Anniversaries & Celebrations! – Page 49

Surrey: Visiting Farnham Museum! (27.5.2026)

27/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

These former workers adopted the mannerisms, culture, and dress of their social betters (the “aristocracy”) and were even able to “purchase” an education for their children. This new bourgeoisie (the “Merchants”) were even able to stand for election in Parliament. After purchasing weapons and raising armies – the bourgeoisie eventually seized control of the means of production (following the English Civil Wars). They now comprise one of the most conservative strands in UK society – and certainly maintain this air of elitism in Farnham. A local book-dealer even tried to sell me Das Kapital Vols I, II, & III (printed in the USSR in hardback) for £100 – claiming they were “rare”. In fact, a full set is usually four volumes and I often find them on the bottom shelves of old book-shops – usually attracting dust – as no one cares for their content. I do collect them and usually spend around £5 per copy. Imagine that – a bookseller in Farnham attempted to reduce Marx’s critique of capitalism to yet another vehicle of that capitalism! But that is the way capitalism works and is exactly how Farnham has attracted its wealth and conservativism. Florence Nightingale gets a mention – Gee trained as a Midwife at St Thomas Hospital (London) – which maintains a Museum recording the life of Florence Nightingale. Indeed, Gee is designated as a “Florence Nightingale Midwife”.

Surrey: Visiting “Jane Austen’s House”! (26.5.2026)

27/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Indeed, Jane was only 42-years old when she died (despite never marrying or having children of her own) – but she lived through the heady days of French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, and the Battle of Waterloo. Despite the political class of Britain opposing the French Revolution (and opposing all the Socialist developments that arose from it) – many middle-class, literate British individuals found the times to be inspiring. Although I do not know for certain with regards Jane Austen – she was one of those literate British women who trailblazed in a man’s world via her written works (Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, etc) – which are still best sellers today. Many of her works are performed as plays, and have been adapted for TV and the big screen. Whatever the case, on Tuesday May 26th, we headed out up the road to a nearby place called “Chawton” – where one of the houses owned by the Austen family is located.

Surrey: Tilford Local History – Village Hall & Medieval Bridge! (25.5.2026)

25/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

The temperature rose to 32 degrees today – and I believe this is the highest recorded temperature for May on record for the UK. It is said that when the Romans occupied Britain – 1st century BCE-5th century CE – it was much hotter in Southern England than it is today. Indeed, so hot was it that the Romans regularly cultivated grapes. Since those heady days – the temperatures have cooled in the UK – and 32 would be more usually experienced for a few days in mid-August – not late May. We waited to late afternoon to take the dogs to a nearby woods near Tilford village – so as to not overheat their paws on the overly hot ground. We stayed in the shade – but I did get photographs and footage of a village hall built in the 19th century – and an old bridge – which looks medieval to me! Cricket was being play on the Green – and I like a good game of cricket. It is complicated and very Confucian in nature!

UK: “Bewick’s British Birds” – a Classic Masterpiece! (26.5.2026)

25/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Bewick was the son of a farmer from Tyneside (New Castle-Upon-Tyne) yet he became one of Britain’s greatest and most popular engravers of his time – a true master. His farming parents were wealthy enough to have their son educated (instead of working from an early age) so he was fully literate. As he was not properly middle-class (perhaps a well-off peasant-farmer) he did not attend University, but instead became and Engraving Apprentice at Ralph Beilby’s engraving business at aged 14. This apprenticeship lasted seven-years – permitting him to master every aspect of this trade. Indeed, he became an expert in “woodcut printing” which can be dated back to the 1440 printing-press of Johannes Gutenberg. His masterpiece featured here was first published on October 14th, 1797 – although I think later editions were enlarged and improved. We were lucky in that the cover price is £12.99 – but this copy was on sale for just £4.99!

Hampshire East: Visiting the Wonderful Bird World! (24.5.2026)

24/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Yes – we drove from Tilford in deepest darkest Surrey – and entered an entirely different area of England. We passed white-clad cricketers playing on the village green (I love cricket – as my fther taught me the rules when young) – meandered down leafy country-lanes and emerged in Hampshire. These areas are very affluent and the Local Council charge high taxes and spend the money to keep tourism to a trickle and ensure a high standard of living for their citizens. Although London is nearby – these “Home Counties” protect their conservative culture and actively work against mass immigration and multiculturalism. Obviously, this type of social engineering does not extend to birds – which tend to have no respect for conservative political views. Birds evolved from Dinosaurs and can fly anywhere and everywhere.

UK: Beautiful Waverly Abbey – Farnham – Revisit! (23.5.2026)

23/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Even when Queen Mary attempted to return the Catholic monastic institutions – the ordinary people were not interested. Henry VIII also executed around 70,000 former Serfs – as they could not find employment in this new age of greed and individualism (with the destruction of the monasteries was also the destruction of the Feudal State – removing Serfs who were loyal to Lords who could possibly challenge the King). They were hanged from trees up and down the roadways of England. A Lord used to supply clothing, food, lodgings, and employment free of charge to each peasant living on his land. In return, they worked for free on the land, and fought for the Lord in times of war. If somehow impoverished due to unseen circumstance – the monasteries would provide free food, clothing, medical care, and lodgings. Many men could become monks to escape working on the land. All this “certainty” was swept away as England forcibly entered modernity. The point is that social change is often incredibly violent before anything beneficial can come from it. The damage predatory capitalism has inflicted upon the world is immeasurable – and it is ongoing. We are brainwashed to think it is normal and inevitable.

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