Baldwin thought Europe was a bore, and Chamberlain thought it was only a greater Birmingham.

Never flinch, never weary, never despair.

My hand seemed arrested by a silent veto.

It is not given to princes, statesmen and captains to pierce the mysteries of the future, and even the most penetrating gaze reaches only conclusions which, however seemingly vindicated at a given moment, are inexorably effaced by time.

I'm bored with it all. Before slipping into a coma. He died 9 days later.

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.

To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.