On Saturday 17th March I was in London, the guest of the Ghost Club. My thanks to Alan Murdie and Philip Hutchinson for honouring me with an invitation, and for providing an exemplary example of a well-organised and hospitable event. The capacity audience tolerated my antics and rants about the Jacobites and the Supernatural with good grace, and a fine time was had by all.
On the way to the talk I popped into the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road, which has now barged into my list of favourite museums. The permanent Medicine man‘ contains such gems as
disease demons
amulets and headdresses made of human bone
skeletons of silver
votive phalli
a painting of William Price (the ‘druid’ of Llantrisant)
a piece of philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s dissected skin
several tattoos removed from dead bodies
Charles Darwin’s skull-topped walking stick
and a complete Peruvian mummy, huddled in the foetal position.
Entry into this enchanting modern day Cabinet of Curiosities is free. If you’re in the area, you really should visit.