This superb collection of essays bears the strong stamp of Osbert Sitwell’s (1892-1967) own character and outlook, as well as that of his genius. They are extremely idiosyncratic, elegant and eloquent; graceful and angry; sometimes prophetic; always generous-hearted, courageous, intensely civilized.The first-rate journalist within the radical aristocrat makes this book as readable as it is civilized. Sir Osbert himself selected these essays, mostly from papers and books long unobtainable