Circuses had international casts and used impressive new technology such as half-tone photographs.

ECONOMIST: Big Tops feel the pinch

The spontaneous (and sometimes half-baked) tone of the blogosphere sits ill with the need to sound measured and definitive.

ECONOMIST: E-government is only the beginning

The American president nonetheless took a stern tone toward Iran in the half-hour long interview.

WSJ: Obama Says Iran One Year From Nuclear Weapon

Matt Stevens's early try set the tone for a one-sided first half, with Lee Mears and Matt Banahan also crossing for a 23-0 Bath lead at the break.

BBC: Bath 26-12 Leicester

But his new side produced a professional display against his former players and Chelsea fans were left with the enduring image of Mourinho doing his best to tone down his celebrations for Samuel Eto'o's second-half goal, which secured Inter's quarter-final place.

BBC: Jose Mourinho proud of 'perfect' Inter show at Chelsea

For the Welsh Liberal Democrats Peter Black said that he regretted the tone of parts of Janet Finch Saunders' speech, which he said was based on "half-truths".

BBC: Conservatives' debate on value for money