As towns continue to grow, replanting vegetation has become a form of urban utopia and green roofs are spreading fast. Last year 1m square metres of plant-covered roofing was built in France, as much as in the US, and 10 times more than in Germany, the pioneer in this field.

A dreadful country, full of stagnant lakes , and marshes steaming with miasmatic exhalations. No houses there; only hospitals. The government a medical oligarchy: Sangrado doge, a sage femme dogess, Thomas Diagoirus prime minister, Mrs. Gamp (pp. Lucina) mistress of the robes.

Bismarck was aware of the opportunity which the Reichstag afforded the Guelphs.

Out on Fort Street, a pavement princess was sitting on the sidewalk with her back to a lamppost and her legs stretched out.