Mercuriosities

Belgium secedes from the Netherlands and becomes independent. A contemporary account of the division of the country; you can’t help but empathise with Van de Weyer and his reluctance to sign the final treaty.

‘Brussels Papers received on Sunday contain intelligence respecting the new and final treaty between Holland and Belgium, determined on by the Five Powers. The substance of the treaty is, that Belgium shall form an independent state, comprising the provinces of South Brabant, Liege, Namur, Hainault, Western and Eastern Flanders, Antwerp, and Limburgh, excepting Maestrecht and the districts of the Prince of Limburg. A part of Luxembourg is also ceded to Belgium, for which the King of Holland will receive territorial indemnity in Limburg. The free navigation of the rivers running through both countries is recognised, as arranged by the Congress at Vienna. The National Debt will be equitably apportioned between the two countries, by which arrangement Belgium will be charged with a debt of 8,400,000 florins. The twenty-four articles were read in the Chamber on Thursday the 20th, together with two notes addressed by the Conference to the Belgian Plenipotentiary, Van de Weyer, and the answer of the latter. The Five Powers declare the terms of adjustment now laid down, are their final and irrevocable decision. M. Van de Weyer did not consider himself authorised by the instructions of his government to sign the articles, and indeed, in the Belgian Congress there already appear symptoms of dissatisfaction ; but the terms of the present arrangement being so perfectly equitable, it is obvious that their clamour and intemperance must be disregarded, and this impediment to the general tranquility of Europe effectually removed. The Belgian government are said to have received a separate intimation from the French ministry, that in case of their refusal to accept the treaty they must not expect to be assisted or encouraged by France.

Stamford Mercury, 28th October, 1831.

Bees have long been highly valued for their honey and the care of bees was a traditional rural pursuit. In 1820 this letter to the Stamford Mercury gives a detailed description of the bee box made by the writer’s neighbour.

Nowadays so many different types of bee hives or bee boxes are available, some of which sound like the one described below.

BEES.

Mr. Editor,- I request that you will give a place in your next number to the following attempt at describing the method by which a neighbour of mine manages his bees, and by which he always has his honey in the purest state, without ever destroying a single bee. In place of the common hive, my neighbour uses square boxes, made of thin board, about fourteen inches each way at top, and eight inches deep ; each box has a square hole cut out in the centre of the bottom and top, of about three inches across, exactly opposite to each other, and slips of thin board fitted to them, to slide out and in, as occasion may require. These boxes are placed close on the top of each other, to the number of three or four, and the slides drawn back the breadth of the hole, so that they will have a communication with each other. The bees are put into the uppermost box, and when it is completely filled with comb, in place of swarming, (as they must do in the common hive, for want of room) they work down into the second box, and so on to the bottom. By putting a pane of glass in the side of each box, it can be always be seen what progress they make downwards. By the time they are down into the third box, the slide is then to be put in, and cut off the communication between the first and second ; the upper box can be lifted off full of pure honey, without a single bee in it. – By the time they have reached the lowermost box, they are to be lifted off gently, and an empty one put in below it, and so on. One can have any number of sets of these boxes that their stock requires, and they are all to be placed in a wooden frame of convenient width, and in length to answer the quantity one intends to keep ; it is to be boarded entirely round ; the north side, however, to open on hinges, for the more conveniently taking out and putting in the boxes.

Stamford Mercury, 14th January, 1820.

Top hats are still de rigueur at Ascot. Over a century ago oval-shaped top hats were a new thing, nowadays men are spoilt for choice with hats of three different oval shapes : round oval, regular oval and long oval – who would have thought we needed so many? Here’s a modern guide to buying a top hat for those formal occasions.

‘LONDON PATENT IMPROVED OVAL-SHAPE BEAVER HATS,

Manufactured upon Blocks the exact Shape of the Head, and warranted to retain their form.

NATHANIEL DANDO and Co. Oval Hat Manufacturers. Original Inventors, and only Makers of the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat, No. 42, Cheapside, LONDON, again beg leave to introduce to the notice of the public, their Patent Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hats, assuring their friends that they have now completely effected that desideratum of making a hat so near the shape of the head, that it is worn without being felt ; thereby preventing those frequent head aches, and unpleasant sensations, so often experienced by wearing the common round shaped hat on an oval head, which must of course cause an unequal pressure upon the veins, thereby obstructing the free circulation of the blood in the vessels of the head, and often producing most serious consequences.

N Dando and Co. beg to refer to the many medical gentlemen, of the first eminence, who are wearing and recommending their Oval Shaped Beaver Hats, for their peculiar ease and comfort.

Merchants and the Trade can be supplied with the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hats, only by Messrs. Nathaniel Dando and Co. 42, Cheapside, London, and the public by most of the respectable hatters in the Kingdom.

A brief explanation of the Superiority of the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat, to the Common Hat.

The natural shape of the common hat from its being made on a perfectly round block, and brought to the oval shape of the head, by the hands and the use of a screw, is liable by wear, or when exposed to the damp or rain, to get soft, flap in the brim, and return to its natural round form ; thus losing its shape by being artificially produced.

The Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat, being manufactured and finished upon an oval block, made to the exact shape of the head, (most of which are from one inch to one inch and a half oval,) will not lose its shape, not being artificially produced with the hands and screw, as is the case with the common hat ; but manufactured from its first state in the shape required to be worn, nor is its shape liable to be affected by the damp or rain.

Nathaniel Dando and Co. request their friends and the public particularly to observe, that they have not appointed any Agent in London ; that their Warehouse, 42, Cheapside, is the only house in Town where they can be supplied with the Improved Oval Shape Beaver Hat ; and that every hat manufactured by them, has their names engraved in the bottom of the lining.’

Stamford Mercury, 27th August, 1819.

Charles Green‘s first ascent by balloon was from Green Park in London on 19th July, 1821 at the coronation of George IV. He made many more ascents, including this one shortly after gas street lighting had been installed in Stamford. The Gas Inclosure was on Wharf Road.

Under the Patronage of the Worshipful the Mayor and Aldermen.

MR. GREEN, who had the honor to ascend at his Majesty’s Coronation by order of Government, respectfully announces to the nobility, gentry, and other inhabitants of STAMFORD and its vicinity, the he purposes on SATURDAY, JULY 2d, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, making his 35th aerial voyage, from that well-known commodious situation, the

GAS INCLOSURE, STAMFORD.

A committee of gentlemen will superintend the arrangements and provide for the accommodation of those who may honor Mr. G. with their attendance. A band of Music will also be stationed in the inclosure.

Mr. GREEN will be accompanied in his ascent by Miss STOCKS, the young lady who ascended last summer from London with the unfortunate Mr. Harris, and who, from the total and sudden escape of gas, literally fell from the balloon from a height of nearly a mile, in Beddington Park, near Croydon.

Tickets of admission to witness the process of inflation, attaching the car, and launching the balloon, 2s each, may be had of Mr. MORTLOCK, Mr. ROOE, and Messrs. DRAKARD & WILSON, High-street, and of Mr. GREEN or Miss STOCKS, at the Assembly-rooms. For the accommodation of ladies, platforms will be erected, and a number of waggons placed within the inclosure; tickets of admission to which, 3s.; Children and Schools will be admitted at half-price.

The doors will be opened and the inflation commence at Twelve o’clock.

It is earnestly requested that ladies and gentlemen will provide themselves with tickets before the hour of admission, as it will greatly facilitate their quiet entrance into the ground.

The balloon, inflated with atmospheric air, together with the car and its appendages, will be exhibited in the ASSEMBLY-ROOM, on TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, previous to the day of ascent. Admission, Ladies and Gentlemen, 1s. each; Chilren & Servants, 6d. Open each day from 9 in the Morning till dusk.

A perfect Model of the Balloon, 9 feet in circumference, formed with Gold-beater’s Skin and inflated with Gas, will ascend and descend in the room during the exhibition.

The Stamford Mercury, 24th June, 1825.

Pick’s 5-horse dog cart was one of the cars to be exhibited at the Stanley Cycle Show in London in 1900. A very detailed description of his dog cart is shown here, (please scroll down to ‘Pick’).

Stamford-born John Henry ‘Jack’ Pick, originally a blacksmith, became well-known as a manufacturer of farm equipment and bicycles. In later life he changed careers to be a successful greengrocer.

There’s a lot more on Twitter about Pick Motors including a photo, taken at the 2018 Stamford car show on the meadows, of a 1912 Pick Doctors Coupe which is said to be still local to Stamford.

‘The “Pick-of-All” Water-Cooling 5-Horse Dog Cart

WHICH ATTRACTED SO MUCH ATTENTION AT THE

STANLEY SHOW IN LONDON.

APPLY FOR PARTICULARS TO

J. H. PICK & CO., STAMFORD.’

The Stamford Post, March 1st, 1901.

Baptism by immersion was often performed in the River Welland, although these two on a cold November day sound particularly unpleasant. However, the minister got wet too!

On Sunday morning last the religious ceremony of a baptismal immersion in the river again took place at Stamford, and attracted an immense crowd of spectators. The minister on this occasion was the Rev. J. F. Winks, of Loughborough; and the persons who underwent baptism were Mrs. Brownlow Westmorland (a young woman who is parted from her husband), and a servant-man named Edward Bull. The ceremony took place between 10 and 11 o’clock in the morning at Lamb’s bridge, the part of the river Welland before selected for such an exhibition, but certainly a very dirty and disgusting spot, and rendered particularly so on Sunday, by the swoln and turbid state of the water at that time. Singing and prayer preceded the descent into the river: the Minister also for some time with great earnestness addressed the assembled multitude in explanation of the rite he was about to perform, until a visible perspiration stood upon his head and face; and in this state of mental and bodily excitement he stepped into the water, sounding his way with a stick as he proceeded, until himself and his proselytes were up to their middles in a powerful stream. He then pushed them backwards and they were for an instant lost in the river; but by his aid they were replaced on their feet, and were suffered to make the best of their way to the shore, in one of the coldest and most comfotless winter mornings that can be imagined.

The Stamford Mercury, 20th November, 1829.

Advertisements for Dennis’s Lincolnshire pig powders are now collectors’ items. They cure almost every disease of pigs and those of all kinds of poultry too.

DENNIS’S CELEBRATED LINCOLNSHIRE PIG POWDERS, PROPRIETOR J.W. DENNIS, LOUTH.

DENNIS’S CELEBRATED LINCOLNSHIRE PIG POWDERS speedily arrest Disease and save Life. The Proprietor challenges the world to produce their equal for the following amongst other Diseases:–

Colds, Retention of Urine, Tender Feet, Inflammation, Costiveness, Milk Fever, Coughs, Fits, Hoose, &c.

These Powders are an excellent Medicine and Condiment : by their use Pigs fatten more rapidly and attain a larger size.

Sold everywhere in packets, with full directions on each, six doses for 5d., twelve for 10d.

Sold everywhere. Chemists and others not having them in stock will readily procure them.

WHOLESALE of STURTON & SON, Peterborough ; BEALL and SON, Cambridge ; LOFTHOUSE & SALTMER, Hull ; NEWBERRY and SONS, TIDMAN and SONS, HOVENDEN and SONS, and W. MATHER, London.

May be had wholesale and Retail of the Proprietor and Inventor, JOHN W. DENNIS, Chemist, EAST-GATE, LOUTH.

LOCAL RETAIL AGENTS.

MARCH, MR. F., Chemist, High-street, Stamford ; Peterborough, STURTON and SON, J. H. Pearson, and ARTHUR CARLTON, Dispensing Chemist, 18, Long Causeway ; March, VAWSER ; Wisbech, BOOR ; Spalding, BIRCH.

Stamford Mercury, 20th June, 1879.

The Wesleyan chapel referred to still stands – a handsome stone building that is now a private residence in Toll Bar.

Opening of a Wesleyan Chapel at Casterton. – For a long time the Wesleyan Methodists of Great Casterton had to hold their services in an uncomfortably small room in the village, and the consummation of an effort to get a place suitable for public worship was celebrated on Thursday the 27^th Inst., when the new chapel was formally opened for divine service.  The new building, which has been erected at a cost of 377l, 6s, 3d., stands at the Stamford end of the village, a short distance on the Little Casterton-road.  It is built of local stone by Messrs. Scholes, Rouse, and Clarke, of Stamford.  The chapel will seat about 150 persons, and is a comfortable structure.  The school-room is at the east end of the chapel, and will accommodate about 50 scholars.  The building is 56ft. by 30ft., is a good height, and is well ventilated and lighted with lamps.  The east window, over the communion table, is a handsome stained and decorated one, with figures of SS Paul and Peter, and is the gift of Mr. H. Hart, of Stamford.  Altogether the Methodists have reason to be proud of their new chapel.

The Stamford Mercury, 5^th December, 1884.

A story celebrating the marriage of a Jack of all Trades septuagenarian and his many and varied occupations.

Married, at Lowther, on the 4th Inst., Mr. Richard Clarke, to Mrs. Mary Martin, widow, of the parish of Morland. The bride has attained the age of eighty-three, and has only on eye. The bridegroom is no chicken, having seen upwards of seventy-six summers. He is also much celebrated in his neighbourhood for the universality of his genius. He began as a tailor, and quitted that occupation for the profession of a dancing-master; next he turned pig-merchant, then horse-dealer, then farrier; sixthly, he became bread baker; and now does a little in the way of preaching!

The Stamford Mercury, 19th, November, 1924 (first published in the Carlisle Patriot).

A grocer’s shop seems an unlikely place for an accidental death, but a young apprentice died after falling from a ladder when some of the stock fell on top of him. It is to be hoped that we take more care in today’s ‘Health and Safety’ conscious times.

“An accident which was unfortunately attended with fatal results befel a 17-year-old apprentice, named Albert Lawson, whose parents reside at 23 East-street, while following his employment at Messrs. J. and T. Eayrs’ grocer’s shop in High-street.  At the inquest at the Town Hall on Monday evening, Dr Elliott stated that he was called to deceased on the day of the sad occurrence, March 21^st, and found him suffering from injury to the abdomen.  At first there were hopes of his recovery, but on the following Sunday he succumbed to rupture of the bowel.  – Albert Edward Staff, aged 14, a fellow employee, said that deceased was standing on a ladder packing starch on a shelf about 9 ft. from the ground.  He (witness) was handing up the packages.  They had only been so engaged a few minutes when the ladder slipped backwards, and deceased fell to the ground, a box of Quaker Oats falling from the top of two bags of sugar, which were placed on their sides, and striking him in the abdomen.  Lawson got up and went into an adjoining department, from where, after lying on the floor some time, he was, upon Dr. Milner’s instructions, conveyed home on a hearthrug.  The jury returned a verdict of “accidental death,” and in handing their fees to the father, Mr Wilfred Lawson expressed through the foreman (Mr. E. Dalton), their deepest sympathy with the bereaved parents.  Mr Eayrs, a partner in the firm, was present at the inquiry.”

The Stamford Mercury, 31^st March, 1916.