Miss Mary's Gazette: The Newsletter of MissMary.com

I'm pleased to announce the release of my latest clip art CD, "Saints & Sinners."

This volume contains 176 high resolution images restored from scans of rare religious woodcuts, engravings and colorful chromolithograph diecuts.

Featured are images from "Sacred and Legendary Art" (1857); "Legends of the Monastic Orders" (1852), as well as cuts from vintage scrapbooks and other sources. Includes 100 page ebook of the Stories & Legends of the Saints that are part of this volume, with Color and Symbolism in Religious Art explained.

Preview Saints & Sinners or View Other Volumes

Goodies from Miss Mary

Found in the September 1877 issue of Peterson's Magazine, these bookmarks were designed to be stitched on perforated paper, which can still be found at your local needlework shop.

Download a full-size PDF (448 KB) to print and share. They could also be printed on good paper, and cut out as bookmarks as-is.

Girls' And Boys' Fancy Costumes

Juvenile Fancy Balls are much the fashion, and the current is setting towards all that is quaint and picturesque. Some of the best dresses worn by young people are suggested by the illustrated books, fairy tales, and other works of fiction, specially written for them. Read More

Crockery In The Churchyard

In a certain country churchyard there is a curious grave. It is covered with broken glass and crockery-ware. These fragments are intended to symbolise the broken heart of an affectionate husband. Every time that a breakage occurs in his home he places the pieces on his wife's grave. Every morning he flings a pailful of water over this broken crockery to keep it clean. On the tombstone is the following inscription:

'She was--
But I forbear to tell you what:
You all know what a loving wife should be --
Well, she was that.'

Source: Chatterbox, 1913.

Sleight of Hand From How to Amuse, 1895

To Balance an Egg

Lay a looking glass upon an even table; take a fresh egg and shake it for some time, so that the yolk may be broken and mixed up with the white. You may then balance it on its point, and make it stand on the glass. This it would be impossible to do if the egg was in its natural state.

The Changing Ball Trick

Take a ball in each hand, and stretch your hands as far as you can, one from the other; then state that you will contrive to make both the balls come into either hand, without bringing the hands near each other. If any one dispute your power of doing this, you have no more to do than to lay one ball down upon the table, turn yourself, and take it up with your other hand. Thus both the balls will be in one of your hands, without their approaching each other.

The Dancing Egg

Boil an egg hard, and peel off a small piece of the shell at one end; then thrust in a quill filled with quicksilver, and sealed at each end. As long as the egg remains warm, it will not cease to dance about.

To Put and Egg in a Bottle

You may make an egg enter a bottle without breaking, by steeping it in strong vinegar for some time; the vinegar will so soften the shell, that it will bend and extend lengthways without breaking; when put in cold water, it will resume its former figure and hardness.

Phosphoric Oyster Shells

Take some very thick oyster shells, and cover them with some burning coals; in half an hour take them carefully out of the fire, and it will be only necessary to expose them to the light for a few minutes to be convinced that they have become phosphorescent. In fact, if put in a dark place, they shed a light accompanied by the greater part of the prismatic colors. If the calcination be made in a closed crucible, the colors will be less brilliant. If the crucible be of led, the parts that have come in contact with it will yield a reddish light; if a few bits of steel be strewed about the crucible, the phosphorescence will be more lively; but if some flat pieces of coal be used instead of steel, the colors will be more beautiful, particularly the blue, red, and green.

Disposing of Human Bodies

Dr. George Hay, a Pittsburgh chemist, advances a plan for the disposition of the dead bodies of human beings.

He advocates an economic distribution of the remains so that they may return to the elements as soon as possible, if for no other purpose than to furnish a fertilizer. Dr. Hay would pulverize the body with the aid of machinery. He says, “The machinery might be so contrived as to break the bones first in pieces of the size of a hen's egg, next into fragment of the size of a marble, and the mangled and lacerated mass could next be reduced, by means of chopping-machines and steam-power, to mince meat. At this stage we have a homogeneous mixture of the entire body structures in the form of a pulpous mass of raw flesh and bones. This mass shall now be dried thoroughly by means of steam-heat at a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit, or a pressure of thirty pounds to the inch; because, firstly, we wish to reduce the material to a condition convenient for handling, and, secondly, we wish to disinfect it, as no infectious of contagious disease can retain its vitality at this temperature. Once in this condition, it would command a good price for the purpose of manure. Another method is by boiling in close vessels. The oil which would rise to the top, may be drawn off to be converted into soap or a lubricant. The residue may, by very simple processes, be converted into fertilizing material.” His final suggestion is the “distillation method.” The bodies are to be placed in gas-retorts, and in about six hours will be converted into illuminating gas, water, ammonia, tar, and animal charcoal. By subsequent distillation such substances as sulphate of ammonia, analine colors and carbolic acid may be obtained. It is this process which finds most favor with the writer.

Source: The Sanitary News, “Healthy Homes and Healthy Living,” April 21, 1888 (A journal of sanitary science published in Chicago).

On the Custom of planting Yew-Trees in Churchyards

From The Museum of Foreign Literature, Science and Art , Vol. XXII, 1833.

The original design of planting yew-trees in churchyards has given rise to much antiquarian discussion. They are said to have been originally planted either to protect the church from storms, or to furnish the parishioners with bows.

The statute of Edward I., which settles the property of trees in churchyards, recites that they are often planted to defend the church from high winds, and the clergy were requested to cut them down for the repairs of the chancel of the church whenever required.

Several ancient laws were enacted for the encouragement of archery which regulate many particulars as to bows; but it does not appear that any statute directed the cultivation of the yew. Although the scarcity of bow-staves is a very frequent subject of complaint in our ancient laws, yet instead of ordering the yew-tree to be cultivated at home, foreign merchants were obliged, under heavy penalties, to import the material from abroad. In the 12th of Edward IV. it was enacted, that every merchant stranger should bring four bow-staves for every ton of merchandise imported from Venice or other places, from whence they had heretofore been procured. In the reign of Elizabeth , the complaint of the dearness and scarcity of bow-staves was renewed; and the statute of 6th Edward IV. was put in force. From the above particulars, it clearly appears that we depended upon foreign wood for our bows, which would not have occurred if our churchyards could have furnished a sufficient quantity for the public service. The truth, is, that, though our archers were the glory of the nation, and the terror of its enemies, yet the English yew was of inferior quality, and our brave countrymen were obliged to have recourse to foreign materials. This accounts for the silence of our ancient legislators with-respect to the culture of the English yew, which appears never to have been an object of national concern.

Sir Thomas Brown, in his "Urn-burial," thinks it may admit of conjecture whether the planting of yews in churchyards had not its origin from ancient funeral rites, or as' an emblem of the resurrection, from its perpetual verdure. The yew-tree has been considered as an emblem of mourning from the earliest times. The Greeks adopted the idea from the Egyptians, the Romans from the Greeks and the Britons from the Romans. From long habits of association, the yew acquired a sacred character, and therefore was considered as the best and most appropriate ornament of consecrated ground. The custom of placing them singly is equally ancient. Statius in his Thebiad calls it the solitary yew. And it was at one time as common in the churchyards of Italy as it is now in North and South Wales. In many villages in those two provinces, the yew-tree and the church are coeval with each other.

— Faulkner's Histories of Fulham and Kensington. Image: Yew tree planted around 1440 at Muckross Abbey, Killarney. A color image can be found at http://www.killarney.ac/dropdown/abbey.html

Games, Charms And Stunts

A Pumpkin Race. — Along each side of room stretch a stout cord to which are pinned dozens of tiny pumpkins — merely circles of yellow paper. One set is for the boys, the other for girls. The company forms in a double circle, boys on outer ring, girls on the inner. A march is played and boys go in a circle, while girls circle in the opposite direction. Music suddenly stops and the two who stand side by side are partners; they race to the wall, boy going to his side, girl to hers, and get a pumpkin. The couple whose members both get back to place first each win a score. Music starts, all march as before until it stops then the new couples race. This is continued for ten or fifteen minutes and those who win scores are to have especially good luck during the coming year.

Good Luck Test. — Place black paper cat on floor; each girl takes off her left shoe and standing nine feet from cat tosses shoe. If it falls on the cat she is to escape bad luck during the next year, and also is supposed to have a successful love affair.

The Witch's Spell. — The witch whispers to each one what animal or bird she is supposed to change him to. She then waves her wand over one after another, in turn, and the person must get up and act out, until guessed by the others, the name the witch gave him. The pig can lie down on the floor and grunt; the rooster hop on a chair and crow,

Saucers of Fate. — Place three saucers in a row; one is empty, one contains clear water, the third soapy water. The person seeking to know Fate's message is blindfolded, turns around three times, and going to the saucers, places his hand on one. The clear water denotes a happy marriage; the soapy water shows the inquirer will become a widow or widower; the empty saucer means the person will be an old maid or bachelor.

Witch's, Prediction. — A person shakes a drop of ink onto a piece of paper, which is then folded and well pressed. Taking it to the witch, she opens it and from the shape the blot of ink has taken, she foretells the occupation of the person's future husband or wife.

Tossing The Cat. — Pin a picture of a cat on one side of a cloth that has been folded up and pinned to form a small pillow. The guests stand in a circle; each in turn waves the pillow three times above the top of head, then tosses it to the center of circle. If it falls with the cat up the thrower is to have a new sweetheart during the coming year; if the cat is underneath, no sweetheart.

The Truest Love. — Each one has two apple seeds and each seed is given the name of someone present—boys' seeds having girls' names, girls' seeds having the names of boys. The seeds are dipped in water and pressed tightly, one against each cheek. The one to remain longest before dropping is the name of the truest love.

The Fish Pond. — In a pan of flour—having one pan for the girls and another for the boys—conceal pictures (small ones) that suggest an occupation. The pictures have loops of coarse thread attached. Guests are given, one after another, the use of a fishhook on a string with which to pull out a picture. When all have one they announce the occupation of their future mates.

Pumpkin Initials. — The letters of the alphabet are carved on a pumpkin. A person is blindfolded and touches the pumpkin twice with a wand. The two letters he comes nearest to touching are the initials of the future mate.

Apple Contests. — Favorite games of the seventeenth century were not only bobbing for apples which floated in a tub of water, but also catching with the teeth an apple fastened upon one end of a stick hung from the ceiling, on the other end being a lighted candle. The hands were tied behind the back.

Ball Of Fate. — Fortunes written on slips of paper are tied into yarn, a half yard or so apart, then wound into a ball. The ball is thrown to a person who unwinds it until reaching a slip; this is taken out and the ball is thrown to someone else. When each has secured a fortune they are read aloud.

The Path Of Prophecy. — Place upon the floor, here and there, a number of pictures of men and women. A person is blindfolded and walks about the room while he or she counts fifteen. The number of pictures of men a girl steps on denotes the number of love affairs she will have during the coming year; the boys learning their fate from the pictures of women they trod on. The pictures are moved to different spots after each trial.

Molten Lead Test. — Melted lead is poured into a saucer of cold water. From the shape it assumes the fortune teller predicts the occupation of the future mate. White of egg dropped into boiling water is used in the same way.

Peas And Beans. — A handful of peas is mixed among a bowl of beans. A person turns the face away, stirs the beans with a spoon and dips up what the spoon will hold. If a pea is among the beans taken up it denotes good luck for the coming year.

Apple Fortunes. — Have two baskets of apples, one for girls, other for boys. Cut a plug from the top of each apple, insert a fortune on small piece of paper, such as "Red-haired Schoolma'am," "Good-natured Preacher," and replace the plug. The apples are chosen at random and the slips read aloud- the prediction referring to the future mate.

The Ghost Story. — A small doll should be dressed as a ghost. This is given to one person who starts a story, making it as "ghosty" as possible. When the leader says, "Ooo—ooo—ooo!" the story-teller passes the ghost to someone else in the circle, who must go on with the tale. Thus the story goes the rounds; no person should be allowed to talk more than two minutes.

Fagot Stunts. — This is good where a fireplace can be used. Dip sticks in strong salt water and dry them thoroughly—this should be done a day or so before sticks are needed to give time for drying. A stick is given each person who in turn throws it upon the fire and performs some stunt, sings, or tells a short story while it burns. It is well to ask guests beforehand to be prepared to do their part in this entertaining.

The Meal Test. — This can be used where company is not large. Write the name of each one present on a tiny slip; fold slips very small and wrap each in a little cake of corn meal, mixed with water, until it will hold together. Drop all the meal cakes at once into a pan of water; as soon as meal loosens the papers rise to top. The first two slips that come up are put together; the next two the same, and so on. When all are out the slips are opened and names read. If two boys' or two girls' names are together those are fated to be old maids and bachelors; the boys and girls who are coupled together are destined to become sweethearts.

A Bat Race. — Cut dozens of bats from black paper (a simple pattern with wide-spread wings will answer, and a number can be cut at once) and hide them in all sorts of places about the rooms. Appoint two leaders, who choose sides. At a signal all start to hunt for bats. Bach one found must be taken to the leader of the one finding it and only one can be taken at a time. The hunt goes merrily on, with much running back and forth as the leaders sit in one spot. The side whose leader has the most bats at the end of six minutes is to have good luck during the coming year.

Prophetic Alphabet. — Place in a bowl the letters of the alphabet, cut from paper. A young man or woman draws from the bowl, having a blind over the eyes, as many letters as there are letters in his or her name. These are taken to the fortune teller who predicts, from them, the name of the future mate.

The Test of the Needles. — With the head turned away, drop two needles, one after the other, into a cup of water, having given them the names of a young man and young woman. If the needles touch they denote that the two will wed; if they do not touch, the two will be but friends.

The Wishing Mitt. — One member wears a large mitten stuffed with cooked oatmeal, the mitten being tied closely about the wrist. Each one in turn is to go up and shake hands, making a wish without speaking or uttering a sound. Since the feel of the mush-filled mitten produces a decidedly queer sensation, most folks will break the rule for silence and forfeit their wish.

The Owl Test. — Cut dozens of small paper owls—a number can be cut at a time—and hide them about the room. The guests form in a ring and march about the circle to music, which stops abruptly, and each runs out, beginning to hunt for owls. As soon as the music begins all must return to the circle and march until music stops, when they hunt again. This is continued until they have made four hunts, then the one with the most owls is proclaimed the wisest one in the room.

Fateful Questions. — Each person writes his or her name on a slip; these are collected and placed, names down, on the table. Papers are passed, each having a question, as: "Who is the worst vamp in the company?" "Who is planning to elope next week?" "Who is the handsomest fellow in the room?" "Who wants to wed an old man for his money?" "Who has once been secretly married?" "Who thinks himself much loved by the ladies?" "Who would rather doll up than wash the dishes?" "Who will always keep her husband's socks darned?" "Who will let his wife bring in the wood?" etc. As they are collected, the names of boys should be kept in one pile, the girls in another. Each person asks the question on the slip and the fortune teller reads the name found on the top slip of boys' or girls' pile, as question calls for.

The Dissected Cat. — The company sits in a circle, each grasping with the right hand, the left wrist of the one on the right, either having lights turned out or keeping the hands under the edge of a sheet whose corners are held by four persons not in the circle. The hostess—or someone in charge of the game—makes a speech, telling that the cat of a witch has been captured and dissected. If the various parts were held for a moment by the company it is said they would ward off misfortune. No one must drop a part or bad luck would follow. The parts are then passed around the circle in utter silence, being taken always with the left hand. The leader announces, before starting it around the circle, what each part is. These are passed:

Head—A ball of yarn with some hair pins sticking out.

Skeleton—A number of bones wired together. .

Tail—A length of fur sewed into shape.

Claws—Some cut from an old fur.

The hide—A piece of fur dampened on the skin side.

Teeth—several sharp pieces of bones.

Eyes—Halves of oysters. [note: the previous owner penciled in “grapes”]

Insides—Cold, soft dough, well floured.

The Match Test. — Light a match and hold it—changing ends carefully, until the entire stick has burned. If it burns to the end without going out or breaking off, the wish you make as it burns will come true. When the end falls off it denotes the direction in which your true love waits.

To Arrange Partners. — Each girl writes her name on a slip of paper and folds it up; all are put in a dish and mixed, then taken out, one by one, and tied into a long cord. The boys form in line and march around the room, then halt beside the cord, which is held by two girls at side of room. Bach boy takes the paper that is nearest him as he stops, and the name found on it denotes his partner.

Numbers can be put on one set of dried pumpkin seeds and letters of the alphabet on another set. Boys draw numbers and girls letters; boys then hunt the girl having a letter corresponding to his number, A being 1, B taking 2, 8 finding H, and so on.

Girls each cut two pumpkins; since they are cut freehand no two girls will cut exactly the same size. One of the pumpkins is put in a dish from which the boys draw; the other the girl pins on and wears. A boy finds the girl whose pumpkin is just the size of his and claims her as his partner.

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