Robert Fripp's Diary

Basement Hughes Boston Massachusetts Morning

08.23

Basement Hughes, Boston, Massachusetts.

Morning reading I…

II…

Harold Nicolson in Good Behaviour (being a Study of Certain types of Civility) (Constable 1955) refers (p.192) to Richard Braithwaite’s English Gentleman And English Gentlewoman (1630) where Braithwaite suggests that a man must examine his own aptitudes … and decide whether he be better suited for public or private activity.

This rings a personal bell: I am much better suited for private activity & find myself misplaced before the public (although this is not quite the private & public spheres to which Braithwaite refers).

08.44 GB p.200: in Lord Chesterfield’s letters to his son such moral and educational precepts as were included in the Letters were based upon the worldly principle of “do not be found out”. Advice in gentlemanly hypocrisy? Although not a tactic available for recommendation by Lord Braithwaite, gagging orders would have been useful to those found-out for conduct unbecoming-of-the-English-gentleman.

Those familiar with English libel law know that a distinction must be made between an unbecoming act & the personal character of the actor. An “improper” act does not, therefore, reflect upon the character of the person undertaking the action. So, one may criticise the specific conduct but not the personal quality of the conductor. This seems diametrically opposed to the Biblical injunction by their works shall ye know them.

The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Citizenship Trust is a Manx Trust established to promote good citizenship within the Isle of Man through involvement with young people, and other members of the community, in supporting projects that develop a desire to assist others and encourage tolerance and unselfish behaviour.

Chaired by: His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul Haddacks KCB

Trustees: S.G. Alder, M.A. Berry, C.M. Clague, J. Holt, J. Knight, R.B.M. Quayle, P.P. Scales, R.T.D. Stott OBE, D.J. Trace, T.J.Williamson,

Lt. Col. P. Glynn Riley, Hon D.M. Anderson MHK

Registered Charity No. 871

To Celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen

What are the principles of good citizenship? How does a good citizen behave? And does one teach by example? Is accessing a managed client’s income-stream, to support one’s own collapsing business interests, a good example by a person renowned for their probity & sound business practices to present as a learning-example to young aspirants to good citizenship? And how might this demonstrate a desire to assist others and unselfish behaviour?

While charitable works continue, is anything happening in Scottish rugby? Fortunately, information on this subject is readily available.

In this morning’s news…

SRU reclaims Edinburgh

THE CAPITAL is today set for a new professional rugby team after the SRU regained control of Edinburgh Rugby…

The move signals the end of the dispute with franchise owner Bob Carruthers, whose long-running feud with the Scotland’s ruling rugby union body has been resolved. The agreement with Carruthers staves off the threat of legal action from either side… According to the SRU’s statement, Scottish Rugby’s agreements with Edinburgh Rugby Limited and its holding company, Murrayfield Sport and Leisure Limited have been terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect. Both Scottish Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby have agreed to drop all claims against each other and Scottish Rugby will be responsible once more for professional rugby in the Capital…

Commenting on today’s announcement, Gordon McKie, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby said: "This has been a challenging period for all concerned and after many months of protracted and often difficult negotiations, we have arrived at a solution both parties can live with… Our focus can now be switched fully to continuing to grow the game at all levels in Scotland. There is now the exciting prospect of two credible and ambitious professional teams in Scotland."

Well.

09.53  E-flurrying various subjects including the RF & The LCG tour of the East Coast.

15.25 Into the van at 11.40 & off to Camp Caravan I…

II…

View from a room…

… the Caroline Waterlow Room I...

II…

The Mary Pearce Room opposite, my accommodation here last November, is now an office.

Various members of the team will be arriving through today & tomorrow.

21.40  Dinner at 19.30 with arrivals of the Usual Culprits before & during dinner.

This room is funky, but I prefer it to the tent Victor is camping in. The Infirmary doesn’t sound great either. But we are told that the toilet system in this house is fine providing not everyone uses it.