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Category Archives: Humour
Giant Feet and Rhinoceros Gums
Max of the Month 7. When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Books, Britain, History, Humor, Humour, Max of the Month, People, Travel
Tagged John Bull and His Island, Max O'Rell, Women in history
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Humorous Review of 1919
Snippets 212. Exactly one hundred years ago today, on 1st January 1920, the West Sussex Gazette carried a very tongue-in-cheek look back on previous year, titled “Humorous Review of the Year 1919”. The following are the highlights of this amusing … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, Britain, History, Humor, Humour, News, Newspapers, Snippets
Tagged Lord Northcliffe, West Sussex Gazette, World War I, WWI
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The Over-Excited Performer
Quick Quotes 35. The following quote is from an interview in the July 1904 issue of Talking Machine News with American recording engineer Mr J. D. Smoot, working in London making records for the International Talking Machine Company. “How does the … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, History, Humor, Humour, Magazines, Music, Newspapers, People, Quick Quotes
Tagged Gramophones, Talking Machine News, Technology
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Throw a Veil Over the Past
Max of the Month 6. When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Books, History, Humor, Humour, Max of the Month, People, USA
Tagged Fashion, Jonathan and his Continent, Max O'Rell, Women in history
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The Platter-Faced Pin Basket in the Nicknackatory
Snippets 210. Francis Grose (1731-1791) was a noted antiquarian who wrote a series of books about medieval antiquities. Financial difficulties inspired him to branch out into other areas of writing, and in 1785 his A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar … Continue reading
Posted in 18th Century, Books, Britain, History, Humor, Humour, Snippets
Tagged Francis Grose, Slang
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“The Voice in the Box!”
Quick Quotes 32. The following quote is from the June 1904 issue of Talking Machine News: A correspondent, whose bona-fides is unquestionable, sends us particulars of a curious case of a madman and a talking machine. Ten years ago he was … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, History, Humor, Humour, Magazines, Newspapers, People, Quick Quotes
Tagged Gramophones, Talking Machine News, Technology
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A Widow’s Cruel Fate
Max of the Month 5. When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Humor, Humour, Max of the Month, People
Tagged Max O'Rell, Women in history
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Fish Tank on the Head
Quick Quotes 31. The following quote is taken from the John O’Groat Journal, from 19th April 1877. The journal is re-reporting an article taken from the New York Times, as was commonplace for local newspapers at the time to bulk … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, History, Humor, Humour, News, Newspapers, People, Quick Quotes, Travel, USA
Tagged John O'Groat Journal, New York Times
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A Scarecrow in Petticoats
Max of the Month 4. When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading
Posted in 19th Century, Books, Britain, England, History, Humor, Humour, Max of the Month, People
Tagged Fashion, Max O'Rell, Women in history
1 Comment
The Captain’s Table
Guest Post 15. Captain Ernest Hyatt was a seafarer, master mariner and adventurer who also served in what was then the Royal North-West Mounted Police and had roughed it in the tropic, temperate and arctic zones and fought in the … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Century, Autobiographies, Books, Guest Posts, History, Humor, Humour, Travel
Tagged Canada, Ernest Hyatt, Rudyard Kipling
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Windows into History 