A few pages into his history, Tim Mackintosh-Smith observes that the Qur’an credits Arabs with two fundamental features, a particularly eloquent form of a high language and turbulence among those who speak it. He then zips back to the earliest known times and proceeds to follow the history of Arabs to the present day. It emerges from his narrative that […]
Read moreThis fascinating book begins by introducing the work of three ancient writers on scientific subjects, Euclid on geometry, Galen on medicine, and Ptolemy on astronomy, and goes on to show how their works were transmitted in subsequent centuries. We pass from Alexandria, where these scholars wrote, to Baghdad, where their works were translated into Arabic; Cordoba, where Arab learning derived […]
Read moreYe princes of the Apostles and teachers of the universe, pray the Lord of all to grant peace to the world, and to have great mercy on our souls.
Read moreWe began our meal with Spring Rolls, which turned out not to be the best choice. The vegetables were minced so finely they lacked a clear taste, and the accompanying chilli sauce was sweet and no more than generic. Thereafter, things were much better. The Fried Tofu Banh consists of a French baguette generously stuffed with lightly fried tofu and […]
Read moreA weekend of listening to the top 100 pieces by Beethoven, as voted for by listeners to a radio network, was a wonderful opportunity to revisit old favourites and hear music previously unknown. Before the Moonlight Sonata was played, a commentator observed that in it the right hand plays the melody, while left hand operates as a kind of drone. […]
Read moreIn difficult times…www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-26/giant-kookaburra-built-during-lockdown/12286434
Read moreThere are many ways in which a large fortune made from gambling could be spent, among which the establishment of a museum, with a rapidly growing public-access library of 14 000 volumes attached to it, is surely one of the best. In a fairly remote suburb of Hobart David Walsh has set up a Museum of Old and New Art […]
Read moreThe death of Australia’s greatest poet has moved me deeply. In a world that can seem threatened by the bland cosmopolitanism of noisy people with little to say, Murray had a genuinely vernacular voice that expressed the perspectives of a white rural Australia (‘subhuman, redneck’) that was utterly untouched by movements of dangerous populism. He was a poet of marvellous […]
Read moreLock St, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong What a pleasant surprise to come upon this small restaurant, tucked away in a busy side street not far from one of the main thoroughfares of this frantic city! After you master an unexpected system whereby the tableware is stowed in drawers under the tables, you set to feasting. First up is excellent […]
Read moreThe Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia, Stylianos, reposed recently. Eternal Memory! Among his other qualities he was a poet, and I reproduce a fine piece from his book Australian Passport, translated from the Greek by Vrasidas Karalis. Western Australia On your supine lying body triumphantly are verified all shapes and visions of the Aborigines as they painted them several days […]
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