April 2019 - Richard M. Langworth

Churchill’s Butterflies Continue to Flourish at Chartwell

30 April 2019 Comments 1 Comment

Butterflies are back in force at Sir Winston Churchill’s Chartwell. In 2009, the National Trust rebuilt the butterfly hut and gardener Stephen Humphrey took charge of raising butterflies. Nigel Guest, a Chartwell volunteer, immediately reported “a terrific year for butterflies.” For his report and color photos of Churchill’s favorite species see BBC Radio Kent, “Churchill’s Butterfly House at Chartwell.”

David Riddle, a National Trust volunteer at Chartwell, gave me the background of the “Butterfly House” Churchill established to propagate the insects on the grounds of his home:

The Butterfly House was first used as a game larder between 1869 and 1889 by the Colquhoun family, who owned Chartwell between 1830 and 1922, when Churchill bought the estate.…

Churchill and Free Trade: That was Then, This is Now

27 April 2019 Comments 1 Comment

On Free Trade and tariffs

The Hudson Institute economist Irwin Stelzer penned an interesting article on trade: “Trump girds for War with EU.” I sent it around to colleagues, praising it for properly attributing an alleged Churchill quote:

No one doubts that Trump is gearing up to launch a tariff battle with the European Union. For one thing, he is set to sign a deal ending the trade battle with China, and would not be fighting a two-front war should he take on Europe which, he tweeted last week, “has taken advantage of the U.S.…

Churchill on Jargon: The Language as We Mangle It

21 April 2019 Comments 2 Comments

Jargon and Monkey Motion

A friend sends a letter from a planning firm, “reaching out” to his homeowners association. The planners seek a consultant contract. They promise “awesome” results. Their proposals are so full of jargon that my friend wondered what Churchill would make of it. The letter contains many sentences Churchill would have deplored:

“The committee tasked us with the planning and completion of an inclusive and productive process.”

“General understanding offers guidance for the implementation committee.”

And: “An outward and honest marketing position achieves awesome goals…”

“Tasked,” of course, is a new verb, converted from the noun “task” by modern Newspeak.…