bLOGOS/HA HA: The New Crown

David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.

05 November 2009

The New Crown

Thursday of Grail Week in Melbourne is Oaks Day, also known as Ladies Day. We, however, will continue with the crowns of gentlemen.

Melbourne milliner extraordinaire and oft-seen on-field dandy :} Richard Nylon features prominently among the fashion reports. This is he at the 2006 Melbourne Cup. (photo Simon Schluter, THE AGE)

The 1880s trade cards featured here today and yesterday are what bring Monsieur Nylon to mind, as he returns to this Victoria an extravagant flourish of another Victoriana .