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Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

England 1869

If you are a tulip enthusiast, the chapter of this book that deals with these flowers is for you.

In the 16th century a trader at Harleam was known to pay half of his fortune for a single root, not with the design of selling it again at a profit, but to keep in his own conservatory for the admiration of his acquaintances.

More of this madness is told in the chapter. Click the image to the left to download it.

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Multi-layer absorbent lining for application inside coffins (European Patent Application

No. EP 1 243 243A2)

Obviously, properly speaking this is not an antique or even an old book. However, it is so seldom that I can combine my profession (patent attorney) with one of my most favorite genres (horror) and, as an added bonus, deal with an idea from my native land (Italy). So, of course, I couldn't resist sharing it with the visitors to my website.

This invention has been devised (so we learn) in order to solve a problem that occurs during the decomposition of the corpse inside the coffin. As it is known, coffins are normally made of wood and internally lined with welded zinc sheets. The purpose of the galvanised lining is to contain the highly corrosive organic liquids that are produced during the decomposition of the corpse. Sometimes, however, the galvanised lining cannot resist to the corrosive action of the decomposition liquids resulting in an undesired leakage of organic liquids towards the external wooden structure of the coffin.

But don't worry: the multi-layer lining of the invention is perfectly capable of preventing this risk; it absorbs and holds back the organic liquids that are gradually produced during the decomposition of the corpse.

Isn't it positively galvanizing to know that, even after our death, we won't leak out, no matter how acidly decomposed we are?

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Sketches and Anecdotes of Animal Life, England, 1854

My copy of this delightful little book, by Rev. J.G. Wood, was awarded by the Tottenham School Board as a prize to Percy Hills, in 1893, "for regular and punctual attendance at Colerain Park School." Apparently, Percy deserved a prize for actually getting up in the morning to go to school. I hope that my kids won't find out...

My visitors will certainly enjoy reading the author's view on The Ass, which I have posted here.

Incidentally, trying to find out who this lucky devil was, I discovered two candidates. The first one was born in 1873, which makes him 20 years old when he got the book. That may seem a little old, but seeing that he wound up being a Tramway Worker, perhaps he wasn't too bright and had to stay in school longer. At the other end of the scale we have my preferred candidate, a Percy who was born in 1889, which makes him 4 years old when he was awarded his prize. If he's the one, he was a genius and in a great position to profit from the good Rev's anecdotes.

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Home Comfort, England, ca. 1880

I came across this book while I was looking for educational readings for my kids. Its definition of the role of the father really got my attention:

"The father should indirectly rule the house. His wishes, expressed or understood, should be law: the household arrangements should be made with a view to his comfort and convenience."

Good old 1880's!

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The Cottage Physician, U.S.A., 1900

Some books make you wonder how the human race has survived this long. "The Cottage Physician", printed in 1900 by the King-Richardson Co., in Springfield Mass., is one of them. It is not so much its illuminating paragraph on "How to Apply Leeches", or its sad reflections on the application of a poultice to stop gangrene, that leave us amazed. It is the chapter by The Specialist, Dr. W. E. Davis, on "The Healing Power of Electricity", that really does it for us.

Among the many idiotic statements made in the chapter, we learn that "it will not be long before no household will be considered complete without a battery for medical purposes". Keep your iPods charged, folks!

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The English Cookery Book, England, ca 1870

This delightful book contains useful advice for the English woman who "is utterly ignorant of the thousand ways of dressing vegetables with a little meat or fish, so as to make the absence of a more substantial meal unregretted."

It is interesting to note how effortlessly the book reconciles its chapter "On the advantages of the proper preparation of food for the human stomach", with its recipe for black pudding.

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Praise of Drunkenness, England, 1723

The immortal work by Boniface Oinofilus, "Ebrietatis Encomium: or, the PRAISE OF DRUNKENNESS", was first printed in 1723.

Of all the enlightening parts of this magnus opus, I thought that Chapter XXVIII, "Rules to be observed in getting drunk", is the one that comes in most handy. This excerpt is from a 1873 reprint.

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Bygone Punishments, England, 1899

If you think that the life of a modern author is a tough one, you must read the chapter on "Punishing Authors and Burning Books", from William Andrews' 1899 treatise on "Bygone Punishments".

Of course, if you feel disheartened after reading it, you can find solace in reading Chapter 7, "Boiling to Death"...