People (and some surprises...)

Dear Diary,

Remarkably, the new arrivals at work have some surprising stories to tell. I thought I heard the Liliputian today say to the oompa loompa that he believed the fact that she is studying uncool or something like that. I said to the young man (both are only 17 years old, both are my superiors at work, naturally), "Some people of my age, actually like studying." His reply surprised me. He is studying to be an accountant at college. I remarked that although this profession is not glamorous, it is an excellent occupation, financial services being Britain's main strength (along with arms exports - gun running has been attested in this country since at least the 16th century). I asked how his mathematics are. He replied that he achieved an A at his GCSE (seemingly a '7' in the new system). I then remarked that I was proud of having been awarded my master's degree, after twelve years, in classical studies, specifically classical Latin. He asked, "What are you doing working here?" I replied, honestly, that this is not Renaissance Italy, nor is this the Golden Age of Elizabethan England. Latin is now the language of paupers, of slaves, of beggars (evidently - in Britain at least). I recall, also, that I once met a chap that owned his own building firm in Cambridge, who saw me translating Latin, longhand, when I was homeless. He remarked, "I have not met anyone lower than me that understands Latin." I replied, "But we are about the same height. What do you mean 'lower'?" "I mean in the social scale." I replied, "This is not Renaissance Italy. Latin is no longer held in the esteem it once was." This is true. I am living proof of this very real fact. Even if Britain has the facade of Latin being somehow associate with the élite, the reality is it is nothing of the sort. It is for poor people. Anyhow. Back to the Liliputian. I expressed an interest in him being my accountant, should I ever become successful. However, something irked me. I am a fairly good judge of character (having been around for 44 years now, much of that time homeless, travelling, years spent living abroad). I was not entirely certain that this young man is completely trustworthy.

Then I was given a lift home by another colleague. This is a remarkable woman. She is from extremely good family, but could not afford to make it through university (it was simply unworkable - too expensive and too time consuming). Now she is married, has children, gets up at the crack of dawn and finishes work just before midnight. Furthermore, she works as an accountant (though she had wanted to be a veterinary surgeon). Moreover, besides being an amateur historian, a fellow patriot and royalist, she is honest. This is a rare trait indeed (though seemingly not so much in these parts). Instead of hiring the Liliputian, I should very much like her to be my accountant, should I ever be successful (which is not unlikely - one way or the other, whether it be here, or elsewhere in the world, where prospects for Latin scholars are much greater than they ever could be in this... place).