Needfire and Fire Purification in Scottish Folk Custom
The article outlines an old Scottish ritual of needfire, a fire kindled by friction to ward off disease, often paired with extinguishing local fires and rekindling from the new flame. It notes the practice survived in the Highlands into recent times and may linger in parts of Europe. Also mentions a brief wry anecdote about a financial journal’s dig at a stock exchange figure named Jones-Smithson and a brigand tale.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Itas
Scotland
Europe
The
Stock Exchange
Jones-Smithson
Jones- Smithson
Hat and bill clash in domestic quip
Mrs Styles shows off a new hat to her husband who grumbles about the cost. He says the hat cannot improve his looks, while she wonders why he appears cross. London Answers remarks on the exchange between the couple.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mrs. Styles
Mr. Styles
London
Never Thought of That Cranberry Antiscorbutic Note
A cheeky line notes a cranberry loving reader praising its antiscorbutic qualities, with a playful aside about Arkansas Gn nette and the idea never considered before.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arkansas
The Sleigh Ride Party in Fairyland
Peter Gnome invites Billie Brownie to a moonlit sleighing party. The two decide to host a festive ride with Fairyland, Brownieland, and Gnomeland friends. Moon declines joining the sleigh but stays in the sky, praising the night’s merriment as they float over the snow.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Peter Gnome
Billie Brownlie
Billie Brownie
Breeze Brothers
Billie Dear
Heigh Ho
Mr. Grant
Candies Rising as Georgia Celebrates Birthday
In a playful exchange Ethel notes price increases while Georgia plans a modest celebration Grace reassures that only a few candies will be purchased, reflecting a light domestic moment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ethel
Georgia
Grace
Why we seem taller lying than standing at night
London Tit-Bits explains height variation from spine cartilage springs. Affected by body position and resting time, the spine lengthens when lying down as muscles relax, causing slight nightly height gains of about three-eighths of an inch, with greater rest linked to taller growth in children.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marand
Royal Academy of France
Des
London
Toed Vagrant Tests Toad Homing Instinct Claim
Dora Read Goodale relates a Springfield Republican experiment challenging the claim that toads possess a strong homing instinct. A toad with a red thread badge was moved three miles from home. The creature paused briefly before leaping away, and was not recovered.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dora
Goodale
Springfield Republican
Inglorious Milton and the Genius in Society
St John Ervine in the Manchester Guardian laments misuse of Milton’s name as a jab at pretenders. He argues impassioned geniuses endure poverty yet stay true, while others merely imitate and fail to express real thought. The piece contrasts mischaracterized “inglorious” minds with genuine talent in a disordered nation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. John Ervine
Manchester Guardian
Father enraged as son refuses bedtime tuck
A father, left to put his son to bed, realizes why his wife is exhausted. After insisting Ronald behave, a shrill demand from the child provokes the father’s temper, ending in a quarrel at the stairs as the boy stalls the tuck-in.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ronald
War Divorces Rise Postwar England Declares No Diminution Sight
Postwar divorce rate in England climbs with several undefended cases in January. No new list prepared to handle the surplus, as the rise in divorces is attributed to upheaval and mental strain caused by the war.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Tonto
Nautical Wordplay in Yale Record Cartoon
A Yale Record cartoon riffs on nautical measurement as a First Class Scout questions why knots are used at sea. The comic punchline shows the instructor explaining that the ocean could not be measured in miles if there were no knots, capturing campus humor and nautical lore.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tenderfoot
Yale
Bayer Aspirin Safety Claim Promotes Genuine Tablets
The advertisement touts Bayer Tablets of Aspirin with the Bayer Cross and urges buyers to ensure an unbroken package with proper directions. It claims physicians have prescribed it for over 18 years and lists ailments from colds to rheumatism, noting twelve tablets in a tin box and larger packs sold by druggists.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bayer
Rattlesnake Bill Faces Dire Movie Downturn
A Birmingham Age-Herald item notes that Rattlesnake Bill’s prestige fades amid film work. He ruefully says if he had known the director would humiliate him, he would have stuck to train robbing to keep self-respect. The contrast highlights his earlier notoriety versus Hollywood friction.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Birmingham Age-Herald
St Jacobs Oil Advert Claim for Quick Back Pain Relief
An advertisement touts St Jacobs Oil as a magical, harmless remedy for lumbago sciatica rheumatism and backache. It promises immediate relief after a single rub with a trial bottle advertised in drug stores and claims the soreness vanishes by fifty counts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Jacobs Oil
St. Jacobs
Auto Trip Finds Speed Traps A Fun Experience
A traveler recalls a road journey with several country speed traps encountered, describing the trip as enjoyable despite the fines. The exchange highlights a lighthearted tone about driving adventures and road policing encountered along the way.
Recipe for Gray Hair Tonic
A home hair-darkening mixture combines Bay Rum Barbo Compound and glycerine in water. Apply twice weekly to darken gray or streaked hair, with little cost and no scalp cooling or greasiness. Drugstores can prepare it or you can mix at home.
Classic dances save shoe leather says economy
In a brief exchange on child education a speaker questions the fad of teaching classic dances while another argues the practice saves shoe leather, framing dancing as economical wisdom rather than a mere trend.
Hall's Catarrh Medicine Ad Claimed
An old ad touts Hall's Catarrh Cedic Medicine for internal use and claiming to act through the blood on mucous surfaces. Crags offers Prestimonials for over forty years, F. J. Cheney & Co., Toledo, Ohio.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
F. J. Cheney & Co
Toledo
Ohio
Hapsburg Castle in Aargau and Sienna Burnt Sienna
The text notes Hapsburg or Hapseburg meaning Owl's Castle as a castle in Aargau Switzerland linked to the Hapsburg dynasty. It also identifies Burnt Sienna as a pigment from natural earth from Sienna Italy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hapsburg
Hapseburg
Canton of
Aargau
Switzerland
Sienna
Italy
Cripple Employs Arms Made Of Metal Plates
A man missing both arms from the wrist to the elbow uses artificial arms with metal wrist plates. Brushes razors knives forks spoons and a pen fit into sockets in the plates and are held by a spring catch. A married woman’s idea of a wise man is one who passed on marrying her.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Evnle
You Can't Cure Rheumatism With Liniments and Lotions
Advert text urges readers to seek a blood cleansing cure for rheumatism rather than topical treatments. It promotes S. S. S. as a blood cleanser and claims it removes disease traces from the body. Includes address for Medical Director at Swift Laboratory, Atlanta.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Swift Laboratory
Atlanta, Ga
Also Mentioned on This Page
Postum Cereal Co
Battle Creek,, Mich
Mr. Moon
Peter
HILL
Bromide Standard
Aafe
Sure
Spianda
Bineke
Atonic
Szsnes Tha Aeraf
Neds
Rocks
Legnoria
Wyandottes
Orpingtons
All Pointe
Colorado
Wyoming
Chick Cure
Enver Haby Chick Company
Denver
Colorao
Spohn
Druggiata
Spohn Medical Company
Goshen, Ind
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