Mercuriosities

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.”

Stamford Mercury, 3rd January, 1873.

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.

The magistrates dismissed the case.”

Stamford Mercury, 1st March, 1948.

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.’

Stamford Mercury, 24th June, 1927.

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.

A nice little anecdote about a young Malcolm Sargent at his primary School.

‘Many readers will remember Sir Malcolm Sargent as a schoolboy, both at the Bluecoat School, Stamford and at Stamford School, and an acquaintance recalls an incident concerning young Sargent while at the former.

As is the custom among new boys at the beginning of a new school term, he received the inquiry from another lad “What’s your name?” “Sargent,” he replied, “what’s yours?” Apparently his interogator halied from Rutland, and his reply, “Watchorn,” came to Sir Malcolm’s ears as “What’s yourn?” Somewhat nonplussed, the young Sargent repeated his name and also his own question. My informant tells me there were several such exchanges before the lad Watchorn established his identity.

Sir Malcolm, by the way, once publically stated that his first appearance on a stage was with the Stamford Amateur Operatic Society when, as a boy, he had a part in the “Mikado,” but a friend of mine informs me that doubtless unknown to himself, Sir Malcolm once had a “carrying on” part – as a baby in an entertainment in which his father took part, at the All Saints’ Church-room, Stamford.’

Stamford Mercury, 4th June, 1948.

Climbing boys and girls, technically called ‘chimney sweeps’ apprentices’ were sent up chimneys that were too narrow for their masters to climb. The practice in England was finally outlawed in 1875, although obviously discountenanced when this article was written.

‘A chimney-sweeper, named James Wilkes, travelled down from Lincoln in one of the steam-packets to Boston on Thursday the 18th inst., accompanied by an interesting-looking boy, about six years old. This child he took care should be in his sight as much as possible during the voyage ; but, notwithstanding his caution, the boy availed himself of an opportunity to communicate something to one of the passengers, which induced that person to watch where the fellow took the child, and afterwards having procured the aid of a police-officer, they searched the premises, and rescued the unfortunate boy from the clutches of Wilkes, whose obvious intention was to make him labour in climbing chimneys. It is supposed that the parents reside in Yorkshire, and it may be imagined how intense must have been the agony they have endured since their child was missed. On Friday, Wilkes was examined before the Magistrates of Boston, and remanded for further examination, to give time for due enquiry into the circumstances of the case.’

Stamford Mercury, 26th June 1829.

Easter Island remains a mystery today. Experts still disagree over the date the Polynesians colonised the island and why the civilisation collapsed so quickly. Here’s what people thought a century ago.

‘Mystery of Easter Island

“All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea,” wrote a navigator 150 years ago of this island–“which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”

The “idols” are not the only mystery on Easter Island. Whence came the inhabitants ? From South America, 2,000 miles to the East ? Or did they sail against the prevailing winds from the distant island to the West ? Some hold that Easter Island is all that remains of a sunken continent. Wooden tablets have been found there, bearing a script which has defied all translation.

The statues stand on the slopes of Rano Raraku, an extinct volcano. The quarries from which the statues came are on the higher slopes. The shadow of this mystery lies over the land. “The inhabitants of today are less real than the men who have gone. In Easter Island the past is the present ; it is impossible to escape from it.”

Some of the statues are over 30ft. in height. They weigh 40 to 50 tons. They were erected chiefly, it is believed, to mark the “ahu” or burial-place of the dead. It is impossible, save on the great eastern and western headlands, to go for more than a hundred yards without coming across one of these abodes of the dead.

Looked at from the landward side, the “ahu” appears as a vast theatre stage, the floor of which runs gradually upwards from the footlights. At the back is a great terrace, on which are set the giant stone images, all facing the spectator.

“Irrespective of where he stands, he will ever see them towering above him, clear cut against a turquoise sky. In front of them are the remains of the departed. Unseen on the farther side of the terrace is the sea. The stone giants and the faithful dead over whom they watch are never without music, as countless waves launch their strength against the pebbled shore, showering on the figures a cloud of mist and spray.”

All of these remains have been overthrown and many broken. It is not known how they were overthrown. It is not even known how they were set up. In one place an “ahu” was built on a natural eminence. One side was sheer cliff, the other, a slope of 29ft., was as steep as the roof of a house. Near the top a statue was lying.

“Do you mean to tell me,” said a guide who was directing the party, “that that was not done by mana? (magic).”–From “The Mystery of Easter Island,” by Mrs. Scoresby Routledge (Sifton Praed).’

Stamford Mercury, 2nd January, 1920.

Belgium secedes from the Netherlands and becomes independent. A contemporary account of the division of the country; you can’t help but empathise with Van de Weyer and his reluctance to sign the final treaty.

‘Brussels Papers received on Sunday contain intelligence respecting the new and final treaty between Holland and Belgium, determined on by the Five Powers. The substance of the treaty is, that Belgium shall form an independent state, comprising the provinces of South Brabant, Liege, Namur, Hainault, Western and Eastern Flanders, Antwerp, and Limburgh, excepting Maestrecht and the districts of the Prince of Limburg. A part of Luxembourg is also ceded to Belgium, for which the King of Holland will receive territorial indemnity in Limburg. The free navigation of the rivers running through both countries is recognised, as arranged by the Congress at Vienna. The National Debt will be equitably apportioned between the two countries, by which arrangement Belgium will be charged with a debt of 8,400,000 florins. The twenty-four articles were read in the Chamber on Thursday the 20th, together with two notes addressed by the Conference to the Belgian Plenipotentiary, Van de Weyer, and the answer of the latter. The Five Powers declare the terms of adjustment now laid down, are their final and irrevocable decision. M. Van de Weyer did not consider himself authorised by the instructions of his government to sign the articles, and indeed, in the Belgian Congress there already appear symptoms of dissatisfaction ; but the terms of the present arrangement being so perfectly equitable, it is obvious that their clamour and intemperance must be disregarded, and this impediment to the general tranquility of Europe effectually removed. The Belgian government are said to have received a separate intimation from the French ministry, that in case of their refusal to accept the treaty they must not expect to be assisted or encouraged by France.

Stamford Mercury, 28th October, 1831.

Bees have long been highly valued for their honey and the care of bees was a traditional rural pursuit. In 1820 this letter to the Stamford Mercury gives a detailed description of the bee box made by the writer’s neighbour.

Nowadays so many different types of bee hives or bee boxes are available, some of which sound like the one described below.

BEES.

Mr. Editor,- I request that you will give a place in your next number to the following attempt at describing the method by which a neighbour of mine manages his bees, and by which he always has his honey in the purest state, without ever destroying a single bee. In place of the common hive, my neighbour uses square boxes, made of thin board, about fourteen inches each way at top, and eight inches deep ; each box has a square hole cut out in the centre of the bottom and top, of about three inches across, exactly opposite to each other, and slips of thin board fitted to them, to slide out and in, as occasion may require. These boxes are placed close on the top of each other, to the number of three or four, and the slides drawn back the breadth of the hole, so that they will have a communication with each other. The bees are put into the uppermost box, and when it is completely filled with comb, in place of swarming, (as they must do in the common hive, for want of room) they work down into the second box, and so on to the bottom. By putting a pane of glass in the side of each box, it can be always be seen what progress they make downwards. By the time they are down into the third box, the slide is then to be put in, and cut off the communication between the first and second ; the upper box can be lifted off full of pure honey, without a single bee in it. – By the time they have reached the lowermost box, they are to be lifted off gently, and an empty one put in below it, and so on. One can have any number of sets of these boxes that their stock requires, and they are all to be placed in a wooden frame of convenient width, and in length to answer the quantity one intends to keep ; it is to be boarded entirely round ; the north side, however, to open on hinges, for the more conveniently taking out and putting in the boxes.

Stamford Mercury, 14th January, 1820.