"For Travellers, Mariners, &c.
"Promethean Fire and Phosphorus.
"G. Watts respectfully acquaints the public, that he has prepared a large variety of machines of a portable, and durable kind, with Promethean fire, paper and match inclosed, most admirably calculated to prevent those disagreeable sensations, which frequently arise in the dreary hour of midnight, from the sudden alarm of thieves, fire, or sickness; as, by procuring an instantaneous light, the worst calamities and depredations might often be prevented in families. Experience has likewise proved this invention to be of the first utility to the traveller, mariners, and those people who frequently rise in the night-time, as they can, with one of these matches procure light instantly, without the great expence, and danger, of burning a lamp or candle."
Anything that illustrates the Social Life of "Old Times," must needs be of interest, even though, as in the accompanying engraving, the subject be painful. It is by Rowlandson, and shews, better than words can convey, the then treatment of that saddest of all human maladies—mental aberration.
Chained by the neck to a wall—scantily clothed—barefoot, and with but straw to lie on, was hardly the usage by which the alienated intellect could be restored to its proper tone—yet so it was, in too many cases, that mad people were treated: the whip, and even harsher punishment following, should they show any signs of rebellion.
"The bet of his Grace of Bedford, that Lord Barrymore will not eat a live Cat, is not without precedent on the records of sporting. On a wager of fifty pounds, a fellow who lived near the race-course of Kildare, in Ireland, devoured five fox cubs, and literally began eating each while alive. It is, however, to be observed, that the devourer was a natural fool, having been born deaf, dumb, and without a palate."—(Morning Post, Mar. 15, 1788.)
"A fine topaz sold at Tenducci's sale for seven guineas; the finest in the kingdom: is the property of Mrs. More of Stockwell, and what, perhaps, would increase its value in the estimation of many people, this topaz once belonged to Queen Anne. It is near an inch in diameter, and of most uncommon brilliancy."—(Morning Post, Ap. 17, 1788.)
That Agriculture was not neglected, we can well imagine, for England had to be almost self contained, as regarded food for her population—but few know to what a pitch of perfection sheep breeding was carried—nor the enormous prices paid for the hire of stud rams.
Treatment of Lunatics.