Mark Hedges, Editor of Country Life, delved into his magazine’s archives to research the changing face of the English gentleman. Some fads, it seems, are cyclical:

In 1900, the new fashion for tattoos among the English and European aristocracy (partridges seemed to be very popular on the tummy) caught on. The discomfort of the process was eased by the injection of a mild solution of cocaine under the skin.

Read the full piece in The Times tomorrow.