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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Athenaeum
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(London SW1) The most academic of London's *clubs, with a bias towards science; the first chairman was *Davy and the first secretary *Faraday (there is a public misconception that most of the members are bishops). It was founded in 1824 and the building (1828–30) was commissioned from the young Decimus Burton (1800–81) on part of the site of the recently demolished *Carlton House. The cream and blue frieze below the roof line is in the style of the *Elgin marbles, at that time a new attraction in London. This lavish feature was created with money which many would rather have spent on an ice house for cool summer drinks, resulting in a rhyme at the expense of the member who had insisted upon it: I'm John Wilson Croker, I do as I please; Instead of an Ice House I give you – a frieze!
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