Dead men's shoes across ancient grave customs
The piece explains how various regions prize interment boots for the dead. In Scotland, northern England, Scandinavia, Hungary, Croatia and Roumania, poor burials are given sturdy shoes to prevent ghosts. Some police buy boots to guard against barefooted graves, a belief that the shoes guide souls on bleak plains to paradise or hell.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Scotland
England
Scandinavia
Hungary
Croatia
Roumania
Asia
Hell
Norway
Sweden
Finland
Denmark
Striking Eyeglasses and Legal Consequences
A Jewelers' Circular Weekly note outlines that no law makes striking a glasses wearing person a harsher offense. It explains judges may impose stiffer penalties, but statutes do not specify glasses as an aggravating factor unless the eye is directly targeted with intent to wound or maim.
Spencer Traveled First Class With Hammock On Rail Journey
When Herbert Spencer traveled he reserved a first class compartment and hung a hammock across the carriage to dampen vibration. Spectators found the scene of the staid philosopher in a swinging hammock humorous as he shouts for the blinds to be drawn, dispelling unsolicited attention.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spencer
Herbert Spencer
Origin of On Trill Seup in Paris Nobility Tale
During the terror in Paris the nobility's fate worsened as abattoirs fed fresh hides to tanwork without removing tails, which were discarded. A noble man requested no tail and was served it, inspiring further talk. The tale tracks the first dish of ox tail soup and the ensuing public ire over the tails.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Lim
Ambition Melts After Reaching Its Summit
A quotation from Corneille on ambition and desire. It states that ambition displeases once satisfied and that a spirit seeks an object, then rests on itself and, after reaching the summit, longs to descend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Corneille
First Transient Speculates on Opening an Employment Agency
In a brief aside, the speaker contemplates starting an employment agency as a business path. The idea centers on helping others find work while avoiding personal temptation to work themselves.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ditte
Control of Energy as a Means to Avert Extinction
The piece argues that humanity may reverse energy dissipation by advancing synthesis of elements, not merely analysis, and questions if matter and energy can be recaptured for usable purposes. C W Saleeby predicts victory for mans unconquerable mind in Harper's Magazine excerpt.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
C. W. Saleeby, F. R. S
Harper's Magazine
LIZARDS OF BARBADOS CHANGING COLOR AND TAIL DROPS
The green lizards common to Barbados endure a harsh life as many predators, from cats to snakes, prey on them. They defend themselves by changing color from bright green to dark brown and by tail loss, while their eyes carry a weary, wistful expression. The creatures seem drawn to music, often listening near open windows when a piano plays.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Barbados
Assumes Virtue Through Right Thinking and Self Control
Zopyrus claims Socrates showed vice through features while Socrates argued nature can be disciplined by virtue. Emerson urges adopting desired virtue as present, then acting as that character, persistently shaping thought and habit toward calm, steady self control and composure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zopyrus
Socrates
Emerson
Catching Cold Suggestions To Avoid Doctor
Advice on preventing colds notes fatigue as a major cause and suggests maintaining health by steady routines, proper rest, and avoiding overtaxed nerves after long days. It warns that a weakened state can lead to cold, pneumonia, or jaundice, with stresses on balancing sleep and activity.
Cigar Signals Betrothal Customs Across Countries
The article describes marriage customs where cigars, dowries, and tokens indicate acceptance in Siam Calabri a and India. It notes dowry expectations of about $1,000 and other rites such as lights from cigars or pipes, slippers or a box of cigars as signals of alliance, with a closing remark on sun warmth and a quote from De Morimiy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Siam
Calabria
India
Sibert
Breakfast day confession from travelers in broken dialect
A fragmented dialogue scene depicts weary travelers and outdated speech about meals. The exchange includes mentions of lobster salad, mince pie, and breakfast, with garbled names and odd phrasing reflecting oblique social chatter. The tone is observational with no clear event or outcome.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Weary Walker
Cleveland
Shocking Freeocity Lesson In Arithmetic
A teacher in a primary class asks what result comes from two and two. a child quips a kit. The Chicago Tribune quotes a humorous line. The excerpt also references Seneca on vice and perpetual displeasure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Tribune
Sensible Factors in Cold Climate Health Risks
The piece argues that extreme heat and poor room conditions, not cold, heighten catarriism risk. It notes vulnerable individuals worsen with temperature changes and disturbed sleep, while proper rest, cooling baths, and regular routines help maintain nerves and circulation. Ill effects often develop gradually over days or weeks.
Papua Freshwater Mullet Fend Off Strong Currents
An explorer details Papua New Guinea’s swift streams stocked with large freshwater mullet. The fish weigh up to fifteen pounds and possess a suction mouth that lets them cling to rocks in rapid water, then dash back into the current after recovering strength.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Papua
Sabbath Observance Ties Reverence to Daily Labor Tale
A Tweedsmuir minister on a Sabbath found a salmon stranded in shallow water and, unable to move it on the holy day, built a hedge of stones around it and returned next day to claim his prize. An old farmer avoided shaving the night before Saturday to keep the day unprofaned by tools.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tweedsmuir
Kirk
Macmillan’s
A True Fish Story Told by a British Nobleman
A British nobleman recounts an Irishman catching a large pike. The fisherman cuts it open and a rush of wings erupts as a wild duck flies out. Inside the fish, a nest with four eggs is found, revealing the duck had been sitting on the nest.
Influences on Child Traits and Environment
The excerpt argues that a child’s traits are shaped by environment and upbringing. It warns against artificial tinkering and emphasizes sunshine, balanced nutrition, and wholesome surroundings to foster honesty, purity, and sociability, contrasting with harmful overcrowded or stressful settings. It cites Burbank from Century as a source.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Burbank
Seasons and plumage of the goldfinch described
The article details the goldfinch lifecycle from late October through May, noting the male’s color change and renewal of feathers, the long song period from March to August, and the nesting habits. It highlights the female’s role in nest building, the male’s singing during construction, and the birds’ clean habits and exquisite nests as described by the Philadelphia Press.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia Press
Grant's Presence of Mind in Civil War Reconnoiter
A Grand Magazine writer profiles Grant's cool nerve during the Civil War. While reconnoitering near enemy lines he faced a Confederate picket who tried to arrest him. He whispered to the guard to pretend he was in the enemy uniform and walked away, then slipped away unseen.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grant
John Russell Young
Grand Magazine
Ines
Dust in One's Eyes and Epaminondas at Tegen
A note on the phrase dust in one's eyes explains its origin. It recounts Epaminondas at Tegen defeating the Spartans by using a large cavalry force to stir dust before the infantry, revealing movements and enabling a repositioning for advantage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Epaminondas
Tegen
Palmerston quip about Isle of Man as solution
A woman told Lord Palmerston a maid objected to returning to the Isle of Wight because the climate was not embracing enough. Palmerston replied that she should take the maid to the Isle of Man next time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lord Palmerston
Isle of Wight
Isle of Man
Also Mentioned on This Page
Senecu
Barre
Vermont
E. H. Prior
Postville, Iowa
Or Barre, Vermont
J. M. Thoma
Paris Green
Tc. T
Gregg
Lumber Man
Illinois Central
Chicago
Omaha
Sioux
Cit
Sioux Falls
St. Paul
St. Louis
Memphis
Vicksburg
New Orleans
Address
Illnois Central
Postville
J. B. Hart
Amelia Thiesa
J. D. Gwen
Methodist Avenue
Kansas
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