I've given up on three novels with no intention of trying again; too complex and wordy, saying a lot but getting nowhere - The Ambassadors by Henry James, The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford and The Egoist by George Meredith.

Others I've given up on but intend to try again include The Three Musketeers and yes of course War and Peace. I was much younger the first time, I feel better equipped to take them on again. 

14 January 1898 - Lewis Carroll died.

The pen name of the Oxford University lecturer on mathematics Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. 

He published a number of works on mathematics under his own name before writing the immortal children's books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871).

If you want something more academic try his 1879 work An Elementary Treatise on Determinants, With Their Application to Linear Equations and Algebraic Equations.

15 January 1879 - Mazo de le Roche born.

Canadian novelist born Maisie Louise Roche in Newmarket ON.

Her most popular work is the 16 volume Jalna series which follow the fictional Whiteoak family over a century from the 1850s to the 1950s, set in Ontario.

Newmarket, anywhere near you Pete?

Apart from The Arts I'll also put on significant centenaries.

15 January 1724 - Philip V, King of Spain 1700-24 abdicated. 300 years ago today.

A curious and not entirely explicable move by King Philip.

He succeeded as King of Spain in 1700 aged 16 upon the death of the last Habsburg King. He was the French candidate, the second son of the Dauphin Louis. Because of his close connection to the French Crown he was obliged to renounce all claims to the French Throne. Despite this the rest of Europe rejected a Bourbon King of Spain fearing an alliance of the two thus The War of Spanish Succession began.

The war ended in 1713 with the Allies reluctantly accepting Philip as King of Spain but reaffirming his renunciation of his French rights.

Philip was a curious figure obsessed with two things - sex and religion, the combination of the two sent him into a mental decline in his late 30s when just after his 40th birthday he abdicated in favour of his eldest son 16 year old Luis.

Philip retired to his religious devotions, but Fate had another card to play.

To be continued in the summer.

Who won?

16 January 1891 - (Clément Philibert) Léo Delibes died.

French composer known for his highly successful ballets Coppélia (1870), Sylvia (1876) and his opera Lakmé (1883). 

Who won?

Our beloved Buffalo Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 to 17. The weather was below zero & the game had to be postponed until the next day because of blizzard conditions. Next week the Kansas City Chiefs come to town. 

The one I've just watched had them in plain clothes singing such an elegant song. 

The one I've just watched had them in plain clothes singing such an elegant song. 

Yes, that's the Flower Duet, the one you posted. Just listen to that a few times and you'll love it.

17 January 1820 - Anne Brontë born.

The youngest of the three Brontë Sisters whose novels were published in the 1840s and 50s under male pseudonyms. 

Anne published two novels as Acton Bell before her death aged just 29, Agnes Grey (1847) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848). For the former she used her experiences as a governess while in the latter the main male character was loosely based on her brother Branwell. None of the sisters were ever recognized as the novelists during their lifetime, their true identities only became known to the public after their deaths.

18 January 1882 - Alan Alexander Milne born.

A A Milne the creator of Winnie the Pooh. The books were based on stories he told to his son Christopher Robin. 

His fame today lies entirely with his children's stories Winnie the Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928) plus his poetry for children When We Were Very Young (1924) and Now We Are Six (1927). He also wrote a small number of long forgotten novels and many plays. 

Still one of the most read children's books. All the more popular following the Disney adaptations.

They are very good, you're never too old to watch an animated Winnie the Pooh.

19 January 1839 - Paul Cézanne born.

French impressionist painter famous for his landscapes although he also produced still life and portraits. Only towards the end of his career were his paintings recognized as serious works, much of his life was spent in ridicule from art critics.