'The Roman Revolution'

 "When an official document records voluntary manifestations of popular sentiment under a despotic government, a certain suspension of belief may safely be recommended." Wise words from Ronald Syme's 'The Roman Revolution' [1939] which I am re-reading. I first read it in 1969 for my Ancient History course at St Andrews and was greatly impressed by it, particularly by its style. Indeed, I was advised by Dr Rickman to tone down the Syme-isms in my own essays. No doubt I peppered them with some of his favourite words such as 'patent', 'palpable', 'manifest', and 'flagrant'. Abrupt verbless sentences also featured. It has been a pleasure to revisit this work which was the first work of history to make a serious impact on me.

Every Saturday between four and four thirty a middle-aged couple park their white car opposite my flat and enjoy a takeaway fish supper, eating it with their fingers before discarding the crunchy bits of chip and batter on the pavement much to the delight of local jackdaws and gulls. Storm Babet, now somewhat abated, did not stop them today. Euge!