think you should consider reimbursing Martin some of his subscription money since he's only been receiving four issues a year. The nerve! |
Author: Paul Begg
Wednesday, 18 April 2001 - 11:30 am | | My profoundest apologies for getting your name wrong. We were so rushed getting to the printer on time that a proper proof read wasn't possible, otherwise we'd have picked that up. Otherwise, thanks for the kind remarks.
I am assured that Martin has been sent six copies, so I can only assume that his wife has hidden two of them; she's probably concerned that too much of a good thing is bad for a man of Martin's age. (...Old enough too hear original broadcasts of Bandwagon indeed!) |
Author: Martin Fido
Wednesday, 18 April 2001 - 02:48 pm | | And my apologies to all for 'correcting' my original and correct word 'bi-monthly' to the erroneous 'quarterly'. The magazine's so good it just seems an intolerably long time between each issue...
Martin |
Author: Tom Wescott
Tuesday, 24 April 2001 - 10:13 pm | | Paul,
Just an offer of help. If you need any assistance in proof-reading in the future, don't hesitate to ask me. Please do not be fooled by my writing on these boards. I am actually a decent proof-reader and I'd love to help.
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. At least this way I could guarantee my name would get spelled right! |
Author: Paul Begg
Wednesday, 25 April 2001 - 02:33 am | | Hi Tim
Many thanks for the offer, Jim. I may take you up on it. And, of course, I'd welcome and futher articles from you. And actually it is spelt correctly on the contents page.
Cheers
Paul
|
Author: Tom Wescott
Wednesday, 25 April 2001 - 11:16 pm | | Rauol,
You are right, my name was indeed spelled correctly 2 out of 4 times in the last issue. I suppose I should at least be thankful that I'm getting my full 6 issues a year (unlike Martin)! Also, while I've got you I wanted to give you my opinion about your reviews. Personally, I don't think doing reviews about books totally unrelated to the Ripper is a good idea. For instance, I wouldn't pick up Popular Mechanics to read a review of a recipe book. Instead of doing that I think you should start having people review old, obscure books that actually relate either to the Ripper or the East End of the Victorian era. There's a ton of them out there. This would give people a chance to find out about reference and research material they've never heard of before. Ripperana has been lambasted for doing too much 'non-Ripper' stuff. I wouldn't want to see you do the same. The mag is great, don't get me wrong. I'll always be a subscriber, but I never figured out why there was a big article on the Krays a few issues back. I'd never heard of them before and from what I've read they weren't even born until long after the Ripper crimes and they were gangsters, not serial killers. Yes, their turf was the East End, but I didn't see the correlation. Same with Miss Nina. I feel bad saying all of this because I don't want you to think I'm ragging. I'm not. I'm just giving my own humble opinion. I still say that anyone on these boards who doesn't already subscribe and isn't thinking about subscribing should be banned. Same goes for Ripper Notes.
Is Des McKenna planning any more features like the awesome and entertaining 'Hunt For the Ripper'? Stawell Heard's Druitt article of a couple of issues back is still one of the best I've read. I felt like I was there. The earthquake article was cool, as well. Is he going to do a follow up? Will we get to hear some more about the mighty Condor? Could I do some reviews? Let us know!!
Yours truly,
Dr. Wynne Westcott |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:24 am | | Dear Dr Wink Westcott:
I have always enjoyed those tantalizing letters you wrote to the Boss. Keep it up. I know you will.
Please be aware Raoul has to fill up the pages of the Rip with summut, as Jon Schmyth might say, and Raoul has offered to review my War of 1812 book which is utterly Non-Ripper-related, although hopefully in the new issue there will be an article by me on Saucy Jack that will tie the two disparate topics together.
Best regards
Major Crisp Gorge, MC, OBE  |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 03:10 am | | Arthur/Chris
Well, it isn't so much a matter of filling up the magazine (which rarely seems a problem), but of keeping founder Mark Galloway's original concept clearly in mind. Ripperologist and the Cloak and Dagger Club were originally intended to embrace the study of the Ripper and the history of the East End of London and Victorian history as a whole. It is different from Ripperana in that it is a history magazine centralised around the Ripper case, whereas Ripperanais a true crime magazine centralised around the Ripper case. This often presents us with a lot of awkward editorial decisions when it comes to deciding what can and cannot be included.
However, from the feedback I get and from knowing the people who attend the C&D it is very clear to me that Ripperologist's readers are in the main highly intelligent, book reading and book buying people with a broad-based interest in history, particularly assorted historical mysteries and in oddball historical characters. Reviewing any books that might fall within the fairly broad net of the magazine is therefore providing a service, making the magazine of more interest to the general reader (important when it comes to our retail sales) and, I think, generally appreciated by the readership as a whole. So whilst I wouldn't publish and article about, say, Robin Hood or King Arthur, I will review new books on those and a wide variety of other subjects, and I will review a new book on almost any subject by a person who is known in the Ripper field. We don't review true crime books unless there is a serial killer or East End connection, but this may slightly change to embrace selected very famous cases where some mystery is involved (say Lizzie Borden or Constance Kent), but I don't know yet.
So, perhaps answering your excellent point at a little greater length than perhaps I should have done, the Rip is a history magazine focused primarily on Jack the Ripper, on the East End at all periods and on the Victorian period in and around the second half of the 19th c. I am fairly rigid that articles must be Ripper related or be well-researched pieces about the time (like Stawell Heard's excellent piece on the little-known East End Earthquake), but we'll consider reviewing anything that is likely to be of interest to more than one person (unless that one person happens to be me, in which case I may allow myself an editor's perk! The reviewed books usually focus on Ripper fact, Ripper fiction, East End fact and East End fiction, Victorian, Crime, and finally and oddity or two of interest. I might sometime include a review of something absolutely off topic as light relief (but not Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue).
The Krays, of course, are famous East End villains who dominated the area in the 1960s and who were, I suppose, among the last of the true East End gangs whose origins go back well before the Ripper's day. The funeral of Reg Kray was probably the last of the major East End funerals and an historic event - and unfortunately you will be seeing reviews of a fair few Kray related books in the Rip in coming months as friends and enemies of the twins alike put their reminiscences to paper. It is, however, all colour to the history of an area of London with a long and incredible history. And if this broader base for the magazine enables us to support upwards of 60 pages six times a year and give a platform for well-written articles about every aspect of the Ripper case, I for one say GREAT!
We do have a column featuring a Ripper collectable, but maybe some sort of blast from the past review might be a good idea. I'll give it some thought. How would you see it?
All the best
Ambrosius Aurelianus |
Author: Caroline Anne Morris
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 07:58 am | | Dear Ambrose,
I find the fact that you philately refuse to review Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue utterly reprehensible and indefensible. Why should a poor honest gal, interested in all things Victorian, be deprived of the latest opinion on her dear old dad's humble penny blacks?
Love,
Carrotty Caz |
Author: John Omlor
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 08:14 am | | Dear Ambrosia,
Are you quite sure that neither Robin Hood nor King Arthur were Masons? Can you prove this?
Yours, etc.
Brave Sir Robin
Camelot ("it's only a model") |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 08:36 am | | Dear Car and Ron
Er, if Stanley Gibbons produce a catalogue of Victorian stamps, I would probably include it.
Robin Hood and King Arthur were both Masons, as must be perfectly obvious, it being the only explanation why there are stone things with their names on. They were also both tea shop owners, postmasters, car park attendants and gift shop proprietors. I know this for a FACT because I have seen with my own eyes King Arthur's Tea Shoppe (cream teas a speciality!), King Arthur's Post Office, King Arthur's Car Park and King Arthur's Gift Shoppe (all ditto Robin Hood).
All the best
Ambrosius Creamed Rice |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 08:49 am | | Hi, Carrotty Caz:
I sympathize with you over Sir Ambrosius Aurelianus's cruel refusal to ruminate on your Papa's Penny Blacks. As a recently deceased U.S. poet once observed, here in the United States we have the advantage that many of our stamps have politicians on them. We are thus able to lick their backsides and thump 'em on the heads.
Dear Sir Ambrosius:
My wife and I recently purchased a sandwich at a local supermarket here in Baltimore. True bill, Boss, if you care to use the following as a letter to the Rip, please do so. As previously remarked, we know you have to fill up the pages with summat, and this sandwich has as good a filler as any. A note of explanation: a Cloak and Dagger is a type of Yankee sandwich with corned beef and cole slaw, usually served on rye bread. The supermarket receipt read in summary as follows:
EDDIES SUPERMARKET
1 Cloak and Dagger
Checkout Clerk: Jack
Best regards
Sir Crispin George-Yard
P.S. Has the First Cuckoo in Spring arrived yet, Boss? |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 09:50 am | | Regularly for a couple of weeks in the village where I live - wonderful, especially as we had a nightingale here recently. It sang at the end of a short alley called Jack's Passage. Somehow "A Nightingale Sang Up Jack's Passage" didn't quite have the same ring about it as Berkley Square, which I suppose proves that location is everything. Would George Peppard and Audrey Hepburn have had the same success if their movie had been called "Breakfast At H. Samuels"?
I wish I hadn't mentioned Stanley Gibbons now.  |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 10:16 am | | Dear Boss:
Your point about "A Nightingale Sang Up Jack's Passage" is taken under advisement. Take two of Dr. Tumblety's pills twice a day and call us in the morning.
We also note your dilemma over Stanley Gibbons. All codding aside, Boss, we might suggest that, although philately will get us everywhere, something might be written about the existing stamps on the envelopes of the JtR letters. Also, numismatically speaking, if you will allow me to change mounts in midstream, since we hear so often about the Poor of the East End, a piece on the Maundy money given to the poor, including presumably East Enders in 1888 or at least in that era, might make for a fascinating Rip subject. Additionally, what was the going rate for prostitutes in the East End? I have heard the term "shilling knee tremblers" but also that a couple of coppers would buy a glass of gin or a bed for the night in a doss house. If this has not been covered in El Rippo I suggest that it be.
I am your obediant servant
C. T. G. Smiths-Crisps, L.L.D. |
Author: Caroline Anne Morris
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 11:09 am | | Dear Cris P Bacon,
I had a couple of coppers once - not at the same time though, or up a passage, and I didn't use them to get gin. I eventually swapped them for eight far things - I think.
I am - I think,
Carrotty |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 11:12 am | | Dear Whole World and those strange alien thing who stole Al Bundy's socks...
I'm happy to open the pages of El Rippo to an informed and well-researched article about relative monetary values in the East End of 1888 and if Mr Funky Gibbons wanted to produce an article about the stamps (though a short one) I'd up for that 'n all. When shall I pencil you in Crisp?
Cheers
Philosan For Over 40s. |
Author: Tom Wescott
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 11:16 am | | Paul and Chris,
You make a very good point, Paul. If that format is working well for you, then far be it from me to suggest a change. As to the idea of publishing reviews of non-Ripper books by well-known Ripper personalities, like Chris' upcoming book, I think that's a great idea as it would indeed have appeal to the readers. I'm afraid my ignorance showed in my last post. I am a rather new subscriber to the magazine and, living in America, have not been able to attend the C&D meetings, so I wasn't aware that the original pulse of the club was one not only of Ripper history but East End history in general. I, personally, like the idea of East End historical articles, like Heard's. I might even write some myself. I just thought the Kray stuff, since it happen so many years later, bore no relevance to the Ripper case. But, as I always say, it's all good. And I shouldn't forget to mention that I really liked the cover this time out. Keep 'em comin'!!
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 11:51 am | | Dear Sir Ambrosia:
I think we are developing a very funny thread here as well as talking about some important issues in regard to the direction of the magazine. I will keep the philatelic and numismatic options under my billycock for now. I think the former idea of a short article on the stamps on the Ripper letters might be developed in cooperation with Messrs. Evans and Skinner now that their treatise on the nasty letters in the mail is nearing the light of day. Also the Maundy topic might be researchable through the columns of the press, I think. I will check it out. Thanks for your encouragement.
Rev. H. M. St. Wenceslaus Deepandcrispandeven
Vicar, St. Margaret of the Moggies, Whitechapel |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:17 pm | | Wenceslaus? That's the new variety at Pizza Hut isn't it - Deep pan, crisp and even?
Anchovy and tuna!
Blast! |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:22 pm | | To the Editor -
You wouldn't know it from all the backscratching going on here, but I am told there is another Rip magazine, though the poor bloke who edits it can only afford to put it out quarterly (it used to be regularly, but he's been stopped up lately). I wonder how they are doing?
Tom - I know you and I discussed the same point about the range of articles in RN, Rip and Ripperana, and I see the editor-in-chief (aka dux bellorum, aka pundit for hire) has seconded my point. There's a lot to be said about Saucy Jack, but it does all tend to run out after a while (much like a bath when you pull the plug), so eventually you have to write about something else. But in the world of the GVM (copyrighted 2001, do not use without express permission of Major League Baseball), there are always virgins (no, not those, lads and lasses, sit down) and the same topics come back like the buzzards to Hinckley or the Freemasons to ritual murder. Almost everything that's being said on the message boards is a reworking of earlier stuff, so like a vindaloo takeaway, it all returns if you only wate a whil longer.
Now, for instance, two books I plan to review (either for Rip or that other lovely magazine whose name I forget for the nonce) are Stanley Weintraub's "Edward the Caresser" and Nicholson Baker's "Double Fold." The first is a biography of Edward VII, so you can have the Prince Eddy / Jack connection there, and the second is about the wanton destruction of newspaper archives, so it's of interest to Ripper researchers. Everything has a Ripper connection, if you only look.
What, I may ask, is the connection between St Stephen the Martyr and Jack the Ripper? Dinner at the Frog and Firkin and dancing with entertainment by Chalky Aftertaste and His Musical Poltroons for anyone who gets it. Do you get it? Can you dig it? Is there anybody in there?
What IS that other Ripper magazine?
Yours, &c.
Mr T.P. O'Connell, The Boss, Ph.D., RCMP, FRCS, NYUK, late Indian Army, early for opening time |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:26 pm | | Hi, Sir Ambrosia:
Sorry to bring up the topic of your late lamented comestibles. Actually, no, Anchovy and Tuna were second on the bill to Marie Lloyd on 30 September 1888. It was a Double Bill, as you may recall. I understand Mr. A. Aliffe has a short treatise waiting in the wings.
With my best felicitudes to Judy and Sioban, and my trust that they will stop you pestering Pizza Hut to bring the Deep Pan, Crisp and Even.
Count Mario Pepperoni |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:34 pm | | Pepperoni now! This is gross ccruelty. Somebody is bound to raise the subject of four cheese...
cruel, cruel world.
Now I must really apply myself to making some Ripper notes...
Now that rings a very fine bell somewhere. Ripper Notes, Ripper Notes...
Ripper Notes. Ah! |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:41 pm | | Greetings Mr. T.P.:
Which reminds me, did you hear the one about the Indian who drowned in his teepee? 
Well, T.P., I see you slipped in the stagedoor I was warbling one of the Gay arias from The Beggar's Opera.
Now, what was the title of that other wee magazine? Ripper Motes? Aye, I believe so, and if our Dear Readers would care to enter the portals of http://www.casebook-productions.org/ they can sample the delectable delights of said wee publication. What was it, now, laddie, Nipper Rotes? Ah, nay, mon, try Ripper Notes!
Yours truly
Maj. Gen. Haggis MacRipper
Black Watch (Retd.) |
Author: Caroline Anne Morris
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 12:57 pm | | Hi Cris P Pancakes,
That Indian had a wigwam too. I heard he was Two Tents (too tense - gerrit?)
Love,
Caz
PS Ripper Notes are FAB |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 07:38 pm | | Dear Ms. Morris-Dancer:
Thank you so much for your kind FAB gear words for Ripper Notes. Mishter Cee Emm Dee and I greatly appreciate it. While we do not publish with the frequency of Mishter Begg and Ripperologist, we view his publication as being of such high quality that it cannot fail to be a model. Beggy sets a high standard for those of us at Ripper Notes to attempt to emulate as the premier periodical on the Whitechapel murders on this side of the Atlantic.
Mishter Christopher T. George
Co-Editor-in-Residence, Ripper Notes
Baltimore, Maryland, USA, site of the Second U.S. Jack the Ripper Conference April 19-21, 2002
http://www.casebook-productions.org/ |
Author: Tom Wescott
Thursday, 26 April 2001 - 10:30 pm | | Editors,
Review whatever you want. It's all good. Personally, I'd love to review Stewart's upcoming book for one of your magazines since the letters are a primary interest of mine and, believe it or not, I'm still very open-minded on the subject.
Paul,
Do they have Pizza Hut's in England? I thought you guys only ate fish and chips? And what the hell is mutton, anyway?
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. Whatever happened to 'Ripperoo' which I read about some time ago. And what happened to Stephen Wright's 'Whitechapel Journal' which was the first Ripper periodical I subscribed to and the reason I didn't subscribe to any others for so long. |
Author: Paul Begg
Friday, 27 April 2001 - 03:56 am | | Mutton is a very cheap cut of lamb and is the prime consituent of local dishes such as Scouse, a stew from Liverpool which, if cooked correctly, beats all hell out of anything else, except, perhaps, a proper Irish stew accompanied by a pint of Guinness. Sadly, the decline of proper butchers in favour of supermarket butchers where only the best cuts are on sale, mutton is now difficult to get hold of in many places and has to be ordered, which in turn makes it expensive. There is, I think, a small irony to be found in the fact that food of the peasants, like Scouse and oysters, will be and in the latter case already are the food of the wealthy.
And the United States has indeed infected the world with such havens gastronimic pleasure as Pizza Hut, Macdonalds and Starbucks. MacDonald's, I'm told, will now even do home delivery on credit card payment. Pay up front and they'll deliver those wonderful, juicy, thick burgers right to our door. And if you're out, they'll slide them under the door for you!
Personally, a good fish and chip shop is a delight and also a rarity, unless you like really greasy batter. A beer batter, preferably Guinness, which gives the batter a lovely colour, is my preference, and chips (Maris Piper only, please) double fried.
I, too, look forward to the Letters book. It's hard to think of two people with a better eye for detail than Stewart and Keith and the book has an introduction which, I have every reason to believe, will be the excellent work of a man who, having a wife who cooks brilliantly, should be as disgustingly fat as me. I'll bear you in mind for a review.
Cheers
Paul |
Author: Guy Hatton
Friday, 27 April 2001 - 05:55 am | | I couldn't help noting the sudden serious (and maybe slightly desperate) tone creeping in to Paul's discussion of food above. Careful now! Think of what it would be like having to suffer hospital food again
All the Best from your local vegetarian
Guy |
Author: Martin Fido
Friday, 27 April 2001 - 05:56 am | | Dear Tom,
Muttonheads are people who think mutton is a cut of lamb. Mutton is the meat of full-grown sheep: darker and less sweet-flavoured than lamb, and almost impossible to obtain nowadays without making a special order from your butcher, because lamb has so completely overtaken it in popularity. Even Simpsons in the Strand, long famous for its saddle of mutton, now serves saddle of lamb.
I for one regret this, as the distinct flavour of mutton is very pleasant and satisfying in itself, and I feel cheated, not having tasted it regularly since I was an undergraduate (when one of the cheaper cafes in Oxford always had mutton chops on hand). Mutton is not a specific cut: I've just referred to chops, but in 'Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There' you will see clearly that Tenniel illustrates a leg of mutton as the joint to which Alice is introduced.
'Revenons a nos moutons' is a French phrase which I think might be translated, 'If you don't understand the byways, stick to the well-trodden highways, Mr Begg'. You may hear French shepherds calling it to one another if they see a sheep about to plunge into a quarry. Such a sheep may be called 'a Begg', and if a ram, is usually to be complimented on the fact that there's nothing wrong with its own wife's cooking.
All the best,
Martin |
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