Royal Staffordshire
Royal Staffordshire
A Review of Arthur and George by Julian Barnes
George Edalji (that’s Ay-dal-ji, by the way, since Parsee names are always stressed on the first syllable) is the son of a Staffordshire vicar of Indian origin and his Scottish wife. George is thus a half-caste, to use the language of his late-Victorian and Edwardian age. He’s a diligent, if not too distinguished a scholar. He is uninterested in sport, is of small stature and doesn’t see too well. He sleeps with his father behind a locked door, is in bed by 9:30, becomes a small town solicitor who develops an interest in train timetables and, by way of outlandish diversion, publishes a traveller’s guide to railway law.
Arthur Conan Doyle (later Sir Arthur) is born in Edinburgh, completes medical school and generally accomplishes whatever task he sets himself, including becoming a world famous writer. Despite the fact that he kills off his creation, the detective Sherlock Holmes, ostensibly to devote time to tasks of greater gravity, popular demand insists that he raise the character from the dead. He does this and proceeds to generate even greater success than before. He marries happily twice and pursues and interest in spiritualism, amongst other good causes.
Perhaps because of who they are, the Edalji family become the butt of the campaign of poison pen letters. When they complain, all they accomplish is the focusing of further unwanted attentions on themselves. When a series of ripping attacks on animals remains unsolved, George, somehow, becomes the prime suspect. Convinced of his villainy, police, judicial system, expert witnesses, jury and press see him convicted of the crime and sent down for seven years. Good conduct sees him released after three.
Sir Arthur wishes to do good and takes up George Edalji’s case. He researches the facts, analyses the possibilities, tracks down neighbours and officials who have been involved. He creates an alternative explanation of events and presents it to officialdom, seeking a pardon and compensation for George, who by this time has transferred to London to start a new life. The two men meet and the incongruity of their assumed expectations of life are as irreconcilable as they are irrelevant to their joint focus on George’s case. After official review, however, the Home Office Committee eventually concludes in an ambiguous manner. Edalji was convicted of the crime and the conviction is declared unsound; but crucially he is not declared innocent. He is therefore found not guilty but then not innocent either and so not worthy of compensation. When, years later, Sir Arthur dies and his associates stage a spiritualist gathering in his honour in the Royal Albert Hall, George is invited and attends, complete with binoculars lest he miss a detail of the proceedings. The illusion of the event draws him in and at one stage he feels himself to be the centre of attention, only to find that it is a near miss. Most of the detail refers to himself and his father, but the reality then points to another who is immediately identified.
But, paradoxically, the quiet George Edalji and his Parsee (not Hindoo) father, Shapurji, were always the centre of attention simply by being who they were. Even Sir Arthur, the son’s eventual champion, states this in one of his letters when he writes that it was perhaps inevitable that a dark-skinned clergyman taking a station in central England would attracts other’s attention of a kind that would seek to undermine him, vilify him and attempt to oust him. The message is clear, that to be different from an assumed norm is to invite hatred, envy, discrimination and eventually ignominy. It is presented as a universal assumption, an unwritten element of universal common sense. Thus, as an intruder, the usual rules of justice will never pertain, a reality alluded to late in the book when George, scanning the Albert Memorial with his binoculars, discovers a statuesque embodiment of the concept of justice that is not wearing a blindfold.
What is eventually so disturbing about Arthur and George, however, is the realisation that both characters are outsiders. George is set apart from his Staffordshire peers by his skin colour and perceived race. Arthur, however, lives no humdrum life. He attends private schools, qualifies as a doctor and then becomes an international celebrity by virtue of his writing. He takes up minority causes and identifies with them but, despite his obvious separateness from mainstream society, in his case his position is never interpreted as a threat or a handicap, obviously because the separateness of privilege has a different currency from the separateness of even relative poverty.
Now an enduring memory of my own school history lessons was a textbook reproduction of a mid-Victorian cartoon of the universal pyramid of creation. It had God at the apex, immediately in touch via the saints with the Empress of India and then, layered beneath in widening courses were the gentry and aristocracy, the members of government and civil service, the professional classes and merchants. The working classes could perhaps temporarily ignore their poverty in the solace offered by knowing that they are a cut above members of all other races who, themselves, were just one up from the apes. It was not many more layers down to the low animals, most of which slithered or crawled. Arthur and George ostensibly tells us much about racism and racial discrimination in a society that was portrayed as the apex of a worldwide empire, a heavenly focus for aspiration. It also tells us about the power of presumption and has much to say very quietly and by suggestion about social class and its ability, especially in Britain, to legitimise difference as originality or eccentricity in some areas, differences which elsewhere would be threats.
About the Author
Philip Spires
Author of Mission, an African novel set in Kenya
http://www.philipspires.co.uk
i am looking for a set of tea coffee & sugar jars made by kitchenware staffordshire.?
the jars i am looking for have the royal albert design, old country rose. they are melbaware
u can buy my jars if u like
Royal Staffordshire
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Top 10 British Tourist Attractions
It's no surprise that most of the top 10 visitor attractions in Britain are in our capital city, London. However, with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers bucking the trend, there's much to be seen outside of London. Between the top 10 attractions in Britain, they welcome over 33 million domestic and overseas visitors each and every year. We've compiled a list of the top 10 free and paid visitor attractions, based on the number of visitors each year (2008 figures): Blackpool Pleasure Beach 6,000,000+ vistors annually Entrance Charge With an astonishing 6m+ visitors each year, the Blackpool Pleasure beach deserves its number one spot on our list of top 10 visitor attractions in Britain. Home to over 125 rides and attractions including the Big Dipper, Grand National and the Avalance white-knuckle roller coaster, it's Britains top tourist attraction yet again. Having celebrated its centenary in 1996, Blackpool Pleasure Beach continues to amaze thrill seekers and families. Open February-November. British Museum 5,932,897 vistors annually Free Entry The British Museum contains a huge collection of art and artefacts from across the world. Founded in 1753, it was the first national public museum in the world, and has always granted free public admission since its doors opened. The museum celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2003, which saw the restoration of the Kings Library and new permanent exhibitions. The museum is open every day, charges may apply for special exhibitions. Tate Modern 4,862,581 vistors annually Free Entry One of four Tate art galleries, the Tate Modern stands on the south bank of the River Thames in London, and houses some of the UK's collection of international Modern Art from 1900 to the present day. Situated in a disused power station, the gallery contains important works of art from Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Warhol and Magritte amongst other famous artists. Open every day apart from 24-26 December, the Tate Modern continues to attract visitors in their millions each year. The National Gallery 4,382,614 vistors annually Free Entry Housing the national collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries, the National Gallery contains over 2,300 works of art from many famous painters, including Van Gogh, Turner, and Van Eyck. First opening in 1838, the National Gallery is committed to free entry to visitors so that its priceless collection of art can be enjoyed by everyone. Audio trails and tours are available. Natural History Museum 3,698,500 vistors annually Free Entry One of three large museums in the South Kensington area of London, the Natural History Museum contains some of the world's most important specimens in the areas of Zoology, Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, and Palaenotology. Famous for its permanent exhibitions of dinosaur skeletons, the Natural History Museum opened its doors and allowed visitors entry free of charge since 2001. London Eye 3,500,000 vistors annually Entrance Fee Having attracted over 30 million visitors since it opened in 2000, the London Eye is one of the most iconic landmarks in London's skyline. Astonishingly, it receives more visitors annually than the Pyramids of Giza (3m) and the Taj Mahal in India (2.4m). The 135m observation wheel now stands alongside some of the world's most famous attractions, and is an icon in its own right. A new feature for 2009 is the 4D Experience (included within ticket price), which is a pre-flight 4D show of the flight. Located in Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is now the most paid tourist attraction in London. Alton Towers 3,100,000 vistors annually Entrance Charge Alton Towers is a world-class theme park and resort based in Staffordshire. With over 3 million visitors in 2008, it's the second most visited theme park in Britain, after Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Alton Towers is home to some of the fastest rollercoasters in the world, including Nemesis, Oblivion, Air, and Rita, Queen of Speed. With many new and proposed attractions on the cards for Alton Towers, the theme park continues to draw visitors from across the length and breadth of Britain for a totally thrilling day out. Science Museum 2,705,677 vistors annually Free Entry Founded in 1857, the Science Museum in London is renowned the world over for historic collections of scientific artefacts, from aircraft to microchips. Originally opened to house items of interest from The Great Exhibition in 1851 in Hyde Park, the collections form an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical change since the 18th century. With over 300,000 objects on display, the collections represent social, cultural and scientific aspects of science. Tower of London 2,161,095 vistors annually Entrance Fee Built in the 1080's by William the Conqueror, The Tower of London's role has been a fortress, royal palace and prison through its long and bloody history. Situated next to the River Thames and Tower Bridge in London, the Tower of London is famous for its stories of torture, executions and prisoners, which include Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyne and Queen Elizabeth I. Victoria and Albert Museum 2,065,300 vistors annually Free Entry Often abbreviated to the V&A, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is famous for housing the largest collection of decorative arts and design, with over 4.5 million objects of art, spanning 5000 years. Objects include ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery, photographs, silver and ironwork. Devoted to temporary exhibitions of art, there are usually more than 10 different exhibitions held each year.
It's no surprise that most of the top 10 visitor attractions in Britain are in our capital city, London. However, with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers bucking the trend, there's much to be seen outside of London.
Between the top 10 attractions in Britain, they welcome over 33 million domestic and overseas visitors each and every year.
We've compiled a list of the top 10 free and paid visitor attractions, based on the number of visitors each year (2008 figures):
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
6,000,000+ vistors annually
Entrance Charge
With an astonishing 6m+ visitors each year, the Blackpool Pleasure beach deserves its number one spot on our list of top 10 visitor attractions in Britain.
Home to over 125 rides and attractions including the Big Dipper, Grand National and the Avalance white-knuckle roller coaster, it's Britains top tourist attraction yet again. Having celebrated its centenary in 1996, Blackpool Pleasure Beach continues to amaze thrill seekers and families. Open February-November.
British Museum
5,932,897 vistors annually
Free Entry
The British Museum contains a huge collection of art and artefacts from across the world. Founded in 1753, it was the first national public museum in the world, and has always granted free public admission since its doors opened. The museum celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2003, which saw the restoration of the Kings Library and new permanent exhibitions. The museum is open every day, charges may apply for special exhibitions.
Tate Modern
4,862,581 vistors annually
Free Entry
One of four Tate art galleries, the Tate Modern stands on the south bank of the River Thames in London, and houses some of the UK's collection of international modern art from 1900 to the present day. Situated in a disused power station, the gallery contains important works of art from Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Warhol and Magritte amongst other famous artists. Open every day apart from 24-26 December, the Tate Modern continues to attract visitors in their millions each year.
The National Gallery
4,382,614 vistors annually
Free Entry
Housing the national collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries, the National Gallery contains over 2,300 works of art from many famous painters, including Van Gogh, Turner, and Van Eyck.
First opening in 1838, the National Gallery is committed to free entry to visitors so that its priceless collection of art can be enjoyed by everyone. Audio trails and tours are available.
Natural History Museum
3,698,500 vistors annually
Free Entry
One of three large museums in the South Kensington area of London, the Natural History Museum contains some of the world's most important specimens in the areas of Zoology, Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, and Palaenotology. Famous for its permanent exhibitions of dinosaur skeletons, the Natural History Museum opened its doors and allowed visitors entry free of charge since 2001.
London Eye
3,500,000 vistors annually
Entrance Fee
Having attracted over 30 million visitors since it opened in 2000, the London Eye is one of the most iconic landmarks in London's skyline. Astonishingly, it receives more visitors annually than the Pyramids of Giza (3m) and the Taj Mahal in India (2.4m).
The 135m observation wheel now stands alongside some of the world's most famous attractions, and is an icon in its own right.
A new feature for 2009 is the 4D Experience (included within ticket price), which is a pre-flight 4D show of the flight. Located in Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is now the most paid tourist attraction in London.
Alton Towers
3,100,000 vistors annually
Entrance Charge
Alton Towers is a world-class theme park and resort based in Staffordshire. With over 3 million visitors in 2008, it's the second most visited theme park in Britain, after Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Alton Towers is home to some of the fastest rollercoasters in the world, including Nemesis, Oblivion, Air, and Rita, Queen of Speed. With many new and proposed attractions on the cards for Alton Towers, the theme park continues to draw visitors from across the length and breadth of Britain for a totally thrilling day out.
Science Museum
2,705,677 vistors annually
Free Entry
Founded in 1857, the Science Museum in London is renowned the world over for historic collections of scientific artefacts, from aircraft to microchips.
Originally opened to house items of interest from The Great Exhibition in 1851 in Hyde Park, the collections form an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical change since the 18th century. With over 300,000 objects on display, the collections represent social, cultural and scientific aspects of science.
Tower of London
2,161,095 vistors annually
Entrance Fee
Built in the 1080's by William the Conqueror, The Tower of London's role has been a fortress, royal palace and prison through its long and bloody history. Situated next to the River Thames and Tower Bridge in London, the Tower of London is famous for its stories of torture, executions and prisoners, which include Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyne and Queen Elizabeth I.
Victoria and Albert Museum
2,065,300 vistors annually
Free Entry
Often abbreviated to the V&A, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is famous for housing the largest collection of decorative arts and design, with over 4.5 million objects of art, spanning 5000 years.
Objects include ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery, photographs, silver and ironwork. Devoted to temporary exhibitions of art, there are usually more than 10 different exhibitions held each year.
About the Author
Written by Chris Haycock, Founder of BritEvents.com, the definitive guide to what's on - events in Britain.
Royal Staffordshire