Town mouse visits the British Museum
Town mouse visits the new exhibition at the British Museum, featuring finds from Afghanistan

As Conservative MP for Britain's most sparsely populated and therefore biggest constituency (Penrith and The Border), Rory Stewart must be this country's most rural MP. Nevertheless, he was in Kensington last Wednesday delivering a talk to help raise funds for the Royal Humane Society, the venerable organisation that hands out awards to recognise bravery.
One of this year's recipients, Lucy Gale, received acclamation from the 750-strong audience for her extraordinary act of courage when she rescued two car drivers from certain death by dragging them away from a level crossing as an unstoppable goods train approached. She will receive a medal from Princess Alexandra in May.
During his talk ‘Afghanistan: Rhetoric and Reality', Mr Stewart implored us to go and see the exhibition about that country showing at the British Museum. Being a good little rodent, I did just that. There, I found an inscription from a funerary column that is as applicable today as to the traders, warriors and nomads it addressed two millennia ago: As a child, learn good manners/as a young man, learn to control your passions/in middle age, be just/in old age, give good advice/then die, without regret.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.
-
Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longer
Everything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
By Rosie Paterson Published
-
Five beautiful homes for sale around Britain, as seen in Country Life
By Toby Keel Published