Beards, Snuff and the English Bar.

1895

Forty years ago an Old Bailey practitioner who wore a beard was summoned to attend a meeting of the bar and charged with "violating the honorable traditions of the profession." He sought acquittal on the ground that a serious affection of the throat compelled his transgression of the unwritten ordinances of the bar, but his judges declined to accept his defense and sent him to Coventry. Times, The Law Journal, points out, have changed now. "Half of the ordinary members of the court of appeals now wear beards, Lord Justice Lopes, Lord Justice Rigby and now Lord Justice Kay having departed from the traditions of the bench. The only other judges who wear beards are Lord Watson and Sir Francis Jeune."

Another terrible instance of departure from ancient precedent was deplored last night by the lord chief justice in his amusing speech to the Hardwicke society. The "eminently judicial" habit of taking snuff was, he regretted to say, falling into almost complete desuetude. He remembered Sir James Bacon telling him on one occasion that when he was a junior there was not a single man in the court, from the judge on the bench to the usher, who did not carry a snuffbox, and he ended by saying, "Here I am, the only man left with a snuffbox." And now the only man left is the chief himself, but all that one man can do he does. — Westminster Gazette.

King Lobengula's House.

1895

Of Lobengula's house nothing but a low heap of bricks remains. It is very pathetic to see the great deserted kraal, once so populous and now tenanted only by a few screaming plovers flying round and round over it. One or two miserable looking blacks were squatted among the ashes, grubbing for a few glass beads. Far away — the only thing that breaks the monotony of the horizon — you see Thabas Induna, the hill where Lobengula won his first victory. In spite of all his cruelties one cannot help being rather sorry for the old king. I think that feeling is held by most of the people engaged in the war.

The Matabili seem absolutely quiet and have no sense of the ignominy of defeat. But their insolence before the war is almost beyond belief. They would enter an Englishman's wagon, unbidden, pull the book he was reading out of his hand and throw it on the floor again and again, spit into his water bottle, snatch off his hat, and if he tried to recover it chuck a knobkerrie (club or knotted stick) under his chin so as almost to shatter his teeth. These insults had to be borne in silence, as resistance would only have ended in murder by overwhelming numbers. But the forbearance and self restraints of the white men when their turn came seem to have been marvelous after such provocation. — National Review.


A Dainty Sprinkler.

O'Kief — Doesn't Miss Flipsley make a pretty picture as she sprinkles her flowers?
McEll — Yes, and judging by the way she is holding her skirt she seems anxious to let the neighbors see that she uses nothing but the best quality of hose. — Brooklyn Eagle.

The British Crown.

1895

The crown which was used in the ceremonies attending the coronation of Queen Victoria was made by Rundell & Bridge, and is said to represent a money value of about £300,000. It weighs a fraction less than two pounds and is almost covered with the 3,000 precious stones which adorn it. The headband of this gorgeous insignia of royalty is made of gold, covered with a row of 129 pearls along its lower edge and 112 on the upper. Between the pearls in front is a large sapphire and behind a smaller one. Near each sapphire is a clustered ornament made up of 286 diamonds. Immediately above the headband is a row of eight sapphires, each surmounted by a magnificent diamond, and eight festoons, collectively containing 160 diamonds. The front of the crown is a Maltese cross, having in its center the most famous known ruby, that given to the Black Prince by Pedro, king of Castile.

Besides the above there are three other crosses containing 386 diamonds. Between the four crosses are four ornaments, containing, respectively, 84, 85, 86 and 87 diamonds. The arched top of the crown, which is in imitation oak leaves, contains 728 diamonds. Besides the above, there are 32 acorns, each composed of a single pearl, set in cups made of 54 diamonds each. The whole is surmounted by a mound of 548 diamonds and a cross of sapphires with arms of 108 small diamonds. — St. Louis Republic.

Door Knockers

1895

London is the only capital in the world where the door knocker still remains in existence. It is in no sense of the word diminishing or "going out," as an external article of household furniture. On the contrary, it is as numerous as ever.

But it has ceased to be as artistic as in the days of yore. There no longer seems to be any rivalry between neighbors about knockers. They present a dead level of uniformity of shape, and are more frequently painted black than bright. The former is much easier to keep clean than the burnished article. In short, a door knocker is now kept for use only, and it is impossible any longer to obtain any impression of the character and condition of the inmates of a house by the aspect of the knocker, although there still, perforce, remains a deal of individuality and character in the way the knocker is used. You can almost tell who your visitor is and his frame of mind by the way he manipulates it. — Philadelphia Ledger.

Due to His Appearance

1895

A rather good story about the Duke of Westminster is now going the rounds. This enormously wealthy peer never did take a great deal of interest in the cut of his garments, and it was never a matter of much concern to him whether he wore a threadbare and glossy coat or a brand new one. Consequently it was not surprising that a lynx eyed policeman who had been detailed to duty in the grounds of Mr. Gladstone's country seat, Hawarden, at the time of the threatened dynamite plots, should have pounced upon a shabbily dressed individual whom he caught wandering apparently aimlessly about the grounds.

In an aggressive tone the "bobby" demanded to know the stranger's business. "I'm a friend of Mr. Gladstone — I'm — I'm the Duke of Westminster," stammered the astonished man. "Come along with me, will you," chuckled the policeman, hustling his captive off to the house, "and tell that tale up yonder."

The Grand Old Man happened to pass by, and catching sight of the duke ordered his immediate release, when the crestfallen policeman, who was too much abashed to make even an attempt at apology, slunk off, leaving his grace of Westminster in a by no means amiable frame of mind. — Chicago Record.

Merchants and Craft Guilds

1895

During the twelfth century merchant guilds arose in all the towns of importance in England, and in the next century a further development of town life took place in the rise of craft guilds. These associations were composed of the artisans engaged in a certain industry in a particular town. By the growth of population it is evident that when the merchant guilds had attained their first century there would be a considerable number of persons dwelling in the town who would not be eligible to membership of the guild either as landholders or as the heirs of guildsmen. Many of these would be skilled in some pursuit or calling, and naturally they would adopt the best means of securing their rights and protecting their interests by taking common action against the rest of the community.

The earliest craft guilds were those of the weavers and fullers of woolen cloth. The guild of bakers is nearly as old, and that of the leather dressers, or corvesars, dates from about the same period. At first there was a struggle between the merchant guilds and the craft guilds, as the one body naturally strove to retain its monopoly of the government of the town, and the other endeavored to share in its municipal privileges. But the circumstances of the time were such as to quickly unite the two bodies in a common resistance to the tyranny of the sovereign power or of the great feudal lords. In turn, the monarch found it good policy to foster the towns, both with the object of developing their wealth and so of acquiring a source of revenue for himself as well as of bringing into existence a factor to counterbalance the overgrown power of the nobles. — Westminster Review.

John Bull as a Sport

1895

It may give some idea of the place of sport in English life to the sedentary American to say that it is difficult to find an Englishman between 18 and 65, in fair health and not supported by the rates, who is not a performer at some kind of sport or interested in some phase of it. Of the 673 reviews and magazines of a nonreligious character printed in England, one in six is largely devoted to some form of out of door sport or occupation.

In a word, John Bull loves the fresh air. He is a sportsman, an athlete, a soldier, a sailor, a traveler, a colonist; rather than a student, and all the figures bear one out in making the statement. During those horrible days in the Crimea these sport loving "young barbarians" were "all at play" when they were not fighting, racing their ponies, getting up cricket matches and off shooting such game as there was. One family — the Pelhams — have hunted the Brocklesby pack of hounds for more than 175 years. — Forum.

Chimneys

1895

Chimneys constructed on modern principles were almost unknown to the ancients, being used only in the large baths, where great quantities of hot water were needed. Chafing dishes, braziers of glowing coals and bottles of hot water were employed by the ladies of the middle ages to keep their rooms warm, and a curious picture is extant of three Norman ladies chatting together, each with a bottle of hot water placed between her feet. Chimneys are believed to have been unknown in England until the twelfth century, but by the end of the fourteenth were generally employed in domestic architecture. For a long time there was a chimney tax all over England.


His Tip

"Here, old man," complained the cashier at the restaurant, "you are a quarter shy."
"A quarter what?" asked Uncle Reuben.
"A quarter short. Your check is 66 cents, and you have given me only 40."
"Oh, that there is all right. The waiter said it was the custom to give a quarter for what he called a tip." — Indianapolis Journal.


Trivia

Max Muller knew 18 different languages to the extent of being able to speak or write in any one, and a considerable number in addition less perfectly.

Plates for table use are among the articles dug from the soil of Rome.

Every language is said to have its own name for wheat.

Disraeli at Home

1895

Hardly a week passed in which I did not dine with him and Mrs. Disraeli. His dinners were small, not overgood, but always gay and amusing — not that he was himself at all brilliant in conversation. On the contrary, he was generally silent unless there was an opening for some epigrammatic or paradoxical or startling observation. Though bitterly sarcastic if it suited his purpose, he was far from being cynical from nature. On the contrary, he was remarkably placable, and, though he had few strong dislikes, he had many strong friendships.

Disraeli was eminently Bohemian, imaginative, without a particle of belief in anything, totally unprincipled — I do not use the word in an offensive sense, but as being devoid of all principles of policy. That he was a man of immense talent not even his greatest enemy can deny, but even I, his personal friend, must confess that from his entrance into public life until his last hour he lived and died a charlatan. — "Autobiography of Sir William Gregory."

The Yard and Pound

1895

Two Precious Standards That Are Carefully Guarded In London.

The originals of our yard measure and pound weight — otherwise the British standards of weights and measures — are sealed or walled up in the sides of the house of parliament at London. The cavity in the wall in which these precious standards are preserved somewhat resembles a tomb and can be opened only by tearing away the wall. The two articles which are therein so safely cased are both of metal. The yard measure is of bronze, in the shape of a bar, 38 inches in length, 36 sections, or one yard, having been marked off upon it with some finely scaled instrument. The weight standard is a cube of platinum, weighing exactly 16 ounces. Weighty as it is, it is scarcely more than an inch in extent on either side, and if sold for the metal there is in it would bring nearly $200.

Once every 20 years the walls inclosing these standards are torn away for the purpose of removing the two pieces of metal and comparing their length and weight with the official standards in use by the bureau of weights and measures. These comparisons are made under the supervision of the president of the London board of trade and several other officials appointed by the different branches of the queen's government.

Extremely delicate and elaborate apparatus for making these comparisons are used, and if the units in use by the bureau referred to have been changed or deviate in the least from the standards with which they were compared 20 years before they are immediately changed so as to conform with the original bronze and platinum types. The ceremony of "comparing the standards" was last made in April, 1892. After the comparisons had been made and no variations detected they were again walled up, with the understanding that they would not again be disturbed until April, 1912. — St. Louis Republic.

Comment: So that's interesting. I wonder if they still do that or if they've found a better system by now. They probably have. Like put a bunch of rulers in a closet and assume they're not going to change over 20 years. But if you want to get back to a pure original standard, this is a great way to do it.

The Princess of Wales

1895

How She Was Entertained by a Quaint Old Scotchwoman.

One autumn day an old woman, while busily engaged in picking up firewood in the woods adjoining Mar Lodge, became aware of a lady quite young, as she thought, beckoning her to approach. With true Scottish indifference she, however, hesitated to do so, for "I jist tocht it wad be the Duchess o' Fife," the old lady explained, "and I was thinking she micht as well come to me as I to her." This indeed the young lady — who, as it happened, was not the duchess, but the Princess of Wales herself — soon did. Her royal highness was the first to commence the conversation by the somewhat characteristic inquiry:

"Do you think I look like a grandmother?" " 'Deed no. I thocht ye was her," was the old woman's reply, pointing to the Duchess of Fife, who at that moment joined her mother. The princess, smiling at this artless tribute to her still wonderfully youthful appearance, after a little further conversation took out her purse and offered a piece of silver to the old woman. This was gladly accepted, for Mrs. McB., although widely known in Braemar as a decent old body, is not abundantly blessed with this world's goods. But, alas, when she essayed to put away the coin the pocket, which proved refractory, as pockets will, had twisted round somehow, and, in fact, could not be found.

With charming courtesy the princess assisted her humble acquaintance to find it, and then lifted the bundle of sticks which had been placed for the moment on the ground on to the old woman's shoulders, and with a cheery "Goodby," accompanied by a bright nod and a smile, left her. Perhaps the best part of this well authenticated story was the remark of the old lady, who, by the way, was not in the least overcome by the condescension of royalty, "The princess was real helpful and bonnylike." — Liverpool Mercury.

Chinese Swine

1895

The American swine of today are very different from their English ancestors, who a few centuries ago constituted one of the chief sources of British wealth. The improvement in the race is largely due to the introduction of the Chinese and Neapolitan breeds. The crossing of the former upon the English hog has resulted in the production of the Berkshire, Essex, Poland-China, Small Yorkshire and Suffolk breeds.

The Chinese hog is remarkably prepotent, as is shown by the tendency of the modern breeds to revert to the original type. This is doubtless owing to the many centuries of inbreeding which have so firmly fixed its characteristics. One of the most important of these is its propensity to fatten under the most adverse circumstances. This superabundance of fat prevents the flesh of this breed being highly esteemed in this country, but it has had a most valuable effect in modifying the lean, gaunt hogs of England, while the Neapolitan has added delicacy of flavor.

The original Chinese hog is a very peculiar shape. It has a long body, with short legs, very heavy jowls, small prick ears, short head, neck and snout and the eyes wide apart. In color it is white or black, or a mixture of both, with the white predominating. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

England Will Not Drop Blacklist

1916

London, Sept. 8. — "It is not likely that Great Britain will change her blacklist policy at the request of the United States," said Lord Robert Cecil, minister of war, in discussing today the possible effect of recent American retaliatory legislation. To the Associated Press, Lord Robert stated that a reply to the blacklist protest made by the United States may be expected soon. Lord Robert, however, declined to enter into the details of the contents of the reply beyond the statement that the principle embodied in British legislation forbidding trading with an enemy country is unlikely to be surrendered in any measure.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Sweden and England Exchange Sharp Notes

1916

London, Sept. 10. — There has been a further, and rather sharp exchange of notes between Great Britain and Sweden regarding the difficulties brought about by the allied blockade and Sweden's retaliatory seizure of mails in transit between England and Russia. No solution of the problem is in sight. The British foreign secretary, Viscount Grey, insists that as a condition to submitting the matter to arbitration Sweden must promise not to interfere again with English parcels post matter in transit across Sweden. The Swedish government apparently is determined not to make such an engagement.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

England Makes Apology

1916

Washingon, Sept. 20 -- Great Britain today formally expressed to the United States regret for the action of a British destroyer in holding up and examining the Philippine steamer Ceb within the territorial waters of the Philippines.

Because of a heavy fog, it was explained, the destroyer's commander did not know the vessel was so near shore.

In the absence of Ambassador Spring Rice, Colville Barclay, counsellor of the British Embassy, called at the State Department at the request of Sec. Gray and presented the explanation and expression of regret. Department official said later the incident was regarded as closed.

Two More Zeppelins Vanquished

1916

London, Sept. 24. — Of the 12 zeppelins which invaded the British Isles last night to deal death and destruction from the skies, two were destroyed.

One came down a flaming torch, as did the zeppelin L-21, destroyed three weeks ago, while the second, disabled by gunfire, effected a landing, which saved the lives of the crew, who tonight are prisoners. The crew of the first raider died in the consuming flames of their own ship.

Many who saw the shrapnel bursting like skyrockets above the invader which subsequently caught fire, think there must have been several direct hits. Many aeroplanes were aloft and attacked the zeppelins from all sides.

The raiders took a heavy toll of lives before their destruction, 28 persons being killed and 99 wounded in the metropolitan district of London. Two persons were killed, probably four, and 17 were wounded in the provinces.

The roar of dropping bombs was heard in many districts where the raiders were invisible.

Earlier London Summary

1916

London, Sept. 20. — Chief of Staff von Hindenburg's vigorous efforts to turn the tide both east and west have met with indifferent success or plain failure during the last two days in all theatres of the war except southern Transylvania.

In France from 9 o'clock this morning until night the Germans threw wave after wave of infantry in heavy assaults against a three-mile front at Bouchavesnes, on the French line, half way between Combles and Peronne. At 1 o'clock the Germans after several failures reached Bouchavesnes, but were immediately driven out at the point of the bayonet.

On all other parts of this field the Teutons, broken by the French fire, ran back to their trenches, leaving great numbers of dead.

In Transylvania the Rumanians have met with serious reverse in the region of Hatszeg, whence they have been driven back to the Transylvania Alps and the town of Petroseny and Szurduk pass have been recaptured from them, according to Teutonic reports.

In Dobrudja, where the Russians and Rumanians have been heavily reinforced, Germanic accounts say the battle is fluctuating. Sofia reports successes for the Bulgars at certain points, while Bucharest claims a victory for the Rumanians near Enigea, 19 miles south of the Constanza railway.

Russia's heavy pressure, despite desperate counter blows, is steadily crowding the Germans, Austrians and Turks through the Carpathians south of the Bystritza River, where Berlin and Vienna admit Russian gains for the third successive day.

West of Lutsk in Volhynia, where a great battle is in progress, the Teutons say Russian troops that penetrated their lines were thrown back again.

Tonight's British official report says:

A captured order of Gen von Falkenhayn, dated Aug. 24, says the wastage of German cannon and ammunition in the last few months "has been considerably in excess of production," and there is a serious diminution in the reserve supply. The Army is ordered to preserve material, "for, otherwise, making good the losses and placing new formations in the field will be rendered impossible."

Bucharest's claim regarding the Dobrudja campaign is partially corroborated by the following German statement:

The Allied fleet is blockading the Greek coast occupied by BUlgaria. British aircraft have raided Deama and French aeroplanes attacked Monastir.

Dispute on Mails Renewed

1916

Sharp Exchange of Notes by Sweden and Britain.

LONDON, England. — There has been a further and rather sharp exchange of notes between Great Britain and Sweden in regard to the difficulties brought about by the Entente allied blockade and Sweden's retaliatory seizure of mails in transit between England and Russia. No solution of the problem is in sight. The British foreign secretary, Viscount Grey, insists that as a condition to submitting the matter to arbitration Sweden must promise not to interfere again with English parcels post matter in transit across Sweden. The Swedish government apparently is determined not to make such an agreement.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

Sees Spain Aid of Allies

1916

Former Premier Says Nation Must Soon Make Choice.

PARIS, France. — Spain must decide in favor of one or other of the groups of belligerents in the opinion of Antonio Maura, former premier and leader of the conservative party, according to news dispatches from Madrid, quoting an address delivered by Senor Maura.

The address was delivered at Beranga, near Bilbao, at a meeting attended by 6,000 Mauristas. The former premier declared, according to the dispatches, that the conditions of the war made Spain's isolation henceforth impossible. He is quoted as saying that it was moreover essential that France and England should not be hostile toward Spain.

The Madrid dispatches predict that Senor Maura's speech will cause a strong impression thruout the country, as his prestige was never so high as at present. The majority of his followers are supposed to be pro-German in their sympathies.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

Color-Film Lotion Is Found

1919

Russian Invents Emulsion Designed to Improve Photography.

LONDON, England. — A secret emulsion, invented by a Russian, which, it is asserted, will make color photography possible for everybody, is about to be introduced into this country. The problem of making the process capable of snapshot as well as time work is claimed to have been overcome and the exposure can be as rapid as with the ordinary emulsion, thus fitting the invention for moving picture work also.

Special cameras and plates will be on the market shortly and the cost of a colored film is expected to he only 15 to 20 per cent higher than the ordinary black and white type.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 9.