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.

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

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