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A Boring Page of the Gilded Age
On March 2, 2022 by ElyseOne who reads this book through will have as rough a mental journey as his physical nature would undergo in riding over a corduroy road in an old stage-coach. It makes no pretension to either scholarship or elegant diction. – Ward McAllister, Society as I Have Found It, 1890 No, dear readers, that is not
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Clip of the Week: February 23, 2022
On February 23, 2022 by ElyseWith friends like these. . . Maud: I didn’t see you at your friend Mr. Smith’s wedding. Frank: No; I don’t believe in gloating over my friends’ misfortunes. – The Ottumwa Courier, November 24, 1903 Mr. Smith: “I don’t know you from a bar of soap!”
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5 Times Love Didn’t Conquer All
On February 16, 2022 by ElyseHere at Second Glance History, it’s tradition at this time of year to share stories of love overcoming insurmountable obstacles, again and again. But in the immortal words of Patty Smyth and Don Henley, sometimes, love just ain’t enough. I’m not alone in having learned that the hard way. Patty and Don may not have
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Clip of the Week: February 9, 2022
On February 9, 2022 by ElyseGood news for all my fellow single ladies: When does a girl become an old maid? This interesting problem is being thrashed out by the Passionist Father Alexis, of New York, who says that ridiculous notions exist on the subject. Addressing his church congregation yesterday, he said that all women are young until they are
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Florida Man
On February 2, 2022 by ElyseAs longtime readers know, I like to do my research before I board the plane, and my upcoming visit to the Sunshine State is no different. However, instead of focusing on the sights and cuisine, this time around, I’m learning about the locals. Specifically, Florida Man. For the uninitiated, Wikipedia explains Florida Man as “an
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Clip of the Week: January 26, 2022
On January 26, 2022 by ElyseAs a Chicagoan, I’m equal parts flattered and offended: The elegance of the Chicago criminal is attested by the fact that policemen in that city mistook [Illinois senator] Mr. J. Hamilton Lewis for a bank robber. – The Evening Star, October 30, 1913 In their defense, here in Chicago, our politicians and our criminals are
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How to Break a World Record
On January 19, 2022 by ElyseWith a little help from Second Glance History, anyone can travel, pickpocket, write, eat healthfully, break a lease, pull off a practical joke, be a Good Samaritan and even become a juvenile delinquent. But do you know what takes real talent? Breaking a world record. Happily, I’m here to help you with that as well.
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Clip of the Week: January 12, 2022
On January 12, 2022 by ElyseToo old for dolls, too young for romance, but just the right age for some tough love: Cynthia Grey’s Advice to Jealous Miss. I am a girl of 13, and am in love with a young man of 18. He goes with another girl and I am very jealous. He does not seem to care
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The Good Samaritan
On January 5, 2022 by ElyseHere at Second Glance History, I’m starting the year off with a celebration of strangers who help those in need—most especially an angelic lady named Ali, who was in the right place at the right time to rescue a certain silly blogger who got in over her head in the Pacific Ocean last month. As