William Walton (?1783 1857) was British agent at Santo Domingo (Haiti), one of the two states on the island of Hispaniola, over which the British had briefly fought with the French before it proclaimed its independence in 1804. Returning to England in 1809 he began to write on Spanish and South American affairs. This work was published in two volumes in 1810. Volume 1 deals with Hispaniola, which was settled by both the Spanish and French, and officially divided in 1697. Haiti was now independent, but the other part (now the Dominican Republic) remained under Spanish control until 1821. Walton discusses the history and geography of the island, and particularly the natural resources and wildlife. The rebellion of Haiti had seriously damaged the economy, which had been thriving, and more successfully exploiting the island's resources than the larger Spanish colony. Walton's object was to encourage the growth of trade between Britain and the region.

William Walton (?1783 1857) was British agent at Santo Domingo (Haiti), one of the two states on the island of Hispaniola, over which the British had briefly fought with the French before it proclaimed its independence in 1804. Returning to England in 1809 he began to write on Spanish and South American affairs. This work was published in two volumes in 1810. Volume 2 examines the Spanish settlements on the American mainland, in California, Texas, Mexico and particularly in South America. Walton first considers the administration of these colonies. He discusses the origins of the native peoples, and the impact on them of colonization; having studied their culture, he believed that in some respects they were more advanced than Europeans. He then discusses the Spanish and Creole inhabitants of South America, and its climate and resources. Walton's object was to encourage the growth of trade between Britain and the region.

William Carlos Williams' Collected Poems Volume I reissued as a Carcanet Classic. Described by Thom Gunn as `an ideal edition', this first volume of William Carlos Williams' Collected Poems is a vivid account of his formation as a poet, his time in Europe, and his interactions with the major players of Modernism (he never quite appreciated that he was one of them). The poems are printed in the order of original publication, starting with The Tempers (1913) and ending with Poems 1936-1939. Williams remains one of the most popular American poets of all time, Whitman's heir but with a voice wholly unlike Whitman's: provincial, particular, never quite settled. His material is the stuff of daily life, though he takes big risks of theme: `the urgent insurgent now' that he lives and celebrates becomes history; it can generate energy even from the past.

A collection of films made by Tony Palmer for the long-running ITV culture series The South Bank Show, released to coincide with the programme's demise in 2009 after a lifespan of over 30 years. Films included are: 'Maria Callas: Callas', 'William Walton: At the Haunted End of the Day', 'Margot Fonteyn: Margot', 'Stravinsky: Once at a Border', 'Benjamin Britten: A Time There Was.', 'John Adams: Hail Bop! - A Portrait of John Adams', 'Renee Fleming: Miss Renee Fleming', 'Malcolm Arnold: Toward the Unknown Region', 'Henryk Gorecki: The Symphony of Sorrowful Songs', 'Berlioz: I, Berlioz' and 'Michael Crawford: The Fantastic World of Michael Crawford'.

Laurence Olivier directs and stars in this classic adaptation of Shakespeare's play about the king who led England to victory in the Battle of Agincourt. The film pays tribute to its origins by opening in a version of the Globe Theatre in 17th century London, where Henry (Olivier) takes to the stage along with a variety of nobles to discuss his plans to stake a claim to the French throne. As the range of Henry's ambitions make themselves known, the theatrical artifice gives way to a more naturalised style and follows Henry as he sets sail from Southampton with his army. Inspired by Henry, the invading English hand the French several defeats, culminating in a triumph against far superior numbers at Agincourt. Shot during WWII, the film was designed to raise morale in the ongoing battle against Nazi Germany and earned Olivier an Academy Award for his 'outstanding achievement' in bringing the film to screen.

Five Bagatelles were written for Julian Bream and dedicated to Malcolm Arnold 'with admiration and affection for his 50th birthday'. They were given their first performance in Bath on 27th May 1972.