Wagering Whimsy from Eighteenth Century Betting Tales
A survey of curious bets and wagers from 1729 to 1817, detailing walking, hopping, racing, and eating challenges set by nobles and commoners. Anecdotes include a Leadenhall poulterer walking 202 laps, a rider racing to York, and a duke's bet on pie led by an apple pie bulletin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Butler
Leadenhall Market
Upper Moorfields
St. James’ Park
Edinburgh
London
Col. Ross
York
Kirton-Lindsey
George Inn
Constantinople
Earl of March
Duke of Queensberry
John Lade
Burn Treatments and Theories From A Medical Era
A physician shares anecdotal burn care claims, advising soft soap on fresh burns to remove fire quickly, then linseed oil and wheat flour for a durable dressing. The passage also mentions a Herald of Health note about primitive marriage, suggesting that as society advances marriage grows more complex and impacts population.
Lodge and electric discharge for fog dissipation debated
A letter by Professor Lodge discusses experiments to condense smoke with electric brush discharges, noting high initial costs and uncertainty about scale. The piece highlights potential uses in mills and tunnels and reflects on the novelty and promise of electric applications.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Electrician
Professor Lodge
London
Montreal
British Association
Lodge
Washington and Household Matters in Washington Papers
Washington managed his household tasks with the same precision he applied to farming and steward duties. The entry notes the arrangement of furniture hanging pictures locating vases bric-a-brac china cut glass silverware and linen sent by sea from Mount Vernon as documented in the 117 Washington papers at the state department in Washington.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Mount Vernon
State Department
Magazine of American History
Our minds are different as our faces quote
The line by Colton reflects on human diversity in paths to happiness and individual journeys. It emphasizes personal routes rather than shared roads.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Potomac River
Romney
W. Va
T4- World
Smithsonian Jen
Mississippi
Colton
Man Takes Trip to New York Ends Up in Gotha Joke
A country man travels to New York and plans to inform friends of his trip. A lawyer and his wife depart for the metropolis and ask a friend for hotel advice. The friend jokes by naming the priciest Gotha hotel, sparking humor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Metropolis
Gotha
Paine
Patchwork Pantyhosiery at a New York Ball
A New York man tore a black stockings patch on a dancing pump after a ball. He carried a silver monogrammed court-plaster case on his watch chain and used it to conceal the rip. Returning home he tore flesh removing the stocking and now limps. A schoolgirl notes black crayon is safer and washable.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lake Superior
Lukso
Warren K. Moorehead
New York World
New York
New Haven Palladium
What Causes Mirth According to Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith explains mirth as the discovery of a congruity in incongruity. He uses Boileau and a wooden pavement joke to illustrate how the sudden, effortless recognition of connection brings pleasure. Different minds enjoy varying forms of wit, with all mirth agents sharing a single underlying nature according to the London Spectator.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sydney Smith
Boileau
St. Paul's
Lamb
London Spectator
American Rush and the Time Sense of Busy Men
The piece observes how business travelers live on the lightning plan with minutes guiding their work. It notes telegraph communication dominates and even hotel registers reflect time economy, listing city abbreviations and highlighting Boston’s unique full name usage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Chi
Philadelphia
Jail Runaway Tramps Prompt Sheriff’s Notorious Claim
The Santa Cruz Quiet reports that after Sheriff Jennings took over, the jail housed nine to ten inmates a day. A tenth tramp sneaked in for meals and left, a drunk inmate broke a leg attempting to reenter, and a man jailed for assault fled to the sheriff’s home at night to report a stomach punch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Cruz
Eczema Cure Ads Promote Swaym Ointment and Blood Purifier
Local ads tout Swaym's Ointment promising cure for eczema and other skin eruptions with no internal medicine and low cost. Begg's Blood Purifier also advertised with a money-back claim. Also notes seed wheat shipments from North Dakota and a Monmouth Merchant Mill call to view samples.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Swaym
North Dakota
Saskatchewan
Monmouthe
Beggs Cherry Cough Syrup and McLean Remedies Ad Promo
An old advertisement extols Beggs Cherry Cough Syrup for coughs and lung issues citing its safety and effectiveness. It promotes Dr J H McLean products including Strengthening Cordial Blood Purifier Eye Salve Tar Wine Lung Balm and liver and kidney pills with prices and claims of improved vitality.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. Sceallin
J. HW. McLean
J. Hi. McLean
J.A. McLean
J.H. McLean
J. H. McLean
Also Mentioned on This Page
White's Coffee House
Walpole
Horace Mann
White's
John
Chloe
Chambers’ Journal
Lynn Linton
India
Cetewayo
Andrew Lang
Longman’s Magazine
Black Country
Oliver
Rod
Saturday Review
West Virginia
Chicago Herald
California
L P. Bardwell
Marion
Chamberlain
H. Scallin
Swayne
Swayne & Son
Seallin
Begg
Scallin
J. St
Harley Sherman
Burlington, Vt
Siro
Claussen
C. Oe
E. Auro
Peoria
Wells, Richardson &Co
Burlington
Seth Phate
Ives & Pond’s
Opera
Ainsi
Cail
W. S. Grouse
Califrnia
Oroville
Butte County
Riverside
Nothern
Palermo Helq
Palermo City
Sacramento
Marysville
California State Board of Tradan
Francisco
U.S
George Hearst
Geo. C' Pr
San Francisco
N. D. Rideout
Northern California Railroad
Mville Cal
T. J. Grier
Lead City
Dakota
McAfre & Baldwin
Palermo
Montgomery St
Cal
Flahart
Doars
Elkhart
Cturing CO
Pratt
Labelle Rancho Horse Importing Co., Incorporated
Winfred, Lake Co
English Shire
Suffolk
Punch
Cleveland Bay
Northwest
Teer
GEG
Wright
Scc
Treay
Eel Et Ei
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!