Remember, Remember!

...the Fifth of November,
The gunpowder, treason and plot.
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot."

Guy Fawkes Night Celebration in Martian Crown Colony

In celebration, good friends, there shall be a bonfire, and the traditional fireworks over the Government House in Albertport. Bonfire toffee and toffee apples will be provided gratis, thanks to the good efforts of the British Gentlemen's Benevolent Society. The effigy of Fawkes was constructed by the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Benevolent Society, and will be set alight by rolling tar barrels down the street into the effigy at the base of the bonfire. The barrels themselves are sponsored by two public houses in Albertport, the Woodstock and the Cock and Bull's.

For those of you lacking a solid classical education, please recall that Guy Fawkes was the man arrested on the fifth of November in 1605 in connection with the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I. He has since come to stand (in certain political circles)for the idea that a government should fear the people when it fails to represent them. However, most Englishmen revile the man who would overthrow his rightful king through such underhanded and cowardly violence as a hidden bomb. He was, of course, given a fair trial after his confession, and then quite rightly hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason.

Delays in Posting

More news of technological breakthroughs and the Progress of Empire later this week, or perhaps this weekend. Astronomical conditions and work stoppages have made it difficult to send and receive messages via the Aetherial Heliograph System. We apologize for the delays in notification.

[Editor's Notes: In actuality, I have been swamped and smothered by work and our houseguests. There has been little of real progress to report. I hope the out of character notices have kept your interests piqued, and I eagerly await the next installment of Adventures on Venus (or whatever RSM Cox is calling his serial) just as I know the rest of you are.]