A hobby returned to

[VeritasVincit]

With gardening and other exertions limited for the time being, I decided to go back to my old hobby of delving into history. This time not my family or local area but another completely different area. So be prepared to be bored.

I came across the story of John Stuart Forbes who although born in Leicestershire was the son of a wealthy Scottish family. His father, the son of a baronet, was a director of an Edinburgh bank.
When John was 11 the family moved to Cheltenham and from then he attended a number of public schools, including Marlborough College.
When he was 21 he inherited, from his father, £2000 [over £200,000 today].
This apparently didn’t last long because he was a prolific gambler as were his two elder brothers. There was an unspecified scandal probably involving gambling debts, somewhere described as a ‘dishonourable act’

To avoid the consequences he fled the country. First to new York, then by rail to San Francisco, a ship to New Zealand to visit family members, then back to San Francisco where he briefly worked as a clerk and finally back to New York.
In New York using the name of his brother-in-law, John S Hiley, in January 1872, he enlisted for a five year term in the US 7th Cavalry.

You can see where this is leading to.

A few days after 25 June 1876, the body of Trooper John S Hiley of Company E, US 7th Cavalry was found close to that of General Custer on the battlefield site at The Little Big Horn.

In his belongings at the barracks was a letter from his mother telling him that all the problems had been solved [probably the debts paid] and it was safe for him to come home.

[Reg]

I'm thinking of listening to talkSPORT again and posting gratuitously brutal comments about it.

[rorymac]

I couldn't see where that was going VV .. many thanks though.
No hobbies to return to here but will think on it !

[The Ghost of Alex Higgins]

[Zambo]

I'll read books for a couple months, then nothing for at least as long. When I do, it's quite often a history book. Next up Unruly by David Mitchell.

[lambrini]

I'll read books for a couple months, then nothing for at least as long. When I do, it's quite often a history book. Next up Unruly by David Mitchell.

You might enjoy Tom Holland's latest book Pax.

[Zambo]

Definitely will, as I find Roman history fascinating. Will probably read the other two first. Thanks for the reminder.

[Sadact7]

You can see where this is leading to.

Not really

[lambrini]

Definitely will, as I find Roman history fascinating. Will probably read the other two first. Thanks for the reminder.

You're welcome, Zambo. Another recommendation:- Mary Beard's latest, Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/empero ... 1800818781

[Sadact7]

Definitely will, as I find Roman history fascinating. Will probably read the other two first. Thanks for the reminder.

The Romans were corner averse fannies in skirts and sandals.

“Ooh look at us, we can make ourselves into a box with our shields…”

Fuck off you dicks.

[lambrini]

Definitely will, as I find Roman history fascinating. Will probably read the other two first. Thanks for the reminder.

The Romans were corner averse fannies in skirts and sandals.

“Ooh look at us, we can make ourselves into a box with our shields…”

Fuck off you dicks.

[lambrini]

"They didn't 'alf like it up 'em!"
–Augustus, 30BC

[antdad]

Definitely will, as I find Roman history fascinating. Will probably read the other two first. Thanks for the reminder.

The Romans were corner averse fannies in skirts and sandals.

“Ooh look at us, we can make ourselves into a box with our shields…”

Fuck off you dicks.

What did the Romans ever do for us eh ?....

[Zambo]

Tax robbing socialist bastards who made bumpy roads.

[lambrini]

Definitely will, as I find Roman history fascinating. Will probably read the other two first. Thanks for the reminder.

The Romans were corner averse fannies in skirts and sandals.

“Ooh look at us, we can make ourselves into a box with our shields…”

Fuck off you dicks.

What did the Romans ever do for us eh ?....