Westie

Agreed. It is important to not that Edward Ingram is an expert on the British Raj and Empire (I have two or three of his books - worth a read) but he is not a military historian. He would probably be the first to acknowledge that this point of view assumes that the outcome would have been the same at sea, which tacticians will tell you is completely incorrect. In this case, Wiki quotes an "expert" outside of his field of expertise.

Norway was an assault, followed by a mother instructing a pedophile that he could take pictures of her son and distribute them. nice definition of nothing. To answer your original question though, which was "Why shouldn't Jeanine know what her 14 year old son is doing?", the answer is more simple than rights or wrongs of Norway and her mental health. She has no rights whatsoever to know what her son is doing until a court rules that the emancipation be lifted. Simply put, Jeanine no longer has any rights regarding Will, and he has the documents to prove it. Regardless of whether you agree that the emancipation was right, or realistic, the fact that it now stands means Jeanine (and Brad) are excluded.

I'm not sure how we can agree to disagree on this. You're arguments are completely illogical. Yes, Maidstone sailed before Jackson's arrest. The two events are intrinsically linked. Maidstone didn't want to be outnumbered by the Granger family when he got to his destination. He knew, furthermore, that he was on precarious ground without the seal of the King. The whole thing with Jackson was a distraction to delay Granger. Go back and read the early chapters. Spencer was extremely helpful with Jackson's situation. Moreover, Granger's later orders came from the Privy council - essentially from the King. I think it was made clear that the delay of the "longer journey" was acceptable because it would allow Maidstone's true intentions to be revealed. If going the long way meant hassling the Spanish in the meantime, it became a good use of resources. That's completely strategically sound. If Spencer were really trying to screw things up, he would have sent a different Captain. Or the same Captain on a different ship. There are a myriad of ways he could have done a more successful job of screwing Granger over. So let's review th facts here. We have "John Company" - an essentially autonomous organisation that acts with almost its own sovereign authority. Not even the shareholders, nor the board, can fully control it. We have factions within the company that are fighting over the method of offsetting a trade imbalance. A plan was hatched to replace the governor of a strategically important island group with a governor from another faction. When the appointment of that Governor was held up with the privy council for review, the Company tried to make it a fait accompli by dispatching Maidstone without the seal of the King. When Maidstone realises that he has failed, he steals correspondence from Bertie to prove that illegal - though officially sanctioned - trade was taking place. We do not know to what end that would take, but it is clear that this was an opportunist event from Maidstone (who could have planned on Bertie being so careless as to leave out his papers?). There is no evidence that Spencer is colluding with any faction of the company. As a Navy Lord, he would have had much disdain for the company anyway. It is unlikely that any share of "booty" would lure Spencer - the Earls Spencer controlled the only major export England had at this time. They controlled the wool trade. I think this is exactly what it seems to be. An internal squabble within John Company having to be resolved through government intervention - something that will happen again and again over the next 50 years. West

I think you are stretching into the implausible. Earl Spencer is an actual historical character, which Mark tries not to mess too much with. He was intensely loyal to the King. Maidstone could potentially outrank Granger if Pitt's government were to fall, but Dr Jackson's pardon was from the King, and included a "personal service" clause. If Granger left the Navy, Jackson could conceivably become Granger's "personal physician" and maintain his pardon. Maidstone is never going to outrank the King. Spencer sent Granger on his mission knowing the orders that the privy council had sent confirming Granger's authority. Moreover, Granger was seen as the only person that could be trusted. I think Maidstone is a stooge of the Liberal and possibly Old Whig factions in Parliament. Charles James Fox COULD have been involved, but again, I doubt it because of what comes next (historically speaking). Regardless, I didn't mean to say that the "letters" are a misdirection. I meant the QUESTION, here in the forum, of who would make it home first/last, contains an assumption, that might lead you to a conclusion miles away from what Mr Arbour will come up with. West

The delectable Nigella Lawson recommends adding Ginger Jam to Bread pudding. She uses slices of bread, rather than cubes, and covers one side with Ginger Jam and another side with butter. It adds a real "zing".

But of course, it is entirely possible that the question itself "who will make it home first" is a dastardly misdirection from Mr Arbour. I feel that this story is possibly the most complex and evolved of all the "Bridgemont" series.... and certainly deserves a climax with every bit the number of convolutions as "millennium" had in CAP.

I think we should see this in light of the Author; Generation 1 (JP) is an idealized view of perhaps how the author himself wishes he could be. Generation 2 (Brad) is more how the author is, and the fantasy of a life lead if it had taken a different course, or if missed opportunities had not been missed.. There are some startling parallels between some Characters in "on the Mark" and "Be Rad", "man in motion" etc - regardless of whether they were intended as such. We know that Mark stopped writing "on the Mark" because being autobiographical it was also painful (an experience I know all too well, as people who read my own story bfore I had it deleted will attest). I suspect Generation 1 & 2 worked through those demons in a different way. Generation 3 therefore (Will) is a Generation subjected to the full force of Mark's creativity. Unlinked to real life (though, I suspect there are parallels to which we will never be party), Will can develop more in line with Mark's political and social agenda in terms of the world he creates. With this in mind, I am doubtful that Will is going to "settle down" in the conventional sense in the near future. That said, I have never discussed any of this with the author, this is entirely my own opinion (or indeed, fabrication) and so of course, I could be completely off base. West

Neither of his grandfathers - paternal or maternal - were born yet. They were in fact over 20 years away. His Great Grandfather, later the 6th Duke of Marlborough but for now the Earl of Sunderland, is 5 years old. His Great Great Grandfather is at this time known as the Marquis of Blandford, and is basically residing at Whiteknights Park Estate waiting for his father to die, passing the time by collecting antiques and debts. His Great Great Great Grandfather is the 4th (and in story terms, current) Duke of Marlborough. He is by the standards of the time a slightly older man, and he has retired to his Estate at Blenheim, filling his time with amateur astronomy and backgammon. In fact, apart from John Churchill (the first Duke) and Winston himself, the whole Marlborough-Spencer-Churchill lot were distinctly unimpressive in my view. West

Don't forget that the debate here in the forums is a great feedback too - its not just about the reviews (as awesome as I'm sure mark finds them) HH Prince William was Colonel of th 6th Foot Regiment (Fusileers) at this time. They were deployed in the Indies at this point, and so if we were to see him anywhere, it probably would have been in the tropics. That said, he wasn't the most "hands on" of colonels, so it's likely he would never have left London

I'm going to take a stab at this.... á la Sheldon Cooper.... Mohammed being the most common forename, and Lee the most common surname in the world.... I will hedge the probabilities and guess Mohammed Lee... BTW, I know I'm quiet lately.... currently taking a well deserved break in the Czech Republic....

We are legally allowed to call it a "marriage". Not a civil partnership. That is what we are celebrating. Small steps forward on a bigger journey, for sure, but for today this is a great event. For information only, which is to say that this is not a discussion of politics (in the sense of right, wrong or fish fingers), I just want to point out that this law not only allows CIVIL gay marriage, but as Kiltie alludes to, there is also an opt-in to allow RELIGIOUS gay marriage also. The Church of England is prevented from opting in, and the Catholic Church wont, but its wonderful to know that there are even more options open to everyone (quakers, and some baptists - i think - have already confirmed they will be opting in). West And PS - You're darn right this will affect mine and Paya's future. Maybe we could even broadcast via webcam to the whole GA community Afterall, this is where we met!!!

Is an academic really giving me crap about vacation time and hard work? And actually, I do get more than average here too. Though the best thing about the UK is that you get the US-style corporate environment and Salary with a European style leave entitlement. Still work long hours though.....

So, just an update for those who want to know. For those that don't, I have the added pleasure that you rolled your eyes when you saw this So Health..... Is fairly good. Comparatively. I seem better than I was, though I still have bad days. These tend to worry Paya and make me mad at myself - usually because they are triggered by my own lack of control. Since the start of May I managed to lose 6kg which is awesome. I have another 25 to go, but every step is progress. In relation to work things are going very well. I have re-oriented my client base and am now responsible for a single "mega account". It's going to be demanding but very rewarding. Initially it will be a £2.5m account but that will hopefully grow. Paya and I are heading back to the Czech republic next week. It gives me time to relax and turn off my blackberry for once. I'm reaching a quiet period at work (it's a seasonal thing) so this is a really great time to take my annual leave allowance. I'm quite lucky in that I have 6 weeks of paid leave each year, which I understand would be rare in the US?? I also get 8 public holidays and for a bizarre reason 3 "religious days". When we get back, I have work trips to France, Ireland and the North of England (good lord!!), followed by another trip to the Serbian Republic at some point. Funny thing about work trips is that although you get to go to these places, you don't actually get to SEE much of them. That's something I am desperately trying to rectify. Otherwise things are pretty work-a-day.... Paya and I are on a weekend away with my father in August for his birthday. 2 years ago that's something i NEVER thought would be possible. That's something to look forward to. West

Quite a broad stroke to paint against the Gay community.... Don't forget that the whole community is not just the party scene a la "Queer as Folk". That's just one facet of a complex theatre.

Of course, the direction Bacchante is going, there will be privateers, French and Spanish navy and heavily armed and escorted Spanish convoys..... the number of aristocratic and important people on the ship would be a great coup in a capture scenario.... **edit to correct a stupid, stupid error

Just a coincidence that Jardines-Matheson, the huge Anglo-Sino conglomerate, made its money originally from the Opium Trade. Just thought it interesting that the company shared the first part of its name with Jardines the addict

Jeeze guys.... get a room time or what?

I'm sure Mark decided not to mention squirrels only out of fear for his nuts

Previews or it didnt happen !

Income tax was levied on 5 schedules, however it did not apply to profits from capital sales, which the sale of a prize to the admiralty was classed as. This was not income, but sale of assets already held, which was exempt. Also note though that this tax was voted only in December of 1798, and so the story isn't there yet. That said, it will effect those whose income is vested in property and land - such as George's father. Many peers conducted business only for the enrichment of their estate. The liquid cash that they used for running their day to day lives came from reliable sources such as vast land holdings and farming (sheep's wool being particularly profitable at this time - keeping Earl Spencer in quite an exceptional standard of living). Many peers will find themselves suddenly tight for cash as their assets are tied up in investments and incomes are suddenly squeezed. Money Lending to the already very wealthy in the form of bridging loans became very popular and in fact became the financial bedrock that launched many of the largest banks in the UK today,

No. It's too creepy. Definitely not. This is the kind of line in the sand that would make me very uncomfortable reading the story

Paya is also traveling..... don't worry

So today I am packing for a week in Belgrade - a trip that quite frankly I do not wish to go on. Firstly there is the heat, which is 34 centigrade at the moment - about 10 degrees more than I am comfortably with. But secondly, the trip is going to be downright unpleasant. Don't get me wrong - I like my colleagues - its just that they are not my first choice to spend any time with... Anyhow..... see you in a week's time West

It's harsh, but in the culture of the navy at the time, an officer would scarcely notice the dead about them. Moreover though, I don't think death in the rigging was as common as you might think. Cannon shots were fired into the body of the ship for maximum impact. When a ship was "de-masted" it wasn't because it was hit at the top, but at the base. Firing into the rigging was a waste of cannon. To do it with rifles required a ship to be quite close, and would inevitably cause the sails to catch fire - not something you want to happen when you're boarding a vessel. While a bad shot might hit the rigging, I don't think it was common to aim there,

A name not being popular means there wont be fifty in a room, but the fact that it made the list at 839 means at least some people had it. I've said before that Mark isnt polling the common denominators in society - this family is something extra ordinary. It makes sense that things happen ahead of the curve or even as outliers....