Science and philosophy

WELLBEING advice is a popular and enduring topic for magazines to cover, but few titles can claim to have been doing so for as long as the “Friend”. In 1885, we took an often philosphical approach to

Here is a photo of my great-grandchild, Margo, in my sink, bringing back all the memories. Sixty years ago, I would be bathing my own children in the very same sink. Wonderful times. Ms V.H., Cornwall

“Is interrupting discourse by repeated kisses rude and unmannerly and more apt to create aversion than love?” This question, asked anonymously, appeared in October 1691 in the Athenian Mercury, a Lond

Of the hundreds of thousands of asteroids in our solar system, it is all too feasible that one could strike Earth. If scientists discover this is likely to happen, what are our options for defending ourselves – and who will make the key decisions? Tomas Weber reports

Thought-provoking culture, insightful science and inspirational snippets to bring you up to date on all things uplifting, hopeful and happy-making

Literary culture has never been secure from the philistines but books need better publicity