Charles II spent his exile in Holland. On the eve of his departure for Britain at the Restoration, Sunday 30th May 1660, a banquet was held in his honour at the Mauritshuis in The Hague; it was painted by Hieronymus Janssens and this fascinating and merry scene, which is at the moment on display in The Queen’s Gallery, seems very appropriate for Christmas Eve. Happy Christmas to all readers of the Persephone Post (which will restart on Tuesday 29th, the day the shop re-opens).