Ignorance and Bliss in News and Letters of Error
A reflective essay argues that belief without inquiry can soothe ego and maintain social calm. It cites a confident but ignorant laborer in a garden, unverified weather claims, and the comfort of unquestioning notions. It laments the burden of knowledge, the rise of publishing mediocrity, and the allure of certainty over inquiry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ned
Raymond
Eternal Paradise
Berkeley
America
Miss Stowe
Uncle Tom
Emerson
Faneuil Hall
Europe
Charles Dilke
Oae
Bryce
St. Louis Globe Democrat
Talking Canary and Other Oddities From a 19th Century Paper
A collage of curiosities and observations from an old issue recounts a famed London canary that learned to speak, albino eye physiology, Moltke’s prep focused command, a century old pork barrel, and wry vignettes on misfortune and wit. It blends religious proverb, scientific notes, and literary quips with snippets about Theosophy’s rise and historical anecdotes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Detroit Free Press
The Town Meeting and New England Civic Duty
Henry L. Nelson argues in Harper's that the town meeting forms the core of New England governance. Voters attend, debate, and approve expenditures, appoint moderators, and learn parliamentary practice, producing active citizens ready for state or national roles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
New Ensland
Board of Trustees
Cushing and
Jefferson
Tyro
New York
Congress
Henry L. Nelson
Harper’s
Railway Booking Clerks and a New Process for Wrought Iron
Railway clerks must pass an exam and appear before a board to gain appointment with birth certificates and testimonials. They wait for vacancies in goods or passenger departments, with distinct roles and regular hours, while packing different social habits. A new process by Dr. Emimeus claims to convert pig iron to wrought iron without puddling, using a chemical bath and dynamo to separate impurities and deposit pure iron on sheets. New York Sun.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Directors
Chambers’ Journal
Emimeus
New York Sun
Carter
Goffer
Allaick
Che
Ava
Arter Medicine SO
New York
Sullivan
Calton
Francissuleivan
Scuephott
Accidental Wisdom at European Exposition Booth
A humorous sign at an Oriental exhibitor’s stand warned buyers that goods would not be delivered until judgment day, provoking remarks that the seller may have written better than he knew. The anecdote reflects playful, era-appropriate wit observed at a major fair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harper’s
Also Mentioned on This Page
Charles
A. D. Williams
St. Louis Republic
von Moltke
Moltke
T. A. Dodge
Forum
East Parsonsfield
David Perry
Mr. Perry
Lewiston
Painter
Wiener Figaro
New York Weekly
Atlantic
Mediterranean
Italy
Africa
Mme. Blavatsky
Colonel Scott
John Arbuthnot
Pope
Swift
Queen Anna
Prince George
Denmark
Scott
Struthers
Alron
Warren, Pa
Warren
Warren Book Bindery
John RB
Ela
Ray
Furnishi
Portland
Maine
Greenlund
Berckey & Gay Furniture
Grand Rapids
Nelson Greenland Undertaker
Exchange Block
Warren, Fa
Castoria
Parker
C.&e.bartsch
Water Street
Diamond Block
Is Weerlen
Siegel's
L. G. Noyes
Pitcher’s Castorla
William Thomson
Boston
Penn’a
the Diamond Furniture CO
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