Smyrna times., 1857-06-17
Curious Facts from History.

the Saracens, who, probably, derived it frou
the Parthiaus. Bows and arrows as weapons O
war were in use with stone cannon-balls SO lat
as 1910 1t is singular that all the statutes 70
the encouragement of archery were framed
after the invention of gunpowder and firearms
Yew trees were encouraged in churchyards
tor the making of bows in 1882. Hence thei
generality in churchyards in England.
Goats of arms came into vogue in the reigr
of Richard l. of England and became heredi-
tary in families about the year 1892. They
took their rise from the knights painting then
banners with different figures to distinguish
them in the crusades.
The first standing army of modern times was
established by Charles VII. of France, in l445D
Previous to that time the king had depended
upon his mobiles for contingents in time sf war.
A standing army was first established in Eng
! land in 1888 by Charles l., but it was declared
illegal, as well as the organization of the roy al
guards in 1879. The first permanent military
band instituted in England, was the yeomen OF
the guards, established in l4S6.
Guns were invented by Swartz, German,
about 1873, and were brought into use by the
VeniIians in 1882. Cannon were invented at
an anterior date. They were first used at the
battle of Cressy in 1916. In England they
were first used at the siege of Berwick in l405.
It was not until IJ44, however, that they were
cast in England. They were used on board Of
ships by the Venilians in 1889, and were in use
among the Turks about the same time. An ar
illery company was instituted in England for
eekly military exercises in 1910.
Insurance of ships was first Rrlctised in the
reign OF Caesar, in 45. 1t was a general custom
N Europe in 1874. Insurance offices were first
established in London in 1861.
Astronomy was first studied by the Moors
aud was by them introduced into Europe in
l2Ol. The apid progress of modern astronomy
dates from the time OF Copernlcus. Books OF
astronomy and geometry were destroyed. as in
,ccted with magic, in England under the reign
Jf Edward VI, in 1852.
Banks were first established by the Lombard
Jews in Italy. The name is derived from 6dncO
Jench,-benches being erected in the market
places for the exchange of money, &c. The
first public bank was at Venice, about l33O.-
The Bank of England was established in 1893
In 1906 its notes were at 20 per cent. discount.
The invention of bells is attributed to Pau
linus, Bishop Of Nola, in Campania, about the
year 400. They were first introduced into
churches as a defense against thunder and light
ming in 900. They were first hung up in Eng
land at Croyland Abbey, Lincolnshire, in 045.
Ia the eleventh century and later it was the
custom to ba ptize them in the churches before
they were used. The curfew bell was estab-
lished in l06S. It was rung at eight in the
evening, when people were obliged to put out
their fire and candle. The custom was abolish
ed in 100. Bell.men were appointed IN Lon
don in 1885, TO ring the bells at night, and cry,
Take Gaze of your Ere and candle, be charia-
BILE to the poor, and pray for the dead"
How many are aware of the origin of the
word boo :" used to frighten children! 1t is
a corruption of Bob, the name of fierce Gothic
General, the son OF Odin, the mention of whose
name spread panic among his enemies.
Bookkeeping was first introduced into Eng
land from Italy by Peele in 1869 1t was de-
rived from system of algebra published by
Burgo at Venice.
Notaries were first appointed by the Fathers
of the Christian Church, to collect acts or me-
moirs of martyrs In the first century.
The administration of the oath in civil cases
| 90 oc b;nb anfionifu Coo Evoduc IN 30
Swearing on the gospels was first used in 523.
The oath was first administered in judicial pro-
ceedings in England by the Saxons in 6O0.-
The words " so help me God, and all Saints -
concluded an oath till 1850.
Signals to be used at sea were first contrived
by James H., when Duke of York in 1861
They were afterwards improved by the French
commander Tourville, and by Admiral Balchen
Raw silk is said to have first been made by
people Of China called Seres, $50 b. G. 1t wal
first brought from India 274, and pound of i
j at that time was worth pound Of gold. Th'
manufacture of raw silk was introduced int
4 Europe from India by some monks in $50. Sill
dresses were first worn in 1455, The eggs o
the silk worm were first brought into Europe il
} 527.
MoSEY is QUEER INSTITUTION it buy
uroyender, satisfies justice, and heas wounde
, honor, Everything resolves itself into casl
from stoc -iobbing to building churches. Child
hood Graves pennies; youth aspires TO dimes
manhood is swayedb by the mighty dollar. Th
d blacksmith swings his sledge, the lawyer plead
for his client, and the Judge decides the quei
ton of life and death for his salary. None
Y makes the man therefore, the man must ma K
r money. il he would be respected BY fools 70