Volume 48 Issue 2 February 1998

Claire Tomalin previews a National Portrait Gallery exhibition which focuses on mother and daughter Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley.

Nicholas Doumanis discovers surprisingly favourable memories of Italian occupation from the Dodecanese Greeks who experienced it between the years 1912-43.

Ed Young investigates the ancient process of Egyptian mummification.

Denise Silvester-Carr celebrates the reopening of Charleston House to the public.

Andrew Pettegree charts Hans Holbein’s path from Germany to England and points to the ironies of his reputation as a great Protestant painter.

Barry Doyle compares today's multiplex cinemas with the picture palaces of pre-war Britain.

The island of Ceylon officially gained its independence on 4 February 1948 as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. 

Antony Taylor reveals that Eco-Warriors were active more than a century ago.

Jeremy Black tells how the delicate system of international relations and ancien regime diplomacy was shattered by the Emperor’s arrogance and refusal to play by the rules.

Richard Cavendish remembers the events of February 27th, 1848