Making Sure of Him and Historical Precedent
Bishop Potter recalls Phillips Brooks visiting Robert Ingersoll during illness. Brooks explains he sees friends in the next world and may not have another chance to see Ingersoll. A Philadelphia conference tale reports two clergymen differing in training. one boasts a college degree, the other quips about Balaam’s time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bishop Potter
Phillips Brooks
Bishop Brooks
Robert Ingersoll
Mr. Ingersoll
Philadelphia
Vincent
Balaam
Here’s Looking at You Origin Traced to Glass Bottom Mugs
A lighthearted column notes the origin of the phrase Here's looking at you. collector Tody Hamilton recalls in Germany fielding the question and explains the medieval custom of draining a beer mug to see the bottom through a glass. The anecdote pairs with other quirky asides about domestic life and culinary mishaps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tody Hamilton
Mr. Hamilton
Germany
KNEW THEIR PLACES And TELLING TIME BY THE SCALES
Mark Twain recounts a Cork court scene where jurors, asked to take their accustomed places, walked into the dock as if familiar with it. A Harlem butcher shop anecdote follows about a large woman fixated on a scales dial shouting for the time, and a Chicago clergyman praises his exemplary congregation at Delmonico’s.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ireland
Mark Twain
Cork
Harlem
Edward Morgan
New York
Chicago
Delmonico's
The Last English Pope Adrian IV
The first English pope, Adrian IV born Nicholas Breakspear near St Albans, rose to power in 1154 and ruled decisively. He compelled Frederick Barbarossa to hold his stirrup and is said to have planned excommunication of the emperor before his death in 1159. He blessed Henry II to conquer Ireland.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nicholas Breakspeare
Langley
St. Albans
Adrian IV
Frederick Barbarossa
Henry II
Ireland
Perversity of Youth in a School Joke
A teacher tries to fix Columbus discovery date with a rhyme. John recalls 1492 but answers 1493, claiming Columbus sailed the dark blue sea. The exchange highlights stubborn memory and humor in classroom learning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
John
Columbus
Blue Sea
Chinese Peculiarities as Told by Capt Faulkner
Capt Faulkner of the artillery offers a biting caricature of China describing it as a land with fragrant roses that lack scent and women without petticoats a labor force with no Sunday officials lacking honor roads without vehicles ships without keels old men flying kites and a south pointing needle. He notes honors shifted to the left mind located in the stomach and hats improper to remove. He says the country has no alphabet and its language has no grammar.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
Faulkner
Artillery Corps
Capt. Faulkner
Being a Matinee Idol
Actor James K. Hackett discusses the label matinee idol as a stigma harming careers. He notes Kyrle Bellew also battles the reputation and says the term has cost him thousands of dollars and his preferred self image as a serious actor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James K. Hackett
Kyrle Bellew
A Sure Preventive From An Old Furnace Man
Mr William Stillings recalls advice from a furnace man about safeguarding wine in a cellar. A cask of cheap California wine had mysteriously diminished, and the remedy was to place a cask of good wine beside it to deter theft.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Stange
William Stillings
Time is Money Christmas Exchange With a Soldier
An Irish veteran asked Gen Grenville M Dodge to discount a note. The general found forty days left, but the soldier explained Christmas time shortens days. He said in summer the same forty days would feel like thirty. The exchange shows humor over time and season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grenville M. Dodge
Jim
Wealth of Ethiopia and odd curiosities in a single column
A fragment from The World's Work notes rich Ethiopian resources including gems, gold, copper and petroleum, then pivots to short features on oratory quirks and a folkloric tale about St Dunstan and a joke about a lucky horseshoe. It closes with Dr Tolman’s remark on modern boys being irrepressible.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ethiopia
Robert P. Skinner
Moses
St. Dunstan
Dunstan
His Great Sin Refused Manuscript Note Revealed
A curious authorial note accompanies a manuscript sent to Sir Alfred Harmsworth. The envelope bore a witty denial line and a title page announced His Great Sin about five thousand words, highlighting a unique instance of rejected work by a contributor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alfred Harmsworth
Acme of Bathos Reflected in London Advertisement
Miss Eleanor Robson recalls a London newspaper ad described as the acme of bathos. The notice pleads for Emma D. to return to her father's house, promising undiminished parental affection and warning of sorrow if she remains away. It also requests the return of the tea caddy key.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Acme OF
Bathos
London
Eleanor Robson
Emma D
Valuable Statistics on Seasickness From Ocean Voyages
Dr Muller, longtime surgeon on a major German liner, presents voyage sickness stats. He reports 25 percent of men are seasick and invisible, 25 percent on deck but skipping meals, 15 percent eat only for pride, 10 percent never seasick but offend with bad food. Among women 40 percent seasick in cabins, 40 percent sick on deck, 15 percent not sick but headaches, 7 percent feel off, 3 percent enjoy it.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muller
Harp Sought After Instead of Piano Coup ons
A buyer rejects merchandise coupons offered with purchases. The clerk touts handsome prizes redeemable by coupons, including a grand piano for a thousand coupons. The buyer quips he would prefer a harp if he accrued that many coupons.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nat C. Goodwin
Mr. Goodwin
Scientific items on telephony, wireless trials and tropical research
A Brookfield inventor drums up a call presence device for telephones while a New York court hosts a wireless infringement trial with messages crossing walls. London funds support protozoology and helminthology labs at the Tropical School. Garrett Wrigley, 19, wins a patent for an automatic flash pan for posing groups in flashlight photos. Captain Baldwin forecasts improved airships with flights possible by February in Los Angeles. Imperial College’s Mr. A Tingle reports bamboo flowering in Shantung and notes post flowering die off with cultivation needed for Shan tung growth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Garrett Wrigley
Elmira, N
Free Academy
Surrendered Sords and Shifting Wheels in Modern Transport
The piece reflects on early 20th century mobility with autos gaining ground in France and America, noting Surrender of a horse and the rise of Mercedes and Decauville cars. It contrasts dreamlike era chatter with tariff debates and a gambler’s lament, then shifts to immigrant steamship data and a rambling miscellany from various periodicals.
Rumination and Wit From Rufus and Wisdom Pieces
Whispers of wisdom and the ruminations of Rufus blend with proverbs and anecdotes. Notes include observations on love and pride, patience under sarcasm, and clever quips about memory, manners, and striving. Sunset Magazine wisdom vignette reflects playful, rural character voices.
Reflections of a Bachelor
Quotes from the New York Press on temptation and reputation as men and women navigate desire and self-control, noting how money and marriage are linked to vice and restraint in a sardonic social reflection.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York Press
Figs and Thistles Reflections by Pam's Horn
The piece offers blunt moral maxims about honesty and character. It contrasts superficial noise with genuine duty and warns that some men act only to meet minimal obligations. The voice voices a stern judgment on integrity and purpose.
Brother Dicky's Philosophy
A humorous note from the Atlanta Constitution reflecting on human folly and pride. It contrasts busy, faultfinding minds with the simple duties of life and teases those who would rule the world yet neglect self discipline.
Self-Esteem And Fashion In The Times
A column discusses self-respect as independence and presence, praising confident conduct while warning against vanity. It contrasts European and American views on skirts, noting Hyde Park parades favor long gowns and short skirts signal modernity, with social pressures shaping appearance and mood.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amesice
Hyde Park
Berlin
The Debutante's Gown Advice from Chicago News
A fashion overview compares fabrics for debutante gowns. Chiffon wears best but impractical. Brussels net durable. net with lace trim. crepe de chine valued for service and dyeing. satin-finish crepe soft and affordable. white liberty satin striking for youth. Liberty silk pretty but costly. peau de soie white or colored silk deemed too old. white cloth costume noted for versatility with soft draping.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago News
New Stancies Highlight Fur Hats and Silk Fashions
The piece notes fur hats remain in vogue for women of all ages except the youngest, with tricorne and toque shapes leading. Chinchilla and sable trimmed with flowers appear chic, rose-strewn organdies glow in girlish frocks, lace corset covers sit beside simple slip covers, china silk blouses are washable and pretty, and lavender matelasse lounging robes complete the luxe set.
Mistakes of Women in Eating and Rest
A historical discussion lists supposed female faults in eating habits resting poorly and overwork. It contrasts women’s frugality with men’s appetite and claims women overcommit, worry, and hurry, ending with a general critique of women’s cheerfulness.
Choose Bright Side in Old Age, Sunset Peacefully Shines
An eighty eight year old woman sits by a window recounting grateful days and small joys. Though frail and in pain she chooses gratitude over complaint, welcoming visits and flowers as she reflects on a long life. Her tranquil outlook contrasts with younger, fretful outlooks she observes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston Traveler
The Sisyphean Dance of Courtship and Satirical Wit
A fragment from a humorous essay catalogs gendered interactions and social pretenses. It satirizes male arrogance and female responses as it riffs on flirtation, trust, and marital finances. The piece closes with a bizarre zoological misdescription about a Sand fin’s fin arrangement.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Senator Foraker
Ohio
W. H. Tolman
American Institute of Social Science
L. A. van Wagner
Brookfield
London School of Tropical Medicine
Captain Baldwin
California Arrow
Los Angeles
Cal
A.tingle
Imperial Provincial College
Chinanfu
Shantung
Tingle
Watterson
France
Paris
Provence
Tom Taggart
Gallagher
Covsler-Journal
Manhattan
el Dorado America
National Magazine
Burma
Ceytor
Deherles
Philadelphia Bulletin
Rufus
Allers
Hiram
Californy
A. J. Waterhouse
Sunset Magazine
Pam
Brother Dickey
Satan
Atlanta Constitution
Jwo
Adam
Eve
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