During a performance of the opera in Richmond, Virginia, some malfunction of the air conditioning caused the “fog” surrounding the weird sisters to blow out across the audience. The fog was a special aerosol spray that would allow the singers to avoid being choked, but the audience did not know this and began coughing and sneezing. Between scenes the trouble was corrected, but when next the curtain opened on another misty scene a lady in the audience was heard to exclaim, in the dialect of the country, “Oh deah! Heah it comes again!”

Polly B. Johnson,
San Antonio, Texas

THEM’S FIGHTIN’ WORDS

Your exceptional monograph on the Gentlemen’s Clubs of London (April/May 2000, page 50) is worthy of bringing to light a previously unpublished anecdote of my late grand-father, William Bowater, and pugilist John L. Sullivan.

On one memorable day the great champ entered my grandfather’s club, looked around, and rhetorically announced, “I can lick any man in this room.”

Bowater answered, “Except me.”

To no avail, John L., disbelieving, attempted to use his charm to pacify the young man, who insisted they “square off.” An inner room was cleared and a few clubmen were entertained by the sight of Bowater flat on the floor after one blow from the great one.

John Bowater,
Thousand Oaks, California

WORTH MENTIONING

The article on Glamis Castle (June/July 2000, page 36) mentioned the intriguing biblical paintings in the chapel. They are intriguing indeed but one stands out above all others and that is the only known painting that depicts Jesus wearing a hat. It attracts art scholars from all over the world.

In the same issue was an article on Kew Royal Botanical Gardens (page 28). It fails to mention the utterly delightful Kew Palace. The Palace is now open to the public and is a great favourite with visitors from near and far.

Barbara Redlich,
North York, Ontario

CORRECTIONS

We regret that we provided an incorrect fax number for the Museum of Scotland in our listing of the nominees for the 2001 Travellers’ Choice Awards (October/November 2000, page 26). The correct number is 0131 220 4819.

Also, we indicated that the Royal Opera House is in Coventry! Naturally, we meant to say Covent Garden, London. We apologize for these errors.

---

The Editors of BRITISH HERITAGE enjoy hearing from readers and would like to answer all correspondence. Unfortunately, time does not permit this but whenever possible and appropriate, we will include readers’ letters with occasional editorial comment in these columns. We do request that writers include their names and addresses, and we reserve the privilege of editing letters to be published for reasons of space and clarity.

Letters should be addressed to: The Editors, BRITISH HERITAGE, 6405 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112-2753 USA.

Pages: 1 2