In America, journalism is apt to be regarded as an extension of history: in Britain, as an extension of conversation."

Once you touch the trappings of monarchy, like opening an Egyptian tomb, the inside is liable to crumble.

In the person of the prime minister several different strands come together. Dukes, Eton, Balliol, the Guards, clubs, the Church and Whitehall all jostle together behind that mustache.

I find it depressing, like a stately old home that has been thrown open to the public.

Members rise from CMG (known sometimes in Whitehall as "Call Me God") to the KCMG ("Kindly Call Me God") to ... the GCMG ("God Calls Me God").