Artist George Frederick Watts' famous personification of Hope (which appears on the cover) inspired mixed reactions when first exhibited in 1886 since it appeared to many to depict the exact opposite: sheer hopelessness.

Watts' message that whatever one's circumstances one must never lose hope has been exemplified for me by a dear friend whose life recently took a turn that would have crushed many, though she herself remains an inspirational beacon of warmth and optimism. In her honour theref...