Mercuriosities

Where’s Your Bible?

It is not uncommon to assume that if the doorbell rings in the middle of the day, it is probably not someone you know, but someone trying to sell you something. In 1823, some gentlemen from the Bible association called upon a woman who most definitely had something to prove! Unfortunately, she gave away to them the fact that though she had a Bible, she had not looked at it for three years!

“Some gentlemen of the Bible association lately calling upon an old woman to see if she had a bible, were severely reproved with a spirited reply, “Do you think, gentleman, that I am a Heathen, that you should ask me such a question?” Then addressing a little girl, she said, “Run and fetch the bible out of my drawer, that I may show it to the gentlemen.” The gentlemen declined giving her the trouble, but she insisted on giving them ocular demonstration that she was no Heathen. Accordingly the bible was brought, nicely covered; and, on opening it, the old woman exclaimed, “Well, how glad I am that you have come: here are my spectacles, that I have been looking for these three years, and didn’t know where to find ’em” – Carlisle Journal.”

Stamford Mercury, 26 September 1823

Emigration to America

Emigration to America caused a great deal of concern two hundred years ago.  The “mania” to emigrate had taken deep hold of the population, who were seeking greater economic stability than could be found in the UK at that time.

“EMIGRATION.–The Plymouth Paper says, “We have had to touch more than once on this painful topic, and we are again impelled to revert to it.– Whatever may be the real cause, it is too true that the mania has taken deep hold of the population of this port and the neighbouring parts around, large portions of which have resolved and are resolving to become the inhabitants of the American land.  During the past and present week in particular many have embarked : among others, Mr. Hornbrook, a woollen manufacturer, from the neighbourhood of Tavistock, who is said to have taken the whole of his establishment, consisting of 16 men and apprentices, and four women, for the avowed purpose of carrying on his future concern at Pittsburgh, the Birmingham of America.  We could mention other names, which the public would hear with some surprise.  A silversmith at Plymouth is employed almost from morning to night in furnishing the emigrants with gold and silver in exchange for Bank paper;  and were we to state the amount thus exchanged, and which thenceforth may be considered as totally lost, as well as the possessors, to the mother country, it would be quite evidence enough, if any be wanting, of the spirit of emigration.”

Stamford Mercury, 5th June 1818

How to Keep Bees the Friendly Way

We’re approaching the time of year when, as the season brings about a newness to our gardens, bees spring to life. Traditionally, when we think of keeping bees we think of hives, apiaries and people in space-like beekeeper suits. While such a method of keeping bees is a relatively modern approach, this article published in 1823 relates a traveller’s wise words in relation to the ancient method of tree-beekeeping.

“Our cruel mode of taking honey by destroying the innocent and beautiful insects that produce it, can no longer be defended by the plea of necessity. A late traveller in the northern parts of India describes the following method by which the honey-gatherers there effect their purpose. A hollow tree, or an earthen pot, is built in the wall of a house, or out-house, with apertures externally, through which bees enter and go out. The internal end of this hive can be opened or shut at pleasure by various simple contrivances; a sliding door is one. In the centre of the hive there is a valve. When the hive is full, and the honey is to be taken, a great noise is made at the inner extremity. This drives the bees out; the valve is then closed, and the honey is taken out by the sliding door.”

Stamford Mercury, 7 November 1823.

Keeping up Appearances

Appearances are most important.  This article purports to be concerned with saving the reader money on costly doctors’ visits, yet quickly becomes an advertisement.

“WHAT APPEARANCES COST

Keeping up appearances is an expensive luxury.  You’re worth 150l, a year, your neighbour is worth 400l.  You think you can do as he does ; so you can – for a time.  The jackdaw thought he would look nice in the peacock’s feathers, but he couldn’t stand the pressure, and before he could take them off the other birds made it warm for him.  It may appear very fine to have the doctor’s carriage driving up to your door, but remember, every time the coachman pulls up it costs you five shillings.  Whether you prefer to give the doctor five shillings or to spend one shilling on a bottle of Allison’s Cherry Balsam when Coughs are in the house, is your business.  Allison’s Cherry Balsam has saved many a man pounds by relieving him, his wife, and family from Chest Complaints.  Sold in bottles at 1s. 1  1/2d. by every Chemist and Drug Store.  Post free for 15 stamps from Hy. Allison, Lincoln.

Agents : Every Chemist and Drug Store in the United Kingdom.

Wholesale agents : Barclay and Sons, 95 Farringdon-street, E.C. ; Newbery and Sons, Charterhouse-square, E.C. London ; W. Foggitt, Thirsk ; Evans, Liverpool.  Sole proprietor : Hy. Allison, Lincoln.”

Stamford Mercury, 17th January 1902.

The Ram Jam Inn: ‘House of Drunkards’

If you’re travelling on the A1 you will have seen The Ram Jam Inn. Originally a thriving coaching inn, it now sits on the side of the road between Stamford and Grantham, looking a little worse for wear. It is said that Dick Turpin was a frequent guest, with stories of the lawbreaker up-to-no-good at the establishment. However, in 1823, another theory of how the Ram Jam got its name came to print in the Stamford Mercury…

“Travellers on the great North road are puzzled with the meaning of the “Ram Jam House,” near Greetham Inn. The vulgar opinion has been that it arose from an unintelligible exclamation of a man made drunk with the ale he found there- “Ram Jam, by. G-!” The true origin of the word may, however, be found in the language of Indostan, where Ramjam signifies a drunkard. Ramjam house must therefore mean the house of drunkards, which probably was not the intention of the magistrates who renewed the license, nor of the respectable persons who keep the house- Rees’ Cyclo., art. Drunkenness”

Stamford Mercury, 23 February 1823.

The Philosopher’s Stone

Even if you haven’t heard of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the philosopher’s stone is legendary. In 1823, a letter from New York states the efforts made to discover the stone and the philosophical instruments designed to bring about the creation of diamonds.

“PHILOSOPHER’S STONE.- A letter from New York, dated June 9, says – “If the long-sought-for philosopher’s stone, by which baser substances could be transmuted into gold, has not yet been found, an invention of still greater importance has at length crowned the efforts of American chymists. It has long been known that the diamond, the most precious of all substances, is composed of carbon in its pure state. But although the powers of chymical analysis have been sufficient by repeated experiments clearly to establish this fact, yet the knowledge of it was of no practical importance to the world, because the powers of synthesis failed, and no mode had been devised of imitating nature by uniting the constituents of this precious gem. In other words, the philosopher was able to convert diamonds into carbon, but he was ignorant of the art of converting carbon into diamonds. If the experiments of Professor Silliman can be relied on, this desideratum has in part been supplied. The last number of his Journal of Science contains an article on the philosophical instrument called the Deflagrator, invented by Professor Hare, of Philadelphia, by which it appears that charcoal, plumbago, and anthracite, have been fused by the power of that instrument, and transmuted into diamonds”. “

Stamford Mercury, 18 July, 1823.

A Curious Funeral

The act of body snatching wasn’t uncommon in 19th century Britain, so a grieving father went to extreme lengths to protect his son’s body during his funeral. Armed with wire and explosives, a crowd drew to the graveside as they watched the man pour gunpowder over the coffin. However, the gravedigger feared for his life with every shovel of earth poured – dreading an explosion!

“DUNDEE FUNERAL.- Curiosity drew together a crowd of people on Monday, at Dundee, to witness the funeral of a child, which was consigned to the grave in a novel manner. The father, in terror of the resurrection men, has caused a small box, enclosing some deathful apparatus, communicating by means of wires with the four corners, to be fastened on the top of the coffin. Immediately before it was lowered into the earth, a large quantity of gunpowder was poured into the box, and the hidden machinery put into a state of readiness for execution. The common opinion was, that if any one attempted to raise the body, he would be blown up. The sexton seemed to dread an immediate explosion; for he started back in alarm after throwing in the first shovelful of earth.- Scotch Paper.“

Stamford Mercury, 1 August, 1823.

Trampled in Red Lion Square

Nowadays, you will see more cars than horses on the public streets of Stamford. In 1826, however, Elizabeth Stockdale was trampled in Red-Lion square by a horse riding at great speed. After the magistrates had agreed on the recklessness of those who deliberately try the paces of horses in public, the offender was released from custody and left with a hefty price to pay.

“CAUTION.- At Stamford town-hall on Tuesday night, John Palmer, horse-dealer, of Oundle, was brought up in custody, to answer the complaint of Elizabeth Stockdale, whom he had severely injured by riding over her in Red Lion-square, about three o’clock in the afternoon. It seemed from the evidence of the poor woman and others, that Palmer, whilst dealing in the fair, and trying the paces of a horse, rode at a very rapid rate from Peter-hill, and suddenly turning into Red Lion-square, went furiously amongst a number of persons in that great thoroughfare, to the imminent hazard of the lives and limbs of all of them. Eliz. Stockdale and two children whom she had in her care were violently thrown down, and she was so severely hurt as to become insensible, until restored through the aid of a medical gentleman living near the spot.- Palmer attempted a vindication of himself by alleging that the horse which he had been induced to mount proved to be vicious and unmanageable, and he expressed his contrition for what had occurred. After some suitable observations from the magistrates on the scandalous carelessness of dealers and others who try the paces of horses in the public streets, Palmer was allowed to make satisfaction to the complainant for the surgeon’s charges and the injury she had received; and on further payment of fees, he was discharged from custody.”

Stamford Mercury, 10 February, 1826.

Where’s the Driver?

In the 21st century, we’ve all heard about self-driving cars, but what about driverless coaches – led by horses..? In 1816, by sheer accident, a horse- drawn coach started without its coachman. The horses carried their coach, containing two passengers, three miles before it got into difficulty! Astonishingly, neither the passengers or horses were harmed.

“On Monday afternoon the Peterborough Perseverance Coach stopped, as usual, at the Royal Oak public-house in Walton, and the coachman entrusted his horses to the care of a man who attends to give them water, whilst he and the guard went into the house. From some cause unknown, as the man was adjusting the reins, the horses set off towards Peterboro’, and went at so regular a pace, that the two inside passengers (a lady and a gentleman) were not aware that they were without a coachmam, until they reached Peterboro’, where, in passing the corner of Westgate-street into the Long Causeway, the coach (in consequence of the sharpness of the turn) was upset. The passengers escaped without the least injury, as did also the horses; and we understand that the lady and gentleman do not attribute any blame either to the coachman or guard; indeed, they declared so to one of the proprietors and several other persons at Peterboro’. The distance which the horses drew the coach without a driver is about three miles, and they passed through two toll-bars.”

Stamford Mercury, 13 September, 1816.

You’re Never Too Old to Give Birth

It has been heard that unplanned or unexpected pregnancies come as a shock. Visits to the doctor, thinking you have one thing and walking out knowing another. In 1827, Mrs Webb got the shock of her life when she gave birth to her first child at the age of 60.

“Mrs. Webb, of No.15, Bowyer-lane, Camberwell, a married woman, who keeps a little school, and is now in the sixtieth year of her age, was on Thursday night the 7th inst. brought to bed of a girl, after having been for some time treated for the dropsy, by Dr. Walshman; both the mother and infant are likely to do well. It is singular that Mrs. Webb had never before been in the family way: she consequently made no preparations for such an event, but was expected to die of the decline of life. Her husband, a labouring man, is older than herself, and she has occupied her present dwelling for the period of 42 years.- English Chronicle, June 12.”

Stamford Mercury, 15 June, 1827.