Mercuriosities

The Leet of the Manor of Stamford, overseen by the Lord of the Manor, was a force to be reckoned with, from medieval times to more recent times, in Stamford, as hundreds of soon-to-be homeless people would discover. Let’s get everything in perspective : what is more important: a) making hundreds of people, admittedly ‘of the humble kind’, homeless, b) losing £2,000 in rental income, or c) losing 50 votes ? It was a hard choice in 1828.

“At the annual assembly of the Leet of the Manor of Stamford last week, Mr. Torkington, the clerk, stated that the notices given to a few of the persons who had trespassed by building on the waste, would be followed up by active operations in case the owners did not promptly take down the erections ; and that it was intended to give similar notices to all the trespassers, by a dozen or two at a time, and to resort to similar active proceedings in every case of contempt, until all the buildings were removed.–This measure will throw some hundreds of persons out of dwellings ; and, although they are chiefly of a humble kind, will, it is calculated, destroy a rental of about 2000l. a year, and about 50 votes for the borough.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

Here’s the story of an accidental shooting that may well have been taken from the pages of any United States newspaper. It is noteworthy because the event occurred in nineteenth century London.

“James Parker, a fine young man, aged 17, met his death last week under the following distressing circumstances. The deceased, the nephew of Mr. James Hayes, paid a visit in company with the family of that gentleman to Mr. Barham, in Cold-harbour-lane, Brixton, on Sunday se’nnight. On their arrival they were introduced into a back parlour, where they had been but a short time, when the deceased said “I perceive you have a gun, Mrs. Barham.” His uncle desired him not to touch it, upon which Mrs. Barham observed that her husband did not allow it to be loaded in the house. Mr. Hayes then examined the piece, and finding no powder in the pan, he snapped it twice under the grate, and gave it to the deceased to put away. At that moment Mrs. Barham said “James, give it to me, I know how to let it off,” and taking the gun, she pointed the muzzle towards the deceased, jocularly saying–“Now mind yourself, James :” at that moment the piece went off, when the whole charge struck the deceased between the eyes, and he instantly sunk in his chair a corpse. A verdict of accidentally shot was returned, and the piece condemned as deodand.”

Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

A human calculator, a savant or just good at arithmetic ? This 10-year-old from the US was undoubtedly a very bright boy indeed.

‘ANOTHER CALCULATING BOY.–A Washington paper gives an account of a boy in that city, named Edward Ord, only ten years of age, who appears to be not only a prodigy in calculation, but in ready wit. A number of gentlemen who visited him for the purpose of proving his talent, asked him, “If I give away one-third, one-fourth, and one-fifth of a bushel#, what shall I have left of two bushels ?” After a few moments’ consideration, he answered correctly, “43-60ths of a bushel.” He was then asked, “If a pair of boots costs six dollars, what will a hat cost ?” He answered readily, “Different prices ;” and immediately proposed a similar question–“If a bushel of coals costs 6 1/2 cents., what will a cord† of wood come to ?”–“I don’t know,” said the gentleman. “It will come to ashes,” said the boy–He was then asked. “If 7-10ths of a yard of kerseymere* cost two dollars 25 cents., what will a yard and a quarter cost ?” and, after a short pause, answered, with his usual precision, “Four dollars, two cents., and 12-28ths of a cent.”‘

Stamford Mercury, 21 November, 1828.

#A US measure of capacity equivalent to 35.2 litres, used for dry goods.

*A fine woollen cloth, with a twill weave.

†128 cubic feet.

Hot-air balloon flights have been popular for a couple of centuries. This balloon was constructed for the coronation of George IV in 1821 (see our earlier post). Mr. Green is now on his 93rd ascent, so, you would be in very capable hands.

‘ROYAL CORONATION BALLOON.

Change of Day.

By permission, and under the Patronage of the Right Worshipful T. Broughton, Esq., Mayor of Boston.

Mr. C. GREEN respectfully announces to the ladies and gentlemen of BOSTON and vicinity that he purposes making his 93d ascent, from a Paddock belonging to C.K. TUNNARD, Esq., situate in Bargate, Boston, with his splendid Balloon, on WEDNESDAY next, at Three o’clock in the afternoon, instead of Thursday the 15th instant, as announced in the Boston Gazaette of Tuesday last.

The Balloon inflated with gas, together with the Car, Parachute, &c., will be exhibited on TUESDAY next, at which period, should the weather prove calm, partial ascents will be made : persons desirous of accompanying Mr. Green in those ascents, are requested to apply to Mr. BEVERLEY, bookseller, of whom tickets of admission may be had.

Admission to the exhibition on Tuesday–ladies and gentlemen 1s. each, servants and children 6d.; admission to witness the final ascent 1s. A space will be fenced off near the Balloon, the price of entrance to which will be 1s. each.’

Stamford Mercury, 2nd May, 1828.

A violent storm struck in the local area resulting in damages, costly repairs with broken panes and looking-glasses.

“On Sunday last, a quarter before two P.M the greatest storm visited this place ever occurred in the memory of it’s eldest inhabitant. The awful grandeur of the elements previous to it’s breaking forth no one could contemplate without being forcibly struck with the Psalmist’s sublimity, wherein he describes the omnipotent as riding on the whirlwind and directing the storm. Incellant lightning, continued thunder, the clouds intersecting each other in an extraordinary manner, excessive sulphorous heat attended by darkness (at which time a thermometer in the west aspect stood at 75, and fell before two o’clock to 60 degrees) preceded a violent tempest of hail and wind from the south west, which continued for about 20 minutes, and fearcely left a window whole in the town facing south or west; many had all the panes broke, and in some instances whole lights were drove in by hail stones, several of which measured five inches in circumference and weighed more than an ounce. It is supposed that 1,200l. will not pay the damages done in this place only.

We understood the above storm extended about six miles in width; was equally violent in it’s effects at Kettering and neighbourhood, where Boughton-house alone has received damage to the amount of 300l. From thence our readers may trace it’s direction by remarking the dreadful ravages at Dean, the seat of Lord Cardigan; Lord Carberry’s at Laxton, where fearce a pane was left whole in front of the hall, in which it broke several looking-glasses; tore up trees, and killed a cow;-at Fineshade, the Hon.J. Monckton’s; Kirby, the Hon. Finch Hatton’s; Bulwick, Blatherwick, Harringworth, Wakerley, Barrowden, Duddington, Collyweston, Easron, Ketton, Tickencote, the two Castertons, and as far as the 84th milestone on the north road, which appears to have been it’s boundary that way. Ryal, Witham-o’-th’-Hill, Grimsthorpe, where the Duke of Ancaster’s cattle is much injured; Bourn;-here it’s ravages are shocking, it being computed that 700l. will not repair the damage done to the houses alone; Sleaford also sustained considerable injury.”

The Stamford Mercury 9 May, 1800.

The Imperial Chinese practice of cramping the feet of young girls to keep them small died out in the early 20th century, but was it any worse that other nations’ customs such as tattooing, or compression of the waist for the sake of fashion?

“The most unaccountable species of taste is that mutilation of the women’s feet, for which the Chinese are so remarkable.  Of the origin of this custom there is no very distinct account, except that it took place about the close of the Tang dynasty, or the end of the ninth century of our era.  The Tartare have had the good sense not to adopt this artificial deformity, and their ladies wear a shoe like that of the men, except that is has a white sole of still greater thickness.  As it would seem next to impossible to refer to any notions of physical beauty, however arbitrary, such shocking mutilation as that produced by the cramping of the foot in early childhood, it may be partly ascribed to the principle which dictates the fashion of long nails.  The idea conveyed by these is exemption from labour;  and, as small feet make cripples of women, it is fair to conclude that the idea of gentility which they convey arises from a similar association.  That appearance of helplessness which is induced by the mutilation, they admire extremely, notwithstanding its very unusual concomitant of sickliness; and the tottering gait of the poor women, as they hobble along upon the heel of the foot, they compare to the waving of a willow agitated by the breeze.   We may add that this odious custom extends lower down in the scale of society than might have been expected from its disabling effect upon those who have to labour for their subsistence.  If the custom was first imposed by the tyranny of the men, the women are fully revenged in the diminution of their charms and domestic usefulness.  In no instances have the folly and childishness of a large portion of mankind been more strikingly displayed than in those various, and occasionally very opposite, modes in which they have departed from the standard of nature, and sought distinction even in deformity.  Thus, while one race of people crushed the feet of its children, another flattens their heads between two boards; and while we in Europe admire the natural whiteness of the teeth, the Malays file off the enamel and dye them black, all for the all-sufficient reason that dogs’ teeth are white!  A New Zealand chief has his distinctive cost of arms emblazoned on the skin of his face, as well as his limbs; and an Esquimaux is nothing if he have not bits of stone stuffed through a hole in his cheek.  Quite as absurd, and still more mischievous, is the infatuation which, among some Europeans, attached beauty to that modification of the human figure which, resembles the wasp, and compresses the waist until the very ribs have been distorted, and the functions of the vital organs irreparably disordered. – Davis’s Chinese.”

The Stamford Mercury, 28^th August, 1840

With the Hark Forward Post Coach, Standwell’s coaching business was rapidly expanding its itinerary and its fleet of vehicles. It travelled between Stamford and Melton, enabling people to connect with London by the following day. Coaching inns (and Standwell’s Hotel) were also a lucrative source of income.

‘The public are respectfully informed, that a new, light, and elegant POST COACH, called the HARK FORWARD, will commence running on TUESDAY next, from the HOTEL, STAMFORD, every Morning at Half-past Six o’clock, and arrive at the BELL HOTEL, MELTON, at Half-past Nine o’clock.

The Proprietors of the above Coach, desirous of giving the accommodation so long wished for by Noblemen and Gentlemen, beg to inform them, that by making arrangements with T. STANDWELL, they can receive their Letters and Parcels at Empingham at a quarter past 7 o’clock, at Exton at half-past 7 o’clock, at Cottesmore at a quarter before 8 o’clock, at Market Overton at a quarter past 8 o’clock, at Teigh at half-past 8 o’clock, at Edmondthorpe and Wymondham at a quarter before 9 o’clock, at Stapleford at 9 o’clock, and at Melton at half-past 9 o’clock. The Hark Forward will leave Melton at half-past 3 o’clock, through the above villages, and arrive in Stamford in time for the South Mails, and Rockingham and Express Coaches.

Letters, Passengers, and Parcels, can arrive by 10 o’clock the following morning in London.

Performed by STANDWELL and Co., Stamford ; and SHARPE and Co., Melton Mowbray.

Hotel, Stamford, Nov. 27, 1828.‘

Stamford Mercury, 28th November, 1828.

There have been some very famous individuals who have lived up to the English reputation for being a nation of cat-lovers, though few can have shown this trait as extremely as ex-pat. Miss Topping of Vendôme.  Abbé Beaunier was quick to fulfil her last wishes with regard to her funeral arrangements, but she appeared to value her feline friends above her human ones, and left very detailed instructions for the care of her cats after her death.  The Abbé clearly thought that her estate could afford quite a bit more than he was being offered for his services, and used Miss Topping’s will to illustrate his point.

“EXTRAORDINARY WILL of an OLD MAIDEN LADY.—A singular trial occupied the French Tribunal on Friday.  On the 3rd of May, 1841, Miss Topping, an English maiden lady, died at Vendôme, having expressly desired that she should be carried to the cemetery of Vaurigard, attended by the Abbé Beaunier, a dissenting Catholic minister; that is to say, one who would not conform to the Concordat entered into between Pope Pius VII and Napoleon in 1802.  At the time of Miss Topping’s death the Abbé Beaunier was ten leagues from Vendome, and immediately set out with her mortal remains for Vaurigard.  The Abbé was detained in Paris a week before the formalities required for warranting the interment could be got through.  At length all was accomplished, and the funeral performed.  For his professional services, loss of time, and expenses, the Abbé required a sum of 1200fr.  This the executors thought too much, and declined paying.  Abbé commenced a suit for the recovery of the amount, and his counsel read the following clauses from the deceased lady’s will: -“I desire that there shall be raised from the most easily convertible part of my property a capital sum sufficient to produce 800fr. a year, which shall be paid quarterly to such a person as I may name in a codicil – or, in default thereof, to a person to be named by my executors (the testatrix did afterwards name a person by a codicil) – on condition of taking the care and nourishment of my three favourite cats – Nina, Fanfan, and Mini – or any others I may have at the time of my death.  This income shall be paid as long as any one of these domestic animals shall remain alive.  My executors may, in case of negligence or cruelty towards them, withdraw them and the said pension, and choose another person as guardian.  The person appointed to feed and take care of my said cats shall live on a ground-floor, to which shall adjoin a terrace easy of access, and a garden inclosed within walls, of which they shall have full and free enjoyment.  These animals are to be fed with lights, sheeps’ hearts, or raw or dressed meat ; they must be given twice a day a sufficient quantity of milk, occasionally mixed with starch or rice flour ; the meat is to be given them twice a day also, so that they may  have 4 daily meals regularly.  They are to sleep in the house, and therefore are to be shut up after their supper, at 9 or 10 o’clock, except the tom cat, which will not remain at home ; but care must be taken that he comes in at a good time in the morning.  In case of their death, they are to be wrapped in a piece of new and clean linen, put into an oaken coffin, and buried deep in the earth in an inclosed ground.  If I die before having buried a certain box covered with tarpaulin, containing the bodies of my two cats, Beauty and Tom, they are to be put into a very deep hole in an inclosed place, so that they may not be liable to be taken up again.” – The counsel for the executors represented that the Abbé Beaunier had long been the friend and spiritual director of the testatrix ; that she had by her will bequeathed to him a legacy of 1000fr., and another 500fr. to his sister ; consequently that the services he had performed were due from him in gratitude and friendship.  The executors had, however, tendered 300f. to him.  The Tribunal gave judgment, awarding the Abbé 400fr., and each party to pay their own costs.”

The Stamford Mercury, 3^rd March, 1843.

An infant was fatally scalded after pulling a tea-tray off the table however medical advice was sought only from the nearest druggists.

“On the 9th inst. an Inquest was held before Mr.Wakley, M.P., at the Crown Inn, Kensington, on the body of Emily Burt, an infant, aged 16 months, whose death occured under the following circumstances:-Thomas Burt, a journeyman coachmaker, residing in Gardiner’s buildings, Kensington, deposed that he was the father of the deceased. On the morning of Friday the 5th, he, with his wife and four children, were sitting at breakfast, and he was informing his wife of the decease of his mother, which had taken place that morning, when the deceased child pulled the tea-tray off the table, and the contents of the tea-pot fell over her face and shoulders, scalding her very much. He immediately applied some scraped potatoes, and also some clarified neatsfoot oil, and afterwards went and stated the circumstances to a neighbouring chemist, who gave him some lininment, some plaster, and a draught, which were applied and administered, from which the child appeared much better; but about nine o’clock on a Saturday evening his wife sent for him, and on reaching home he found the deceased in convulsions, and within five minutes she expired. He did not call in any medical assistance, the change was so sudden. The chemist did not see the deceased. Mr. Wakley, in addressing the jury, said that he regretted exceedingly that a medical practitioner had not seen the infant. He doubted not the respectablity of the druggist who had supplied the liniment and the draught, but that trademen and others of his calling ought to know they they incurred a fearful responsibility in undertaking the management of such cases. He had already directed the constable always to summon the druggists as witnesses at inquests on the bodies of persons for whose maladies they had undertaken to prescribe. He now again repeated his instructions to contsables to that effect. It was a rule of conduct which he was determined to observe; and thus the medical examination to which druggists would be subjected before the jury would soon prove to the court whether they were competent to undertake the treatment of important diseases, and acted with judgement and prudence in prescribing remedies without posessing an efficient knowledge of the structure of the human body, and of the maladies by which it was afflicted. It was one thing to understand the qualities of drugs and to know how to compound them, and another to comprehend the character of the complaints for the cure for which they should be administered. In the present case a medical practitioner of skill and ability would have known that the infant required the most competent and vigilant watching, and not the less so because it became quiet soon after the accident, and appeared to the unprofessional observer to be free from danger. The scalding water had fallen over its entire face, embracing the whole of its forehead. The injury was therefore close to the brain; hence the shock to the nervous system was extreme. Accordingly it was found that when the child, to the inexperienced eye, seemed recovering, it was seized with convulsions, and died in a few hours. It was the business of the court to inquire into the cause of the death, and as the absence of proper medical treatment might be one of them, he was determined, in all future cases, to adhere to the rule which he had laid down respecting the summoning and examination of prescribing druggists, and hoped that such a practice would have a beneficial effect on the public health. The jury returned a verdict of “accidentally scalded.”

The Stamford Mercury 19th April, 1839

Almost as extraordinary as Greyfriars Bobby, the level of canine loyalty of Crib, from The Red Lion at Cambridge, was touching.

“– Many marvels have been narrated concerning the dog and his attachment to man, but we know not that we ever heard of anything more extraordinary than that which we are about to tell our readers.  At the Red Lion hotel in Cambridge there is an old, one-eyed, worn-out dog of the terrier breed, named Crib.  He lies about in the yard, or stable, or kitchen, and enjoys his otium cum dignitate* just as is most agreeable to himself and consonant with his age and infirmities.  Possessed of a proper sense of his own merits and position, he is somewhat particular as to the company he keeps, and one of the few persons admitted to his friendship was the late lamented John R. Barker, Esq., who was kind to the old animal, as he was to every body and every thing, and took a great deal of notice of ‘poor old Cribby’.  For some two years past Crib has probably not been a hundred yards from the Lion gateway; indeed, as we understand, he would not follow any of the servants or handers-on off the premises.  Now, Tuesday the 17^th inst. Was the day appointed for the funeral of Mr. Barker, and the hearse used on the melancholy occasion belonged to Mr. Mitchell, and consequently proceeded from the Lion yard.  Strange and unaccountable as it may seem, it is nevertheless true that this superannuated dog, which had scarcely been off the premises for two years, and which never by any sort of accident followed any of the post-boys or other servants, accompanied the hearse to Mr. Barker’s late residence, sat opposite the door until the body was placed within it, walked by the side of the mournful procession to Little St. Mary’s church, remained opposite thereto until the remains of his friend were consigned to their final place of rest, and then returned home unattended, the hearse having quitted the scene some time before!  We pretend not to offer any comment upon this extraordinary occurrence, but we assure our readers the facts are as we have stated them to be.” – Cambridge Chronicle.

*Leisure with dignity.

The Stamford Mercury, 27^th January, 1843.