Page 161 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

159

1927

call on the Shaikh tomorrow. Thunder in the evening and a little rain. Played Bridge for quite a long time with Barrett & the
French Captain after the others had left. Both spoke English quite well & very pleasant people.

Friday Feb 11th

M & I took Mrs Holmes down the bazaar in the morning. She has been here about 4 years & only once to the bazaar. Had
quite an amusing time, priced a few carpets & had a good look at fruit & vegetables. I like the bazaar. It is wonderfully clean
& not too crowded & very picturesque. Then walked home & I went with Barrett & the French captain & his 19 officers to
lunch with the Shaikh. Quite enjoyed it. Only Sulman there. Rather annoyed at Ali b Khaled being present, he lately served 6
months for being mixed up in a murder case, banished, & came back without permission. The Shaikh was in very good form,
talked much of his visit to Europe & showed a perfectly awful print, German, of the English Royal Family & another of Kings &
Queens of England, he admires Henry VIII & told us how not being allowed more than 1 wife at a time he had 8 & cut off their
heads one by one in order to be "correct". He also admired Queen Anne who in the print was shown with very low neck!
Tennis at Agency in the evening, Bridge after, the French Captain played very well. They both wear side whiskers & are both
& are very nice & very smart. Dined with Holmes, also present party.