Froth and Whip-syllabub

"To the Editor of Pamela":

[L]et us have Pamela as Pamela wrote it; in her own Words, without Amputation, or Addition. Produce her to us in her neat Country Apparel, such as she appear’d in, on her intended Departure to her Parents; for such best becomes her Innocence and beautiful Simplicity. Such a Dress will best edify and entertain. The flowing Robes of Oratory may indeed amuse and amaze, but will never strike the Mind with solid Attention.

Pug Central

Kate Weinberg has a delightful story about pugs at the Telegraph:

"Owners who think their pugs are humans are completely delusional," says Polly Devlin, author, broadcaster and Columbia University professor. She pauses, before adding: "But then so are the ones who think their pugs are dogs."

Oh? So if they are neither little people or dogs… "They have fallen out of Superman's capsule on the way to Planet Krypton where bad radio beams have scrambled the message of what dogs are supposed to be like," says Polly. "Their eyes hang out of their heads and have to be frequently stitched back in and they can barely breathe. And have you observed a pug walk? They do it in segments. As for loyalty or affection, it can only be roused if they think food is coming their way. Pugs have no inner goodness at all."

So she doesn't adore Archie? "Of course I adore him, but very warily, as you would do with something that is not of this planet. It is all part of a plan from Krypton. Archie is a ticking time bomb. Any moment now he will explode and we will all turn into pugs." Pugs have never been more popular and Britain's Pug Dog Club has more than 1,600 members. London-based owners hold monthly get-togethers in Green Park and, once a year, aristocratic pug-lovers take turns to stage a garden party. It is a Henley regatta for the breed, an afternoon of picnics and games that climaxes in a fancy-dress parade. "Owners will spend all year creating an outfit in complete secret," says club secretary Adele Nicholson. Just before the parade, the owners disappear into the bushes to put on their dog's costume. "Ballerinas are always popular," Nicholson notes.