Author: Volunteers

The Mercury reports optimistically on a patent for an aerial steam carriage (named ‘Ariel‘), 60 years before the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

THE AERIAL STEAM CARRIAGE. – When it was announced some time ago, by the ordinary monthly lists of patents granted, that Mr. Henson had invented a machine capable of conveying dispatches and passengers through the air, the general impression was that some moody and enthusiastic projector was about to exhibit the produce of his day-dreams.  Our readers may, therefore, be somewhat surprised to learn that this is in truth no visionary scheme, but a design of very scientific conception, carefully and perseveringly wrought out.  It would perhaps be too much to affirm (what yet we cannot deny) that the machine in its present state will certainly succeed ; but the least which can be said is, that the inventor has most skilfully removed the difficulties which have hitherto debarred us the possession of the long-coveted faculty of flight, and has made its eventual, perhaps early, attainment a matter of little less than certain.  This device would not have succeeded if the inventor had not effected an extraordinary reduction in the weight of his steam-engine.  Our engineering readers will be somewhat surprised to learn that the engine of 20 horses’ power now in preparation for the aërial carriage weighs with its condenser and requisite water but 600lbs.  To the united effect of these different branches of this important invention must we attribute our present prospect of making our paths in the air.  The area of the sustaining surface will be, we understand, not less than 4500 square feet ; the weight to be sustained, including the carriage and its total burden, is estimated at 3000lbs.  The load is said to be considerably less per square foot than that of many birds.  It may assist the conceptions of our non-mechanical readers to add that the general appearance of the machine is that of a gigantic bird with stationary wings ; that the mechanical principles concerned in its support are strongly exemplified in the case of a kite ; and that its progress is maintained by an application of power like that which propels a steam-boat.  In the operations of nature, particularly in the flight of birds, will be found many striking illustrations of the principles on which the inventor has proceeded. – Whatever may be the immediate issue of the present attempt, we think it is impossible not to award to the inventor the highest credit due to the removal of the great difficulties which have hitherto defeated all similar inventions ; nor do we doubt that, in following out the path he has opened, complete success will eventually be obtained : whether that success will be, as we wish, early and entire, or whether it will be delayed and gradual, depends on the facts as to oblique pneumatic resistance, which have yet to be ascertained.  It is, however, high time to begin to consider in the spirit of careful inquiry and cheerful hope what will be the changes, commercial, social, and political, which the possession of this new-born power will necessarily bring about. – Times.“

The Stamford Mercury, April 7^th, 1843.

Magnetic north was an elusive creature, perhaps because it was, and still is, constantly on the move. In 1828 these men set out to find magnetic north. They only just missed out because three years later it was discovered by another naval man, James Clark Ross.

“Northern Scientific Expedition.–Towards the end of this month (April) Professor Hanstein will set out on his journey to Siberia. He will be accompanied by Lieutenant Due, of the navy ; and at St. Petersburgh they will meet Dr. Erman, from Berlin, who will go with them as naturalist and astronomer. They will proceed from St. Petersburgh to Moscow, Kasan, and Tobolsk, and northwards along the Obi to Beresow, in order to examine the hitherto imperfectly known northernmost branch of the Ural chain, and to observe the temperature of that tract. They will afterwards go from Tobolsk, by way of Tara, Tomsk, Krasnoiarsk, and Nischmei-Udinsk, to Irkoutsk, where they hope to arrive in time to pass the winter. Hence they mean to travel north-east to Jakoutsk, from which the most fatiguing part of the journey will be to Ochotsk, as there are 1014 wersts (676 miles) to go over, in a country entirely uninhabited, in which they must pass perhaps a thousand streams, bivouac in the night, and take provisions for the whole journey. It is calculated that the tour may occupy two years. The grand object of this important expedition is to observe the phenomena of magnetism, and to ascertain, if possible, the situation of the magnetic poles, &c,–Literary Gazette.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

From the stomach pump to the fire escape, Mr. John Read’s inventions knew no bounds. He descended from the various floors of the house causing quite a stir. Other similar creative and amusing fire escape designs were around at this time.

“Great interest was excited on Wednesday afternoon the 30th ult. in Regent-street, by the descent of Mr. Read (the patentee of the stomach pump) from a window nearly 60 feet from the ground, by means of a very simple fire-escape of his invention. The apparatus consists merely of a rope twice the length of the height of the place where it is attached. Above the window of the chamber a ring is fastened to the wall inside the room, a bar crosses the ring perpendicularly, and around this the rope is reflected. Some strong web, which forms a sort of seat, is attached to one end of the rope, and the other being thrown out of the window, the persons escaping from a house on fire lower themselves into the street, by allowing the rope to pass gradually through the hands as they descend. In the same manner children or others may be let down by any one of ordinary courage and coolness, for which purpose a bag is appended to the rope, in which they may be securely enveloped. Mr. Read descended from the various floors of the house with great adroitness, highly to the satisfaction of a great crowd assembled by the novel exhibition.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

The Leet of the Manor of Stamford, overseen by the Lord of the Manor, was a force to be reckoned with, from medieval times to more recent times, in Stamford, as hundreds of soon-to-be homeless people would discover. Let’s get everything in perspective : what is more important: a) making hundreds of people, admittedly ‘of the humble kind’, homeless, b) losing £2,000 in rental income, or c) losing 50 votes ? It was a hard choice in 1828.

“At the annual assembly of the Leet of the Manor of Stamford last week, Mr. Torkington, the clerk, stated that the notices given to a few of the persons who had trespassed by building on the waste, would be followed up by active operations in case the owners did not promptly take down the erections ; and that it was intended to give similar notices to all the trespassers, by a dozen or two at a time, and to resort to similar active proceedings in every case of contempt, until all the buildings were removed.–This measure will throw some hundreds of persons out of dwellings ; and, although they are chiefly of a humble kind, will, it is calculated, destroy a rental of about 2000l. a year, and about 50 votes for the borough.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

Here’s the story of an accidental shooting that may well have been taken from the pages of any United States newspaper. It is noteworthy because the event occurred in nineteenth century London.

“James Parker, a fine young man, aged 17, met his death last week under the following distressing circumstances. The deceased, the nephew of Mr. James Hayes, paid a visit in company with the family of that gentleman to Mr. Barham, in Cold-harbour-lane, Brixton, on Sunday se’nnight. On their arrival they were introduced into a back parlour, where they had been but a short time, when the deceased said “I perceive you have a gun, Mrs. Barham.” His uncle desired him not to touch it, upon which Mrs. Barham observed that her husband did not allow it to be loaded in the house. Mr. Hayes then examined the piece, and finding no powder in the pan, he snapped it twice under the grate, and gave it to the deceased to put away. At that moment Mrs. Barham said “James, give it to me, I know how to let it off,” and taking the gun, she pointed the muzzle towards the deceased, jocularly saying–“Now mind yourself, James :” at that moment the piece went off, when the whole charge struck the deceased between the eyes, and he instantly sunk in his chair a corpse. A verdict of accidentally shot was returned, and the piece condemned as deodand.”

Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

A human calculator, a savant or just good at arithmetic ? This 10-year-old from the US was undoubtedly a very bright boy indeed.

‘ANOTHER CALCULATING BOY.–A Washington paper gives an account of a boy in that city, named Edward Ord, only ten years of age, who appears to be not only a prodigy in calculation, but in ready wit. A number of gentlemen who visited him for the purpose of proving his talent, asked him, “If I give away one-third, one-fourth, and one-fifth of a bushel#, what shall I have left of two bushels ?” After a few moments’ consideration, he answered correctly, “43-60ths of a bushel.” He was then asked, “If a pair of boots costs six dollars, what will a hat cost ?” He answered readily, “Different prices ;” and immediately proposed a similar question–“If a bushel of coals costs 6 1/2 cents., what will a cord† of wood come to ?”–“I don’t know,” said the gentleman. “It will come to ashes,” said the boy–He was then asked. “If 7-10ths of a yard of kerseymere* cost two dollars 25 cents., what will a yard and a quarter cost ?” and, after a short pause, answered, with his usual precision, “Four dollars, two cents., and 12-28ths of a cent.”‘

Stamford Mercury, 21 November, 1828.

#A US measure of capacity equivalent to 35.2 litres, used for dry goods.

*A fine woollen cloth, with a twill weave.

†128 cubic feet.

Hot-air balloon flights have been popular for a couple of centuries. This balloon was constructed for the coronation of George IV in 1821 (see our earlier post). Mr. Green is now on his 93rd ascent, so, you would be in very capable hands.

‘ROYAL CORONATION BALLOON.

Change of Day.

By permission, and under the Patronage of the Right Worshipful T. Broughton, Esq., Mayor of Boston.

Mr. C. GREEN respectfully announces to the ladies and gentlemen of BOSTON and vicinity that he purposes making his 93d ascent, from a Paddock belonging to C.K. TUNNARD, Esq., situate in Bargate, Boston, with his splendid Balloon, on WEDNESDAY next, at Three o’clock in the afternoon, instead of Thursday the 15th instant, as announced in the Boston Gazaette of Tuesday last.

The Balloon inflated with gas, together with the Car, Parachute, &c., will be exhibited on TUESDAY next, at which period, should the weather prove calm, partial ascents will be made : persons desirous of accompanying Mr. Green in those ascents, are requested to apply to Mr. BEVERLEY, bookseller, of whom tickets of admission may be had.

Admission to the exhibition on Tuesday–ladies and gentlemen 1s. each, servants and children 6d.; admission to witness the final ascent 1s. A space will be fenced off near the Balloon, the price of entrance to which will be 1s. each.’

Stamford Mercury, 2nd May, 1828.

With the Hark Forward Post Coach, Standwell’s coaching business was rapidly expanding its itinerary and its fleet of vehicles. It travelled between Stamford and Melton, enabling people to connect with London by the following day. Coaching inns (and Standwell’s Hotel) were also a lucrative source of income.

‘The public are respectfully informed, that a new, light, and elegant POST COACH, called the HARK FORWARD, will commence running on TUESDAY next, from the HOTEL, STAMFORD, every Morning at Half-past Six o’clock, and arrive at the BELL HOTEL, MELTON, at Half-past Nine o’clock.

The Proprietors of the above Coach, desirous of giving the accommodation so long wished for by Noblemen and Gentlemen, beg to inform them, that by making arrangements with T. STANDWELL, they can receive their Letters and Parcels at Empingham at a quarter past 7 o’clock, at Exton at half-past 7 o’clock, at Cottesmore at a quarter before 8 o’clock, at Market Overton at a quarter past 8 o’clock, at Teigh at half-past 8 o’clock, at Edmondthorpe and Wymondham at a quarter before 9 o’clock, at Stapleford at 9 o’clock, and at Melton at half-past 9 o’clock. The Hark Forward will leave Melton at half-past 3 o’clock, through the above villages, and arrive in Stamford in time for the South Mails, and Rockingham and Express Coaches.

Letters, Passengers, and Parcels, can arrive by 10 o’clock the following morning in London.

Performed by STANDWELL and Co., Stamford ; and SHARPE and Co., Melton Mowbray.

Hotel, Stamford, Nov. 27, 1828.‘

Stamford Mercury, 28th November, 1828.

There have been some very famous individuals who have lived up to the English reputation for being a nation of cat-lovers, though few can have shown this trait as extremely as ex-pat. Miss Topping of Vendôme.  Abbé Beaunier was quick to fulfil her last wishes with regard to her funeral arrangements, but she appeared to value her feline friends above her human ones, and left very detailed instructions for the care of her cats after her death.  The Abbé clearly thought that her estate could afford quite a bit more than he was being offered for his services, and used Miss Topping’s will to illustrate his point.

“EXTRAORDINARY WILL of an OLD MAIDEN LADY.—A singular trial occupied the French Tribunal on Friday.  On the 3rd of May, 1841, Miss Topping, an English maiden lady, died at Vendôme, having expressly desired that she should be carried to the cemetery of Vaurigard, attended by the Abbé Beaunier, a dissenting Catholic minister; that is to say, one who would not conform to the Concordat entered into between Pope Pius VII and Napoleon in 1802.  At the time of Miss Topping’s death the Abbé Beaunier was ten leagues from Vendome, and immediately set out with her mortal remains for Vaurigard.  The Abbé was detained in Paris a week before the formalities required for warranting the interment could be got through.  At length all was accomplished, and the funeral performed.  For his professional services, loss of time, and expenses, the Abbé required a sum of 1200fr.  This the executors thought too much, and declined paying.  Abbé commenced a suit for the recovery of the amount, and his counsel read the following clauses from the deceased lady’s will: -“I desire that there shall be raised from the most easily convertible part of my property a capital sum sufficient to produce 800fr. a year, which shall be paid quarterly to such a person as I may name in a codicil – or, in default thereof, to a person to be named by my executors (the testatrix did afterwards name a person by a codicil) – on condition of taking the care and nourishment of my three favourite cats – Nina, Fanfan, and Mini – or any others I may have at the time of my death.  This income shall be paid as long as any one of these domestic animals shall remain alive.  My executors may, in case of negligence or cruelty towards them, withdraw them and the said pension, and choose another person as guardian.  The person appointed to feed and take care of my said cats shall live on a ground-floor, to which shall adjoin a terrace easy of access, and a garden inclosed within walls, of which they shall have full and free enjoyment.  These animals are to be fed with lights, sheeps’ hearts, or raw or dressed meat ; they must be given twice a day a sufficient quantity of milk, occasionally mixed with starch or rice flour ; the meat is to be given them twice a day also, so that they may  have 4 daily meals regularly.  They are to sleep in the house, and therefore are to be shut up after their supper, at 9 or 10 o’clock, except the tom cat, which will not remain at home ; but care must be taken that he comes in at a good time in the morning.  In case of their death, they are to be wrapped in a piece of new and clean linen, put into an oaken coffin, and buried deep in the earth in an inclosed ground.  If I die before having buried a certain box covered with tarpaulin, containing the bodies of my two cats, Beauty and Tom, they are to be put into a very deep hole in an inclosed place, so that they may not be liable to be taken up again.” – The counsel for the executors represented that the Abbé Beaunier had long been the friend and spiritual director of the testatrix ; that she had by her will bequeathed to him a legacy of 1000fr., and another 500fr. to his sister ; consequently that the services he had performed were due from him in gratitude and friendship.  The executors had, however, tendered 300f. to him.  The Tribunal gave judgment, awarding the Abbé 400fr., and each party to pay their own costs.”

The Stamford Mercury, 3^rd March, 1843.

An infant was fatally scalded after pulling a tea-tray off the table however medical advice was sought only from the nearest druggists.

“On the 9th inst. an Inquest was held before Mr.Wakley, M.P., at the Crown Inn, Kensington, on the body of Emily Burt, an infant, aged 16 months, whose death occured under the following circumstances:-Thomas Burt, a journeyman coachmaker, residing in Gardiner’s buildings, Kensington, deposed that he was the father of the deceased. On the morning of Friday the 5th, he, with his wife and four children, were sitting at breakfast, and he was informing his wife of the decease of his mother, which had taken place that morning, when the deceased child pulled the tea-tray off the table, and the contents of the tea-pot fell over her face and shoulders, scalding her very much. He immediately applied some scraped potatoes, and also some clarified neatsfoot oil, and afterwards went and stated the circumstances to a neighbouring chemist, who gave him some lininment, some plaster, and a draught, which were applied and administered, from which the child appeared much better; but about nine o’clock on a Saturday evening his wife sent for him, and on reaching home he found the deceased in convulsions, and within five minutes she expired. He did not call in any medical assistance, the change was so sudden. The chemist did not see the deceased. Mr. Wakley, in addressing the jury, said that he regretted exceedingly that a medical practitioner had not seen the infant. He doubted not the respectablity of the druggist who had supplied the liniment and the draught, but that trademen and others of his calling ought to know they they incurred a fearful responsibility in undertaking the management of such cases. He had already directed the constable always to summon the druggists as witnesses at inquests on the bodies of persons for whose maladies they had undertaken to prescribe. He now again repeated his instructions to contsables to that effect. It was a rule of conduct which he was determined to observe; and thus the medical examination to which druggists would be subjected before the jury would soon prove to the court whether they were competent to undertake the treatment of important diseases, and acted with judgement and prudence in prescribing remedies without posessing an efficient knowledge of the structure of the human body, and of the maladies by which it was afflicted. It was one thing to understand the qualities of drugs and to know how to compound them, and another to comprehend the character of the complaints for the cure for which they should be administered. In the present case a medical practitioner of skill and ability would have known that the infant required the most competent and vigilant watching, and not the less so because it became quiet soon after the accident, and appeared to the unprofessional observer to be free from danger. The scalding water had fallen over its entire face, embracing the whole of its forehead. The injury was therefore close to the brain; hence the shock to the nervous system was extreme. Accordingly it was found that when the child, to the inexperienced eye, seemed recovering, it was seized with convulsions, and died in a few hours. It was the business of the court to inquire into the cause of the death, and as the absence of proper medical treatment might be one of them, he was determined, in all future cases, to adhere to the rule which he had laid down respecting the summoning and examination of prescribing druggists, and hoped that such a practice would have a beneficial effect on the public health. The jury returned a verdict of “accidentally scalded.”

The Stamford Mercury 19th April, 1839