Volume 4 Issue 12 December 1954

Stephanie Plowman examines the letters exchanged between Pitt the Younger and his radical brother-in-law, Lord Stanhope.

Elizabeth Wiskemann finds that the German students’ societies have played an unusual and a characteristic part in the history of modern Germany, and yet one which their mysterious rites and code of honour have obscured, even among their compatriots.

Michael Roberts examines the end of the reign of a Swedish monarch of "natural genius".

A.P. Ryan profiles William Howard Russell. Best known as the critical reporter of the Crimean War, Russell also served The Times as its correspondent during the American Civil War and the Franco-Russian campaign.

John Carswell introduces George Bubb Dodington; a man of pleasure; an indefatigable careerist; and an industrious and successful politician.

Geoffrey Grigson examines the treatment, by artists and poets, of the "three wise men" of Christian scripture.