Mercuriosities

Quite how mermaids could be taught to spin, having no feet to work the pedals of a spinning machine?! However, we have seen mermaids in wonderful films over the years, so they must exist.

“The appearances of mermaids to human sight have been, ‘like angels’ visits, few and far between;’ indeed some savans have doubted than any such creature ever existed, except in the regions of fancy or the gull-traps of fraud. No doubt here, as in weightier matters, craft and credulity have acted sp as tp ,ale ,amy think the whole race of mermen and maidens fabulous. In the few accounts on record of the capture of various specimens of these animals, there is much of the marvellous intermixed; for instance, we are told that one which was caught in Holland in 1430 was taught to spin by some young girls, and derived from them some notions of the Deity, and made its reveremnces very devoutly whenever it saw a crucifix.’ An extraordinary mermaid that, and ‘very like a whale,’ as the saying goes. But there is now exhibiting in Regent-street a mermaid, which, though it pretended to no notions of a deity itself, was regarded as one by some natives of South America, who caught it in the Rio de la Plata, and prepared it after a rude manner for presevation. From them it was puchased, the exhibiter states, by two travellers, for the British Museum, the authorities of which have given him special permission to show it for a time. The same authority gives the following description of this ‘mermaid, or siren of the sea,’ as it is designated:- ‘The features are both pleasing and interesting; its teeth are of a snowy whiteness, without any grinders, with cartilaginous gums, tongue, and roof to the mouth. The two arms, which are short, terminate with short webben fingers, each having the appearance of a nail at the end. The bust is perfectly that of a woman. the back is nearly covered with fins, placed in opposite directions, in front of the body. An inspection will certainly confirm this statment; and as naturalists have not condescended to define what a mermaid is under its proper class – mammalia – we may venture perhaps to pronounce this to be as good a one as ever was seen. After being submitted to the view of the Queen and Prince Albert, this ‘siren of the sea’ is to be present at Birmingham during the approaching music festival, a fearful rival to each biped songstress there, who in competition with this fish-woman or woman-fish, will find herself vox et preterea nihil.*

The Stamford Mercury, 15th September, 1843.

*voice and nothing more/sound without substance

The Marriage de Figaro had caused a sensation written, as it was at a time of revolution. Its subject matter – of servants rising up and outwitting their masters – outraged the aristocracy. This caused the play to be banned in many cities, including Vienna, where Mozart was based at the court of Emperor Joseph II.

However, one performance proved to be more outrageous. The cast had to remain stoical and keep going until the bitter end. Unfortunately, being about a barber (Figaro), among the properties was a razor, put to grusome use by one of the actors.

‘German phlegm.–On the representation of the Marriage de Figaro, at the Cassel Theatre, on the 2d of March, M. Pistor, who performed the part of Bartolo, varied the accustomed action of the piece by cutting his throat with a razor, while standing before a glass, without evincing any extraordinary previous emotion to lead to a suspicion of his dreadful intention. The other performers do not seem to have been too violently affected by the event, as, without any interruption to the scene, another person was substituted for the deceased, and at the close of the performance apologized for M. Pistor’s absence, on the score of his having killed himself !’

Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828

This short paragraph epitomises exactly what all the wonderful volunteers here at the Stamford Mercuy Archive believe. We have over three centuries of newspapers carefully stored in acid-free boxes on roller-racking shelving.

“Many people take newspapers, but few preserve them; yet the most interesting reading imaginable is a file of old newspapers. It brings up the very age, with all its bustle and every day affairs, and marks its spirit and its genius more than the most laboured description of the historian. Who can take a paper dated half a century ago, without the thoguht that almost every name there printed is not cut upon a tombstone at the head of an epitaph?”

The Stamford Mercury, 3rd November, 1843.

You may not know, but members of the public are welcome to visit the archive by appointment to make a search of the Stamford Mercury via our microfilm. Use of the archive is free for personal research; but we do make a small charge for images (scans or photographs; A4/A3 which cost £1 each).  Our opening hours are Tuesdays 10.30 am – 1 pm, Thursdays 9.30 – 11.30 am and Fridays 1.30 – 4.00 pm. As the archive is not completely indexed it will be helpful to you if you have an idea of the dates you want to search.

Please visit the contact page of our website for details on how to contact us at the Stamford Mercury Archive, and the Using the archive page for more details on enquiries.

Quite different to our piece about the paupers of Stamford, this is the festive season as enjoyed by the general public, tradesmen and the gentry, including the annual Christmas Ball.

“M.U.I.O.F.Spalding. THe ANNUAL BALL, in aid of the widows’ánd orphans’ fund of the Welland Lodge, will take place on Wednesday, the 27th inst., in the Lodge Room at the VINE INN. Tickets 2s each may be had at the Bar.

MARKET DEEPING TRADESMAN’s BALL

THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BALL will be held in the Large Room at the Black Horse Inn, on Thursday 28th December inst. Tickets 2s 6d each. – Dancing to commence at 8 o’ clock. Market Deeping, Dec 20, 2843.

SIX BELLS INN, BOURN

THE ANNUAL BALL and CARD ASSEMBLEY will take place on Tuesday, January 2d, 1844. Dancing to commence at 8 o’clock. Tickets, 2s 6d each, to be had at the Bar.

GRANTHAM’S NEW-YEAR’s BALL

That the preparations for the above BALL may not interfere with Sunday’s Duties, the Patrons, Mrs. Manners and the Rev. Wm. Potchett, have appointed it to take place, with the permission of the Mayor , in the Guildhall, Grantham, on Tuesday the Second of January, 1844.

As the necessities of the objects of this Charity, viz., Mr. Thos. Wilson and the ill-paid Mistress of Hurst’s Charity School, remain unabated, it is hoped that the Charity will continue to receive the liberal support of the Town and Neighbourhood; and the Belvoir Band has been engaged, for the gratification of those whose good taste leads them to take pleasure in the innocent, graceful, and exhilarating exercise of dancing.

The Company will assemble at Half past Eight, and Dancing will commence at Nine o’clock precisely.”

“LE BEAU MONDE-from communication to the London Papers. The Duke of Rutland, whose health has during the last week considerably improved, is surrounded by a family circle at Belvoir Castle.

The Duke and Duchess of St. Alban’s have been passing the Christmas at Redbourn-hall, near Brigg. Yesterday (Thursday) the Earl of Yarborough’s hounds met at the hall.

The Duke and Duchess of Bedford have been entertaining at Woburn Abbey, during the week, the Duke of Richmond and Lady Caroline Lennox, Earl and Countess of Chesterfiled, Hon. Col, and Mrs. Anson, Mr. and Lady Caroline Sandford, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, &c. Lord and Lady John Russell have arrived at Woburn, from Minto House.

Lord Wm.Russell, formerly Ambassador to the Court of Berlin, arrived in town at the close of last week from the Continent, to be present at the approaching alliance of his son, Mr. Francis Hastings Russell, with Lady Elizabeth Sackville West, eldest daughter of the Lord Chamberlain, Earl Delawarr.

The Earl of Wilton is entertaining a party of sporting friends at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, where his lordship and family will pass the recess.

The Dowager Countess of Leicester and Mr. Ellice are passing the Christmas at Naples, where his Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, attended by the Hon. Capt. Mcdonald, has arrived from Corfu, onb a short tour of the Two Sicilies.

Lord and Lady Newark are wintering in the south of Europe.

The Countess of Dysart and Lord Huntingtower have left town for Bath.”

The Stamford Mercury, 29th December, 1843.

This is a report of a local custom near Raleigh (home of the bicycle manufacturer) in Nottinghamshire of listening to subterranean church bells on Christmas Day morning. We wonder if this charming tradition still happens? Or perhaps they were bicycle bells!

“Subterranean Christmas Bells._Near Raleigh, Notts, there is a valley, said to have been caused by an earthquake several centuries ago., which swallowed up a whole village, together with the church. Formerly, it was a custom for people to assemble in this valley on Christmas day morning, to listen to the ringing of the bells of the church beneath them. This it was positively asserted might be heard by putting the ear to the ground, and hearkening attentively. Even now it is usual on Christmas morning for old men and women to tell their children and young friends to go to the valley, stoop down, and hear the bells ring merrily.”

Stamford Mercury, 22nd December 1843

There was a Christmas day gathering to celebrate a wedding in Lincoln in 1843 where celebrations could be heard for an aged couple. The paper reports that they were saluted, by crowds including young urchins, with shouting and old tin cans.

“On Christmas morning there was a great stir in the High-street, on the occasion of the marriage of an old coal-porter named James Thacker, to Mrs. Bennett, a widow well stricken in years. The street was lined with spectators, and crowds of young urchins saluted the happy pair with shouting and the music of old tin cans.”

Stamford Mercury, 29th December 1843

Winter weather conditions must have made life harder for the paupers of Stamford town. In 1850 it almost had its own white Christmas due to a snowfall. This gave opportunity for skating on the river Welland.

Festive cheer was provided to the paupers in the Union-house when they were given the ‘opportunity of making merry on Christmas Day.’

“Among the various classes who had an opportunity of making merry on Christmas-day, were the pauper inmates of the Union-house Stamford. The Guardians entered into a subscription among themselves to provide festal fare, and each man, woman, and child in the establishment was regaled with roast-beef, plum-pudding, and ale, to the complete satisfaction of all. The number of those who participated in the feast was 201, viz. 32 able-bodied and 36 aged men, 42 able-bodied and 7 aged women, 42 boys, 41 girls, and 11 infants. The usual board-meeting of the Guardians was not held this week.”

“The heavy fall of snow which Stamford was visited on Thursday morning on the 19th inst., when the ground was covered to the depth of six inches in about three hours, was very partial, none having fallen ten miles north of the town, and very little at a distance of six miles in a southern direction. It was suceeded by a thaw and heavy rain, which caused the river Welland to overflow, and a severe frost having followed, there was plenty of skating on Saturday and Monday last.”

Stamford Mercury, 27th December 1850

Christmas gift buying and Christmas Trees with ornament decorations were as prevalent in Britain in 1850 as now. So was buying good food, like Christmas Pies, as these adverts illustrate.

“Robert Ostler, Confectioner and Wedding Cake Maker, 9, Silver street, HULL, respectfully invites his friends and the public generally to an early inspection of his Ornaments from France and Germany, suitable for the Christmas Trees now so generally in use; also that he will have on hand his far-famed Christmas Pies, Twelfth Cakes, Mottoes, Crackers, Bon-bons, &c., for the Christmas season.”

“CHRISTMAS PRESENTS and NEW-YEAR’S GIFTS. At MYERS’ Berlin Wool and Fancy Repository, Mercer-row, LOUTH, every Novelty of the season of the most unique character, useful as well as ornametal, consisting of a rare and extensive assortment of superior Papier Mache Pole Screens, Work Tables, Hand Screens, Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Dressing Cases, Writing Desks, Bohemian Toilet Bottles, Lustrea, Vases, Bronze Card Racks, Spell Pots, the greatest variety of different designs in Bronze and China, Gold and Silver Pencil cases, Lockets, Brooches, Bracelets, Rings, Chains, &c., the very best choice of Berlin Wools, Crochet Patterns, Beaded Purses, Pocket Books, Tortoiseshell Combs, Hair, Hat, and Nail Brushes, Dominoes, Cards, Games and Dissections, and Foreign Toys of every description. Louth, Dec. 18th, 1850”

“Nearly 50 beasts have been slaughtered in Lincoln for Christmas cheer, and the show of meat is exceedingly fine. In the butchery slaughter-house (which has been put in a very neat and clean state by the present keeper) there were 24 beasts. The finest was a heifer fed by Mr. Cartwright, of Timberland, killed by Mr.Kent, and weighing 90 st. An ox slaughtered by Messrs. Mansford and Maples wighed 100 st.; and another Scotch ox, fed by Mr. Slater, of Carlton, & killed by Mr. Wilmot, weighed 76st.”

Stamford Mercury, 20th December 1850

Female chemists were few and far between in eighteenth century England, but Stamford was home to one in Red Lion Square, albeit with the support of her brother. Historically, it was normal for widows of apothecaries, pharmacists or chemists to inherit their late husband’s profession without being formally qualified. Once formal qualifications were instituted, this was no longer possible.

'MARGARET WOODROFFE,

Widow and Successor to the late Mr. Solomon Woodroffe, of Stamford, (DRUGGIST, CHYMIST, and COLOURMAN,)

THINKS it incumbent upon her to thankfully acknowledge the many Favours conferred upon her by her Friends; and begs Leave to inform them and the Public, that she continues the Partnership in the above Branches with her Brother CHRISTOPHER COCKS, (who was formerly Apprentice to Mr. Woodroffe) and that from the Encouragement they have already met with, has laid in a FRESH STOCK of GOODS against the Fair, and hope to merit a Continuance of the Favours of their Friends, which will be ever gratefully acknowledged, by

Their obliged humble servants,

MARGARET WOODROFFE.
CHRISTOPHER COCKS.

N. B. M. Woodroffe has two small and very convenient Houses to let, situate next Door to her own in Red-Lion-Square, or any Part of the Houses for Shops during the Fair.’

Stamford Mercury, 28th February, 1771.

• Chemists /Apothecaries sold a variety of goods, including household goods and paints.

Two friends were involved in a misunderstanding, which lead to one being brutally beaten by the other who had failed to recognise him. It is doubtful they remained friends. . .

“Last Tuesday evening, Mr. Feakins of Easondine, intending to pay a visit to a female acquaintance at Tollthorpe in the county of Rutland, went to the place of her residence, but not finding her at home, imagined she was gone to Mr. Goodwin’s, a miller, at the same place; he therefore went to learn whether she was there or not. – Unfortunately for Mr. Feakins, he was perceived by one of the servants, who informed Mr. Goodwin that a person had been looking in at the window. – Some villains having a short time before attempted to break into his house, he immediately order’d his gun, and followed Mr. Feakins, fired at him, shattered his hand in a most miserable manner, and then struck him a violent blow on the wounded arm with the butt end of his piece, before he knew his person. – Mr. Feakins is in a very dangerous state, a mortification being apprehended; and his arm is necessarily order’d to be cut off. – What renders this misfortune the more distressing to the parties, Mr. Feakins and Mr. Goodwin were intimate acquaintance, and very good friends.”

The Stamford Mercury, 22nd December, 1774.

Rats have been a problem for human life for centuries. Suffolk farmers offered a bounty of 2d per head, which in 1828 would provide a good living. At that rate, it would be worthwhile to breed them, on the quiet, of course.

‘RATS.–The Bury Post says, ” The quantity of rats with which this neighbourhood is infested has become a very serious evil. The fields and hedge-rows swarm with these noxious vermin, and their ravages in the new-sown wheat and the turnips have been very considerable. Upon one farm near this town not less than two thousand have been killed, and upon another eight hundred since Michaelmas. It is the common practice of Suffolk farmers to offer a bounty of two-pence each for rats, to all who may choose to bring them, and at this rate a number of persons have found ample employment. In consequence of the dryness of the Autumn, the vermin have not yet taken shelter in the barns ; but when they do, the mischief they will occasion, unless materially reduced in number, must be immense. One cause of this plague, for such it may be termed, has been the wet summer, always favourable to the multiplication of the species ; but a still greater cause is the destruction of stoats, weasels, polecats, and other animals naturally preying on the rat, for the purpose of preserving game, which thus becomes doubly injurious to the produce of agriculture. As a proof of the extraordinary fecundity of these animals, we are assured that on the premises of Mr. Norman, of Culford, one rat was killed in its nest of 12 young ones, and on opening it 13 more were found in the inside.’

Stamford Mercury, 28th November, 1828.