Just a few mentions. I had a day to kill in London yesterday. Meant to be at a medical conference but agenda dull and all the previous day in a dark lecture theatre.
So drifted down to Apsley House (doesn't open till 1100 and only half the week, beware and check). Well worth it but nothing new.
The surprise is across the road at the Wellington Arch. Small exhibition of 1815 stuff. Much is Audio Visual and the purists will groan at the short map sequence of the battle. However; also personal effects of a cornet of Scots Greys, the usual swords we have all seen, but best of all Wellington's sword from the big day. Had never heard it still existed but provenance seems reliable. (It is brass hilted, like a scimitar but with a brass knuckle guard. It is in a black leather scabbard, with brass fittings at both ends and mid point).
Also the famous messages, at last on display. Rarely shown, but often reproduced…"I see the fire has communicated etc".
Drifted on to the British Museum. Climb up to room 90 and you'll see an exhibition of cartoons from Napoleonic era. Better than I had thought and on my way to the station anyway. Some great panoramas of Waterloo and Q Bras (shown here earlier), however, and also a few relics collected by Byron.
I wonder what else is going on around the country of which we may know nothing. Bumped into a splendid chap from the Waterloo 200 cttee, but never did catch his name…rats!
paints brigs for the British fleet.
