Witty quotes and wry takes on life in old papers
A collage of humor from 19th to early 20th century papers offers quips about Miss Primrose buying a kodak bargains, a bar gain, tweading worms, from the King, a boy selling papers, Beeson reception snubs, self made men, literary pirates, and final election serenades. Notable lines poke gentle fun at society, vanity, and politics with brisk, bite sized humor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
the Statesman
Philadelphia
North American
Jenkins
Beeson
Indianapolis News
Henry
Baltimore American
Detroit Journal
Age of Memoirs criticism from the London Spectator
The London Spectator argues memoirs flood the era as a vulgar, commercial trend. It laments hurried, lifelike biographies written while living or after death, accusing the form of padding journalism and lacking true literary distinction. It contrasts stylish Pepysian gossip with hack journalism.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Spectator
Mr. X
Observations on room humidity with fur furnace heat
Mr. R DeC Ward notes the air in rooms heated by a fur furnace can run drier than desert regions. He compares the room’s mean relative humidity to Death Valley, California, stating the valley is only slightly drier than the tested dwelling atmosphere.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
R. Dec. Ward
Desert
Death Valley
California
Matrimony Question Provokes Witty Exchange
In a pointed quip, a sarcastic bachelor counters a remark about a person “committing matrimony” by noting it would imply guilt or fault, sparking a humorous critique of the phrase and its proper use.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Post
Firsts of Philadelphia Doings Across Early America
The Philadelphia Record chronicles a series of firsts from 1685 to the 1780s noting the city’s role in inaugurating the American printing press, paper mill, public library, type foundry, magazine, Bible printing, medical college, fire insurance, Arctic expedition, daily newspaper, mint, Bank of North America, first warship under the Constitution, and the first experimental railroad track.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia
New World
Bank of North America
Philadelphia Record
Bad Luck for Actors in Theatrical Lore
A quirky list of stage superstitions forbids greased makeup in the mirror, a cross eyed audience member in front, complimentary passes before paid tickets, whistling in dressing rooms, and other precise faux pas. It notes a yellow clarinet, a cat on stage, leaving valuables, or asking for salary as bad luck.
Dinner Etiquette And The Hidden Politics Of Women
The Atchison Globe lampoons dinner party pretensions and female behavior, noting women borrow from neighbors for entertaining and advise tact masking deception. The piece muses on male nature, social gatherings, and mentions foot binding as an observation on Chinese customs.
AS A WOMAN SEES IT
A Philadelphia Times column notes gender stereotypes and social attitudes with quips about women independence manners and common judgments. It cites a bank cashier observing more women learning to indorse checks while humorous lines compare behavior and appearance to everyday phrases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia Times
Family Ties Exhausted in Curious Exchange
A young man in a department store flirts with a counter girl who says she has everything to offer. He asks for family ties, but she says they are out due to high demand. He declines a family jar alternative, noting it’s undesirable. The exchange, reported by the New York Tribune, highlights humorous misunderstandings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pereiies
Alexander
N. Y. Tribune
World to End This Year Prediction Prompts Public Interest
A prominent society forecasts the world’s end by year’s close though no exact date is set. Meanwhile many readers trust Hostetter's Stomach Bitters as a cure for dyspepsia indigestion constipation biliousness and liver and kidney troubles urging a fair trial to prove its value.
The Seat of War Debate Captured in Wit
A Chicago Inter Ocean snippet presents a light exchange about the seat of war, mocking inaction with a quip on the standing army’s use when tired. The dialogue reveals a playful, satirical tone on military planning and public understanding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Inter Ocean
Palmer's Lotion touted for skin cures and testimonials
The ad claims Palmer's Lotion cures ringworm eczema and other skin diseases after medical treatments failed. It urges readers to order soap, promises free testimonials, and lists Solon Palmer in New York for samples. Also includes a jokey exchange about a lazy old man and a swearing parrot from the Baltimore American.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Palmer
Thrash
Pittsfield
Ills
Solon Palmer
New York
Biggs
Miggs
Baltimore American
Unusual Patent Medicines and Slogans Roundup
A miscellany of historical ad snippets and brief remarks includes Groor's Tasteless Cutt Tonic touted as a remedy with no cure no pay, a smoker handed an anti smoking tract, Mrs Robbins praising Piso's Cure for Consumption, a pun on love and locksmiths, a Pupnam Padelers DYES claim, and a quip about aging in young women from the Atchison Globe.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Groor
Hall's Catarrh Cure Promoted In The Chicago Daily News
An advertisement promotes Hall's Catarrh Cure as an internal remedy priced at 75 cents. The note adds quips about reputation and aging performers, referencing items from the Chicago Daily News.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound Promises Women Relief
An advertisement asserts Pinkham's Vegetable Compound cures ailments specific to women, tones general health, eases exhausted nerves, relieves backaches, and regulates menstruation.
Beware of Cascarets Substitutes Fraud Warning
An article warns that a vendor may sell substitutes for Cascarets Candy to profit from credulity. It cautions buyers against trusting retailers who misrepresent products and suggests substitutes are fraudulent. The piece emphasizes honesty and consumer vigilance in purchases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cascarets
Presidential nominating process description and metaphor
A fragment from the Indianapolis Journal uses a provocative comparison to describe how a candidate behaves when invited to a nomination committee. The quote likens the candidate to a girl excited by prospects, reflecting era tone and gendered language.
Do Your Feet Ache and Burn Ad for Allen's Foot-Ease
Feet suffer from tight shoes and hot smarting skin. Allen S. Olmsted of Le Roy New York advertises Allen's Foot-Ease to ease corns itching callouses and sore feet. Sample sent free. Sold by all druggists and shoe vessels. 25 cents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Allen
Ad- Allen S. Olmsted
le Roy
N. Y
Irish Stew With a French Twist Appears on Menu
An emergency note about burning stew suggests adapting the dish by adding spice and renaming it la Francaise to fit a menu update.
Quack Cure Ad and Fragmented Notes Cited
An old advertisement promises a cold cure with Bromo Quinine tablets and a refund if it fails. A fragment from a Journal notes summer plans delayed by matured notes, while a Chicago Daily News line jokes about a woman and inquiries from the other 99.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Daily News
Also Mentioned on This Page
Joshua Hayrick
Philadelphia Press
THE
Hansen
Atchison Globe Lights
Market Report
Cincinnati
Baltimore
Indianapoli
Louisville
Labor Saver
Union Traction
Muncie Star
Thos. Robbins
Maple Street
Norwich, N. Y
George
Detroit
Hall
Pinkham’s
Indianapolis Journal
Mayer
Billy
Iris Journal
Security
Carter
Omaha
Newline
Rock
Waltham Watches
Waltham Watch Company
American Waltham Watch Company
Waltham, Mass
Maine
Texas
Florida
Wincheste
Ethina
ST. Louis
Burnham
FAY Manilla Roofing CO
Camden
W. J
Wosson
CaAssadrece
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