The principal object of [this blog] is to convey intelligence. [Look, I do the jokes round here!] It is proposed that in [Duff & Nonsense] to give this, the first and most prominent place, to a report of all the leading occurrences of the week. In this department, the reader may always expect a summary account of every public proceeding, or a transaction of interest, whether the scene may lie at home or abroad, that has taken place within the seven days preceding the termination of our labours; which, we wish it to be remarked, close on Saturday on midnight.
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The Russians are advancing slowly in their invasion of Bulgaria: the army has crossed the Danube at several points, and thrown a bridge over the river. The fort of Isakza has yielded and the town is burnt; but the more important fortress of Brailow, or Ibrail still resists; at least, there is no certainty that it has fallen. The Emperor Nicholas has pitched his camp at Babadagh, a town of Bulgaria, lying between twenty and thirty miles from the south bank of the Danube. Count Wittgenstein has issued a proclamation to the Bulgarians . . . "I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves" . . . hang on, hang on, that's not right - stop the presses - that's another Wittgenstein, for God's sake!
Oh dear, I knew this would end in disaster so I had better explain. In the course of the afore-mentioned (see below) 'tidy-up-your-garret-or-else' exercise insisted upon by the 'Memsahib' in which I have been engaged for what seems like days already, I came across a facsimile of the very first edition of The Spectator dated Saturday July 5th 1828, and all the above, er, with a few slight alterations, was their opening column which I thought might add a touch of much-needed class to this blog. But then Wittgenstein, or his great grandad, had to stick his nose in and confuse me. Typical! Bloody philosophers!
PRINCIPAL object
Posted by: dearieme | Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 20:17
Thank you, DM, once again you save my blushes - you see, I can't even spell when it's written in front of me!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 21:48
David
Prince Field Marshal Peter Wittgenstein seems a rather more intereting person than the philosopher. He commanded a cavalry corp in 1812 against the French.
Posted by: Hank | Thursday, 26 January 2012 at 02:46
Good for him and I bet you could understand what he was on about, unlike his later descendent!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 26 January 2012 at 08:54
"The principal object of [this blog] is to convey{my} intelligence."
How's that working, so far, do you think?
Posted by: Andra | Thursday, 26 January 2012 at 20:08