Yet another example of the indisputable fact that 'wimmin' just don't understand war. This comes from an article in The Times reminding us chaps that next June sees the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which was, of course, won by the British - oh, alright then, with a little help from sundry Belgians, Dutch and, dammit, Germans!
I had not realised that the news of the utter defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte was delivered to London by the last surviving aide-de-camp to the dear old 'Duke of Boot'. Apparently seven others had been killed in action so being around the Duke was not healthy! He was a young man by the noble name of Henry Percy which brings to mind Shakespeare's magnificent, if a bit thick and hot-headed, Hotspur, a rebel against Prince Harry in Henry IV.
Anyway, this latter-day Henry Percy:
Tucking Wellington’s dispatch into a purple handkerchief given to him at a ball held in Brussels three days before the battle by the Duchess of Richmond, he took three days to reach London.
When he reached London his troubles were not over. Pursued by cheering crowds, prompting ministers to think they were under attack, he made for Downing Street, only to be told that the prime minister, Lord Liverpool, was dining at Grosvenor Square.
Having announced the news there — he burst in, declaring “Victory! Victory! Bonaparte has been beaten!” — Percy made his way to St James’s Square, where the Prince Regent was at a ball held by Mrs Edward Boehm. The Prince was delighted: Mrs Boehm was furious, as her ball broke up. Years later, she maintained that the “unseasonable news of the Waterloo victory could have been kept until the morning”. [My emphasis]
Typical! 'Wimmin'! Heh!
Well, I'd have been pretty pissed too if some weirdo came in bellowing about some silly old war while I was in the middle of having a ball.
There's a time and a place for everything. The war stuff was over so there was no point in breaking up a perfectly good ball.
Why do men have to spoil everything?
Posted by: Andra | Friday, 26 December 2014 at 19:05
Andra I am sure if Ian Ogilvy had crashed in you would have been over him!
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 01:18
See what I mean, chaps? Women have no sense of priority!
Jimmy, you're showing your age, mate, I think at the oldest end of the range today it would have to be George Clooney to overcome Andra's hissy fit.
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 08:44
George Clooney. Is he the one in the coffee adverts?
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 10:26
This means WAR ... well 'cept for whare wimmwinfolk is concerned.
Australians anyways as theys not ones to suck a dickhaid completely off'in. They's toofusses Merry Christmas an all
http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=5857
Posted by: JK | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 13:50
What would Andra do with George Clooney besides argue who might be able to do what with whom and why?
Posted by: Whitewall | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 14:09
I don't know who Ian Ogilvy is but I know who George Clooney is.
I have have few ideas on what to do with him, too.
Posted by: Andra | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 19:03
No, BOE, that's me!
JK, it's Saturday night and even at my age I'm not up for Arkie lessons right now.
You may be right, Whitewall, but I have a sneaking suspicion as to who would win the argument!
Madam, please control yourself. 'JK' is of a delicate disposition and any sort of, er, 'below the belt' shocks could have climactic results!
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 19:58