Laughter - Chapter One

I have spent the last few days writing the first chapter of my Laughter book (and finished it today). I had, in fact, written this chapter some time before, a couple of months ago -- but it wasn't right. In fact two colleagues, one in Berkeley and one in Cambridge, tactfully told me that it wasn't quite right.

Looking at it again, I saw what they were getting at. It was frankly a bit boring. So I have had another go at it.

What I  have wanted to do is introduce a book on Roman Laughter...