The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-12-21
BITS OF INFORMATION.

POINT lace is the oldest variety OF lace
known. 1t was the work Of nuns during
the latter part OF the fourteenth century.
AMERICAN deer, both male and female,
shed their horns every year from
the latter part of January to about the
18th Of February only.
1ur freedom Of city" is an
honorary distinction conferred on some
illustrious man. It is usually bestowed
through q certificate or diploma signed
by the municipal authorities and
suitably mounted II is presented on
the occasion OF visit or may be for
waYded. 1t makes tho recipient an
honorary citizen. 1t may be awarded Q
countryman or u stranger.
The engagement ring is supposed to
be of 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 fire.
quently exchanged by lovers in ancient
times 1t 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 tho
fifteenth century, but were not employed
in England until the middle Of the
seventeen century then only by the
higher classes. As late rs the eighteenth
century, forks, as well as knives, were
kept on so meager scale by country
iuns in Scotland that it was customary
for persons travelling to carry with them
knife and fork In shagreeu case,
and small knife and fork still forms
part Of tho ornamental equipment in tho
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 u stone wall into passage
and cell. The state dungeons were
sunk into the thick walls Of the palace,
and the prisoners when taken out to die
were conducted across he gallery to the
other side, upon the bridge, and were
there stranglcd The low portal through
which tho criminal was taken into the
cell is now walled up, but the passage
is open, and is still known by the name
of tho Bridge of Signs"
The origin of the cant name, "Uncle
SAM" was as follows Immediately after
the declaration of war with England,
Ebert Anderson, of New York, then
contractor, visited Troy, where was con-
centrated, and where hepurchased, q
large quantity of provisions-besf, pork,
etc. The inspectors of these articles ct
that place were Messrs. Ebenezer and
Samuel Wilson. The latter gentleman
Invariably known as "Uncle SAM gen.
orally superintendent, in person, large
number of workmen, who, on this occa-
sion, were employed in overhauling the
provisions purchased by the contractor
for the army. The casks were marked
"E Al. s." The work fell to the
lot of facetious fellow in the employ OF
the Messrs. Wilson, who, on being asked
by some of his workmen the
meaning of tho mark (for the letters U.
S., for United States, were then almost
entirely new to them, said ." He did not
know, unless il meant Ebert Anderson
and Uncle San" --alluding exclusively,
IiltI, UD tllt bUill OubiC kDthl p" hpohs
The joke took among the workmen, and
passed currently and "Uncle Sam"
himself being present was occasionally
rallied by them on the increasing extent
of his possessions. Many OF these work.
mea being of character denominated
"food for powder" were found shortly
after following the recruiting drum, and
pushing toward the frontier lines
for the double purpose OF meeting the
enemy and OF eating the provisions they
had lately labored to put in good order.
Their old jokes accompanied them, and
before the first campaign ended this
identical one first appeared in print ; it
gained favor rapidly, till it penetrated
and was recognized in every part OF the
country, and will, no doubt, continue no
while the United States remains nation.