(Ruin)ed Weekend

My romance with history is ongoing, and luckily the husband 'ain't' feeling left out. This weekend it was the ruins at the Nunhead cemetery and some prized possessions at the British library.

However, it was food first. We met a few friends in a little chinese joint, where I got to eat the best crispy fried pork, after threatening to gulp down a cup of chinese whiskey (thinking it was authentic chinese wine). While the shocked waiter made frantic attempts to dissuade me, I heared Ro mumble about how he couldn't carry me back. So harmless chinese tea it was! And after a relaxed meal, we were off to the British Library.

Our reasons for going there were different (as always). Ro was interested in an exhibition of sacred texts, while I wanted to peek into Samuel Taylor Coleridge's notebook. However, both exhibitions proved to be interesting. First we were led into a dimly lit room with some ethereal music in the background. Amidst yawns and droopy eyelids (thanks to our heavy meal), we covered most of what was displayed.

The focus of the exhibition was on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the religions that shaped much of European history. So we found texts relevant to each of the three religions. The Lisbon Bible that testifies to the rich cultural life of the Portuguese jews, a greek copy of the New Testament, a royal Quran that is huge and magificent with its beautiful calligraphy, the Dead Sea scroll on papyrus or animal skin, a piece of the Psalms that dates back to 50AD, an early codex of the Torah which is atleast 1000 years old, the earliest complete New Testament which is one of three surviving copies, a fourth century manuscript from an egyptian monastry, the early Bible in syriac, a Bible in Slavonic, one of the earliest Qurans, teeny Qurans used as amulets, Sultan Baybar's Quran, the four Gospels in Armenian and Arabic, and the Ethiopian Gospels were just some of the numerous texts that were displayed. The exhibition also displayed models of the three houses of prayer, and three bridal outfits. Interestingly, the muslim bridal outfit displayed was worn by Jemina Khan during her wedding to Imran Khan.

From there we moved to the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, where they'd displayed recently acquired Coleridge-related documents. I felt let down. Except for a notebook with his scribbled thoughts, the other notebooks and letters belonged to his nephew. Since he mentions his more popular uncle, I pressume they warrant space in the library. However, this Gallery proved to have to most fascinating collection. It houses some sacred texts, maps, early printing, literary, historical, scientific, and musical works. I also got a peek at the Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bibe, Mozart's musical notes, Beethovan's tuning fork, music scores and manuscripts belonging to the Beatles. There were also some interesting letters, such as one by Queen Elizabeth 1 agreeing to the possibility of marriage and another written to Henry the VIII. We also got to turn the pages to a Da Vinci notebook (the man sure was ahead of his time), and another by William Blake (bad handwriting)! I particularly enjoyed Shakespeare's first folio of works, a handwritten copy of the history of the world by Jane Austen, and the first, written version of Alice's Adventures Underground. Lewis Caroll who wrote the story for a little girl (named Alice) he befriended, sure did have a neat handwriting. Seeing the written works of some people i've read and studied only made them more real. I was exhausted, but thrilled.

After a peek at some ancient texts and notebooks, today we explored an ancient cemetery.

Supposedly one of the seven greatest Victorian cemeteries, the Nunhead cemetery now lies in ruins. It contains monuments erected in the memory of prominent citizens of the time. Sadly what remains now, are the remnants of an era long forgotten. We didn't get a tour, so we merely explored, while reading the inscriptions on the various graves. As I walked, I wondered about entire families that had been buried under one tombstone. Some graves belonged to children who lived in the 1800s. While a majority lay hidden under plants, some graves had accompanying angels that seemed to be missing parts. Peaceful and calm, though mysterious, the place is reminiscent of a Victorian era gone by. A lot of war heroes have also been buried here, and interestingly, several muslim burials have taken place in this cemetery as well. Talk about communal harmony eh!