Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1857-10-29
Curious Facts from History,

|
atelv after the conquest, but revived by the
crusaders, they having felt the effects of it
from the Saracons, 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 that all
! the statutes for the encouragement of archery
were framed after the invention of gunpowder
and firearms. Yew trees were encouraged in
! churchyards, for the making of bows, in 1912.
Hence their generality in church-yards in Eng
land.
Coats of arms came into vogue in the reign
of Richard I Of England, and became hered-
itary in families about the year 1882. They
took their rise from, the knights painting their
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
1440. Previous to that time, the king had
depended upon his mobiles for contingents in
time of war. 4 standing army was first es.
! tabished in England in 1888 by Charles l.,
but it was declared illegal, as well as the Or
gaiization of the royal guards in 1879. The
first permanent military band instituted in
England was the ye0meu Of the guards, estab-
lished in 1856
Guns were invented by Swartz German,
about 1878, and were brought into use by the
Fenetans, 1882. Cannon were invented at
an ant"r Or date. They were first used at tho
battle of CreSsy in 1916. In England, they
were first used at the siege of Berwick, in
1405. It was not until 1914, however, that
they were cast in England. They were used
on board their ships by the Venetians in 1889,
and were in use among the Turks at the same
time An artillery company was instituted in
England for weekly milt.ry exercises in 1910.
Insurance of ships was first practised in the
reign of Cesar As. 1t was general custom
in Europe in 1894.
Astronomy was FIST studied by the .MAaprs.
and was by them introduced into Eli N COM
110f. The rapid progress of modern 'Ford.
my dates from the time of Coperncus Elth the
Of astronomy and geometry were destroyed ass e
infected with magic in England, under the
reign of Edward VI, in 1853
Banks were first established by the Lom.
bard Jews in Italy. The neme is derived from
banco, beuch--benches being erected in the
market-places for the exchange Of money, &c.
The first public bank was at Venice, in 1850.
The bank Of England was established in 1888.
Iu 1896 its notes were at 25 per cent dis.
count.
The invention of bells is attributed to Pat
linus, Bisop of Nola, in Campania, q Out the
year 400 They were first introduced into
churches as u defence against thunder and
lightning. They were first hung up in Eng
land at Cropand Abbey, Lincolnshire, in. 945.
In the eleventh century, and later, it was the
custom to baptize them in churches before they
are used. The curfew bell was established in
l0GS. 1t was rung at eight in the evening"
when people were obliged to put out their
O.. IL ohntic had in
100. Bellnlen were appointed in London in
1856, to ring the bells at night and cry, Take
care of your fire and candle, be charitable To
the poor, and pray for the dead"
How many are aware Of the origin Of ths
word boo !" used to brighten children !? 1t
is corruption Of Bob, the name of q Fl rec
Gothic general the son of Orln, the mention
Of whose name spread panic among his eEe-
Mrs.
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.
Notarics Public were first appointed by the
Fathers of the Christian Church, to make
| collection of the acts or memoirs OF the mar
| tyrs in the first century.
The administration of the oath in civil ca
ses is of high antiquity. See Exodus ~: 10.
Swearing on the Gospel was at first used in
529. The oath was at first administered in
judicial proceedings in England by the, Saxons
il 600. The words $50 help me God and
all Saints" concluded an oath till 1850.
Signals to be used at sea were first contr-
we'd bv James II >, when he was Duke Of Yo'k
in 1856. They were afterwards improved hy
the French commander Tourvile, aud by Adj
miral Balchen.
Raw silk is said to have first heen made by
. neople of China called Sores 15o B. G. 1t
was first brought from 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 s'me monks in $50.
Silk dresses were first worn in 1896. The eggs
of the si!k-worm we're first brought into Eu.
rope in 527.-BostoD Journal.
How was Adam removed out Of PARA ise---