Notes to Thumbnails

* Though I do feel it's my duty to note that Sumner, for all his sanctimony, was serious--even fierce--in his abolitionist beliefs, for which he deserves credit, and that his recovery and his determination to return to public life after his caning by Preston Brooks on the Senate floor does him honor. Was he likeable? By most account, no. Would I have been glad to have been on his side most of the time? Hell, yes.

Notes to Tolstoy's zoo

* A coworker, on learning that I wasn't all that into Bauhaus design, exclaimed, "But you have a shaved head and black-framed glasses and are the most disciplined person I know!"

Notes to The show must go on!

*Amusingly, the Wikipedia entry for Nelly Ternan features an italicized subhead near its top that informs readers that

Ellen Ternan is sometimes confused with her near contemporary, the Shakespearean actress Ellen Terry, whose career was more distinguished, but who did not have an affair with Dickens.

Notes to Metternich's alarm clock

* Though there's far less grounds for it, I find that the terseness of the message brings to mind one of the most famous writings of Ulysses Grant, who was known for the clarity and economy of his written orders: at the Battle of Fort Donelson, in response to an inquiry from the Confederate commander, Grant wrote in response that he demanded unconditional surrender, and that "I propose to move immediately upon your works."

Notes to "Most people know little about it, aside from the fact that a great deal of dancing took place."

*My brother had to leave midway through the game, just after he’d taken over the entire eastern hemisphere. As my forces had been decimated through a pincer attack by my brother-in-law and my nephew, he put me in charge of his army . . . and within three turns I’d lost it all. He was not impressed. Clearly, I’m no Napoleon.

Notes to Oh, the weather outside is--good god--frightful!

* Which three categories, I think we can agree, are ultimately the same, no? Perhaps in their Platonic forms, at least?

Notes to Machiavelli, as he will, offers advice

* Machivalli's preemptive dismissal of Vettori's claim that the Italians, if pressed, will band together to defeat the Swiss will amuse anyone who finds stories of Italian politics and government ridiculous to the point of disbelief--yet at the same time impossible to turn away from:

As to union of the Italians, you make me laugh, first, because there never will be union here to do anything good.