Tuesday 7 August 2012

Gone Fishin'

I am off to build a garden. End of this nonsense! I began this blog and have blogged like hell, elsewhere, in order to promote my books; according to the diktats of my sometime agent. It has all failed; as have the books. I am off to do something worthwhile. If I can totally disable the blog, I shall do so. I have come around to the view, expressed by George IV's only direct heir that: ''The more that I see of the world, the less I want to have to do with it.''

However, I thank my half a dozen or so real followers, and wish you well. I also suggest that you all go off and do something worthwhile with the earth between your fingers.

As they say:

''Cheers''.

NJS.

18 comments:

  1. Nicholas,
    Disabling the blog is easy enough. However, following you around all over the Internet is not. Rather than posting your views elsewhere, in reply to things others have said, why not post them here?
    Chikashi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bloody Hell. No sooner do I discover your blog than you bring it to an end. I can't condemn you because I did the same myself (the difference being that my blog was a mere triviality)but it is all very sad. Something about the act of blogging seems to engender despair in rational minds.

    Your blog has not failed, nor have your books. I bought them, dammit, and I think them very, very good. Indeed, they have become canonical texts for me. From my solipsistic perspective,there can be no higher praise.

    If your mind is made up, then thank you for what you have done, and enjoy your garden. I very much wish, however, that you would reconsider.

    ReplyDelete
  3. NJS,

    You have got this wrong! You, no doubt, have very may readers and your books are a great success. I have the three of them on men's style etc and have pre-ordered the next one. I even go so far as to seek out your comments on The London Lounge so please don't end your most enjoyable prose.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NJS -

    No No No. Love your books and blog. You have certainly increased my enjoyment of London and the world of bespoke. I still think you need to do a book launch at the East India Club. We will drink till dawn and stroll the square in search of Burlington Bertie.

    Cheers, st.tully

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would be sorry to see you go.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ingratitude is the world's reward. Well, I have decided, much like you, to end all nonsense. The funny thing is that your books have been a part of that process. By reading them (and some other books) I have found my way back to really enjoy life again.

    Take care NJS!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nicholas

    Please don't leave us....we'll miss you terribly!

    Oh! I also agree with everyone's comments above.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I feel as though my post heading might be interpreted as a 'fishing' for encouragement to continue! I think that I will leave the blog intact, after all the supportive comments and post items from time to time but I do think that we all spend far too much time in this virtual world and not enough in the real one. I also think that the success of books (or anything really) depends as much upon how much they are liked (even by a few) as how many they sell. I am touched by your comments.
    NJS

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Nicholas,

    I was very sad to read this news. I would like to second a comment mentioning the knowledge you bestowed upon us about London and English Culture. Beyond that, I use very much your links row on the right. They have given me a lot of information of the best in the UK. I read two of your books and would be honoured to have them dedicated. Hope you're not leaving Saquá.

    All this reminded me of a poem, written a long ago to people like you. Not English, Scottish. Better than both: Universal.

    Cheers,
    Luis

    Is there for honest Poverty
    That hangs his head, an' a' that;
    The coward slave-we pass him by,
    We dare be poor for a' that!
    For a' that, an' a' that.
    Our toils obscure an' a' that,
    The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
    The Man's the gowd for a' that.

    What though on hamely fare we dine,
    Wear hoddin grey, an' a that;
    Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine;
    A Man's a Man for a' that:
    For a' that, and a' that,
    Their tinsel show, an' a' that;
    The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
    Is king o' men for a' that.

    Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord,
    Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;
    Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
    He's but a coof for a' that:
    For a' that, an' a' that,
    His ribband, star, an' a' that:
    The man o' independent mind
    He looks an' laughs at a' that.

    A prince can mak a belted knight,
    A marquis, duke, an' a' that;
    But an honest man's abon his might,
    Gude faith, he maunna fa' that!
    For a' that, an' a' that,
    Their dignities an' a' that;
    The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
    Are higher rank than a' that.

    Then let us pray that come it may,
    (As come it will for a' that,)
    That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
    Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
    For a' that, an' a' that,
    It's coming yet for a' that,
    That Man to Man, the world o'er,
    Shall brothers be for a' that.

    Robert Burns

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have enjoyed your books and your blog the ideals and tastes of the majority have always been not only irrelevant but also quite wrong, don't let yourself be deceived by modern media or new-fangled philosophies into the notion that popularity would be of any worth!

    ReplyDelete
  11. NJS - I've got all your books. I'm not sure they would ever have a huge market - thats not a reflection on the books.

    You could rename them 50 Shades of Grey Trousers.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Now I feel like Horace Rumpole at his chambers' retirment party; he changes his mind and then Uncle Tom wants to know whether he will be keeping the clock, bought by his colleagues as his retirement present!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This last post of yours, NJS, was rather savagely inflicted on the people who see you as a mentor in this world, and I'm not speaking of clothes only. Do not take lightly these words: Don't go.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well, how can I stop, after all that. I feel as though I have egg on my face and shall go and have my breakfast.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Judged using more meaningful yardsticks than mere sales your books have been a success.

    Have a rest, go & build a garden (not forgetting a shed) then come back refreshed.

    Just focusing on one aspect of your writing - the subject of men's attire - there's a need for people who can put things into the correct historical/contextual perspective (few can or do) - so keep at it!

    Regards
    Russell

    PS: Did Rumpole keep the clock?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Please don't disable the blog, even if you stop adding to it. You have a great archive here which I wish to refer to in the future.

    ReplyDelete