
Hosted by John Thomas McIntyre · EN

Astrophel and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney is a seminal work in the genre of sonnet sequences, exploring themes of love, desire, and the complexities of romantic relationships. Through the lens of Astrophel's passionate longing for Stella, the poem delves into the joys and sorrows of unrequited love, making it a timeless reflection on the human experience. Its lyrical beauty and emotional depth resonate with listeners today, reminding us of the enduring nature of love and the struggles that accompany it. Sidney's masterful use of language and form not only showcases his poetic prowess but also invites contemplation on the nature of love that remains relevant across the ages.

Ashton-Kirk, who has solved so many mysteries, is himself something of a problem even to those who know him best. Although young, wealthy, and of high social position, he is nevertheless an indefatigable worker in his chosen field. He smiles when men call him a detective. "No; only an investigator," he says. He has never courted notoriety; indeed, his life has been more or less secluded. However, let a man do remarkable work in any line and, as Emerson has observed, "the world will make a beaten path to his door." Those who have found their way to Ashton-Kirk's door have been of many races and interests. Men of science have often been surprised to find him in touch with the latest discoveries, scholars searching among strange tongues and dialects, and others deep in tattered scrolls, ancient tablets and forgotten books have been his frequent visitors. But among them come many who seek his help in solving problems in crime. "I'm more curious than some other fellows, that's all," is the way he accounts for himself. "If a puzzle is put in front of me I can't rest till I know the answer." At any rate his natural bent has always been to make plain the mysterious; each well hidden step in the perpetration of a crime has always been for him an exciting lure; and to follow a thread, snarled by circumstances or by another intelligence has been, he admits, his chief delight. There are many strange things to be written of this remarkable man--but this, the case of the numismatist Hume, has been selected as the first because it is one of the simplest, and yet clearly illustrates Ashton-Kirk's peculiar talents. It will also throw some light on the question, often asked, as to how his cases come to him. (Summary by John T. McIntyre)