Dressing to Impress!

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

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.

Socialist Organisational Structures in Napoleon’s Elite ‘Imperial Guard’ [Garde Imperiale]! (6.9.2023)

In the UK, Oliver Cromwell’s ‘New Model Army’ possessed such structures (abolished after the so-called ‘Restoration’ of a Constitutional Monarchy in the UK) – as did the Soviet Red Army. Today, the Armed Fotces of Cuba, China, Vietnam, Laos and North Korea possess ‘People’s Armies’ all possessing a strict discipline which is coupled with egalitarian bodies where all constituent members are considered ‘equal’! The British Regiments of Foot which took on and finally defeated the ‘Imperial Guard’ at the (1815) Battle of Waterloo – picked-up the bearskin hats worn by the ‘Grande Armee’ – and after removing the regimental name plates, insignia and symbols of rank, were granted permission by the British government to wear these garments as part of their parade uniforms.

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