The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-12-22
BITS OF INFORMATION.

PoINT lace is the oldest variety OF lace
known It WAS the work of nuns during
the latter part of the fourteenth century.
A1GRR1oAN deer, both male and female,
shed their horns every year from
the latter part of january to about the
18th of February only.
Tim /" freedom of a. city,. is, an
honorary distinction conferred on come
illustrious man, It is usually bestowed
through o certificate or diploma signed
by the municipal authorities and
suitably mounted. 1t is presented ON
the occasion Of visit or may be for
warded. It makes the recipient an
honorary citizen. It may be awarded o
countryman or stranger.
The engagement ring is supposed to
be Of q Roman origin, and to have sprung
from the ancient custom of using rings
in making agreements, grants, etc. Its
primitive form was that of seal or
signet ring. Betrothal rings were fre-
quently exchanged by lovers in ancient
times. It is also believed that the
Romans originated the custom of giving
rings with notices or posies engraved
on them to their lady loves. ,...
Forks were invented in Italy in the
fifteenth century, but were not employed
in England until the middle of the
seventeeth century then only by the
higher classes. AS late as the eighteenth
century, forks, as well as knives, were
kept on 80 meager scale by country
inns in Scotland that it was customary
| for persons travelling to carry with them
O knife and fork IN O shagreen case,
and q small knife and fork still forms
toT& al
| Highland costume.
The bridge or covered gallery which
| connects the ducal palace and the prison
of Venice is high above the water and
divided by stone wall into passage
and a cell. The state dungeons were
sunk into the thick walls of the palace,
and the prisoners when taken out to die
were conducted across the gallery to the
other side, upon the bridge, and were
there strangled. The low portal through
cell is now walled up, but the passage
Is open, and is still known by the name
of the Bridge of Sighs." =.
THE origin of the cant name, 'Unclt
Sam, ," was as follows Immediately aftel
the declaration Of war with England
Elbert Anderson, of New York, then G
contractor, visited Troy, where was con
centrated, and where he purchased,
large quantity of provisions-beef, pork
etc. The inspectors of these articles q
that place were Messrs. Ebenezer ant
Samuel Wilson. The latter gentleman
Gnvariably known as "Uncle Sam") gen
orally superintended, in person, larg
number of workmen, who, on this coca
sion, were employed in overhauling tht
provisions purchased by the contracto
for the army. The casks were market
"E. A.-U. 81 The work fell to tn
lot of facetious fellow in the employ Q
the Messrs. Wilson, who, on being aske
by some of his fellow workmen tn
meaning of the mark (or the letters g
7 g., for United States, were then almoa
entirely new to them) said :" He did nc
know, unless it meant Elbert Anderso
and Uncle Sam"-alluding exclusively
then, to the said Uncle Sam" Wilson
The joke took among the workmen, an
passed currently and "Unele Sam
himself being present was occasionally
rallied by them on the increasing exten
of his possessions. Many of these work
meA being of character denominate
"food for POWDER" were found shortl
after following the recruiting drum, an
pushing toward the frontier line
for the double purpose of meeting tn
enemy and of eating the provisions the
had lately labored to put in good order
Their old jokes accompanied them, an
before the first campaign ended . thi
| identical one first appeared in print
/ gained favor rapidly, till it penet ttate
and was recognized in every part OF TIN
country, and will, no doubt, continue s
while the United States remains natior