Monday 30 July 2007

Backbone of the Empire




Telegraph Letters, today:


Sir - There is a headstone in the churchyard in Moshi, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, with the following inscription: "Here lies Col. Gilman. He led a commonsense and therefore happy life. He refused to be bamboozled by female relations or the spiritual and secular rulers of this world, into which he was born without his consent." Thomas Jorgensen, Cambridge


I doubt he was the life and soul of the party, but the Colonel has my respect.

8 comments:

The Hitch said...

Was he a gambling man?

idle said...

History does not relate.....

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Only just read yesterday's Idle!

Has anyone mentioned Spike Milligan's headstone?

Mermaid of Moorgate said...

Sounds like a real trooper. I suppose he also dined at eight, never drank red wine with fish, and kept his own nose hair clippings just in case they came in useful.

idle said...

Dining at eight a certainty, mermaid. He might, if he was well-travelled, have agreed that a slightly-chilled Fleurie is a red wine that goes quite superbly with a bouillabaise.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Now Fleurie!

This is the wine which will always lead me to eloquence beyond the yawn of boredom with my companions!

Balls Bros do a goodun!

Mermaid of Moorgate said...

Wilde said: "Boring people talk about wine."

That's why I stick to the champers. Don't give me that sloaney Piper beverage, and none of that chav-fest Cristal either, thangewverymuch. Moet every time darling.

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