That is indeed the bit in HMS Surprise. I think there was also another episode in a later book where he lauded the effects of castration specifically. Made folk much easier to live with, and so on. (View Post)

Just rereading O'Brian's HMS Surprise. Reminded that Dr Maturin recommended the radical ablation of the peccant member and its accessories. Also worked wonders for the temperament. (View Post)

Poor Mrs F. That's definitely one to be aware of, esp if bitten by a tick. (View Post)

The subtlety is that cats carry brain-modifying parasites, which hop to their owners (or, rather, the people who think they own the cats). #wonderingwhoonPBhasthemindparasite (View Post)

What's this mince about? It's only common sense. Given the weather today here in Scotland, you'd need blindfire radar on the shotguns even if the grouse were willing to come out. In fa… (View Post)