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However, the matter was dropped with the onset of the Second World War. It re-surfaced in the Cold War when the status of Trieste was contested between Western and Eastern blocs. The former British consulate had by this time been converted into the \u2018Office of the British Political Adviser to the Commander, British\/United States Zone, Free Territory of Trieste\u2019. Not only was space in this building at a premium but any \u2018appearance of a museum of antiquities\u2019 was deemed inappropriate for an office \u2018situated \u2026 in an area of tension very close to a potentially explosive border\u2019. So it was that the Foreign Office revived the pre-war proposal to transfer the Burton relics to the RAS and in August 1949 the Society accepted \u2018custody of [Burton\u2019s hat and stick] for permanent preservation and display on suitable occasions\u2019.<\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n Many thanks to Tony, for providing this extra information, and for his continued encouragement and support of his staff in this difficult time. I’ve spent much of my time so far ‘working from home’ on organising the list of the papers\u00a0 for the Gibb Memorial Trust. As much of the correspondence is from the years of World War II, it makes for some interesting comparisons. But I’ll save that for a later blog when I have got further with the project.<\/p>\n One thing, I failed to write in last week’s blog post was “Happy Nowruz (Nouruz)! The Persian new year began on 19th March. This event, dating back to at least the 6th Century B.C.E., marks not only the celebration of New Year, but also the arrival of spring, and the rebirth of nature. As I look out my window, my garden is full of spring flowers and the birds are busy at the bird feeders. These are things to make us still feel glad to be alive and a reminder that life will continue once we are past this crisis.<\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n A last tidbit from the archives: In March 1920, one hundred years ago, the Royal Asiatic Society was just settling into its new premises at 74 Grosvenor Street<\/a> for which they had taken on a 63 year lease from the Westminster Estate at a rental of \u00a3600 a year. Grosvenor Street was one of the first streets to be laid out as part of the Grosvenor family’s development of their Mayfair lands in the 1720s. The houses were originally meant for\u00a0 domestic use but over the years many of them became small businesses including a piano-makers at no.16, dressmakers at nos. 50 & 51, and four ladies’ clubs, including the American Women’s Club in Speyer’s mansion at no. 46. If you would like to know more about the history of Grosvenor Street itself there is an interesting webpage<\/a> on the British History Online website sponsored by English Heritage.<\/p>\n On 30th March 1920, the Society held an opening reception at which the Chinese Minister gave an address, and so the Society settled into its new premises. By 1932 there were already talks about possible moves – to join with the School of Oriental Studies (now School of Oriental and African Studies), and in 1939, the Society considered leasing a property called Farm House. In the end, though they didn’t not complete their 63 year lease, the Society stayed at Grosvenor Street through the War, moving in 1947 to 56 Queen Anne Street.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/royalasiaticsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Burton-letter-235x300.jpg\")
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