Clip of the Week: December 28, 2022

First, they banned dancing (multiple times). Then, they banned alcohol and hat ticklers. Now, not even kissing is allowed?!? It is an annual custom to hold a “social” on Boxing Night. This year the new minister, the Rev. Moffatt Gautrey, decided that the kissing game which had formerly been allowed at the social should not Read More

Clip of the Week: October 19, 2022

A duel for the ages: Armed with only a bicycle and an umbrella, two arrogant politicians face off. Who will win? It seems that cycling has become very popular with some of our younger legislators, and certain of them have got into the habit of coming down to the House [of Commons] on their machines Read More

Clip of the Week: September 21, 2022

Kevin Bacon—er, Ren McCormack—might have a thing or two to say about this: No new dances will be introduced during 1931, according to the decision of the dance hall managers’ official board of control of ballroom dancing, London. Santos Casani, a leading manager has announced that he is concentrating on popularizing the waltz tango, and Read More

Clip of the Week: June 1, 2022

Product placement doesn’t get any better than this: The following incident took place recently in the Parish Church of a well-known Lancashire town, where a mother had taken her baby to be christened. “What name do you select [for] your child,” asked the Vicar. “Venos,” was the answer. “Venus! But this is not a suitable Read More

5 Times Love Didn’t Conquer All

Here 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 Read More

The Importance of Being Clothed

While it’s important to be earnest, we all know what happened when the emperor ordered new clothes. Priorities, people. On a scale of embarrassment, getting caught with your pants down is right up there with failing gym class, wearing a hat in Parliament and getting your hair stuck in flypaper. What’s even worse, however, is Read More

Clip of the Week: September 22, 2021

An amusing incident, in which Viscount Peel, the ex-Speaker, was the principal figure, took place the other afternoon in the part of the [House of Commons] which is specially reserved for visitors from another place. His Lordship forgetting for the moment that he was anything more than a distinguished stranger, was observed by the horror-stricken Read More

Clip of the Week: June 30, 2021

At Willingdon, near Eastbourne, an inquest was held on the body of Edwin Mockett, who died suddenly after eating three cooked mussels. The medical evidence showed that irritant poisoning followed the eating, and a verdict of death from misadventure through mussel eating was returned. – The Western Mail, April 14, 1891 Some coroner’s career peaked Read More

Clip of the Week: June 2, 2021

A letter addressed in a peculiar manner has been correctly delivered by the Chesham postal officials. It was sent, without name, to a draper, and in addition to the words “Chesham, Bucks,” there was a sketched plan, with the words, “Narrow alley, with old houses, leading up steps, over railway, and to hill where view Read More

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