Mercuriosities

The facts and more details about the poisoned blanc-mange. The colouring may well have been Scheel’s green.

“On Wednesday the 7th Inst., the public recognition of the Rev. G. Nicholson, B. A., as the minister of King-street chapel, Northampton, in the room of the Rev. T. Milner, took place in that chapel. At the close of the ordination services, a dinner, which had been prepared for the accommodation of the ministers and friends, took place at the New Hall. Between 30 and 40 persons were present. About an hour after dinner, several of them were seized with violent sickness, and among them Mr. Wm. Cornfield, a well-known and much-respected accountant of Northampton. After suffering for a considerable time, he was conveyed home in a fly and put to bed. He took some tea, and apparently grew better and slept. About 5 in the morning he awoke and wished to have some toast, and while Mrs. Cornfield was gone to prepare it, he died. Mr. George Macquire, Mr. John Groom, Alderman Porter, Mr. Betts and his son, were all taken severely ill, apparently from the same cause – the partaking of some blanc-mange, ornamented on the top with green colouring. On Thursday afternoon an inquest on Mr. Cornfield, was commenced before P. Hicks, Gent., at the Guildhall, and adjourned till Friday. The evidence went to show that the deceased partook freely of blancmange, which was ornamented in the form of a cucumber – the principal part being coloured green. A Mr. Franklin supplied the dinner, and a man named Randall, as assistant, made the jellies and the blanc-mange. – Thos. Sharp, Esq., a magistrate, deposed – I sent for Randall, and questioned him as to the composition of the sweets, particularly as to the material with which they coloured the blanc-mange. He told me they used emerald green. I answered, it must be poison, inasmuch as all mineral greens were poison. He said he had been frequently told so; but he did not appear to know it from his own knowledge – and they always told their customers when they expressed fears about using it, that they need not be afraid, as it was extract of spinach. I said that was very extraordinary, and he replied, If we did not tell them that, they would not buy it. I then questioned him as to the quantity of this mineral he had used. He said he had to color the cucumber and the foliage around it, and he should think it was about the thickness of a sixpence. Mr. Saml. Walker was present, and he said he was sure it was one-third of an inch thick. – On as post-mortem examination being made, it seemed that the deceased had suffered from double hernia, but Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Bryan, and Mr. Greville (medical gentlemen) were all of opinion that death was produced by an irritant poison. – Mr. Greville analysed a portion of the ’emerald green,’ and found that it contained copper and arsenic. The inquest was again adjourned.”

The Stamford Mercury, 16th June, 1848.

A misunderstanding about green colouring in a kitchen poisoned twenty-one people at a public dinner (one of them fatally). It seems the colouring used in the green blanc-mange contained and arsenic and copper. See a similar story in our blogs.

“Northampton, June 14. – The inquiry which had been opened before the county coroner, Mr. Hicks, respecting the death of Mr. Wm. Cornfield, an accountant, who with twenty others, was poisoned at a public dinner given here on Wednesday the 7th, was concluded at a late hour last night at the Guildhall. The evidence adduced was very voluminous, but the facts are given in our 4th page. The medical witnesses stated that they had detected copper in the green colouring stuff which coated the blanc mange used at the dinner. A verdict of ‘manslaughter’ was accordingly returned against Mr. Franklin, by whom the dinner was provided, and against Randall, the cook.”

The Stamford Mercury, 16th June, 1848.

The jatropha berry (a type of spurge) was to blame for this mass poinsoning. But then the people who ate them were rather trusting and uncurious.

” – Bristol, May 24, – This city was yesterday the scene of an extraorodinary and alarming event:- that of upwards of a hundred persons being seized almost simultaneously with alarming symptoms, through eating of a poisonous berry, called the jatropha. Messrs. Visger, Miller, and Co., who are large manufacturers of a peculiar kind of oil which is extracted from these berries, are in the habit of importing large quantities of them, and recently had a cargo arrive, in a vessel called the Miranda. This ship has been discharging her cargo, and yesterday, the packages of berries were being removed from the wharf on the quay to the manufactory, when one of them by some means broke, and its contents were cast out and scattered about the streets. A number of children and some grown persons ate a quantity of the berries, and immediately became so alarmingly ill that it was found necessary to place them in the Infirmary and under the care of various medical gentlemen in the city. The greatest apprehensions were felt for the results, not fewer than 100 persons having been thus violently attacked with illness. However, in the evening it was announced that a considerable number had been effectually cured, and the remainder of the sufferers were convalescent.”

The Stamford Mercury, 26th May, 1848.

A brave Captain nearly met his end over a chevaux-de-frise, when the balloon he was in brushed nearby trees.

“Providential Escape. – Mr. Graham attempted to ascend in his balloon at Chelmsford on Thursday the 11th inst., but failed from want of gas. On Friday a second attempt was made, accompanied by Captain Gape, but the power was not sufficient to carry up both, and the Captain resolved to go alone; he was however with some difficulty persuaded to forego his purpose, which from his inexperience might prove dangerous; and Mr. Graham, determined to gratify the anxiety of the concourse of people assembled, again got into the car, but it still refused to rise. Some of the crowd injudiciously called out ‘the Captain’, whose courage immediately got the better of his prudence, and he rushed into the car, which then rose sideways, brushing the trees in its progress, and he could with difficulty keep his seat. In passing over the House of Correction, the car caught one of the chimneys, which suspended Capt. Gape over a chevaux-de-frise, upon which he was momentarily in danger of being precipitated, but he providentially extricated himself and remained at the top of the building. The balloon then rose, continued in sight about an hour, and suddenly fell at Little Baddow, Essex. The populace were so delighted with the courage, and so happy at the preservation of Captain Gape, that they carried him in triumph round the town. His father resides at St. Alban’s, and we understand the Captain greatly distinguished himself at the memorable battle of Waterloo.”

The Stamford Mercury, 19th August, 1825.

A sign of the times? What had once been a major, formal ball had in war-time become a more relaxed ‘dance’ with hot-dogs on the menu. However, it was still an enjoyable function.

“Less Formal but most Enjoyable

The Old Stamfordians‘ annual ball was suitably replaced this season with a less formal and most enjoyable dance, held on Monday in the School-hall, which was tastefully decorated by Mrs. G. Staveley Parker (who also provided the floral decorations), Mrs. H. E. Packer, and M. J. Aitken, H. C. Packer, C. Banks and C. R. Nutt, boys of the School. The evergreens were sent by Mr. A. Bowman, of the Pantiles.

Music was provided by the Alhambra Players from the Leicester Palais de Dance, and the catering, including a ‘hot-dog’ speciality, was undertaken in typical style by Mrs. Miles-Barton, of Stamford. A private bar was conducted by ex-Sergt. Instructor G. W. Reeve, of the Hit or Miss inn, Stamford. Stewards for the band were Messrs. H. E. Packer and L. A. Clark, and at the door were Messrs. M. J. Aitken and H. C. Packer.

About 120 guests greatly enjoyed the party, which went with a swing from start to finish.

Owing to prevailing conditions, the Old Stamfordians were neither able to help with the organisation nor assist by their presence, as they have done in the past. Their sincere thanks are extended to Mrs. J. D. Day, chairman, and the following committee, who have been responsible for all the arrangements, and without whose efforts an enjoyable function would have lapsed completely: Mrs. N. A. Pledger, Mrs L. C. Potter, Mrs. Staveley-Parker, Miss Aline Prior, and Messrs. C. A. M. Bowman and J. D. Dolby.”

The Stamford Mercury, 5th January, 1940.

A comic review of behaviour and etiquette for a gentleman. Who knew it was not on to carry a brown paper parcel or partridges, but de rigueur to wear gloves! For those of you worried about committing a faux pas, here is a more up-to-date guide.

“What a Gentleman may do, and what he may not do. – He may carry a brace of partridges, but not a leg of mutton. He may be seen in the omnibus-box at the opera, but not on an omnibus. He may be seen in a stall inside a theatre, but not at a stall outside one. He may dust another person’s jacket, but must not brush his own. He may kill a man in a dual, but he mustn’t ask twice for soup. He may pay his debts of honour, but he need not trouble himslef about his tradesmen’s bills. He may drive a stage-coach, but he mustn’t take or carry coppers. He may ride a horse as a jockey, but he mustn’t exert himself in the least to get his living. He must never forget what he owes to himself as a gentleman, but he need not mind what he owes as a gentleman to his tailor. He may do anything or anybody in fact within the range of a gentleman – go through the Insolvent Debtors’ Court, or turn billiard-market; but he must never on any account carry a brown paper parcel, or appear in the street without a pair of gloves. – Comic Almanack.”

The Stamford Mercury, 31st December, 1847.

A grisly tale for a new century: two soldiers (marines) and their sergeant set about a carter after being refused a lift.

“Worcester, Dec.2. – Thursday last a coroner’s inquest was held on the body of Joshua Philpots, lying dead in the parish of St. Clement, in this city, when a verdict of wilful murder was found against Francis Hague, a sergeant of marines, and two other persons (soldiers) unknown. We are informed that this unfortunate man, being on his way from Bromsgrove to this city, on the 11th of September last, with his cart and two horses, was overtaken on the Droitwich road, near the Raven public-house, by the soldiers, who wanted to ride in his cart, and on being refused they beat and abused him, and struck him with the butt end of a sword or bayonet, which laid bare his skull, and very much otherwise bruised him about the hear; the sergeant unhooked fore horse, and rode with it in it’s gearing toward this city, but the son of the deceased, a lad of 13 years of age, who was going to meet his father, seeing the sergeant on the horse, stopped him and challenged the horse, upon which the sergeant dismounted, saying, he should have left the horse at the turnpike; that a man behind had been very much hurt, and that he had ran a quarter of a mile to catch the horse – he then went towards Worcester. The boy and another lad with him afterwards found the deceased kneeling in his cart, with his clothes bloody, and nearly in a state of stupefaction; he said that he had been hurt by three soldiers, and rendered senseless for some time from a blow he received from the w3eapon, and that one of them had taken away his horse. He was conveyed to our infirmary and great hopes were entertained of his recovery, but a fresh collection of matter having formed on the brain, brought on his dissolution. The sergeant appeared in public till the day 0f the inquest, when he quitted his quarters, and is supposed to be gone towards Staffordshire; proper enquiry, however, is, we understand, making after him. The other two soldiers have not since been heard of.”

The Stamford Mercury, 3rd January, 1800.

Last minute shopping for Christmas dinner? Some good prices were to be had on all types of meats and vegetables in the London markets (Smithfield, Leadenhall etc. – e.g. a turkey for 8s – that’s 40p in today’s prices!

“The supply of edibles in London is very plentiful: good roasting beef, of superior quality, fetching as high as 11d. per lb., but there is a large quantity of inferior as low as 7d. The mutton trade is good; shoulders fetch 6 1/2 d, superior 8d.; legs 7d. to 9d.; other parts 5d. to 7d. The pork is of fine quality, and reasonable in price, considering the time of year; legs 7d. to 8d., lons (loins?) the same price, other parts varying in proportion – supply good. In the poultry market the prices are rather dear : turkeys are fetching as low as 8s. and 6s., but those of superior quality are selling as high as 14s. to 18s.; inferior geese fetch about 6s., but those of good quality, and weighing 14lbs to 15lbs., are selling as high as 10s. to 11s. each ; fowls 4s. to 8s. a pair. Rabbits (wild) 1s. to 2s. each, but there are others (tame) which sell at a much higher rate. Fowls 2s. to 4s. each. In the vegetable market the supply has not been so great for many years and prices are about one-half what they were last year. Good cabbage plants are selling at prices varying from 2s. to 3s. per dozen bunches; turnips 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per doz.; potatoes 5s. to 7s. per cwt., and other articles equally low.”

The Stamford Mercury, 24th December, 1847.

A mouth-watering advertisement from Mr Dawson, vendor of fruits in St Mary’s Street for his fruits and confections brought back from London. It all sounds very Christmassy. And turtle soup is also available (far superior to that mock turtle soup!) For more information about twelfth cakes see our previous post.

“William Dawson begs to inform the clergy, gentry, and inhabitants of STAMFORD and Neighbourhood. that he has just returned from London with on (sic) unusually large stock of New FRUITS of every description, of the best quality, and well suited for the festivities and enjoyments of that merry and cheerful season which is now so near at hand.

A large supply of Fruits, Confections, Chrystalised Fruits, &c. &c., of every description and quality, which will be found well worthy the inspection of those desirous of making Christmas presents.

W.D. would call especial attention to his Twelfth Cakes, which are of a quality much superior to what are generally sold under that name. He has also a well selected stock of Pickles and Fish Sauces, well deserving the attention of the public. His stock of British Wines he can confidently recommend to his friends as being of first-rate quality. A large and fresh supply of Gunter’s Patent Honduras Turtle and Turtle Soup, which he supplies on the same terms as the London Establishment.

Balls, Routs, Parties, Wedding Breakfasts, &c. served by contract on the shortest notice.

🖙W. D. cannot allow the present opportunity to pass without returning his sincere thanks to his friends and the public generally for the liberal support he has hitherto enjoyed, and assures them that no exertion shall be wanting on his part to execute orders entrusted to him with punctuality and dispatch, combined with strictly economical charges.

Stamford, St. Mary’s-Street, Dec. 15th, 1847.

The Stamford Mercury, 17th December, 1847.