Bathing a visitor and a toad chase an angleworm
In Berkeley during a sultry July morning Professor Botkine and his German wife watch a toad seize a large worm. A Canadian bacteriologist visitor arrives, is treated with forced hospitality, and the mystery of a bath and a mistaken identity unfolds, ending with the professor revealing the guest as a harmless acquaintance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Botkine
University of California
Berkeley
Ile
Selma
Smith
Mr. Smith
Aknock
Worthington Smith
Professor
Tie
James
Professor Botkine
Alameda
Phrenology Lecture Taught by Uncle George
Bright Boy recalls a phrenology talk where smart men can have high or low foreheads while fools may also vary. Father asks what was learned, and the boy notes the contradictory idea as the core takeaway.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bright Boy
George
Sunday in Iceland Reveals Sacred Customs and Greetings
Sunday in Iceland describes early morning churchgoers assembling two hours before service, inland men greeting with embraces and kisses, a silk hat wearing preacher in flowing gown, white robe and velvet surplice, a cross on the altars candles lit by an official snuffing with old snuffers, and worshippers dispersing late into the night.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iceland
Disraeli’s Bold Entrance and Stand Upon His Head
Mr Disraeli entered public life by contesting High Wycombe and used wit to gain support. His opponent claimed to stand on constitution law and order, while Disraeli answered I stand upon my head and then backed it with a sharp, telling speech.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Disraeli
The Language of Animals and Hidden Voices
The text argues that animals communicate through sounds inaudible to humans and that only their voices, not ours, reach the ear of other creatures. It suggests cats and dogs communicate quietly, touching noses without making audible sounds, preserving a vast, largely inaudible cross-species soundscape.
Cork Leg Saves Missionary From Cannibals
A missionary, captured by cannibals, offers a cork leg slice to avoid being eaten. He claims his leg is unpalatable and cuts off a cork substitute to prove the claim. After tasting, the cannibals release him.
How a Bird Flies and Navigational Landmarks
The passage discusses birds’ homing abilities and navigation. It notes trained pigeons directing courses over long distances and shore or cliff nesters returning to coastal breeding sites. Birds show strong site fidelity, nesting in numerous colonies but returning to fixed locations at intervals.
Spanish Rice Recipe From Old Cookbook
Instructions describe making Spanish rice to accompany roast mutton. Brown two tablespoons of drippings in a saucepan, add a half cup washed rice and brown. Add sliced tomato minced onion and garlic, brown briefly, then cover with hot water, season with salt and pepper, cook until tender without stirring, adding water as needed.
Hartford Lad Blows Amen On Hymn In Church
A Hartford youngster retrieved his harmonicon after prayers and blew a blast on the final amen, telling his mother that “That’s the way we do in church,” a remark noted by the Stratford Post.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hartford
Startford Post
Ancient Plants and the Antiquity of Agriculture
A historical survey of cultivated plants tracing agriculture to early civilizations. It notes wheat in Egypt, rice in ancient China, and cereals like barley oats rye and maize in distant times, highlighting insights from Alphonse de Candolle and the long continuity of farming revealed in ancient remnants and daily farm refuse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alphonse de Candolle
Isis
China
Europe
The Horse Essay From Indian Student
A fragmentary, satirical essay discusses the horse as a noble quadruped. It notes the horse's four legs and its rider’s use of stirrups, while describing its instinct to cry for food at morning. The piece also mentions its tails and comparisons to other animals in a humorous, antiquated tone.
Persistent Hen in Barrel Fire Brings Off Eight Chickens
The Springfield Republican reports a hen brooding in a barrel at a livery stable survived a blaze that consumed the top and burned halfway down. Firemen controlled the flames with a stream of water pouring into the hen’s apartment, yet she stayed through the night and later hatched eight chicks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield Republican
Geome
Locating the Note and a Virginia Preacher Tale
A London dinner party yields a scientist’s mic notes comparing sound to sight and a centipede echo to a kettledrum. A Virginia preacher quips infant baptism is argued by four heads and mispronounces sermons, per the New York Tribune.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Adam
New York Tribune
Also Mentioned on This Page
Lexington,Howard and Clay Sts
BalTimore, Md
Baltimore
Vara RS Raartaar
Marlee Autours
Queenswarie
Mattiings
Smithy & Walls
LAW Building
Dinton, MD
Anklam Mfg CO
Franklin Typewriter
Cutter Tower CO
Boston
Mass
Devonshire St
Winthrop Square
Wv. J. G. Dulany Company, Seast Baltimre Str
James TT
Undertaker
TIOE
AMD
Gauerfield & GO
N. Howard Street
Saltimore
Kharye
Nuttle Hardware Co
Brussels
Pioes
Ifwau
St.75
N. Howard St
Christian Waskey
King's
Maryland
Kine
High ST
Lis
London
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!