February 2012
179 posts
9 tags
9 tags
Roman Days of the Week
Sunday - Dies Solis
Monday - Dies Lunae
Tuesday - Dies Martis
Wednesday - Dies Mercurii
Thursday - Dies Jovis
Friday - Dies Veneris
Saturday - Dies Saturni
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
14 tags
Lost Sacred Books
The Prophecy of Enoch
The Book of the Lord
The Prophetical Gospel of Eve, which relates to the Amours of the Sons of God with the daughters of men.
The Book of Joshua
The Book of Iddo the Seer
The Book of Nathan the Prophet
The Prophecies of Ahjah the Shilonite
The acts of Rehoboam, in the Book of Shemaih
The Book of Jehu, the Son of Hanani
The five books of Solomon, treating on trees,...
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Rubies & Dragons
When a ruby exceeds twenty carats it is called a carbuncle, the name of an imaginary stone described by the ancients. They long supposed the carbuncle to be taken from the dragon’s head, and we hear of many a cavalier who went to combat with dragons, on purpose to gain this invaluable jewel.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
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Rubbing Diamonds
A diamond, with an easy slight friction in the dark, with any soft, animal substance, as the finger, woollen, silk, or the like, appears luminous in its whole body; and if you keep rubbing it long, and then expose it to the eye, it will remain so for some time.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
12 tags
Numeral Figures
The numerical figures, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, are upon good authority believed to be of Indian origin. They were not used in Germany till the beginning of the fourth century, nor in Russia until the beginning of the last century.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
13 tags
Belles Lettres
Polite Literature, as it is properly denominated in English, embraces grammar, logic, rhetoric, poetry, music, mathematics, and the learned languages; these are usually called the Seven Liberal arts.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
6 tags
Voices Carry
The human voice has been heard across the Straits of Gibraltar, a distance of more than ten miles. This, however, is quite uncommon, and only occurs in peculiar states of the weather.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
5 tags
Tulip
The tulip is a native of Persia, and was first introduced into Europe at Constantinople, where it was, and still is, a great favourite with the worshippers of Allah.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
5 tags
Transparent Paper
Paper can be made as transparent as glass, and capable of being substituted for it for many purposes, by spreading over it with a feather a very thin layer of resin dissolved in spirits of wine. Fine thin post paper is best, and the mixture must be applied on both sides.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
5 tags
5 tags
Aliquant Part
Numbers which will not divide or measure a whole number exactly. Thus, seven is an aliquant part of sixteen.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
4 tags
Regina Servat Colorem
Queen on her own color.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
4 tags
Quick Stained Glass
Draw the design upon paper the size required. Then colour it, and affix by means of a little gum to the outside of the window, and paint the inside over the design with varnish colours.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
3 tags
Rebus
Not intended to be guessed or revealed in the same manner as the above; but is, on the contrary, as its name implies, a saying with its rejoinder; as the following example will bear out:
One hundred and fifty, if rightly applied To a place where the living did once all reside; Or a consonant joined to a sweet singing bird, Will give you a name that you’ve oftentimes heard, And one which,...
5 tags
Balm of Gilead
The Balm of Gilead, or Balsam of Mecca, is the dried juice of a small tree or shrub growing in Syria. It has a warm aromatic taste, and exquisitely aromatic smell. It is very scarce, and is seldom brought to this country except as a curiosity.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
7 tags
Ear Rings
Among the Athenians the perforation of the ears was a mark of nobility; among the Hebrews and Romans it indicated servitude.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
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Domesday Book
This book is a register of the lands of England, framed by order of William the Conqueror. It was sometimes termed Rotulus Wiltoniae, and was the book from which judgment was to be given upon the value, tenures, and services of the lands therein described.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
8 tags
February
The Saxons called this month Sprout Kale, or the month in which young colewords or cabbages begin to sprout.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
5 tags
Cameleopard, or Giraffe
A native of South Africa, usually 16 or 17 feet high, and named from its resemblance to a camel and a panther.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
5 tags
Marvosheen
Maine was first called Marvosheen, but about 1638 took the name it now bears, from Maine, a province in the west of France.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
4 tags
Preserving Pencil Marks
Pencil-marks may easily be prevented from rubbing out by dipping the paper into a dish of skimmed milk; then dry, and iron it on the wrong side.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
6 tags
Meerschaum
The appearance of this substance, before its manufucture, somewhat resembles foam. It is stated to be found floating in the sea of Azof. From either of these circumstances its name, meaning “sea-foam” may have been derived.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
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Singular Coincidence
The winters of 1837-8, 1847-8 and 1857-8 were remarkably mild in their temperatures.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
7 tags
Ave Maria
The name given to the angel Gabriel’s salutation to the Virgin Mary at the incarnation of Jesus.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
6 tags
Amazons
The Amazons are said to have been the descendants of Scythians inhabiting Cappadocia, when their husbands, having made incursions, were all slain, being surprised in ambuscade by their enemies. Their widows, excited to action by the sorrows they underwent on account of their husbands, resolved to form a female state, and having firmly established themselves, they decreed that matrimony was a...
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Bouts-Rimes
This is a species of amusement generally known in France. It is pronounced “boo-rema.” A number of words that rhyme are given to a composer who is to fill up the verse, producing good sense, and keeping the words in their stated order.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
3 tags
Cardinal Virtues
Industry
Perseverance
Benevolence
Temperance
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
6 tags
Atwhart
A sea phrase, signifying across a ship or the line of her course.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
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Jefferson's Ten Rules
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today
Never trouble another for what you can do yourself
Never spend your money before you have it
Never buy what you do not want because it’s cheap
Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold
We seldom repent of having eaten too little
Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly
How much pain the evils have cost us that have never...
11 tags
Handkerchief Perfume
Grate to fine powder half a nutmeg; crush one quarter or an ounce of cloves; put these together into half a pint of the best pale rum, brandy, or spirits of wine, After three or four days’ maceration, add two drachms of oil of lavender, two drachms of essential oil of bergamot, one drachm of essential oil of lemons, half a drachm of otto of roses; then strain through a small piece of wadding...
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Metallic Trees
The Lead Tree is produced as follows: Put into a glass bottle about half an ounce of sugar of lead, and fill up to the neck with distilled or rain water; then fasten to the cork or stopper a piece of zinc wire, so that it may hang in the centre; then place the bottle where it may remain undisturbed. The wire will soon be covered with crystals of lead, precipitated from the solution, and assuming a...
6 tags
Washing Linen at Sea
Soda put into sea-water renders it turbid; the lime and magnesia fall to the bottom. As much soda must be in as not only to effect a complete precipitation of these earths, but to render the seawater sufficiently lixivial or allkaline. Soda should always be taken to sea for this purpose.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
5 tags
Indoor Exercise
Really the best indoor exercise for developing a graceful bearing, and for diffusing its healthful influence over the whole frame, is that of throwing balls dexterously, according to any of the contrivances of fancy. Persons who become expert in this practice may throw from one to eight balls with astonishing dexterity, the exercise being sufficiently stimulating to encourage its frequent...
7 tags
Detecting Arsenic
Arsenic is not freely soluble in organic mixtures, and may generally be found as a white sediment, which, when thrown upon a red-hot cinder, gives out a strong odour, like that of onions, and a thick white smoke.
The Corner Cupboard of Facts for Everybody by Robert Kemp Philip, 1859.
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Coffee & Egg Whites
White of egg is the substance used to clarify coffee. Take two level tablespoonfuls of ground coffee for each cup to be served, such a part of the white of an egg as is needed, and about half a cup of cold water; mix thoroughly, then pour over boiling water and let boil five minutes; stir the mixture, then set the pot on the back of the range, where it will keep hot without boiling. Pour in half a...
9 tags
Temperature of Wines
The following schedule, compiled by an English expert, gives the temperature in degrees, Fahrenheit, at which wines should be when poured into the glasses at the table.
Champagne, 35°F
Sherry, 40°F
Sauterne, 50°F
Port, 55°F
Claret, 65°F
Maderia, 65°F
Burgundy, 70°F
The Up-to-date Waitress by Janet McKenzie, 1914.
9 tags
Wines
When a different variety of wine is served with each distinct course, the classification is as follows:
With appetizer, sometimes a cocktail; oftener nothing.
With oysters, sauterne.
With the soup, pale sherry.
With the fish, hock or sauterne.
With the entrees, claret or Burgundy.
With the roast, champagne.
With the game, Burgundy.
With cold dishes and hot or cold sweets, champagne.
With...
5 tags
Creme de Menthe
At a luncheon party, when coffee is served at the table, creme de menthe is occasionally passed after the guests are seated in the library. Tiny cordial glasses are partially filled with fine shaved ice and over this is poured a tablespoonful of sugar syrup mixed with creme de menthe cordial. These are set on very small doily-covered plates, an after-dinner coffee spoon beside each glass.
The...
5 tags
Butter
At a formal dinner, the menu of which abounds in rich sauces, butter is regarded as a superfluity, since each dish is supposed to be perfect as it is, or with the accessories provided as accompaniment.
The Up-to-date Waitress by Janet McKenzie, 1914.
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“If we keep well and cheerful, and the mind constantly active, we never grow old....”
– E. N. Kirk. From The Rainbow Calendar by Kate Sanborn, 1888.
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“My first word to all men and boys who care to hear is, Don’t get into...”
– Ruskin. From The Rainbow Calendar by Kate Sanborn, 1888.
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November Topaz
November has the topaz, which signifies courage and cheerfulness. It shows the presence of poison by loss of color; it gives light in the dark, and dispels enchantment, if worn on the left arm or round the neck. It also strengthens intellect and brightens wit.
The Rainbow Calendar by Kate Sanborn, 1888.
6 tags
“True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and...”
– Ben Jonson. The Rainbow Calendar by Kate Sanborn, 1888.