Page 149 - Through a glass brightly

the causes of the Second World War too. (Perhaps it was her Belgian heritage that made her feel that this was important. That might also explain why she felt that the 'scramble for Africa' was also something that well-educated young people should be aware of, given that Belgium was a part of that race.) I recall having a conversation with my mother, telling her that we had learned about Cristall Nacht in History and she said 'That's not history, that was only yesterday!' Theironyisthatmanyyearslaterwhenmydaughter,whoisnowaHistoryteacher, told me she was teaching 'The Thatcher years' to her A-level students, I said exactly the same thing!!
Miss Mayer was a pretty exceptional teacher - it was she I believe who decided when she joined the school (in our second year I think) that in Lower Forms girls should learn about the history of China and not just the traditional Egyptian, Roman and Greek civilizations as had been the norm in the past. And of course, Miss Mayer's input in other areas - eg The Changing World syllabus was all part of this desire to make sure we were properly informed. As has been pointed out earlier in our conversations, an understanding of History gives a better understanding of so many of the world's problems today, although it does not guarantee that thoseinpowerwillbeanymoreabletodealwiththemortolearnfromtheexperiences!! What a wonderful world this would be if more people like Miss Mayer were in charge!!
memories,
In 2010, when I was still living in Paris, I went to a small exhibition at the Maison de Balzac, which was about French cartoons about L-P and the monarchy during his reign. What I had not previously realised was that the depiction of L-P as a pear was widely spread in French anti- monarchy cartoons of that period. Indeed the simple pear-shape became a symbol of protest and was often used as anti-monarchy graffiti-quick and simple to sketch on a wall-and difficult for the authorities to make a treason-like charge stick since all that had been drawn was a piece of fruit.
Tuesday, 14th July
From Jenny at 14.19
It has gone very quiet on the email front recently - so I assume you are all in the pub, at the hair salon or even off on holiday. (Trust none of you are at the tattoo parlour - what would Miss Bryan say?)
Gosh this is pretty intense stuff for a Monday
afternoon.
actually
Wedding Anniversary and I opened a bottle of 'fizz' to share with my bridesmaid (my sister) a little earlier today - and I am still fairly coherent, I hope!
Tuesday, 7th July
From Ann at 21.18
Hallo holders of Louis- Phillippe cartoon
Today is my 52nd
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