'Schott's Original Miscellany'

 The host of the B&B had a copy of Schott’s Original Miscellany on the shelf. 

I was tired, cranky and sore of back — too out of sorts for serious thinking. But I was charmed.

I learned that in Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple novels, poisoning was the most frequent method of murder. There were seven cases of poisoning and just five each of gunshots and strangling.

I also learned that a “nip” of beer is a measure — a quarter-pint.

I read the book by consulting the index, where Lord John Campbell is quoted, threatening to introduce legislation to fine anyone who publishes a book without one. Under “Last words, famous,” I found that Dylan Thomas said: “I’ve had 18 straight whiskies. I think that’s as record.” 

When you are worn out and in temporary lodgings, you need a book you can skim, rather than dive into. At least I do.

If I were younger, I’d start an organization like the Gideons with the view of putting a copy in each hotel room on the planet for the good of mankind.

• Sources: Ben Schott, Schott’s Original Miscellany; London: Bloomsbury, 2002. Schott gives an account of his little book at his site: https://www.benschott.com/miscellanies.

For an earlier stab at this topic, see “Books for a guest room,” Jan. 14, 2023.