Mercuriosities

Top hats are still de rigueur at Ascot. Over a century ago oval-shaped top hats were a new thing, nowadays men are spoilt for choice with hats of three different oval shapes : round oval, regular oval and long oval – who would have thought we needed so many? Here’s a modern guide to buying a top hat for those formal occasions.

‘LONDON PATENT IMPROVED OVAL-SHAPE BEAVER HATS,

Manufactured upon Blocks the exact Shape of the Head, and warranted to retain their form.

NATHANIEL DANDO and Co. Oval Hat Manufacturers. Original Inventors, and only Makers of the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat, No. 42, Cheapside, LONDON, again beg leave to introduce to the notice of the public, their Patent Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hats, assuring their friends that they have now completely effected that desideratum of making a hat so near the shape of the head, that it is worn without being felt ; thereby preventing those frequent head aches, and unpleasant sensations, so often experienced by wearing the common round shaped hat on an oval head, which must of course cause an unequal pressure upon the veins, thereby obstructing the free circulation of the blood in the vessels of the head, and often producing most serious consequences.

N Dando and Co. beg to refer to the many medical gentlemen, of the first eminence, who are wearing and recommending their Oval Shaped Beaver Hats, for their peculiar ease and comfort.

Merchants and the Trade can be supplied with the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hats, only by Messrs. Nathaniel Dando and Co. 42, Cheapside, London, and the public by most of the respectable hatters in the Kingdom.

A brief explanation of the Superiority of the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat, to the Common Hat.

The natural shape of the common hat from its being made on a perfectly round block, and brought to the oval shape of the head, by the hands and the use of a screw, is liable by wear, or when exposed to the damp or rain, to get soft, flap in the brim, and return to its natural round form ; thus losing its shape by being artificially produced.

The Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat, being manufactured and finished upon an oval block, made to the exact shape of the head, (most of which are from one inch to one inch and a half oval,) will not lose its shape, not being artificially produced with the hands and screw, as is the case with the common hat ; but manufactured from its first state in the shape required to be worn, nor is its shape liable to be affected by the damp or rain.

Nathaniel Dando and Co. request their friends and the public particularly to observe, that they have not appointed any Agent in London ; that their Warehouse, 42, Cheapside, is the only house in Town where they can be supplied with the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat ; and that every hat manufactured by them, has their names engraved in the bottom of the lining.’

Stamford Mercury, 27th August, 1819.

Charles Green‘s first ascent by balloon was from Green Park in London on 19th July, 1821 at the coronation of George IV. He made many more ascents, including this one shortly after gas street lighting had been installed in Stamford. The Gas Inclosure was on Wharf Road.

Under the Patronage of the Worshipful the Mayor and Aldermen.

MR. GREEN, who had the honor to ascend at his Majesty’s Coronation by order of Government, respectfully announces to the nobility, gentry, and other inhabitants of STAMFORD and its vicinity, the he purposes on SATURDAY, JULY 2d, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, making his 35th aerial voyage, from that well-known commodious situation, the

GAS INCLOSURE, STAMFORD.

A committee of gentlemen will superintend the arrangements and provide for the accommodation of those who may honor Mr. G. with their attendance. A band of Music will also be stationed in the inclosure.

Mr. GREEN will be accompanied in his ascent by Miss STOCKS, the young lady who ascended last summer from London with the unfortunate Mr. Harris, and who, from the total and sudden escape of gas, literally fell from the balloon from a height of nearly a mile, in Beddington Park, near Croydon.

Tickets of admission to witness the process of inflation, attaching the car, and launching the balloon, 2s each, may be had of Mr. MORTLOCK, Mr. ROOE, and Messrs. DRAKARD & WILSON, High-street, and of Mr. GREEN or Miss STOCKS, at the Assembly-rooms. For the accommodation of ladies, platforms will be erected, and a number of waggons placed within the inclosure; tickets of admission to which, 3s.; Children and Schools will be admitted at half-price.

The doors will be opened and the inflation commence at Twelve o’clock.

It is earnestly requested that ladies and gentlemen will provide themselves with tickets before the hour of admission, as it will greatly facilitate their quiet entrance into the ground.

The balloon, inflated with atmospheric air, together with the car and its appendages, will be exhibited in the ASSEMBLY-ROOM, on TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, previous to the day of ascent. Admission, Ladies and Gentlemen, 1s. each; Chilren & Servants, 6d. Open each day from 9 in the Morning till dusk.

A perfect Model of the Balloon, 9 feet in circumference, formed with Gold-beater’s Skin and inflated with Gas, will ascend and descend in the room during the exhibition.

The Stamford Mercury, 24th June, 1825.

Pick’s 5-horse dog cart was one of the cars to be exhibited at the Stanley Cycle Show in London in 1900. A very detailed description of his dog cart is shown here, (please scroll down to ‘Pick’).

Stamford-born John Henry ‘Jack’ Pick, originally a blacksmith, became well-known as a manufacturer of farm equipment and bicycles. In later life he changed careers to be a successful greengrocer.

There’s a lot more on Twitter about Pick Motors including a photo, taken at the 2018 Stamford car show on the meadows, of a 1912 Pick Doctors Coupe which is said to be still local to Stamford.

‘The “Pick-of-All” Water-Cooling 5-Horse Dog Cart

WHICH ATTRACTED SO MUCH ATTENTION AT THE

STANLEY SHOW IN LONDON.

APPLY FOR PARTICULARS TO

J. H. PICK & CO., STAMFORD.’

The Stamford Post, March 1st, 1901.

Baptism by immersion was often performed in the River Welland, although these two on a cold November day sound particularly unpleasant. However, the minister got wet too!

On Sunday morning last the religious ceremony of a baptismal immersion in the river again took place at Stamford, and attracted an immense crowd of spectators. The minister on this occasion was the Rev. J. F. Winks, of Loughborough; and the persons who underwent baptism were Mrs. Brownlow Westmorland (a young woman who is parted from her husband), and a servant-man named Edward Bull. The ceremony took place between 10 and 11 o’clock in the morning at Lamb’s bridge, the part of the river Welland before selected for such an exhibition, but certainly a very dirty and disgusting spot, and rendered particularly so on Sunday, by the swoln and turbid state of the water at that time. Singing and prayer preceded the descent into the river: the Minister also for some time with great earnestness addressed the assembled multitude in explanation of the rite he was about to perform, until a visible perspiration stood upon his head and face; and in this state of mental and bodily excitement he stepped into the water, sounding his way with a stick as he proceeded, until himself and his proselytes were up to their middles in a powerful stream. He then pushed them backwards and they were for an instant lost in the river; but by his aid they were replaced on their feet, and were suffered to make the best of their way to the shore, in one of the coldest and most comfotless winter mornings that can be imagined.

The Stamford Mercury, 20th November, 1829.

Advertisements for Dennis’s Lincolnshire pig powders are now collectors’ items. They cure almost every disease of pigs and those of all kinds of poultry too.

DENNIS’S CELEBRATED LINCOLNSHIRE PIG POWDERS, PROPRIETOR J.W. DENNIS, LOUTH.

DENNIS’S CELEBRATED LINCOLNSHIRE PIG POWDERS speedily arrest Disease and save Life. The Proprietor challenges the world to produce their equal for the following amongst other Diseases:–

Colds, Retention of Urine, Tender Feet, Inflammation, Costiveness, Milk Fever, Coughs, Fits, Hoose, &c.

These Powders are an excellent Medicine and Condiment : by their use Pigs fatten more rapidly and attain a larger size.

Sold everywhere in packets, with full directions on each, six doses for 5d., twelve for 10d.

Sold everywhere. Chemists and others not having them in stock will readily procure them.

WHOLESALE of STURTON & SON, Peterborough ; BEALL and SON, Cambridge ; LOFTHOUSE & SALTMER, Hull ; NEWBERRY and SONS, TIDMAN and SONS, HOVENDEN and SONS, and W. MATHER, London.

May be had wholesale and Retail of the Proprietor and Inventor, JOHN W. DENNIS, Chemist, EAST-GATE, LOUTH.

LOCAL RETAIL AGENTS.

MARCH, MR. F., Chemist, High-street, Stamford ; Peterborough, STURTON and SON, J. H. Pearson, and ARTHUR CARLTON, Dispensing Chemist, 18, Long Causeway ; March, VAWSER ; Wisbech, BOOR ; Spalding, BIRCH.

Stamford Mercury, 20th June, 1879.

The Wesleyan chapel referred to still stands – a handsome stone building that is now a private residence in Toll Bar.

Opening of a Wesleyan Chapel at Casterton. – For a long time the Wesleyan Methodists of Great Casterton had to hold their services in an uncomfortably small room in the village, and the consummation of an effort to get a place suitable for public worship was celebrated on Thursday the 27^th Inst., when the new chapel was formally opened for divine service.  The new building, which has been erected at a cost of 377l, 6s, 3d., stands at the Stamford end of the village, a short distance on the Little Casterton-road.  It is built of local stone by Messrs. Scholes, Rouse, and Clarke, of Stamford.  The chapel will seat about 150 persons, and is a comfortable structure.  The school-room is at the east end of the chapel, and will accommodate about 50 scholars.  The building is 56ft. by 30ft., is a good height, and is well ventilated and lighted with lamps.  The east window, over the communion table, is a handsome stained and decorated one, with figures of SS Paul and Peter, and is the gift of Mr. H. Hart, of Stamford.  Altogether the Methodists have reason to be proud of their new chapel.

The Stamford Mercury, 5^th December, 1884.

A story celebrating the marriage of a Jack of all Trades septuagenarian and his many and varied occupations.

Married, at Lowther, on the 4th Inst., Mr. Richard Clarke, to Mrs. Mary Martin, widow, of the parish of Morland. The bride has attained the age of eighty-three, and has only on eye. The bridegroom is no chicken, having seen upwards of seventy-six summers. He is also much celebrated in his neighbourhood for the universality of his genius. He began as a tailor, and quitted that occupation for the profession of a dancing-master; next he turned pig-merchant, then horse-dealer, then farrier; sixthly, he became bread baker; and now does a little in the way of preaching!

The Stamford Mercury, 19th, November, 1924 (first published in the Carlisle Patriot).

A grocer’s shop seems an unlikely place for an accidental death, but a young apprentice died after falling from a ladder when some of the stock fell on top of him. It is to be hoped that we take more care in today’s ‘Health and Safety’ conscious times.

“An accident which was unfortunately attended with fatal results befel a 17-year-old apprentice, named Albert Lawson, whose parents reside at 23 East-street, while following his employment at Messrs. J. and T. Eayrs’ grocer’s shop in High-street.  At the inquest at the Town Hall on Monday evening, Dr Elliott stated that he was called to deceased on the day of the sad occurrence, March 21^st, and found him suffering from injury to the abdomen.  At first there were hopes of his recovery, but on the following Sunday he succumbed to rupture of the bowel.  – Albert Edward Staff, aged 14, a fellow employee, said that deceased was standing on a ladder packing starch on a shelf about 9 ft. from the ground.  He (witness) was handing up the packages.  They had only been so engaged a few minutes when the ladder slipped backwards, and deceased fell to the ground, a box of Quaker Oats falling from the top of two bags of sugar, which were placed on their sides, and striking him in the abdomen.  Lawson got up and went into an adjoining department, from where, after lying on the floor some time, he was, upon Dr. Milner’s instructions, conveyed home on a hearthrug.  The jury returned a verdict of “accidental death,” and in handing their fees to the father, Mr Wilfred Lawson expressed through the foreman (Mr. E. Dalton), their deepest sympathy with the bereaved parents.  Mr Eayrs, a partner in the firm, was present at the inquiry.”

The Stamford Mercury, 31^st March, 1916.

Electors in Stamford voted for Charles Tennyson D’Eyncourt, uncle of the future Alfred Lord Tennyson, in 1831 when, for the first time ever, a candidate standing against the Burghley interest secured a seat in Parliament. He stood again in the 1832 election but was not successful.

‘To the Independent Electors and People of the BOROUGH of STAMFORD, and Parish of SAINT MARTIN, Stamford Baron.

FRIENDS AND FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN!

It is my painful duty to communicate to you the unsuccessful result of our exertions to to accomplish the partial emancipation of the Elective Franchise of this borough from the Unconstitutional and Corrupt usurption of the National Right of returning Representatives to the Comons House of Parliament; and I should be unworthy of your good opinion if I did not acknowledge of your generous support.

Electors of Stamford! We have been vanquished in this contest, but the disgrace is not on us; it rests on those who in their BROKEN PROMISES shamefully deceived us, – and on those who by every species of Intimidation and Corrupt Influence have prevented their unhappy and servile followers from “doing as they like with their own.”

The persecutions visited upon the Electors of Stamford, since your contests for the return of Mr. TENNYSON, – aided by other and notorious influences, – have now rendered the Representation of Stamford the Private Property of the MARQUIS of EXETER and a self-elected CORPORATION. The BALLOT, can only rescue you from the “House of Bondage.”

Electors of Stamford! Your Bondage will be but temporary. A REFORMED PARLIAMENT will ensure your early Deliverence; and if the struggles for your Freedom advance (as they assuredly will) the Liberties of your country, by securing Purity and Freedom of Election, we shall by amply consoled for our temporary defeat, as a willing sacrifice to the National Interest.

I am, Gentlemen,
Your grateful and devoted Servant,
ARTHUR FRANCIS GREGORY.
Stamford, 12th Dec. 1832.'

The Stamford Mercury, 14th December, 1832.

For all parents with a teenage daughter, worry no more. If you can procure Dr. Williams’ pink pills, all life’s woes will disappear. They cure weakness, loss of appetite, depression, headache, backache, anaemia, etc. – if only life were so simple. A handy book is still available for those who don’t know how to take the pills.

‘ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER

No Longer a Child

Perhaps you have already noticed that your daughter in her “teens” has developed a fitful temper, is restless and excitable, and often in need of gentle reproof. In that case, remember that the march of years is leading her on to womanhood, and at this time a great responsibility rests upon you as parents.

If your daughter is pale, complains of weakness and depression, feels tired-out after a little exertion ; if she tells you of headache or backache, do not disregard these warnings. Your daughter needs help, for she is most probably anaemic–that is, bloodless.

Should you notice any of these disturbing signs, lose no time but procure for her Dr. Williams’ pink pills, for her unhealthy girlhood is bound to lead to unhealthy womanhood.

What Dr. Williams’ pink pills can accomplish is instanced by the case of Miss M. E. V. Mearing, of 2, Sunningdale Cottages, Harlington-road, Hillingdon, Uxbridge.

“A year or two after entering my teens,” she said, “I began to feel listless and tired out. I completely lost my appetite, and what little food I did eat caused indigestion. I was frequently attacked with faintness and headaches. The slightest exertion caused palpitation and breathlessness. Though always tired, I could not sleep.

“I was nervous, and the least noise would set me trembling. I grew paler and thinner, and suffered pain almost unbearable.

“A doctor told me I was suffering from anaemia, but medicine did not seem to do me any good. I began to think I should never get better and grew terribly depressed.

“Then I happened to read how Dr. Williams’ pink pills had cured a girl of anaemia, and I thought I would try them. By the time I had taken the second box I began to feel the benefit. My appetite improved and I became brighter.

“I continued with the pills and gradually regained my strength. Headaches no longer troubled me, and I could run upstairs without losing my breath or getting palpitation. My nerves became steady, and all traces of anaemia disappeared. I now enjoy excellent health, and I have only Dr. Williams’ pink pills to thank.”

Dr. Williams’ pink pills for pale people enrich the impoverished blood of girls and women, and by doing so they repair waste and prevent disease. They give to sickly drooping girls health, brightness, and charm, with colour in the cheeks, sparkling eyes, a light step and high spirits. Let your daughter begin them to-day ; any dealer supplies these pills ; but ask for Dr. Williams’.

FREE.–Of interest to all girls and women is the little book, “Plain talks to Women.” Offered free to those who send a postcard for a copy to Hints Dept., 36, Fitzroy-square, London, W.1.’

Stamford Mercury, 9th January, 1920.