Entrenched customs die hard, and the task facing anti-circumcisionists is daunting. They can take heart, however, from the precedents: foot binding and widow burning, once widespread in China and India, respectively, have been abolished.

Could they find a girl and child, No other signalment but girl and child? No data shown but noticeable eyes And hair in masses, low upon the brow, As if it were an iron crown and pressed?

To consolidate his power, he had linked the beautiful capital, Hsien-yang, with the rest of the empire by a superb network of roads.

In between looking after Damp and producing ovensful of delicious food, Mrs McLachlan would spend approximately one hour each week attempting to tidy up the mess, but so far had made little impression.