James Drummond
@poltroon.bsky.social
Interests: Music - Wagner to Wooden Shjips. Novels, essays and novella length non-fiction. History, particularly C17-18 Scottish. Of Perthshire, but in London these days. Social media neophyte: assume I’m terrified.
I’ve probably done that. I rather enjoy the Waterloo & City.
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I’ve probably done that. I rather enjoy the Waterloo & City.
Acutely observed and lethal.
November 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Acutely observed and lethal.
It was a great show. First time I’ve seem her. Funny, clever and full of human warmth.
November 8, 2025 at 11:42 PM
It was a great show. First time I’ve seem her. Funny, clever and full of human warmth.
It’s an excellent and useful word.
November 4, 2025 at 12:46 PM
It’s an excellent and useful word.
A Bend In The River. Set in Kisangani in Zaire in 60s or early 70s. It evokes the atmosphere of the place brilliantly, at least for an outsider.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 AM
A Bend In The River. Set in Kisangani in Zaire in 60s or early 70s. It evokes the atmosphere of the place brilliantly, at least for an outsider.
South Georgia would be better.
October 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
South Georgia would be better.
I know that if you lend to a UK national collection the cover you get is a government indemnity, so I’m sure you’re right.
October 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I know that if you lend to a UK national collection the cover you get is a government indemnity, so I’m sure you’re right.
You are absolutely right. I thought Royal Dukedoms were different, but they aren’t. Some Scottish peerages are ‘heirs male whatsoever’ meaning that they can go back up the line, before the person to whom the title was granted, to find a line back down to a male heir - they really can spin out far!
October 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
You are absolutely right. I thought Royal Dukedoms were different, but they aren’t. Some Scottish peerages are ‘heirs male whatsoever’ meaning that they can go back up the line, before the person to whom the title was granted, to find a line back down to a male heir - they really can spin out far!
That makes sense.
October 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
That makes sense.
The Peerage Act 1963 allows peers to renounce their peerage, but only for themselves, not for their successors. Alec Home did so but when he died his son succeeded.
October 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The Peerage Act 1963 allows peers to renounce their peerage, but only for themselves, not for their successors. Alec Home did so but when he died his son succeeded.
The York dukedom is often held by the younger brother of the King. If it was hereditary wouldn’t it have diverged? Edinburgh: if it had been hereditary then surely it would have gone to Charles? Not my specialist subject, though several ancestors and relatives were attainted in the C18!
October 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The York dukedom is often held by the younger brother of the King. If it was hereditary wouldn’t it have diverged? Edinburgh: if it had been hereditary then surely it would have gone to Charles? Not my specialist subject, though several ancestors and relatives were attainted in the C18!
So an Act of Attainder would only deprive the current holder, but not successors? The York Dukedom is not hereditary, it is a Royal Dukedom so a special case and for the King to decide. Would an A of A be effective against a life peer?
October 20, 2025 at 10:27 AM
So an Act of Attainder would only deprive the current holder, but not successors? The York Dukedom is not hereditary, it is a Royal Dukedom so a special case and for the King to decide. Would an A of A be effective against a life peer?
I don’t remember. My impression is the whole thing, but it was 40 years ago and I think I was hungover on extremely nasty red sweet sparkling wine consumed at the Intourist hotel.
October 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I don’t remember. My impression is the whole thing, but it was 40 years ago and I think I was hungover on extremely nasty red sweet sparkling wine consumed at the Intourist hotel.
In 1985 I went round the buildings where the Yalta conference took place. The guides flatly denied the existence of the pact.
October 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
In 1985 I went round the buildings where the Yalta conference took place. The guides flatly denied the existence of the pact.
The illustrations in that…
October 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM
The illustrations in that…
Pretty, but bleaching
October 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Pretty, but bleaching
I suspect the blade might reject him. He lacks Melnibonean elegance.
October 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I suspect the blade might reject him. He lacks Melnibonean elegance.
Trump has already eaten enough souls
October 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Trump has already eaten enough souls
You would be entirely justified - but also immolated as you sliced into the fuel tank.
September 30, 2025 at 7:54 AM
You would be entirely justified - but also immolated as you sliced into the fuel tank.
They’ve been slowly squished by a road roller
September 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
They’ve been slowly squished by a road roller
Without having a clear understanding of the mechanics, I feel that having a huge tail might allow a more effective swing.
September 29, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Without having a clear understanding of the mechanics, I feel that having a huge tail might allow a more effective swing.
It was a poor game, but a very friendly crowd. Strong smell of onions. Bournemouth Watford in 77 was cold and wet. I remember no football. The inner sanctum bar at half time was a wall of smells: wet wool, cigarettes and bitter. I got to shake Elton’s hand which was a big deal aged 11.
September 28, 2025 at 8:17 AM
It was a poor game, but a very friendly crowd. Strong smell of onions. Bournemouth Watford in 77 was cold and wet. I remember no football. The inner sanctum bar at half time was a wall of smells: wet wool, cigarettes and bitter. I got to shake Elton’s hand which was a big deal aged 11.
This afternoon’s match at the Emirates was the first game I’ve been to since Bournemouth vs Watford in the 4th division in Jan 77…
September 27, 2025 at 9:32 PM
This afternoon’s match at the Emirates was the first game I’ve been to since Bournemouth vs Watford in the 4th division in Jan 77…