The rude awakening over the past year of increasingly high food and gas prices has been quite the shock for the American consumer. The U.S. Federal Government and Federal Reserve Bank’s sluggish reaction to growing consumer price inflation certainly have not helped. If history is to be our guide, there is more […] 
Stefan Lochner – The Last Judgement – circa 1436 Home Top of Pg. Archives 
New York Times Press Run circa 1942 – Library of Congress Photograph NEWSPAPER.-Printed sheets published at stated intervals, chiefly for the purpose of conveying intelligence on current events. The Romans wrote out an account of the most memorable occurrences of the day, which were sent to public officials. They were […] 
The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee has a long heralded tradition of assisting farmers and growers through it’s Agricultural Extension Service. The following bulletin entitled Grape Growing in Tennessee discusses the Muscadine variety of grapes among others. Muscadine grapes are often found growing wild in Tennessee. On my grandfather’s West Tennessee […] 
Model of San Felipe Reprinted from FineModelShips.com with the kind permission of Dr. Michael Czytko The SAN FELIPE is one of the most favoured ships among the ship model builders. The model is elegant, very beautifully designed, and makes a decorative piece of art to be displayed at home or in […] 
H. M. Scarth, Rector of Wrington By the death of Mr. Scarth on the 5th of April, at Tangier, where he had gone for his health’s sake, the familiar form of an old and much valued Member of the Institute has passed away. Harry Mengden Scarth was bron at Staindrop in Durham, […] 
A Lecture Delivered at the Guildhall, March 2, 1853 by Rev. H.M. Scarth, M.A., Rector of Bathwick. To understand the ancient history of the country in which we live, to know something of the arts and manners of the people who have preceded us, to ascertain what we owe to […] 
The arsenicals (compounds which contain the heavy metal element arsenic, As) have a long history of use in man – with both benevolent and malevolent intent. The name ‘arsenic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘arsenikon’ which means ‘potent’”. As early as 2000 BC, arsenic trioxide, obtained from smelting copper, was used […] 
Over the years I have observed a decline in manners amongst young men as a general principle and though there is not one particular thing that may be asserted as the causal reason for this, one might speculate… Self-awareness and being aware of one’s surroundings in social interactions […] 
PAINTER-WORK, in the building trade. When work is painted one or both of two distinct ends is achieved, namely the preservation and the coloration of the material painted. The compounds used for painting—taking the word as meaning a thin protective or decorative coat—are very numerous, including oil-paint of many kinds, distemper, whitewash, […] 
IT requires a far search to gather up examples of furniture really representative in this kind, and thus to gain a point of view for a prospect into the more ideal where furniture no longer is bought to look expensively useless in a boudoir, but serves everyday and commonplace need, such as […] 
DECORATED or “sumptuous” furniture is not merely furniture that is expensive to buy, but that which has been elaborated with much thought, knowledge, and skill. Such furniture cannot be cheap, certainly, but the real cost of it is sometimes borne by the artist who produces rather than by the man who may […] 
THE sense of a consecutive tradition has so completely faded out of English art that it has become difficult to realise the meaning of tradition, or the possibility of its ever again reviving; and this state of things is not improved by the fact that it is due to uncertainty of purpose, […] 
THE transient tenure that most of us have in our dwellings, and the absorbing nature of the struggle that most of us have to make to win the necessary provisions of life, prevent our encouraging the manufacture of well-wrought furniture. We mean to outgrow our houses—our lease expires after […] 
UNITED STATES PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT TITLE I – PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION OFFICE Chapter Section 1. Organization and Publications . 1 2. Legal Provisions as to the Plant Variety Protection Office . 21 3. Plant Variety Protection Fees . 31 CHAPTER 1.-ORGANIZATION AND PUBLICATIONS Section 1. Establishment.2 There is […] 
The Kalmar War From The Historian’s History of the World (In 25 Volumes) by Henry Smith William L.L.D. – Vol. XVI.(Scandinavia) Pg. 308-310 The northern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, as already noticed, had been peopled from the remotest times by nomadic tribes called Finns or Cwenas by the Norwegians and Lapps […] 
From Wikipedia: Stoke Park – the original house Stoke park was the first English country house to display a Palladian plan: a central house with balancing pavilions linked by colonnades or screen walls. Palladio was the 16th-century Italian architect on whose work the design was based. The Paladian style became […] 
BOOKS CONDEMNED TO BE BURNT. By JAMES ANSON FARRER,
LONDON ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW 1892 ———- WHEN did books first come to be burnt in England by the common hangman, and what was […] 
STORE MANAGEMENT—THE SHIRK. THE shirk is a well-known specimen of the genus homo. His habitat is offices, stores, business establishments of all kinds. His habits are familiar to us, but a few words on the subject will not be amiss. The shirk usually displays activity when the boss is around, […] 
ORIGIN OF THE APOTHECARY. The origin of the apothecary in England dates much further back than one would suppose from what your correspondent, “A Barrister-at-Law,” says about it. It is true he speaks only of apothecaries as a distinct branch of the medical profession, but long before Henry VIII’s time […] |
The True and Correct History of DJ Vinyl Scratching
New York is well known for hotdogs, the Empire State Building, the Ponzi Scheme, and the Brooklyn Bridge among its many claims to fame. However, contrary to popular belief, DJ vinyl scratching is not one of them. Caveat; Most New Yorkers in fact believe the phenomena originated there. In the [...] Read more → 
Artistic Endeavour in the Absence of Country Gentlemen
The Garden at Somersby Rectory by W.E.F. Britten When one thinks of the English countryside or rural France replete with rambling country house estates and fairly tale chateaus sitting alongside grand chapels and country church spires, one might imagine a realm of manners, neighborly love, and country gentlemen. However, history informs us [...] Read more → 
Why Beauty Matters
The Treasure of Abbot Thomas – from Ghost Stories of M.R. JamesI Verum usque in præsentem diem multa garriunt inter se Canonici de abscondito quodam istius Abbatis Thomæ thesauro, quem sæpe, quanquam adhuc incassum, quæsiverunt Steinfeldenses. Ipsum enim Thomam adhuc florida in ætate existentem ingentem auri massam circa monasterium defodisse perhibent; de quo multoties interrogatus ubi esset, cum risu respondere solitus erat: “Job, [...] Read more → 
The Age of Chivalry
CHAPTER 1 – Introduction KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS On the decline of the Roman power, about five centuries after Christ, the countries of Northern Europe were left almost destitute of a national government. Numerous chiefs, more or less powerful, held local sway, as far as each [...] Read more → 
The History of Witchcraft in England – The Beginnings
The Beginnings of English Witchcraft It has been said by a thoughtful writer that the subject of witchcraft has hardly received that place which it deserves in the history of opinions. There has been, of course, a reason for this neglect—the fact that the belief in witchcraft is no longer [...] Read more → 
Gold: The Story of Man’s 6000 Year Old ObsessionHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Secretariat Wins the Triple CrownHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Uncle Sam Provides I-Bond Relief for U.S Savers; Why Are the Banks Not Joining in the Glory?
Are you dissatisfied with the Savings Account and CD Interest Rates your bank currently has on offer? If so, go to https://www.treasurydirect.gov and open an account. The U.S. Government’s iBonds are currently earning 9.62% interest through October of this year. Individuals may purchase $10,000 worth of iBonds per [...] Read more → 
Inflation Economics: Some Useful Historical Data For The American Consumer
The rude awakening over the past year of increasingly high food and gas prices has been quite the shock for the American consumer. The U.S. Federal Government and Federal Reserve Bank’s sluggish reaction to growing consumer price inflation certainly have not helped. If history is to be our guide, there is more [...] Read more → 
FTC Rules Guiding the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries
The Hope Diamond FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION16 CFR Part 23Guides for the Jewelry, PreciousMetals, and Pewter Industries The US Government has laws guiding the business practices of the Jewelry and Precious Metals Industries. If you are unclear as a seller as to your obligations under the law as related to any [...] Read more → 
The History of Gothic Art
History and Facts on American Newspaper Production from the Colonial Times Through the 1890s.
New York Times Press Run circa 1942 – Library of Congress Photograph NEWSPAPER.-Printed sheets published at stated intervals, chiefly for the purpose of conveying intelligence on current events. The Romans wrote out an account of the most memorable occurrences of the day, which were sent to public officials. They were [...] Read more → 
Penal Methods of the Middle Ages
CHAPTER I PENAL METHODS OF THE MIDDLE AGES Prisons as places of detention are very ancient institutions. As soon as men had learned the way to build, in stone, as in Egypt, or with bricks, as in Mesopotamia, when kings had many-towered fortresses, and the great barons castles [...] Read more → 
Son House – Death Letter BluesHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
The Rolling Stones – Brown SugarHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Two Great Ideas for Product Photography
Country House Essays Book Now in Print
Country House Essays, the book is now in print. This is an eclectic collection of both original, and historical essays, poems, books, and articles created for our loyal reader hear at CountryHouseEssays.com. It is jam packed with reprints of articles from this website. The cost is $49.95 for this massive [...] Read more → 
Clarivoyance by C.W. Leadbeater
Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras, India, 1890 CLAIRVOYANCE by C. W. Leadbeater Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Pub. House [1899] CHAPTER IX METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT
When a men becomes convinced of the reality of the valuable [...] Read more → 
Westminster Confession of Faith – 1646
CHAPTER I. Of the Holy Scripture. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary [...] Read more →
The Geologists and The Mother-lodeHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
The Relation of Chemistry to the progress of Wine Making, Brewing, and Distilling
Harvey Wiley, Chief Chemist of the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Chemistry (third from the right) with his staff, not long after he joined the division in 1883. Wiley’s scientific expertise and political skills were a key to passage of the 1906 Food and Drugs Act and the creation of the FDA. Read more → 
A Note on Ill-Breeding from a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem
“Saint John’s Gate, Clerkenwell, the main gateway to the Priory of Saint John of Jerusalem,” black and white photograph by the British photographer Henry Dixon, 1880. The church was founded in the 12th century by Jordan de Briset, a Norman knight. Prior Docwra completed the gatehouse shown in this photograph in 1504. The gateway [...] Read more → 
Growing Muscadine Grapes in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee has a long heralded tradition of assisting farmers and growers through it’s Agricultural Extension Service. The following bulletin entitled Grape Growing in Tennessee discusses the Muscadine variety of grapes among others. Muscadine grapes are often found growing wild in Tennessee. On my grandfather’s West Tennessee [...] Read more → 
Homemade Wine Recipes from the 16th and 17th Centuries
The Lost Art of Wine Making at Home Some Recipes Popular a Century Ago Revived to Show How Our Forefathers Brewed Their Own Beers, Made Their Own Ciders, Distilled Their Own Liquors. The manufacture of homemade liquors is all but a lost art. A century ago every farm [...] Read more → 
Platform of the American Institute of Banking in 1919
Resolution adapted at the New Orleans Convention of the American Institute of Banking, October 9, 1919: “Ours is an educational association organized for the benefit of the banking fraternity of the country and within our membership may be found on an equal basis both employees and employers; and in full appreciation [...] Read more → 
Parting Words to Kate from The Sloop of War, Jamestown
Sloop of War Jamestown – Photo from book The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series 1, Vol. 3. Several years ago, I purchased a small memory book entitled Album of Love from the mid 1800s. Much like scrap books of today, these books were used to keep [...] Read more → 
Electroplating 101Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
New Orleans Street BandsHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
ZZ Top at Gruene HallHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Historic authenticity of the Spanish SAN FELIPE of 1690
Model of San Felipe Reprinted from FineModelShips.com with the kind permission of Dr. Michael Czytko The SAN FELIPE is one of the most favoured ships among the ship model builders. The model is elegant, very beautifully designed, and makes a decorative piece of art to be displayed at home or in [...] Read more → 
The Late Rev. H.M. Scarth
H. M. Scarth, Rector of Wrington By the death of Mr. Scarth on the 5th of April, at Tangier, where he had gone for his health’s sake, the familiar form of an old and much valued Member of the Institute has passed away. Harry Mengden Scarth was bron at Staindrop in Durham, [...] Read more → 
Temples, Walls, And Some of the Roman Antiquities of Bath
A Lecture Delivered at the Guildhall, March 2, 1853 by Rev. H.M. Scarth, M.A., Rector of Bathwick. To understand the ancient history of the country in which we live, to know something of the arts and manners of the people who have preceded us, to ascertain what we owe to [...] Read more → 
Gallop of the Common Horse by Eadweard Muybridge 1887
Eadweard Muybridge was a fascinating character. Click here to learn how Eadweard committed “Justifiable Homicide” after shooting his wife’s lover in 1874. Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Classic Restoration of a Spring Tied Upholstered Chair
This video by AT Restoration is the best hands on video I have run across on the basics of classic upholstery. Watch a master at work. Simply amazing. Tools: Round needles: https://amzn.to/2S9IhrP Double pointed hand needle: https://amzn.to/3bDmWPp Hand tools: https://amzn.to/2Rytirc Staple gun (for beginner): https://amzn.to/2JZs3x1 Compressor for pneumatic [...] Read more →
Making a High-end Turntable
A History of the Use of Arsenicals in Man
The arsenicals (compounds which contain the heavy metal element arsenic, As) have a long history of use in man – with both benevolent and malevolent intent. The name ‘arsenic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘arsenikon’ which means ‘potent'”. As early as 2000 BC, arsenic trioxide, obtained from smelting copper, was used [...] Read more → 
Books Condemned to be Burnt
BOOKS CONDEMNED TO BE BURNT. By JAMES ANSON FARRER, LONDON ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW 1892 ———- WHEN did books first come to be burnt in England by the common hangman, and what was [...] Read more → 
U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act – Full Text
UNITED STATES PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT TITLE I – PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION OFFICE Chapter Section 1. Organization and Publications . 1 2. Legal Provisions as to the Plant Variety Protection Office . 21 3. Plant Variety Protection Fees . 31 CHAPTER 1.-ORGANIZATION AND PUBLICATIONS Section 1. Establishment.2 There is [...] Read more → 
Thomas Jefferson’s Garden BookHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
American Farming Circa 1954Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Fell and Moor Terrier Club circa later 1990sHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
The Master of Hounds
Photo Caption: The Marquis of Zetland, KC, PC – otherwise known as Lawrence Dundas Son of: John Charles Dundas and: Margaret Matilda Talbot born: Friday 16 August 1844 died: Monday 11 March 1929 at Aske Hall Occupation: M.P. for Richmond Viceroy of Ireland Vice Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Lord – in – Waiting [...] Read more → 
The Beaufort Hunt – 1914Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Limerick Harrier’s Meet at Bulgaden 2018Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Fox Hunting – A Great British TraditionHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Fox Hunting Season Opens 1935 – Heythrop Country at Lower Swell, near Stow-in-the-Wold, GloucestershireHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Land of Hope and Glory: British Country Life – Fox HuntingHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Feeding the Hounds at Chateau Cheverny
Flawed Law – The Hunting Act
Click here to read the full text of the Hunting Act – 2004 Click on the button below for a faster download version. Invalid download ID. Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
The Famous Kilkenny Hunt – 1930Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Winter Fox Hunt in Michigan, USA – Fantastic FootageHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Fox Hunting Season 1964Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Here’s Many a Year to You
” Here’s many a year to you ! Sportsmen who’ve ridden life straight. Here’s all good cheer to you ! Luck to you early and late. Here’s to the best of you ! You with the blood and the nerve. Here’s to the rest of you ! What of a weak moment’s swerve ? [...] Read more → 
The Hunt Saboteur
The Hunt Saboteur is a national disgrace barking out loud, black mask on her face get those dogs off, get them off she did yell until a swift kick from me mare her voice it did quell and sent the Hunt Saboteur scurrying up vale to the full cry of hounds drowning out her [...] Read more → 
The Billesden Coplow Run
Smith, Charles Loraine; The Billesdon Coplow Run, Leicestershire *note – Billesdon and Billesden have both been used to name the hunt. BILLESDEN COPLOW POEM [From “Reminiscences of the late Thomas Assheton Smith, Esq”] The run celebrated in the following verses took place on the 24th of February, 1800, [...] Read more → 
Bulgarian Fox HuntingHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Fox Control with Jack Russell Terriers in ScotlandHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
The London PoacherHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
A Day of Foxhunting in MarylandHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more →  |
    
Flotsam and Jetsam
Pirate plunder, sailboat trash, cruise ship waste oil cargo leaks, party boat beer cans, trawler diesel hurricane timber, tsunami tin, maelstrom hulls 1452, 1633, 1785, 1823, 1900, 1956, 1989, 2005 skulls, bones, kneecaps, shoulder blade, hip bones doubloons, pieces of eight, gold, pearls, emeralds daggers, dirks, walking planks, broadswords, canon balls sloshing, swooshing, swaying, [...] Read more → 
Rabbits and Badgers – Blue Terrier Trials 1923
Artistic Endeavour in the Absence of Country Gentlemen
The Garden at Somersby Rectory by W.E.F. Britten When one thinks of the English countryside or rural France replete with rambling country house estates and fairly tale chateaus sitting alongside grand chapels and country church spires, one might imagine a realm of manners, neighborly love, and country gentlemen. However, history informs us [...] Read more → 
Philly Dips – Some Philadelphia Cream Cheese Classics from the 1950s
Philly Clam Dip 1 garlic clove, cut in half 1 8-oz. pkg. Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese 3 tablespoons clam broth 1 7-to 7 1/2-oz. can minced clams, drained Home Top of Pg. Archives [...] Read more →
A Jar of Baseball Dreams
Every home should have one to be opened in spring A jar that sits on the table full of baseball dreams Inside will be found there pennants and things The smell of fresh cut grass and pinstriped rings A pair of old tickets to the game never played, Do you remember how cold it [...] Read more → 
A Method for Hand Painting Old Ceramic Floor Tiles – A New Orleans Themed Half Bath under Staircase
Ripping up and replacing a tiled floor is a daunting and expensive task, especially should one live in a fully furnished house full of antique furniture. An alternative is to hand paint the tiles which can save thousands of dollars in furniture removal, storage expenses and labor costs. Let’s not [...] Read more →
FTC Rules Guiding the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries
The Hope Diamond FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION16 CFR Part 23Guides for the Jewelry, PreciousMetals, and Pewter Industries The US Government has laws guiding the business practices of the Jewelry and Precious Metals Industries. If you are unclear as a seller as to your obligations under the law as related to any [...] Read more →
The Late Rev. H.M. Scarth
H. M. Scarth, Rector of Wrington By the death of Mr. Scarth on the 5th of April, at Tangier, where he had gone for his health’s sake, the familiar form of an old and much valued Member of the Institute has passed away. Harry Mengden Scarth was bron at Staindrop in Durham, [...] Read more →
The History of Witchcraft in England – The Beginnings
The Beginnings of English Witchcraft It has been said by a thoughtful writer that the subject of witchcraft has hardly received that place which it deserves in the history of opinions. There has been, of course, a reason for this neglect—the fact that the belief in witchcraft is no longer [...] Read more → 
The Beaufort Hunt 1914Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Dame Edith Sitwell
Sitwell Family; From left: Edith Sitwell (1887-1964), Sir George Sitwell, Lady Ida, Sacheverell Sitwell (1897-1988), and Osbert Sitwell (1892-1969) – Oil on canvas by John Singer Sargent Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Homemade Wine Recipes from the 16th and 17th Centuries
The Lost Art of Wine Making at Home Some Recipes Popular a Century Ago Revived to Show How Our Forefathers Brewed Their Own Beers, Made Their Own Ciders, Distilled Their Own Liquors. The manufacture of homemade liquors is all but a lost art. A century ago every farm [...] Read more → 
Mocking Bird Food
Mocking Bird Food. Hemp seed……….2 pounds Rape seed………. .1 pound Crackers………….1 pound Rice…………….1/4 pound Corn meal………1/4 pound Lard oil…………1/4 poundHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Flawed Law – The Hunting Act
Click here to read the full text of the Hunting Act – 2004 Click on the button below for a faster download version. Invalid download ID. Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Something about Caius College, Cambridge
Gonville & Caius College, known as Caius and pronounced keys was founded in 1348 by Edmund Gonville, the Rector of Terrington St Clement in Norfolk. The first name was thus Goville Hall and it was dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Caius College, along with Pembroke, Corpus Christi, and [...] Read more → 
The Perfect Salad Dressing
The following recipes are from a small booklet entitled 500 Delicious Salads that was published for the Culinary Arts Institute in 1940 by Consolidated Book Publishers, Inc. 153 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. If you have been looking for a way to lighten up your salads and be free of [...] Read more → 
Magna Carta: Myth and Meaning – Discussion at the Royal Institution
The Abbots and Barons Leaving Bury St. Edmunds for Runnymeade – June A.D.1215 Note on Watercolour: F.A. Molony (fl. 1930-1938) was a Major in the Royal Engineers. The National Army Museum hold his work. His work was also shown at an exhibition of officers work at the R.B.A. Galleries (Army Officers’ Art [...] Read more → 
How to Sail a Full Rigged Ship
Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Making Quality Linen and Canvas Painting Panels
Gary Kravit is an airline pilot and artist. He also owns and operates https://theultimatetaboret.com. You may view Gary’s art at https://garrykravitart.blogspot.com/ Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Sennen Cove, UK WWII FootageHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Sir Joshua Reynolds – Notes from Rome
Titian – Charles V “The Leda, in the Colonna palace, by Correggio, is dead-coloured white and black, with ultramarine in the shadow ; and over that is scumbled, thinly and smooth, a warmer tint,—I believe caput mortuum. The lights are mellow ; the shadows blueish, but mellow. The picture is painted on [...] Read more →
Parting Words to Kate from The Sloop of War, Jamestown
Sloop of War Jamestown – Photo from book The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series 1, Vol. 3. Several years ago, I purchased a small memory book entitled Album of Love from the mid 1800s. Much like scrap books of today, these books were used to keep [...] Read more → 
Views of Los Angeles circa 1915Home Top of Pg. Archives [...] Read more → 
Shooting in Wet Weather
Reprint from The Sportsman’s Cabinet and Town and Country Magazine, Vol I. Dec. 1832, Pg. 94-95 To the Editor of the Cabinet. SIR, Possessing that anxious feeling so common among shooters on the near approach of the 12th of August, I honestly confess I was not able to [...] Read more →
Fox Hunting Season 1964Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
The Character of a Happy Life
How happy is he born and taught. That serveth not another’s will; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill Whose passions not his masters are; Whose soul is still prepared for death, Untied unto the world by care Of public fame or private breath; Who envies none that chance [...] Read more → 
The Fowling Piece – Part I
THE FOWLING PIECE, from the Shooter’s Guide by B. Thomas – 1811. I AM perfectly aware that a large volume might be written on this subject; but, as my intention is to give only such information and instruction as is necessary for the sportsman, I shall forbear introducing any extraneous [...] Read more →
A Note on Ill-Breeding from a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem
“Saint John’s Gate, Clerkenwell, the main gateway to the Priory of Saint John of Jerusalem,” black and white photograph by the British photographer Henry Dixon, 1880. The church was founded in the 12th century by Jordan de Briset, a Norman knight. Prior Docwra completed the gatehouse shown in this photograph in 1504. The gateway [...] Read more → 
King James I, Witch-Hunter
Mortlake Tapestries at Chatsworth House Click here to read copy of Daemonologie Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Spem In Alium performed by The Tallis Scholars
Of the Room and Furniture
THE transient tenure that most of us have in our dwellings, and the absorbing nature of the struggle that most of us have to make to win the necessary provisions of life, prevent our encouraging the manufacture of well-wrought furniture. We mean to outgrow our houses—our lease expires after [...] Read more →
The Rolling Stones – Brown SugarHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Chronological Catalog of Recorded Lunar Events
In July of 1968, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), published NASA Technical Report TR R-277 titled Chronological Catalog of Recorded Lunar Events. The catalog begins with the first entry dated November 26th, 1540 at ∼05h 00m: Feature: Region of Calippus2 Description: Starlike appearance on dark side Observer: Observers at Worms Reference: [...] Read more →
Tobacco as Medicine
The first published illustration of Nicotiana tabacum by Pena and De L’Obel, 1570–1571 (shrpium adversana nova: London). Tobacco can be used for medicinal purposes, however, the ongoing American war on smoking has all but obscured this important aspect of ancient plant. Tobacco is considered to be an indigenous plant of [...] Read more → 
U.S. Coast Guard Radio Information for Boaters
RADIO INFORMATION FOR BOATERS Effective 01 August, 2013, the U. S. Coast Guard terminated its radio guard of the international voice distress, safety and calling frequency 2182 kHz and the international digital selective calling (DSC) distress and safety frequency 2187.5 kHz. Additionally, marine information and weather broadcasts transmitted [...] Read more → 
The Basics of Painting in the Building Trade
PAINTER-WORK, in the building trade. When work is painted one or both of two distinct ends is achieved, namely the preservation and the coloration of the material painted. The compounds used for painting—taking the word as meaning a thin protective or decorative coat—are very numerous, including oil-paint of many kinds, distemper, whitewash, [...] Read more →
The Relation of Chemistry to the progress of Wine Making, Brewing, and Distilling
Harvey Wiley, Chief Chemist of the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Chemistry (third from the right) with his staff, not long after he joined the division in 1883. Wiley’s scientific expertise and political skills were a key to passage of the 1906 Food and Drugs Act and the creation of the FDA. Read more → 
Ought King Leopold to be Hanged?
Click image to view larger version. For the somewhat startling suggestion in the heading of this interview, the missionary interviewed is in no way responsible. The credit of it, or, if you like, the discredit, belongs entirely to the editor of the Review, who, without dogmatism, wishes to pose the question as [...] Read more → 
Mudlark Regulations in the U.K.
Mudlarks of Victorian London in the River Thames, from “The Headington Magazine” 1871 Mudlarking along the Thames River foreshore is controlled by the Port of London Authority. According to the Port of London website, two type of permits are issued for those wishing to conduct metal detecting, digging, or searching [...] Read more → 
Old Time Recipes for Homemade Wines, Cordials, and Liqueurs
INTRODUCTION The idea of compiling this little volume occurred to me while on a visit to some friends at their summer home in a quaint New England village. The little town had once been a thriving seaport, but now consisted of hardly more than a dozen old-fashioned Colonial houses facing [...] Read more → 
Origin of the Apothecary
ORIGIN OF THE APOTHECARY. The origin of the apothecary in England dates much further back than one would suppose from what your correspondent, “A Barrister-at-Law,” says about it. It is true he speaks only of apothecaries as a distinct branch of the medical profession, but long before Henry VIII’s time [...] Read more →
Why Beauty Matters
The American Museum in Britain – From Florida to Bath
Hernando de Soto (c1496-1542) Spanish explorer and his men torturing natives of Florida in his determination to find gold. Hand-coloured engraving. John Judkyn Memorial Collection, Freshford Manor, Bath The print above depicts Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his band of conquistadors torturing Florida natives in order to extract information on where [...] Read more → 
Prairie Steel and Golden Lace
Western prairie quiet broken by forged steel Sage Grouse dance, feathers of resplendent golden lace oblivious to Manifest Destiny’s race Juniper trees observe from high peaks Wisps of threadbare clouds converging on progress Home Top of Pg. Archives [...] Read more →
Historical Uses of Arsenic
The arsenicals (compounds which contain the heavy metal element arsenic, As) have a long history of use in man – with both benevolent and malevolent intent. The name ‘arsenic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘arsenikon’ which means ‘potent'”. As early as 2000 BC, arsenic trioxide, obtained from smelting copper, was used [...] Read more →
Westminster Confession of Faith – 1646
CHAPTER I. Of the Holy Scripture. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary [...] Read more →
The Red-Headed Macaw
I swapped a parakeet for a red-headed Macaw That drank my rum and called me paw I’d rock in my chair, she’d swing on her perch When the preacher came around she’d pretend it was church On Saturday mornings when we drove into town She’d ride on the back of my blue-tick hound Howling [...] Read more → 
An Accurate Transcription of FDR’s Second Fireside Chathttps://www.countryhouseessays.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FDR.mp3 FDR 2nd Fireside Chat The downloadable audio clip is of FDR’s Second Fireside Chat recorded on May 7th, 1933. The transcript that follows is my corrected version of the transcript that is found The American Presidency Project website that was created by Gerhard Peters and Professor [...] Read more →
Winter Fox Hunt in Michigan, USA – Fantastic FootageHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Making Linen Fabric from Flax Seed, Spinning Flax, & Weaving LinenHome Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
The Snipe
THE SNIPE, from the Shooter’s Guide by B. Thomas – 1811 AFTER having given a particular description of the woodcock, it will only. be necessary to observe, that the plumage and shape of the snipe is much the same ; and indeed its habits and manners sets bear a great [...] Read more → 
Clairvoyance – Methods of Development
CLAIRVOYANCE by C. W. Leadbeater Adyar, Madras, India: Theosophical Pub. House [1899] CHAPTER IX – METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT When a men becomes convinced of the reality of the valuable power of clairvoyance, his first question usually is, “How can I develop [...] Read more → 
Salmon Caviar
Salmon and Sturgeon Caviar – Photo by Thor Salmon caviar was originated about 1910 by a fisherman in the Maritime Provinces of Siberia, and the preparation is a modification of the sturgeon caviar method (Cobb 1919). Salomon caviar has found a good market in the U.S.S.R. and other European countries where it [...] Read more → 
Cleaner for Gilt Picture Frames
Cleaner for Gilt Frames. Calcium hypochlorite…………..7 oz. Sodium bicarbonate……………7 oz. Sodium chloride………………. 2 oz. Distilled water…………………12 oz.Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more → 
Mortlake Tapestries of Chatsworth
Mortlake Tapestries at Chatsworth House Click here to learn more about the Mortlake Tapestries of Chatsworth The Mortlake Tapestries were founded by Sir Francis Crane. From the Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 13 Crane, Francis by William Prideaux Courtney CRANE, Sir FRANCIS (d. [...] Read more → 
Proper Book Handling and Cleaning
The following is taken verbatim from a document that appeared several years ago in the Maine State Archives. It seems to have been removed from their website. I happened to have made a physical copy of it at the time I was looking into the preservation of leather book bindings back in 2006. [...] Read more →
The King James Bible – 1611
1612 First Quarto of the King James Bible Click here to buy a copy of the 1611 King James Bible Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Patek Phillipe Service and Maintenance
Patek Phillipe hand makes the finest watches in the world. Click here to learn more. Home Top of Pg. Archives Read more →
Temples, Walls, And Some of the Roman Antiquities of Bath
A Lecture Delivered at the Guildhall, March 2, 1853 by Rev. H.M. Scarth, M.A., Rector of Bathwick. To understand the ancient history of the country in which we live, to know something of the arts and manners of the people who have preceded us, to ascertain what we owe to [...] Read more → 
Sir Peter Francis Bourgeois and the Dulwich Picture Gallery
Noel Desenfans and Sir Francis Bourgeois, circa 1805 by Paul Sandby, watercolour on paper The Dulwich Picture Gallery was England’s first purpose-built art gallery and considered by some to be England’s first national gallery. Founded by the bequest of Sir Peter Francis Bourgois, dandy, the gallery was built to display his vast [...] Read more →   |
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