Curious detachable pews in old English churches
The Malpas Cheshire church and others feature ingenious detachable pews that collapse under weight to deter sleep during services. Historic examples include Gatton Surrey’s squire’s grand pew with fireplace and servants’ gallery, Colwich Staffordshire’s private stair and postman route, Windsor’s royal pew above the choir, and The Hall Dog’s Pew with coats of arms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Malpas
Cheshire
Gatton
Surrey
Gatton Hall
Colwich
Staffordshire
St. George’s Chapel
Windsor
England
Little Benjamin Church
Norfolk
Stephen Crisbee
Trowbridge
Crabbe
Tennyson’s Witty Exchange with James White in Bonchurch
The tale recalls Lord Tennyson’s playful humor within friends. In a letter, John Blackwood recounts a chat with Rev. James White at Bonchurch where White claims part of Bonchurch belongs to Tennyson, and Tennyson fires back that White means the whole hole he lives in.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lord Tennyson
John Blackwood
Publishers
James White
Ish
Tennyson
Bonchurch
White
Rev
The Bitter Truth in a Pawn Shop Lantern
Diogenes enters a pawn shop and offers his precious lantern. The pawnbroker notes an antique pattern and questions its value. Diogenes laments the loss of worth, confessing that the lantern is worth nothing at all.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Diogenes
The Art of Life and the Will to Strive
An essay excerpt from Cornhill Magazine on living with limitations and the power of will. It argues a life shaped by deliberate effort and principle over mere activity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cornhill Magazine
The Cow and the Gate.
A Burroughs essay argues animal intelligence through a cow's clever gate entry and broader contrasts with human cause and effect. It cites plant and animal behavior, noting the cow's trial and error, and defines memory as a rudimentary sense-based continuity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Treasury
Washington
John Burroughs
Outing Magazine
Groom’s horse shy remark sparks doubt in court
In a notable cross examination a groom claims his horse would shy at many things, and when pressed for specifics replies it would shy at the barrister, leaving lawyers and jurors bemused by the lack of clear evidence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Witt
London
Eating Utensils Through the Ages
The London Standard traces how people used fingers in the middle ages and napkins with a dagger to cut meat, then adopted a dedicated eating knife. Forks appeared in Venice by 997 but were introduced to Britain by Thomas Corgate in 1608, changing dining etiquette.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Venice
Thomas Corgate
Britain
London Standard
Spring arrival of the jellyfish Sarsia mirabilis described
Harper's Magazine details the early spring emergence of the jellyfish Sarsia mirabilis. The piece portrays the creature’s transformation from a particle to a bi chambered bell with four trailing tentacles, its sensory abilities, and its graceful, tireless motion as it drifts near shore like an Ariel of the deep.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. J. Shannon
Harper’s Magazine
Suzie’s doubling tongue stirs schoolroom uproar
A London Answers tale recalls Suzie who spells words aloud, prompting laughter and a commotion in class. When told to double the letter oo she blurts Double up Jane the sun has risen, turning a spelling rule into a humorous misstep.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Suzie
Mary
Jane
London
Sleep in the Desert Across Gobi Toll of Sleep on Camel Route
The narrator recalls the extreme sleepiness of traveling across the Gobi by camel. He describes nights of near fainting on horseback, constant vigilance, and near accidents as wolves and fatigue threaten. The toll of restlessness surpasses harsh roads, inns, or rough cooking fires encountered in China.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
t.—North China News
Notice of Final Proof for Sivert Gjertson Wisconsin Claim
Sivert G N Gjertson of Washburn Wisconsin filed notice of intention to make Final five year Proof to establish his claim to the land described in homestead entry No 5671. The proof will be before the clerk of the Circuit Court of Bayfield County Washburn Wisconsin on September 15 1908. Witnesses named Gjert Gjertson Richard Lines Louis Holte and Andrew Tramell reside in Washburn Wisconsin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sivert G.N. Gjertson
Washburn
Wis
4Th P. Meridian
Circuit Court
Bayfield County
Wisconsin
Chris Olson
Department of the Interior
Wausau
Gunder Olson
Rafige
4Th P
Meridian
Pie Earning Attention in Northern Pennsylvania School
A Philadelphia school board member recalls a northern Pennsylvania schoolhouse where the strict master keeps boys focused at desks yet allows nibbling from lunch boxes. While teaching arithmetic he notices a pupil more engrossed in a slice of pie. he scolds William, asking if he is truly listening, then accuses him of listening with one ear and eating pie with the other.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
School Board of
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
William
Harper’s Weekly
Parrot and Bear London Scraps Wink at Matrimony
A witty exchange features a sharp young woman and a cynic who argues marriage is a mistake. He jokes a parrot costs 10 shillings while a bear would not be bought for under £30. The banter highlights gendered social views in a playful quarrel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Sheep as Beasts of Burden in Himalayan Villages
In northern India sheep are used as load carriers on treacherous mountain paths. Each sheep bears sixteen to twenty pounds of grain in a small bag while being driven village to village for shearing and sale of wool.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
India
Himalayas
Corsican Funeral Customs and Mourning Traditions
A Corsican death customs overview describes swift burial within twenty four hours, new burial gowns, and elaborate mourning. It notes improvised funeral poetry by women, death hunters at services, and the ritual tearing of hair and self scarring by mourners. Widows wear black bands over the eyes while mourners lead them, and cemeteries feature flat roofed tomb houses with rich hangings and lamps.
Burdock Blood Bitters Promises Restored Health
Purported remedy burdock blood bitters claims to enrich the blood and restore perfect health by alleviating a muddy complexion, headaches, nausea, indigestion, weakness and pallor. It presents heavy impure blood as the cause of illness and offers a simple tonic solution.
Totnes Market Custom Survives Despite Attempts to Break It
A Totnes market tradition has sellers uniformly chalking prices for tier and eggs at a stall. The uniform pricing system has endured with little action against it after prior efforts to disrupt the practice. The old method remains in force, as reported by St James' Gazette.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Totnes Market
St. James
Jokers in Marriage Law Jokes Edge In Mock Court Scene
In a theatrical exchange, a stern Congressman reminds a woman that marriage contracts contain the word obey while his wife quips about jokers creeping into matters, a witty moment captured by Puck.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Puck
The Skinflint Remarks Spark Debate Over Mercy
A quote portrays a neighbor criticizing Mr. Skinflint for harshness and jokes about how he would convert kindness into profit. The exchange hints at community tensions and humor surrounding his frugality.
Wise Guy on the Street Says It All
A lamp globe wagon collides with a truck on a New York street and many globes smash. A compassionate old man tips a quarter into the driver’s hat, but the driver pockets the money and quips that the benevolent giver may be the wise guy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Walters on Trial for Stealing a Watch in Arkansas
A trial in an Arkansas county pits Walters against a watch theft charge. The judge offers assistance to the deliberating jury as twelve jurors retire, and one juror hesitates. He asks the judge if he should request guidance on doubt about the arresting accusation. The juror finally asks whether the prisoner truly stole the watch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arkansas
Walters
Harper’s Weekly
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gobi
U.S. Band
Wausau, Wis
John Miller
Official Directory
W. H. Irish
A.M. Warden
Munkenger
Sauve
A. B. Severson
N.M. Oscar
John Freseth
Nels Myhre
Bell
E.O. Alverd
J.smith
G. Mertens
Hugo Nelson
Geo. Dibbel
Nels Lee
H. P. Axelberg
Nels Westerlund
QO. Wescott
Sci
L. M. Causen
E. E. Kenfield
State of Wisconsin
John A. Anderson
John Walsh
Plaintiff
Washburn Public Library Board
N.N. Oscar
Bryan
Charles Peterson
Wm. O'Neil
A. Oscar
Eryan
James A. Sheridan
Pine Street
Seventh Ave
West
St.john's Episcopal Church
Pallifer
Martin Ansbaugh
Charles H, Smith
Martin N, Thorsby
Louis M. Palm
Washburn, Wis
John W. Miller
Register
Benedict
Methodist Episcopal
Pengilly
Gutekunst
M. E. Rey
Hanson
Pastor
N. Epworth League
Congregational Church
J.r.weiss
Christian Endeavor
Foleyshoney
Chr. Christianson
Ladies Aid Society
Helping Hand Society
Engee Enderline
Lenawee
Bena
Iron River
Superior
Duluth
O. Ry
North South
Ashland Junction
St. Paul
Chicago
Trannect
Ashland
Northwestern
WIS. Central Trains
Mail
Excon
United
We Am
Unity Supply .Co
Dept. P
Ill
W. Frost
505
Seventh Street
Washington, D. c
Lake St
Metropolitan Magazine
Metropolitan Magasine
West Twenty-ninth Street
New York City
Josephine Tueck Baker
Evanston, Il
Nts
Munn
Scientific American
Munn & Co
F St
Northwestern Farm
Farm and Home Journal
Cc CD
Trabcoge
Scien Farm
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