I have returned. The Institute, I am told, continued without me, which I shall be addressing.
On Rupert
You won't know Rupert. Nobody knows Rupert; that is rather the point of him. We summered together, as we do, in a place I shall not name and you could not afford.
He has a lake. The lake has opinions. We discussed them at length, and resolved nothing, which is the mark of a truly successful holiday.
On My Absence
In my absence, the committee convened freely, the velvet rope went unsupervised, and someone (I have my suspicions) sat in the chair. The permanent collection has been dusted, which I did not request and consider presumptuous.
On the Work Ahead
The autumn promises much: acquisitions of staggering insignificance, certificates conferring nothing, and at least one award we shall invent for ourselves and then graciously accept.
I am refreshed. I am tanned, faintly. I am, above all, back. Try not to seem too thrilled.
Nigel Ponceby-Smythe, Director-General for Life