Humanity unmasked

Astute observation – Derby Mercury  26 June 1794: ANECDOTE. Mr. NEWTON, when formerly captain of a Guinea trader, charging one of his negroes with a theft, the latter denied it. The master doubting the veracity of his slave; this poor, dark, untutored,...

Market fluctuation

Shameful price to pay – The Suffolk Chronicle; or Weekly General Advertiser & County Express, 28 February 1835, page 2: SALE OF A WIFE. – On Monday se’nnight*, one those disgraceful proceedings, the sale of a wife, took place in Clare market....

Curl your lips

This should bring a smile – South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail, 15 August 1868: An American photographer says that ladies, when having their portraits taken, may observe the following rules with some advantage as to their appearance. “When a...

Shattering bolt

Struck by the electric fluid – Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser, 23 February 1859: On Wednesday last, Achill was visited by one of the most violent thunderstorms which has occurred within memory. A house in Curraun, on the mainland,...

Warmly received

Woolly first-fleecers – Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser, 23 February 1859: After six years of indomitable perseverance, Mr. Charles Ledger, an English merchant, established in Peru, has succeeded in landing safely at Sydney a flock...

Taking it in his stride

Boots made for walking – Aberdeen Journal, 23 May 1827: Pedestrianism. – James Baxter, foot-messenger, residing in Fochabers, has been employed in that capacity, by different members of the Noble Family of Gordon, since the year 1785, a period of...