11th September

'People of the same trade seldom meet together but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public or in some diversion to raise prices.'

Adam Smith wrote this in The Wealth of Nations, published today in 1776. The Mother Shipton of his day, Smith was of course talking about bankers in the 21st century.

In other news ...
Oliver Cromwell ordered the slaughter of 1500 rebels at Drogheda on this day in 1649. Among them were women and children. The irony is that Cromwell today is regarded as one of the more tolerant of Puritans. It's just that Papists (i.e. the Irish) didn't come within the remit of his compassion. So next time you read something extolling the virtues of the Lord Protector, just bear Drogheda in mind. Oh, and Wexford too, because he did the same thing there.

14th August

One of the greats of Hollywood died today in 1932. Rin Tin Tin passed away after a long battle with the cat next door. You may remember Rin in such epics as Dog Day Afternoon, For Whom the Ball Rolls, Straw Dogs and Reservoir Dogs. He caused controversy when he was turned down for the part of Old Yeller on the grounds of his colour and Black Beauty on the grounds of his species. He was technical adviser on Kevin Costner's Dances with Alsatians, itself a remake of the French classic Chien Autumn.

His favourite director was Anthony Mann, hence RTT's description of himself as 'Mann's best friend'.

In other news ...

The Colony of Virginia held its first legislative assembly today in 1619. They had powers granted to them by the British crown to pass certain local laws. What a golden opportunity! And what did they do? Passed laws against drinking and gambling.

Moral: You can take the Puritans out of England, but they'll probably all move to Virginia.