Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-08-08

A LEAF WORTH PRESERVING.
CURIOUS FACTS FROM HISTORY.


The Saxons first introduced archery in
the time of Voltiger. 1t was dropped i'm
mcdately after the conquest, but revived by
the crusaders, they having felt the effects OF
it from the Saracens, who probably derived
it from the Parthans. Bows and arrows,
as weapons of war, were in use with stone
cannon balls so late as 1910. 1t is singular
of archery were framed after the invention
of gunpowdcr and fire Yew trees were en-
couraged in church yards for the making OF
bows, in 1882. Hence their generality in
+, church yards in England.
| Coats of arms came into vogue in the
reign of Richard I, Of England, and became
hereditary in families about the year | 1872.
They took their rise from the knights paint
| ing their banners with different figures to
distinguish them in tie crisades.
The first standing army of modern times
was established by Charles VII of France,
IN 1445. Previous to that time the king
had depended upon his mobiles for contin-
gents in time of war A standing army was
first established in England in 1888 by
Charles T, but It was t'eelared Illegal, as well
as the organization Of the royal guards in
1879. The first permanent military band
instituted in England, was the yoenen of
the guards, established in 1886.
Guns were invented by Swartz, Ger
man, about 1878, and were brought into
use by the Nenetians in 1882 Cannons
were invented at an anterior date. They
were first used at the battle of Greasy in
1916. In England they were first used at
the seige of Berwick in 1905. TWAS not
until 1544, however, that they were cast in
England. They were used on board of ships
by the Eenctans in 1889, and were in use
among the Turks about the same time. An
artillery company was instituted in England
for weekly military exercises in 1910.
Insurance Of ships was first practised in
the reign of Casat, IN As 1t was a gene
raj custom in Europe 1874. Insurance Off
ccs were first established in London in 1867
Astronomy was first studied by the Moors,
and was by them introduced into Europe in
1901. The rapid progress of modern as
tronomy dates from the time of Copernicus.
hooks otessronomy and geometry were de-
s.royaa IS infected with magic, III England
under the reign of Edward VI, IN l5a22
Banks were first eatdbished by the bon4-
bard Jews in Italy. The aam6 is derived
from baac9, be-ca acuches beias erected
in the market places for tbc cxchange o.!
money, &c. The first public bank was at
eliee, about 1850. The Bank Of Eneland
was established in 1903. IN 1886 its notes
were at 90 per cent. discount.
The invention Of bbls is attributed to
haulinus, Bishop of Nola, in Campania
about the year 400. They were first intro
duced into churches as defence against
thunder and lightning. They were first
hung up in England at Croyland Abbey,
Lincolnshire. in 945. In the eleventh cen
tary aad later; it was the custom to baptize
them in Ire churches before they were used
The cu,few bell was established in l06S.-
It was rung at eight in the evening, when
people were obliged to put out their fire
and candle The custom was abolished in
1lGo. Bellmen were appointed in London
in 1556, to ring the bells at night, and cry
Take care of your fire and candle, be
ehatitable to the poor, and pray for the
dead, ,'~
How many arc aware of thc origin Of the
word s.hoo,' used to brighten children? 1t
is a corruption of Bob, the name of a fierce
Gothic General, the son Of Odin, the men
ton of whose name spread a panic among
his enemies.
Bookkeeping was first introduced into
England. front Italy 81 peclc, in 1869. II
was derived from system of algebra pub
lished by Burgo at Venice.
Notaries Public were first appointed by
the fathers of the Christian Church, to col
lect the acts or memoirs Of martyrs in the
first century.
The administration of the oath in civil
cases is of high antiquity. See Exodus,
800. Swearing on the gospels was at
arst used in 52S. The oath was first adj
ministered in judicial proceedings in Eng
land, by the Saxons, in COS. tfhc words
$50 help me God and all saints conclud-
ed an oath till 1850.
Signals to be used at sea were first con-
trived by James H., when Duke of York,
1865. They were afterwards improved by
the French commander Tourvillo, and by
Admiral Balchcn.
Raw silk is said to have first becn- made
by people of China, called Ceres, $50 B.
Z. 1t was first brought to India, 274, and
pound of it at that time was worth pound
of gold. The manufacture of raw silk was
introduced into europe from India by some
monks in $50 Silk dresses were first worn
in 1863. The eggs of tho silk worm were
first brought into Europe in 527.-Boston
journal.
The Oldest Nan A correspondent of
the 81. Louis Republican, writing from Ell
wood, OK. Z. says: Gone Who lives on
his claim near the edge of this city is per-