Dorothy Sayer’s novel of this title derives from gaudium, “joy, delight,” or gaudeamus, “let us rejoice,” the first word of a traditional college song that is used in graduation ceremonies and festive gatherings at old English-speaking universities such as Oxbridge.[source]. Both the heroine Harriet Vane and her lovesick sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey, would abhor anything approaching its common usage of the ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented and showy.
Even so, our city illuminations have strayed into such with buildings, monuments, bridges and the like glowing like neon highlighters
These vivacious colours do have a certain allure, spicing up nighttimes with some sense of fun, especially relevant at festive times
Even so, ultimately I prefer something a little less gaudy and there is nothing like silvery illumination or warmer candlelight to split the night decorously
So for those who just celebrated Christmas and Chanukah I hope this season of miracles brought many blessings.
PoetryPix 
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