Mercuriosities

A phenomenon seen in the dark October skies, inspired a star-gazing correspondent to write about the meteor and shooting stars he had observed.

NORTHERN LIGHTS. – On Tuesday evening a re-appearance of the meteor was observed in the north and north-west parts of the hemisphere. Below the wain in Ursa Major, the blaze resembled the sheet lightning so frequently seen after a hot summer’s day, though it was more steady than the electric fluid. One most elegant silvery flame, about the breadth of the rainbow, proceeded from the western horizon, and crossed the meridian south-west of the zenith, extending to an altitude of nearly 45 ͦ. During the phenomenon, several falling or shooting stars were observed; and the wind (which in the forepart of the day had been blowing a gale) was gentle at S.W.: the external thermometer 46 ͦ, and the barometer 29.3 inches. Of late the Aurora Borealis have been more frequently observed in this country then formerly; for several years they were not at all noticed, and none previous to 1544. They perhaps obey the same laws as do the winds, and the variations in the orbits of the planets. – W.F.

The Stamford Mercury, 14th October, 1836.

Goldsworthy Gurney‘s interests led him to work in many fields, from boiler systems to improving the ventilation system of the House of Commons and developing the Limelight used in theatres. He took out many patents, including one in 1827 for his new steam carriage.

‘Mr. GOLDSWORTHY GURNEY, whose name is already familiar to most of our readers, after a variety of experiments, during the last two years, has completed a STEAM CARRIAGE on a new principle. The boiler is tubular, constructed upon philosophical principles, and upon a plan totally distinct from any thing previously in use. It is composed of a succession of welded iron pipes screwed together in the manner of the common gas-pipes, forming a sort of inverted horse-shoe, and the space between is the furnace ; the whole being enclosed with sheet-iron. A contemporary journal states, “Mr. Gurney, who was educated a medical man, has actually made the construction of the human body, and of animals in general, the model of his invention.”

Coke or charcoal are to form the fuel, by which means smoke will be avoided. The carriage would carry six inside and fifteen outside passengers. In front of the coach is a very capacious boot ; while behind, that which assumes the appearance of the boot is the case for the boiler and the furnace. The length of the vehicle is fifteen feet, and with the pole and pilot-wheels, twenty feet ; of the front wheel three feet nine inches ; and of the pilot-wheels three feet. There is a treble perch by which the machinery is supported, and beneath which two propellers, in going up a hill, would be set in motion, somewhat similar to the action of a horse’s legs under similar circumstances. In descending a hill, there is a break fixed on the hind wheel to increase the friction ; but independent of this, the guide has the power of lessening the force of the steam to any extent. By this means also he regulates the rate of progress on the road, going at a pace of two miles or ten miles per hour, or even quicker if necessary. There is another lever also by which he can stop the vehicle instanter, and in a moment reverse the motion of the wheels, so as to prevent accident, as is the practice with the paddles of steam-vessels. The guide keeps the vehicle in its proper course, by means of the pilot-wheels acting upon the pole, like the handle of a garden-chair.

The weight of the carriage and its apparatus is estimated at 1½ ton, and its wear and tear of the road, as compared with a carriage drawn by four horses, is as one to six. When the carriage is in progress the machinery is not heard, nor is there so much vibration as in an ordinary vehicle, from the superior solidity of the structure. The engine has a twelve-horse power, but may be increased to sixteen : while actual power in use, except in ascending a hill, is but eight-horse.

Mr. Gurney has already secured a patent for his invention ; and he has our best wishes for his permanent success. If the steam carriage can be made general, its effects will be more important than even those of the steam-boat, as being applicable to a greater variety of purposes, more easy of employment, and involving less expence.

Mr. Gurney’s steam coach has been running every day last week in the Regent’s Park and the New Road. On Thursday, amongst other distinguished personages, besides Don Miguel, the Duke of Athol visited the carriage, as was so delighted with its appearance, that he insisted on being allowed to ride in the interior. As there are no steps yet fixed, and his grace is somewhat advanced in years it became necessary to lift him in. He remained in it for half an hour, and when he descended, acknowledged that he had never been driven better.’

This is a précis of a much longer article appearing in Drakard’s Stamford News, 18th January, 1828.

David Copperfield was the popular prize for these children’s (known as ‘Guilders’) Christmas activities. It was apparently worth one guinea, which is equivalent of £72.68 today – well worth winning!

‘How to Win £1 1s. Volume of ‘David Copperfield’.

LOTS OF OTHER PRIZES.

FOR GUILDERS OVER NINE

A beautifully bound £1 1s. 0d. volume of Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield” is offered as a prize to the Guilder who sends in the nicest hand drawn or painted Christmas card. Several other prizeds also offered.

Volumes of “David Copperfield” and other books are offered as prizes for the crossword puzzle to be found elsewhere on this page.

Special prizes are offered for the correct solution of the following jumbled words, all of which are names of countries or towns: ONONLD, ISPRA; UBDINL; INBRHGUES; HNETAS; BISONL; EACNFR; CEREGE; OCSLTNDA; RLIEDNA; NDNGELA; PRTOULAG.’

The Stamford Mercury, 2nd December, 1932.

Would the war impact the availability of spruce trees? Such fears were allayed by this small article. Note that ‘buying early for Christmas’ in 1940 meant mid December – not early November as it seems to today!

‘Here’s good news for the children. There will be ample supplies of Christmas trees available this year. As a matter of fact, substantial consignments have been in the hands of the retailers for some days. A wholesale fruiterer and florist told me at the week-end that the trees, which in pre-war days were largely imported from Germany will be quite as plentiful as they were last Christmas. Prices, too, should be fairly reasonable.

“It’s a fact,” he added, “that people will spend money at Christmas, particularly where there are children. So far as Christmas trees are concerned, transport will not prove much of a problem, but intending purchasers should buy them as soon as they can.

“Shop early for Christmas applies as much to Christmas trees as to anything else this year.”‘

The Stamford Mercury, 13th December, 1940.

An exhortation to people shopping and preparing for Christmas to consider employing others during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

“A fortnight tomorrow will be Christmas-eve.

It is always difficult to keep pace with the silent march of time, and it becomes necessary to ask ourselves whether we are preparing for the inevitable Christmas rush.

In particular, let every householder and every potential employer who may be able to give out any sort of odd job think about it now. Let institutions and authorities who can organise these highly desirable attempts to make Christmas happier ask themselves what is being done and what degree of energy they are contributing to the special effort.

It is quite possible to bring a measure of brightness into many homes by a combined movement to give our temporary work which benefits also the persons for whom it is performed. A Christmas dinner earned will be doubly satisfying.

But the days are slipping by. Now is the time to make preparations.

There is a special interest this year in providing extra jobs. This is a particular appeal.

We may also help our neighbours by getting ahead with the Christmas shopping.

If we begin this week, we shall be encouraging the retailers and the wholesalers to realise that there is a brisk seasonal sale for goods and a reasonb for putting on extra hands. This means additional employment.

It is necessary to create the Christmas Shopping atmosphere as early as possible.

Crowding out the shops two or three days before the 25th does not help employment. It is too late then. Customers simply jostle each other and shop assistants get very little chance of exercising the art of real salesmanship.

Begin shopping today.

Don’t say “Christmas is coming.”

Try to think that Christmas is practically here!”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th December, 1932.

Two small paragraphs here published, but a whole wealth of history lies behind them! The Irish labourers who caused the run on sickles had come over to find work and send money back to their families in Ireland. They were suffering the terrible famine, caused by potato blight. The field fires were created by that exciting new mode of transport – the railway.

So unexpectedly great was the influx of Irish labourers at Stamford on Monday, that the stock of sickles was exhausted in all the ironmongers’ shops, and actually an implement of that sort could not be bought in the town. Next day a large fresh supply was received.

Fields or corn were set fire to at Uffington and Helpstone yesterday by railway trains running between Stamford and Peterboro’. Fortunately the damage was not great, as the fires were soon discovered.

The Stamford Mercury, 6th August, 1847

“Pepper and Salt” was a regular feature of “Gossip Grave & Gay”- a column which appeared in The Stamford Mercury during the 1930s and 40s. It was compiled by ‘Tatler’, the pseudonym of John Clare Billing, a local organist and composer.

‘ “Cold weather,” says a physician, “does the body good if you take it with the right spirit.” That’s rum.

Complaint is made of the shortage of coppers. Maybe it is due to so many beeing called up for service in the Forces.

A woman writer says that a doctor is entitled to respect. Yet lots of people put out their tongues at him.

The Minister of Agricultrue has informed farmers that he will report progress from time to time. A cereal story.

A report on a fire at the offices of a county authority states that “All Acts of Parliament were destroyed.” Unfortunately, copies have been kept.

“Just now,” said a civic transport manager the other day, “all out men are putting their shoulders to the wheel.” Not all, surely? Were not some throwing sand under it?

People in a large Midland town were said one day this week to be getting out of hand over being able to buy only a bit of meat. By this time they have taken the bit between their teeth.’

The Stamford Mercury, 9th February, 1940.

In a letter complaining about Stamford clocks and time keeping, a grazier (not Mr. A. Grazier!) points the finger at political influence. He is probably referring to the 2nd Marquis of Exeter. He was to become a controversial figure in the town later on, by interfering in the route of the railway through Stamford and charging tolls to cross the new town bridge.

Mr. Editor, – Attending the fair here to-day (Wednesday), it would have been useful to me to know how time got on, and I tried at all the public clocks which I had occasion to pass to make this important discovery: judge of my surprise when I found that St. Mary’s had stopped for three weeks, – that St. Michael’s clock, according to the dial, was an hour too slow, – that the Bedehouse clock (like St Mary’s) had stopped, – and that All Saints’ clock was, at it long had been, quite unintelligible from want of a fresh painting of the face. – These, I presume, be the signs of the Tory influence in your borough: some folk think there is nothing like keeping people in ignorance, – and that the only information given should be with the view of enabling the rich and arrogant to intimidate the poor and independent. – Things are managed better at Deeping, as I found after quitting Stamford for that place: a desire is there shown to afford conveniences to the public, and it may always be seen what time of day it is. The sages of Stamford who drove away the fairs, seem to be keeping up their title for wisdom.

Nov 9, 1836 A GRAZIER.

The Stamford Mercury, 11th November, 1836.

The “Black-out” was imposed on 1st September, 1939, but by February the following year, people were still not complying with it properly. This warning from the Mercury explains what people could do to avoid prosecution.

‘The “Black-out” is to be strictly enforced from now on and it is authoritatively stated that warnings will not be given in the future.

Housekeepers, motorists, shopkeepers and torch-flashers will be well advised to see that they comply with the law, otherwise there is bound to be a crop of prosecutions – a state of affairs which is not desired.

It should be borne in mind that a proper “black-out” for a private dwelling-house means that from the outside there should be no evidence whatever of the existence of windows when the lights are on inside. In a good many cases ill-fitting curtains or screens, or the use of material which is not a hundred per cent. light proof, are causes of complaint, and in this direction stricter enforcement of the regulations is imminent. Cracks at the side of windows, slits in curtains and other defects will have to be remedied.

There are still some motorists who have not fitted the regulation mask to their vehicles. This equipment is compulsory, and it is no longer legal to drive with the cut-out paper mask.

Chief complaint, however, is with regard to the indiscriminate use of improperly-shielded flash-lamps. Recent inspection from the air has disclosed the danger of this form of illuminant. Flash-lamps must be held so that the beam shines only on the ground and they must be screened with two sheets of paper.

All these points should be carefully watched, for by co-operation with the authorities the civilian population can contribute their quota to safe-guarding their own and other people’s lives in the case of air attack.’

The Stamford Mercury, 9th February, 1940.

The phrase ‘a nation of shopkeepers’ is commonly attributed to Napoleon about the English, but did he ever use it? Or perhaps it was Adam Smith in his magnum opus ‘The Wealth of Nations’? And is the phrase derogatory or complimentary? Whatever the case, shopkeepers in 19th century London had their ‘absurd extravagance’ regarding the size and quality of their windows regulated by the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.

“The Corsican’s reproach, that we are “a nation of shopkeepers,” has a new illustration in the window of a fancy dealer’s shop in the Quadrant, Regent-street, Piccadilly. The window is one entire pane of thick glass, measuring eight feet by six. The value of it is said to be 200l. Should a person in passing accidentally break it, the law (according to a recent decision) will not oblige him to pay more that 3s. 6d. to the owner, the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench having declared that shopkeepers may not increase the common perils of society by absurd extravagance in the size and quality of their windows and shop decorations.”

Stamford Mercury, 25th May, 1827.