The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-25
YARNS OFAPASTC CENTURY
A Volume of Questionable Wonders
in BygOne Ages.
Recital of Days When Mermuids
We're Held in Respect and -.-ari-
ners Had Experiences with Sea
serpents why the Natives of
Greenland Never Wore Boards.

To know what incredible and ridiculous
things were believed in England a century
and quarter ago concerning the strange
countries Of the globe. one should read
some Of the "compendiums" and histo les
that we're published In London about that
time. One OF the most curious Of these is
a book owned by c. NJ. Hines, 3Ol4 Durham
Avenue, which was written about the time
Of the American Revolution. This book IS
called a New Geographical. Historical,
and Commercial Grammar, and Present
State OF the Several Kingdoms OF the
World" Il was written by one William
Guthrie. and. in 1888, had run into its
eleventh edition. In this very popular
book Of information the author solemnly
expresses his belief in such things as mer-
maids and sea serpents, and takes pains to
relate the experiences Of men who have
met and seen all manner Of strange beasts.
The first owner Of the book seems TO
have been James Whiteside. The fly leaves
Of the book served the purpose Of family
record and James Whlteside's name is the
fret in the book. He was born in 1892 and
died in 1890. His death happened only two
years after the book was published. The
next owner was William Whiteside born
1852. The date of his death is torn from
the book. Davis Whiteside was born in
1909 and Levi Whteside in 1911.
Ancient Seismic shocks.
On one of the fly leaves these records are
made Of earthquakes:
December II, 1911, the earth shuck"
January 90, 1912. the earth shuck"
February Z, 1872, the earth shuck."
The hands that wrote these records also
"shuck," for the words are hard to de-
cipher.
Mr.. Hines picked up the book from
heap OF discarded volumes which he found
several years ago in an alley.
The following extracts are given from an
amusing description of Greenland:
The natives seldom have any boards be-
cause it is their constapt practice to root
them out. They are good -humored and !
lnconcerned about futui1ty. Their drink is /
pure water. There are several kinds of !
whales in Greenland. some white and some |
black. The black 4 IN most esteem. His !
tongue is about eighteen feet long. en-
closed in long pieces of what we call whale
bone As to the bones OF his body they are
as hard as an Ox's bones and of no use.
He is very thick about the head, but grows
ess from thence to the tail"
Describing the animals Of Norway, the
.uthor says: The bears are strong and
,agacious; they are remarkable for not !
Iurting children; they are hunted by little
logs, and some prefer bear hams to those
4 Westphalia The wolves though fierce.
re shy, even Of a COW or goat The lynx
S smaller than the wolf but as dangerous;
hey are of the cat kind and have claws
Ike tigers they dig Underground and often
undermine sheepiolds. where they make
readful havoc. Foxes are found in Nor
-ay. They have a particular way Of draw
lg crabs ashore by dipping their tails in
be water. which the crab lays hold Of
he glutton, or erwin, resembles a turnspir {
OF. His fur is so precious that he is SHOT :
18th blunt arrows to preserve the skin IN
urt. He is bold and so rayenous that it is I
aid he will devour carcass larger than q
imself and unburthens his stomach by ]
Iueezing himself between two close-stand- S
* trees; when taken he has even been !
nown to eat stone and mortar. The fish
lyle subsists on aquatic food and some