No.29

Max Ehrmann 1872-1945
American writer, poet and attorney

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Desiderata (Latin for "desired things") is probably the piece of literature for which Max Ehrmann is most famous. Published in 1927, it has been described as an inspirational guide to a positive way of life.

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Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly,
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings;
many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

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No.28

It seems to me that it was only in the last few years that the practice of sending Easter Cards came to Scotland, but the idea doesn’t seem to have caught on.

To take my own family as an example, each year we exchange 80-90 Christmas cards but receive just 4 or 5 Easter cards.

And so it was a surprise to learn that their history goes back to Victorian England, when a stationer added a greeting to a drawing of a rabbit!

In Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, I found a good number of Easter Cards from the first decade of the 20th century, many of them from Eastern Europe, and I’m showing here my favourites.

A Card from Russia


This one dates from 1900


This is also 1900


A 1915 card


The caption says "Christ is Risen."

A Russian Empire card


First World War - Germany


This one is Ukranian

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BLOG NEWS

Since more and more folk have been visiting JOHN’S GALLERY lately, I’ve decided to add more paintings to the site. This will begin tomorrow with 5 paintings by Sir Edwin Landseer. http://johnsgallery.blogspot.com

I’ve been planning 2 new blogs and the first of those starts on Tuesday next week - “Let’s hear that song again!” which features dance band music of the 1930s.
http://letshearthatsongagain.blogspot.com

And the other is “That was another good read!” which begins on Wednesday 4th May. I’ve subtitled it - Great moments from Classic Fiction.
http://thatwasanothergoodread.blogspot.com

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No.27

JOHN FIELD 1782-1837

Virtuoso pianist and composer

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Born in Dublin, he made his concert debut at the age of nine, and two years later became a pupil of Clementi in London. The teacher used him to demonstrate Clementi pianos in his showrooms, and took him touring abroad.

When they arrived at St.Petersburg, Field decided to stay on there, and soon became the idol of Russian society.

His fame in the 19th century as a composer gradually waned, and we have to be reminded that it was he and not Chopin who invented the piano pieces known as Nocturnes.

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I’ve chosen two of Field's Nocturnes - first of all, No.2 in C minor, played by Dave Bartram.

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This is No.12 in G major. The pianist is not named.

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And finishing with one of Chopin’s masterpieces - Op.15 No.2, played by the Polish pianist Krystian Zimmerman.

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No.26

LOOKING AT TAPESTRIES

The following introduction is taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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TAPESTRY is a form of textile art, woven on a vertical loom. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length (called the warp) and those parallel to the width (called the weft); the warp threads are set up under tension on a loom, and the weft thread is passed back and forth across part or all of the warps. Tapestry is weft-faced weaving, in which all the warp threads are hidden in the completed work, unlike cloth weaving where both the warp and the weft threads may be visible. In tapestry weaving, weft yarns are typically discontinuous; the artisan interlaces each coloured weft back and forth in its own small pattern area. It is a plain weft-faced weave having weft threads of different colours worked over portions of the warp to form the design.
Most weavers use a naturally based warp thread such as linen or cotton. The weft threads are usually wool or cotton, but may include silk, gold, silver, or other alternatives.

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From the many examples available on the internet,
I've selected just a few. Click on the images to enlarge.

Unicorn in Captivity - 15th Century

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Queen Semiramis with her Servants - 15th Century

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Love Tapestry Basel - 15th Century

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The Winged Deer - 15th Century

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Charlemagne - 15th Century

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Wild Woman with Unicorn - 16th Century

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The Triumph of Death or The Three Fates - 16th Century

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Madonna and Child with Saints Barbara and Catherine of Alexandria - 17th Century

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No.25

Paul Robeson 1898-1976
American athlete, singer, actor and civil rights activist

While a student at university, he experienced a great deal prejudice and even violence because of his colour. He excelled in basketball, baseball and track events, and he was twice named to the All-American Football Team.

In 1923 he left with a lawyer’s degree, but the problem about not being white was always present. When a secretary refused to take dictation from him, he gave up his job with a legal firm and went on the stage.

He appeared in 11 films including “Showboat” (1936).

Paul Robeson and Uta Hagen in "Othello"

In 1944 following his success in “Othello” he won the Donaldson Award for Best Acting performance.

Outside the USA Paul Robeson was welcomed warmly everywhere he went, but at home life was very different for him and all coloured people.

In 1950 he appeared before the All-American Activities Committee and from that year till 1958 his passport was denied him.

I’ve chosen two of his songs to listen to, and then finally a short clip from “Showboat” where he sings “Old Man River.”

Interestingly, after he became involved in the struggle for racial equality, he changed a line in the song. Instead of the sad “I’m tired of livin’ and feared of dyin’” he substituted the confident declaration “I must keep fightin’ until I’m dyin’!”

I love this song "When you come to the End of a Perfect Day."

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It's been a long time since I last heard "Shortnin’ Bread."

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And this is the film clip -

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Finally some interesting statistics about my blogs -

So far, during the month of March, the number of visits to each site has been -

Pre-Raphaelite blog... 578
Wise Men Say..............416
John’s Gallery..............230
Touch of Culture.........193
80 plus......................... 184
Quiet Corner............... 162
Come surf the net........ 35 (This new blog began on Saturday)

In view of the increased interest shown in the Pre-Raphaelite site, I’m beginning a fourth series on Wednesday 6th April.

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