How Slang and Fables Shape Our Witty Expressions
The piece traces origins of common phrases such as a feather in one’s cap and the white feather of cowardice. It cites woodcraft lore in Scotland, Oliver Cromwell, and Sam Slick as illustrations, linking language to humor, virtue, and national character.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Btes
Dent
Scotland
Oliver- Cromwell
England
Job
Turkey
Institution
Haliburton
Sami Job
The Happiness of Effort in a Struggling Family
A narrative contrasts cheerful striving with financial strain as a couple, aided by an easy-pay plan, yet burdened by Hinesé related costs. Five prosperous years followed, but the earlier joy of frugal living fades as envy grows from a neighbor imitating their modest lifestyle. The piece reflects on pursuing cherished dreams through effort despite continuing payments and uncertainties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hinesé
Telegram Hint Sparks Turin Eye Mystery
A telegram received at the Turin post office hints foul play. Investigations reveal the sender is an eye-less man wearing an artificial eye. Engaged to be married, he concealed his infirmity from his betrothed and kept two spare eye fragments at a prospective father-in-law’s home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Turin
Tves
Withdrawn Presidential Candidate Motions Stir Debate
In a lively exchange Mrs Nexdove suggests the stubborn presidential candidate be withdrawn for the common good. Mrs Peppers agrees noting the daughter should also step back from piano practice occasionally for similar reasons.
The Great Linguist and the Washing House Visit
A scene in which a master linguist boasts of speaking many languages while a farmer's wife questions him. He ignores polite questions and heads toward the washhouse, muttering about sons not being wanted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tay
The
Dons
Pluribias
Ginmer
Arithmetic Made Easy in Evening Business Class
A New York evening school class for laborers shows ambition to improve through study yet struggles with basic math. The teacher recalls asking six times two, then frames pay as two dollars a day to reveal that the men answer twelve dollars a week, illustrating that they grasp dollars but find figures Greek.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New-York
Criticism of the Dissenter and its Moral Claim
A fragment discusses the dissenter and the paradox of honesty and weakness. It argues that true strength includes flaws and that heroes tolerate varied dispositions. The piece contrasts polar humanity with a self condemned by pervasive foresight and notes Thoreau’s singular example against a backdrop of other traits.
The Marriage Age Across Nations
A survey lists marriage ages by country and religion, noting Austria 14 for both sexes, Germany 18 for men and 14 for women, Belgium 18 and 15, Spain 14 and 12, Mexico with parental consent 46 and 1S otherwise 22, France 18 and 45, Greece 14 and 112, Hungary variances by Catholic and Protestant groups, Portugal 14 and 12, Russia 18 and 15, Saxony 18 for both, Switzerland 4 for men and 12 for women.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austria
Germany
Belgium
Spain
Mexico
France
Greece
Hungary
Portugal
Russia
Saxony
Switzerland
Red as a Shield: Color Beliefs Across Cultures
The piece surveys long standing beliefs tying red to male, red to danger, and red as protective charm in diverse regions. It cites Italy, England, Scotland, the West Indies, New Zealand, and China where red appears in baptism attire, funerary marks, cures, and superstitions against disease and evil spirits. It notes historical anecdotes of red remedies and red regalia tied to health, fear, and fate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Italy
Rome
Harper's Weekly
England
Avnes
Englang
Holden
Alriady
Edward II
John of Gaddeston
West
Scotland
West Indies
London
Fleet Street
New Zealand
How Irving Wanted 3 Die Ellen Terry Tells All
In a McClure's Magazine excerpt Ellen Terry recalls asking Henry Irving what he had gained in life. He replies with a wry joke about wine and friendship, describing his end as a shyly dramatic moment that he signals with a snapping of fingers. The tale conveys Irving's courteous, timid persona and subtle deflection of meaning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Irving
Ellen’ Terry
Henry Erving
McClure
Henry
Eieke
China a Collection of Nations Concept in Early View
Success Magazine describes China as a mosaic of nationalities not a single nation, noting 18 to 20 languages and many dialects. It compares European nations under a Caucasian umbrella to China governed by Manchu conquerors, highlighting distinct costumes and a distinct tongue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
Europe
Caucasia
Success Magazine
Robbing Dante's Tomb and Lamp Tradition
Fragmentary OCR notes discuss a crime described as robbing a tomb and oil lamp at Dante’s sepulcher. Mentions Italy unification ideas and public interest in keeping a lamp burning, with unclear references to events and dates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Italy
al Rayenns
Snakebite Heroic Rescue Described by McCormick
The Los Angeles Times recounts McCormick’s survival after a rattlesnake bite as he bound the wound, walked for miles, and crushed the fangs with a gun butt before pressing bandages to stop venom. He pressed on toward Grapeland despite fever and swelling, crediting his self treatment for saving his life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McCornick
Sera Oak
Car
Grapeland
McCormick
Los Angeles Times
The Real Trouble In Fitch History Play Note
William Clyde Fitch reflects on his historical play Nathan Hale and its reception during wartime. He recalls a critic who blamed the era rather than the play, and notes his belief in the work despite low attendance and mixed reception.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Willian
Clyde Fitch
Beau ‘Brummell
Nathan Hale
Lima
New York
Fitch
Saturday Evening Post
The Talkative Companion and the Nervous Smoker
A tense scene unfolds as one man floods the other with endless talk while the companion recoils in growing disgust. The talker then reveals his need to keep something in his mouth, declaring himself a "great smoker" and nervous, restless, and unable to stay silent.
OConnell’s Canterbury Visit And A Kiss Of The Stone
O’Connell recalled his first Canterbury visit to the cathedral where a Catholic pilgrimage took place. He asked the verger for the exact spot of Thomas Becket’s death, knelt, and kissed the stone. The verger warned of dismissal for papist acts, quoted a fee for a tour, and finally offered a kiss of the stone again at no extra charge with signals to watch for the dean.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
O'Connell
Canterbury
Canterbury Catheral
Thomas
Hecket
Fragmentary verse echoes in muffled Degro scene
In a garbled report from a Degro transit, a speaker recites a chant and another voice questions the meaning. The fragment hints at a two-syllable refrain and a dispute over singing within a crowded passage.
Wax figure ruse at Eden Mu ends with waxy quip
Onlookers at the Eden Mu exhibition watched a man arrive at Grand Central and pretend to inspect wax figures. A policeman intervened and, after a tense moment, the upstater claimed he knew the guard’s notional wax nature, prompting wary officials to assess the incident.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grand ‘Central
The Road to Success Dialogue with a Philadelphia Lawyer
A fragmentary quotation portrays John G. Johnsés and a Philadelphia lawyer discussing youth ambition and success. An aged millionaire questions the aim, and the reply suggests that pursuing what one dislikes leads to success. The hazy text captures a parable about purpose and choice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John G. Johnsés
PhiladelphmMons
Mr. Johnson
Ory
Millonaire
Whither Are We Drifting A Court Case On Kissing
A London schoolboy sued his brother in magistrates court for assault after a kiss on the playground. The judge dismissed the case as ridiculous, highlighting the era’s shifting views on child privilege and parental authority.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Solomon
London
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ives
Thoreau
Stevenson
Yeesab
Erastus Pinkley
Gwineter
Kington Star
Mabe
Beason
A. S. Wanamaker
Surgach Westrol CityHal
Hamburg
Lowe
CHAS
Medford
S. Tr. Mitchell
Bank of Hamburg
Cahouts
All Denen
Milburn G
Kenneth' Mure
Hareware
Huy, Mrurg
Edison
Sam
A. Cowles
Howie F Pastor
H.g.wisse
M.D
Besonéer Anfines Sainkeit
Aud
Kinder
Olle
Partiers Navi
Bauk
New Tailor Shop
J. He Knoth
Frank Davis
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!