On the third day of my trip (how am I only on day 3?), I went to the British Museum and the British Library. There were no photos allowed in the latter, and I’m not sure I could have gotten decent photos if there were, as their displays of historic books (including the Magna Carta, in its own room tucked away from the rest) are under glass in an extremely dim room.

The former, I’m going to have to go through with less commentary than usual, in the interest of actually getting this uploaded tonight in my limited pub time.

Exterior of the museum, with detail of decorative figures:

Note the striped tabby tail on this very fashionable Egyptian cat:

I have to learn to read these someday:

Here we start in the museum’s collection of statues from the Parthenon:

Depicted with almost as much detail and life as the Greeks’ human subjects is this Molossian hound.

Widely described as fierce and loyal dogs, Molossian hounds were used by wealthy households as guard dogs. Despite a vicious reputation, this sculptor depicted a surprisingly familiar, puppy-like smile.

Who’s a good boy!!??

After the museum and library, I got dinner at an Art Noveau era pub called the Blackfriar.

Next up: cute cows and showoff birds.