On 2nd November 1995, NASA released a photograph that would become one of the most iconic images of space ever captured: the Hubble Space Telescope’s view of the gas pillars in the Eagle Nebula, known as the Pillars of Creation. One of the millions of observers that weekend was Sir Alec Guinness, a titan of stage and screen who was awestruck by the image, its enormity and beauty throwing his own experiences and world events into stark relief. In the days that followed, Guinness contemplated the contrast in his diary.
The Diary Entry
Monday 6 November [1995]
An extraordinary photograph, taken by the Hubble space telescope, has appeared in the papers over the weekend. It shows wild columns of gas and dust six million million miles high giving birth, we are told, to new stars. Two current catchphrases come to mind—’How do they do that?’ and, ‘I don’t believe it!’
When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
But in battalions.1On Saturday evening Matthew2 was viciously struck on the back of his head. He was taken to hospital for X-ray; reports are OK.
Rabin3 has been assassinated in Tel Aviv.
A police horse has been stabbed in the head by a football hooligan.
There seems to be no end to the senseless wickedness done on this little planet in a minor solar system, and we puny mortals appear to be decreasing in importance so far as the universe is concerned. Faith, Hope and Charity are easy to pray for but I fear that in my case they are receding at the speed of light. For the moment anyway. The past few days have been worse than I am prepared to commit to paper.
Further Reading
Sir Alec Guinness’ original diaries live at the British Library, who acquired the actor’s papers in 2013. Sadly just two volumes of those diaries have been published so far, collectively spanning a slim portion of his life:
- My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor (covering 1995 to 1996)
- A Positively Final Appearance (covering 1996 to 1998)
Also…
- ‘Alec Guinness personal letters and diaries acquired by British Library’ (Guardian)
- Pillars of Creation
- Guinness’ excellent autobiography, Blessings in Disguise, published in 1985
- Alec Guinness: The Authorised Biography by Piers Paul Read
- Alec Guinness at Wikipedia
Diary entry from My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor © Alec Guinness 1996. Reprinted with permission.
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