News about Walter Scott

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS: The first documented representation of a handshake appears in a relief of Assyrian King Shalmaneser III's Throne Dais, which dates to about 846-845 BC. It depicts him shaking hands with King Marduk-shumi I of Babylon. Shalmaneser's support for Marduk-shumi, his unpopular brother, Marduk-bel-usati, and the ascension of Marduk-shumi to the throne are captured on the scene.

In a ceremony in the village of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish borders, Britain's other King Charles (left), who was then 70, was crowned in kingship of Scotland's gypsies at the end of May. Following Queen Esther's death, he returned to his father, Queen Esther, 15 years ago, to re-stablish the gypsy monarchy after it fell away following her death. It was in Yetholm, near thence separate kingdom of England, that gypsies had lived for centuries in relative security, governed by a absolutist monarchy. Charles II, Scotland's king of Scotland's gypsies by Yetholm's 'Archbishop,' who was also the village blacksmith, was proclaimed king of Scotland's gypsies by wearing a tin crown. A dead hare was tied around the neck of the king, who lived in Yetholm's gypsy 'Palace' (Charles and his wife were shown inset outside it). This modest building still stands today and is now a private residence and tourist house.