Captain Quiscalus and the Blackbird Boycott
In a rural tale, Captain Quiscalus leads blackbirds to defend Farmer Fallow’s fields by eating grubs and pests. After a boy’s stone kills their nestlings, the birds persevere, aiding Fallow’s harvest while other farmers suffer insect damage. The story ends with Fallow urging neighbors to reward birds as helpful allies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmer Fallow
Jonas Fallow
Blackbird
Captain Quiscalus
Versicol
Quiscalus
Mr. Fallow
Crick
Fallow
Captain
Nome
Mrs. Robin
Armer
Caun
A Good Night Song
Nighttime quiet enfolds a child as prayers are softly spoken and a mother’s kiss ends the day. A guardian presence watches through the night to keep the child and mother safe from harm.
No Chinese Grammar Says London Express
The London Express argues that Chinese has no grammar and that word roles vary by position in a sentence. It notes Chinese remains a linguistic "baby" yet Chinese literary figures still make the language serve their purpose despite drawbacks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Express
First Industrial and Manual Training School Opens in Dumanguette
The first of its kind industrial school starts in Dumanguelle Negros Island Philippines. A two story building financed by H. B. Silman of New York with a $10,000 gift will educate Filipino youths in carpentry iron work and related trades. One hundred acres have been acquired for agricultural teaching.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ing
Philippines
Dumanguelle
Negros
H. B. Silman
New York
Tiss
The Roman Roads described with Tel ford plan design
The Roman roads were built on the Tel ford plan with a heavy block substratum, a gravel surface, and a raised center. Side ditches carried away water and no trees or shrubs were allowed within 100 paces of either side.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Telford
The World of Flies A Curious Insect Study
This passage surveys the house fly as a relentless insect, noting its piercing eyes, oil-like saliva feeding method, and air pumps in its feet. It contrasts stock and horseflies, describes their biting behavior on cattle and horses, and warns of their impact on pasture and travel routes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Macbeth
Fly
How to Make Sugar Float and Mirror Illusion Tricks
A rainy day guide describes trick sugar floating by drying sugar lumps to fool observers. It also explains a wardrobe mirror stunt where a performer appears to lift both legs while suspended, using reflection to create a ghostlike, jack-in-the-air effect.
Tommy and Uncle Ben reminisce about schooldays
In a playful exchange Tommy jokes that going to school is not pleasant to him, while Uncle Ben shares a nostalgic line that there is nothing more pleasant than going to school. The banter reflects a light family moment about education.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tommy
Uncle Ben
Difficult Art of Glove Cutters in Brussels and Paris
A fragment notes glove cutters in Brussels and Paris earning higher wages than tailors in London and New York. It references skilled work, handed down through generations, and the high regard for their craft.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brussels
Rance
London
New York
Bottle Tree Grows in Australia Reputed for Curious Form
The text describes a tall Australian curiosity called the bottle tree, reaching about fifty feet with bottles of varying shapes inside. It notes a glutinous interior used to make a refreshing drink when tapped like maple, and mentions natives hollowing trunks to craft canes.
Mosquito Plague Routed Hannibal's Army in Lombardy
An ancient record notes Hannibal's crossing of the Alps met a sudden defeat in the Lombardy valley as a swarm of mosquitoes caused extreme pain and disarray among soldiers and beasts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hannibal
Alps
Lombardy
Postmen and Letters Reach Vast UK Service
In the United Kingdom about 60,000 postmen deliver an immense flow of mail year by year. Over a period spanning years they handle roughly 3.6 billion letters postcards parcels circulars boxes and newspapers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United Kingdom
Also Mentioned on This Page
Nature Stories
Elizabeth Langsdorf
Martha McCullogh Williams
Postmen and Letters
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!