I have already written about the Pool of Bethesda, Hogarth’s paintings in the staircase of the North Wing of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. That was ten years ago, when it was certainly possible to see the staircase, but now it has been totally refurbished and can be visited on Mondays and Tuesdays: Bart’s North Wing, the Great Hall and Hogarth Staircase. I read that Hogarth requested that the pictures should not be varnished, because that would make them harder to see, but his request was ignored. I do not know what has been done to them now but it is a beautiful refurbishment.
In the Jewish Museum there is one room whose roof can be removed and replaced by branches, where the family who lived there could stay during the Feast of Tabernacles (Laubhüttenfest/Sukkot). This is a shot of it:
Lord Chief Justice, left, with train-bearer; Lord Chancellor; mace-bearer
It took place this year, but with some masked and with fewer judges than usual.
I’m not sure I will do this again, because the peculiarities of post-lockdown meant that I accidentally joined the professional photographers, though I did not have a press pass. The light is so much better from the other side! I doubt I could wing it again. But I will investigate getting a press pass or waving my RPS membership card.
As always, I have difficulties working out who is who. First appears the Lord Chancellor, Dominic Rudd (at least he studied law – Liz Truss wasn’t even capable of attacking the tabloid press on ‘Enemies of the People’), together with the Lord Chief Justice, currently Lord Burnett of Maldon, the most important judge after him, who wears the High Court red but with the extra detail of a train, which here a woman has to carry. There is a man with no apparent function too.
After this come a mixture of both justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. There is a certain order of priority. Thus, first come a few in full-bottomed wigs – these are the heads of division. The one in front here is Dame Victoria Sharp, the President of the Queen’s Bench Division:
I read that she had four children in five years and did not take any leave at all, because as a barrister she would only get work if she was present in chambers. This might be one of those children, just a guess. Behind her is probably Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, but I am not sure. I am just guessing he would be next.
The mystery is: who is the gentleman in the tricorne hat? I am thinking possibly a Canadian judge, but then why so early in the procession? The umbrella-bearer may be a guest of the man on the left. The UK Parliament website says:
The German Bücherkarton uses a cunning folding system that holds it together without tape. Are other German removal boxes the same?
The British removal box first has to be taped all round the base, then after it is filled it has to be taped round the top. Query whether the box can be reused after the effort of taping and then cutting open.
LATER NOTE: Tom West tweeted me about the existence of banker’s boxes in the USa – and seemingly in the UK too – see following entry.
Not all disabilities are visible.Face covering compliance officialPlease do not use this seatYou must wear a face covering on public transportCOVID-19 stairsStay Safe Leave a spacePlease keep your distanceTrain presentation team (wiping backs of seats with disinfectant)
