Following the recent news that there should be thirteen zodiac signs, it was interesting to find this article from 1920. The International Fixed Calendar was designed in 1902, but never adopted by any country. Its strict rules, probably explain why! (Unfortunately, either Major Penberthy or the journalist who wrote the following item did not check his arithmetic: 13 x 28 = 364!)
“THAT THIRTEENTH MONTH! (by Major F. Penberthy). – ‘If someone suddenly asked me how many dates has August, I should automatically recite that doggerel beginning, ‘Thirty days hath September.’ I can’t help it. And I believe everybody else does it too.’ Writes Major F. Penberthy in the January Pearson’s Magazine. He proceeds to explain the coming reform of the calendar, which has been discussed for some time past by the International Convention, and is now likely to come into being. Major Penberthy’s article throws some extraordinarily interesting sidelights on a matter which is undoubtedly everybody’s concern. Under the new scheme the year will consist of thirteen months of twenty-eight days each. Leap year will be provided for by the insertion possibly between July and August of a day which could be made a world-wide holiday. How the new year will be worked from a business point of view is most interestingly discussed.”
Murder in mid-18th century east-coast America was part of life. At this time the east coast truly resembled the wild west and Frederick Stump was lucky he was never brought to justice for these shameful murders. “The Frederick Stump affair” gives a more detailed account.
“PhiladelphiaFeb. 1. On the 10th of last month, four India men and two women went to the house of Frederick Stump, near the mouth of Middle-Creek, in the county of Cumberland in this Province, where the said Stump, after disabling them by making them drunk, most inhumanly murdered them, and hid their bodies under the ice in the creek. On the next day he went with a servant lad to an Indian cabbin, about 14 miles up the said creek, and there barbarously put to death an Indian woman, two girls, and a young child, and set fire to the cabin, and burnt the bodies to ashes. After committing these horrid murders, he freely confessed the whole to Mr. William Blyth, whose deposition, we hear, has been taken before the Chief Justice. The only reasons assigned by him for these atrocious violences, were, that he was afraid the six Indians intended to do him a mischief, and that he murdered the other four lest they should inform the other Indians of the death of the six. Upon the whole, he seemed to be under no apprehensions of punishment, and behaved as if he had done a meritorious action.”
Skipping or any other playful activity was strictly forbidden in the Royal Parks without prior ‘authorisation’. Victoria Park lies on the Thames near Westminster where park rules were stringently enforced as one family discovered to their cost.
“Whitsuntide frolics.–At Worship-street police-court on Tuesday John Turner and Selina Turner, man and wife, were charged before Mr. Bushby with skipping in Victoria-park. Selina Turner was further charged with assaulting two of the park constables. The evidence showed that about 5 o’clock on the previous afternoon the prisoners and several others were skipping with a rope in the open portion of Victoria-park. The officers went up, and after requesting the skippers to desist took John Turner into custody. On the way to the station Selina Turner caught hold of one of the constables by the whiskers, and kicked the other. At the station door she was taken into custody. In answer to the charge the prisoners indignantly denied that they were doing any wrong by skipping in the park. Selina Turner did not assault the officers, who used John Turner very roughly. The officers admitted that the male prisoner was not turning the rope when apprehended. Mr. Bushby said by the schedule of the Act under which charge was laid (Royal Parks and Gardens Act) it was enacted that no person should play any game in the parks except in accordance with the rules of the park, and the rules of the park said that no “unauthorised” person should play any game. The male prisoner had rendered himself liable to a penalty of 5l., and Selina Turner for obstructing the officers to 20l. fine. However, he fined the man only 5s. or seven days, and the woman 20s. or 14 days.”
In 1816 travel to Paris would normally take 73 hours from London, but the relatively new hot-air ballooning craze meant this could be cut to ten hours! Sadly, we do know not if this undertaking was successful, nor could we find a picture of the dolphin-shaped balloon – one can only imagine!
‘TRAVELLING IN A BALLOON. – A Mr. Egg, of the Strand, (a German,) has nearly completed a balloon, in the shape of a dolphin, for the avowed purpose of carrying the nobility and gentry to Paris, and subsequently elsewhere. It is to be made capable of conveying from 15 to 20 persons to Paris in the short space of 10 hours or less: it is worked by steam, and the wings are intended to act as rudders. The journey from London to Paris by Dover, is now performed in 73 hours: viz. 12 hours to Dover; 7 hours (upon the average) to wait at Dover; 6 hours (average) the passage; 48 hours to Paris, supposing a traveller sets off without taking any rest; total, 73 hours. This scheme, if carried into execution, bids defiance to the usual exactions of innkeepers, the customary search of custom-house officers, and all the ordinary impediments which so frequently annoy sensitive travellers. Mr. Egg is prosecuting this undertaking in a building in Brompton. – Observer.’
Forfeits was a typical Victorian game but when the players venture outside the house in costume it may well end in tears.
“A Christmas Forfeit.–An amusing case was heard before the Southampton Magistrates on Saturday. A respectable young man named Renyard was charged with loitering in the streets in woman’s clothes. A constable proved having seen him on the previous night in female attire. The prisoner’s defence was that on Friday night he was at a Christmas party playing forfeits, and he was “sentenced” to walk down the main street dressed in woman’s clothes, and being “in for a lark” he did it. The policeman said prisoner was wearing a woman’s hat, a crinoline, a black silk skirt and a shawl–clothes which a companion of the prisoner, who was also at the party, said were borrowed from ladies who were taking part in the game of forfeits. The Magistrates told the accused he had been guilty of a stupid Christmas frolic, but had been punished enough by being locked up all night, and they discharged him.”
Forgery among the holy orders, whatever next? Did the Reverend Moyle see the error of his ways or did he pursue a criminal career? Unfortunately, this is the record of his first offence, (or the first one that came to notice) for which he was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment. He became infamous with reports of his trial reaching New Zealand.
“A Clergyman charged with Forgery. –The Rev. Vyvyan Henry Moyle, Vicar of Eston in Cleveland, was on Monday arrested and remanded on a charge of forging shares, value 22,000l., in the recently-formed company of Messrs. Jackson, Hill, and Co. (limited), of Eston, iron manufacturers. The rev. gentleman applied for 10,000l. worth of shares in the firm, which were supplied, and he had paid 3,500l., the amount of calls due. On the 26th ult. the secretary of the company received what were supposed to be 220 fully-paid shares of 100l each, signed and sealed, and a transfer signed with Mr. Moyle’s name. Inquiries showed that the Mutual Society, Gresham-buildings, London, had advanced money upon the documents. Mr. Moyle was taken before a Magistrate at Middlesbrough, and evidence was adduced which justified a remand for a week. It is stated that the prisoner does not deny the charge ; the whole of the signatures to the documents and seal also are supposed to be forgeries. Mr. Moyle was first in Middlesbrough as a curate twelve years ago, and was appointed to Eston upon the formation of that parish.”
Strict enforcement of the licensing laws were in effect in the years after the second World War. Police sergeants and police constables would be vigilant in upholding these laws. For one lucky man the law was not enforced as he had a friend who confirmed his own version of events.
“Glass Taken Away Too Quickly
Following the warning, given by Licensing Justices at the annual brewster sessions concerning the consumption of drink on licenced premises after hours, Stamford Police have made several checks on inns, and as a result Michael Reginald Edward Ranger. a corporal in the R. A. F. stationed at Swinderby, appeared before the borough magistrates on Saturday, charged with such an offence at the London inn on 7 February.
Evidence of a visit to the lounge of the inn at 10.15 p.m. was given by P.s. Swain, who said he found it crowded. There were three glasses containing beer on the bar, and one, a pint glass, which the defendant said was “dead.” On turning round, however, he saw defendant take up the glass and start drinking.
P.c. Foreman corroborated.
Defendant, who pleaded, “Not guilty,” told the magistrates that he was not drinking from the glass, but only making a gesture of farewell.
A friend, Sergeant R. F. Banning, stationed at North Luffenham, said that as defendant picked up the glass the sergeant reached over and took it from him. He did not see defendant drink from the glass.
David Livingstone’s travels in east and central Africa were of great interest to his contemporaries. A fierce opponent of the slave trade, this account includes his witnessing of a massacre connected with the eastern slave trade.
“Dr. Livingstone.–On Friday night there was an overflowing attendance of ladies and gentlemen at the Royal Institution to listen to a lecture by Sir Hy. Rawlinson, K.C.B., on “Livingstone’s Recent Discoveries in Central Africa.” Sir Henry Holland, Bart., M.D., president of the institution, occupied the chair. Sir Henry Rawlinson said that Dr. Livingstone was not a mere traveller, but a pioneer of civilization, and a deadly enemy to the slave trade. In the year 1865 Dr. Livingstone was an idle man in London, anxious to be at his old work of exploration ; so, at the suggestion of Sir Roderick Murchison, he started in 1866 for Africa, via Bombay, to discover, if he could, the nature of the watershed of Central Africa. He landed near Zanzibar, and went one or two hundred miles up the river. Travelling westward he reached a pleasant elevated country. Further westward, after he was deserted by the Johanna men, he crossed a pleasant country once more, which the slave traders had never entered. Then he crossed a range of mountains west of Lake Nyassa ; he found no game on the hills, and had to live for a month on mushrooms. The country so far had often been previously traversed by other Europeans, especially by the Portuguese, several of whom have crossed Africa from east to west. Very little being known by the British public about the travels of the Portuguese in these regions, the Royal Geographical Society is about to publish some of their discoveries. After ten months’ travel Livingstone entered the lake country, and found it to be one of the most beautiful and luxuriant districts in the world; in fact, when the sea coast is left behind, and the central plateau reached, Africa is a far more delightful country than is generally supposed. In the beginning of 1868 his progress to Lake Tanganyaka was stopped by the inundations. Early in 1869 he was ill for several months, after which, for three years, he was lost to sight, till Mr. Stanley found him. During this period he made four distinct journeys into the cannibal country of Manyuema, which he found to be mountainous and nearly covered with primaeval forests and rich grass, through which elephants only could force their way. On June 13, 1871, there occurred a horrible massacre : hundreds of men, women, and children were wantonly slaughtered by Arab traders, who opened fire upon the inoffensive people on a fair day. Livingstone, who had travelled with the Arabs, was then hunted out of the country, and reached Ujiji, a mere mass of bones, about a month before he was succoured by Stanley, who, there is little doubt, was the means of saving his life. Livingstone is now tracing several streams which he believes to be the sources of the Nile, but which there is little doubt are the sources of the Congo.”
Despite the argument about the price of his prawns, this fishmonger does sound quite jolly. The title of the piece refers to the iconic ‘Skegness is so bracing‘ poster, featuring a fisherman skipping down the beach.
A NEW “JOLLY FISHERMAN”
‘POLICE COURT SEQUEL TO ARGUMENT OVER PRAWNS.
Skegness police court was convulsed with laughter on Tuesday, throughout the hearing of a charge against Edward Evison, a Skegness fishmonger for using obscene language.
P.c. Mapleson said defendant was having and argument with a man concerning some prawns, and used very bad language.
Defendant: What did I say, for I’m blowed if I can remember?
On the constable’s report being read to himn, defendant commented: “I should think it’s about right. It’s about what I should say when I was telling anybody off.”
The Chairmamn: Why don’t you keep your mouth clean, Evison?
Defendant: I ought to, sir; I keep having it washed well.
In excuse for his linguistic display, Evison said the other man started “slavering” about the price of his prawns, and so he gave him some “chin wag” back.
On being told that the fine would be 10s., defendant exclaimed, “What again? Why, that’s more than I’ve took this morning. I shall have to get off and get shut of something quick.’
A visit to the cinema was very popular in the 1920s. Films were, of course, silent, although this would all change in the October after these two films were shown, when “The Jazz Singer“, starring Al Jolson, was released by Warner Bros.
‘”BROWN OF HARVARD”
AT THE CENTRAL CINEMA.
Laughter-shaken audiences at the Central Cinema this week will testify to the success of one of the latest comedies. “Skinner’s Dress Suit,” picturised from Henry Irving Dodge’s book of the same title, and with Reginald Denny in the leading role. Denny conveys more with the life of an eyebrow than many others can with their entire bodies The film is an amusing sotry of a couple who attempt to live beyond their means and learn an embarrassing lesson as a result. In support of Denny is a cast of most capable and versatile players, including Laura La Plante.
“Brown of Harvard,” next week’s film, is a picture that will fascinate everybody. This film is a tale of modern college life, full of pathos and infectious humour. THrilling sport scenes of “rugger” games and boat-races supplement an egrossing love story between William Haines and Mary Brian, both well-known in the cinema world, but the outstanding actor is undoubtedly Jack Pickford.’*
Stamford Mercury, 11th March, 1927.
*Jack Pickford was Mary Pickford’s younger brother.
