Mercuriosities

Did Sir Isaac Newton think he was about to discover a weather gauge to foretell rain? The ram had the answer.

“SIR ISAAC NEWTON AND THE WEATHER GAUGE-The illustrious philosopher was once riding over Salisbury plain, when a boy keeping sheep called to him, “Sir, you had better make haste on, or you will get a wet jacket.” Newton, looking round and and observing neither clouds nor a speck on the horizon, jogged on, taking very little of the rustic’s information. He made but a few miles, when a storm suddenly arising, wetted him to the skin. Surprised at the circumstance, and determined, if possible, to ascertain how an ignorant boy had attained a precision and knowledge in the weather of which the wisest philosophers would be proud, he rode back, as wet as he was. “My lad,” said Newton, “I’ll give thee a guinea if thou wilt tell me how thou canst fortel the weather so truly.” “Will ye, Sir? I will then,” said the boy, scratching his head, and holding out his hand for the guinea. “Now Sir,” having received the money, and pointing to his sheep, “when you see that black ram turn his tail towards the wind, ’tis a sure sign of rain within an hour.” “What!” exclaimed the philosopher, “must I, in order to fortel the weather, stay here and watch which way that black ram turns his tail?” “Yes, Sir.” Off rode Newton, quite satisfied with his discovery, but not much inclined to avail himself of it, or to recommend it to others.”

The Stamford Mercury, 17 October 1828

The Mercury reports optimistically on a patent for an aerial steam carriage (named ‘Ariel‘), 60 years before the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

THE AERIAL STEAM CARRIAGE. – When it was announced some time ago, by the ordinary monthly lists of patents granted, that Mr. Henson had invented a machine capable of conveying dispatches and passengers through the air, the general impression was that some moody and enthusiastic projector was about to exhibit the produce of his day-dreams.  Our readers may, therefore, be somewhat surprised to learn that this is in truth no visionary scheme, but a design of very scientific conception, carefully and perseveringly wrought out.  It would perhaps be too much to affirm (what yet we cannot deny) that the machine in its present state will certainly succeed ; but the least which can be said is, that the inventor has most skilfully removed the difficulties which have hitherto debarred us the possession of the long-coveted faculty of flight, and has made its eventual, perhaps early, attainment a matter of little less than certain.  This device would not have succeeded if the inventor had not effected an extraordinary reduction in the weight of his steam-engine.  Our engineering readers will be somewhat surprised to learn that the engine of 20 horses’ power now in preparation for the aërial carriage weighs with its condenser and requisite water but 600lbs.  To the united effect of these different branches of this important invention must we attribute our present prospect of making our paths in the air.  The area of the sustaining surface will be, we understand, not less than 4500 square feet ; the weight to be sustained, including the carriage and its total burden, is estimated at 3000lbs.  The load is said to be considerably less per square foot than that of many birds.  It may assist the conceptions of our non-mechanical readers to add that the general appearance of the machine is that of a gigantic bird with stationary wings ; that the mechanical principles concerned in its support are strongly exemplified in the case of a kite ; and that its progress is maintained by an application of power like that which propels a steam-boat.  In the operations of nature, particularly in the flight of birds, will be found many striking illustrations of the principles on which the inventor has proceeded. – Whatever may be the immediate issue of the present attempt, we think it is impossible not to award to the inventor the highest credit due to the removal of the great difficulties which have hitherto defeated all similar inventions ; nor do we doubt that, in following out the path he has opened, complete success will eventually be obtained : whether that success will be, as we wish, early and entire, or whether it will be delayed and gradual, depends on the facts as to oblique pneumatic resistance, which have yet to be ascertained.  It is, however, high time to begin to consider in the spirit of careful inquiry and cheerful hope what will be the changes, commercial, social, and political, which the possession of this new-born power will necessarily bring about. – Times.“

The Stamford Mercury, April 7^th, 1843.

Magnetic north was an elusive creature, perhaps because it was, and still is, constantly on the move. In 1828 these men set out to find magnetic north. They only just missed out because three years later it was discovered by another naval man, James Clark Ross.

“Northern Scientific Expedition.–Towards the end of this month (April) Professor Hanstein will set out on his journey to Siberia. He will be accompanied by Lieutenant Due, of the navy ; and at St. Petersburgh they will meet Dr. Erman, from Berlin, who will go with them as naturalist and astronomer. They will proceed from St. Petersburgh to Moscow, Kasan, and Tobolsk, and northwards along the Obi to Beresow, in order to examine the hitherto imperfectly known northernmost branch of the Ural chain, and to observe the temperature of that tract. They will afterwards go from Tobolsk, by way of Tara, Tomsk, Krasnoiarsk, and Nischmei-Udinsk, to Irkoutsk, where they hope to arrive in time to pass the winter. Hence they mean to travel north-east to Jakoutsk, from which the most fatiguing part of the journey will be to Ochotsk, as there are 1014 wersts (676 miles) to go over, in a country entirely uninhabited, in which they must pass perhaps a thousand streams, bivouac in the night, and take provisions for the whole journey. It is calculated that the tour may occupy two years. The grand object of this important expedition is to observe the phenomena of magnetism, and to ascertain, if possible, the situation of the magnetic poles, &c,–Literary Gazette.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

From the stomach pump to the fire escape, Mr. John Read’s inventions knew no bounds. He descended from the various floors of the house causing quite a stir. Other similar creative and amusing fire escape designs were around at this time.

“Great interest was excited on Wednesday afternoon the 30th ult. in Regent-street, by the descent of Mr. Read (the patentee of the stomach pump) from a window nearly 60 feet from the ground, by means of a very simple fire-escape of his invention. The apparatus consists merely of a rope twice the length of the height of the place where it is attached. Above the window of the chamber a ring is fastened to the wall inside the room, a bar crosses the ring perpendicularly, and around this the rope is reflected. Some strong web, which forms a sort of seat, is attached to one end of the rope, and the other being thrown out of the window, the persons escaping from a house on fire lower themselves into the street, by allowing the rope to pass gradually through the hands as they descend. In the same manner children or others may be let down by any one of ordinary courage and coolness, for which purpose a bag is appended to the rope, in which they may be securely enveloped. Mr. Read descended from the various floors of the house with great adroitness, highly to the satisfaction of a great crowd assembled by the novel exhibition.”

The Stamford Mercury, 9th May, 1828.

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