davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23

l.. The contest ia strictly for
amateur photographers residing in
the Washington trading area; Anne
Arundel, Calvert. CHARLES. Frederick,
howard, MONTGOMERY, Prince Georges
ara 81 MAr g Counties ri marSs a
quier. Loudoun, Prince william,
Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland
Counties In Virginia and Jefferson
County in West Virginia. Anyone 10
eligible excepting employees Of The
stat 81 or, or EN-. s;mploye: Of any Newspaper
tional Snapshot Awards, employees
Of the sponsors and their families.
and individuals who, personally, or
any members OF whose families are
engaged in the manufacture, sale,
commercial finishing. or professional
use Of photographs goods.
2. Pictures that have been made
after July i, 1862, are eligible. The
lO-week contest ends at midnight
July "a. 1868.
8. Blaek-and-white snapshots may
be made from any brand of negative
type black-and-white film. but not
from color transparencies. Color
brand. Of color film. Color prints
may pc made from any brand OF
color film. Any make Of camera may
be used. No print, enlargement or
transparency more than 10 inches
In the longer dimension will be ae-
permitted on prints or on the mega
tives from which they are made or
on transparencies. No composite
pictures, such as multiple printing
or montages are eligible. Except for
transparencies, which may be in
cardboard mounts, pictures should
not be mounted or framed.
4. To enter the contest, mail as
many prints or transparencles as you
desire, within the contest dates,
70 The Stars Amateur Snapshot
Contest Editor" On the back Of
each picture, print your name and
ssddr ss,. clearly S, In INK; and the class
entered. Csee classes.) Print the
same information on the cardboard
mount OF your color transparencies.
s. No hlaek-and-vhite or color
prints will be returned. Do not sub
NIT negatives with your prints. II
you include q stamped. self-ad-
dressed envelope with your color
made TO return them. but safe re-
turn is not guaranteed. Keep negs-
tives Of color or black-and-white
Prints sn Until requested 0Gt.s b ses Ana
cies accepted.J The star and the
sponsors OF the Newspaper National
Snapshot Awards assume no respon-
sibility for negatives. prints or
transparencies.
8. At the close OF the contest.
The Star will award grand prizes TO
the eight pictures tone In each
elass) chosen by It's Judges as the
best entered IN Its contest. These
eight winners then will be entered
National Snapshot sI l Awards. s"' RheSs
they will compete with entries from
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
ENEDFRj

The design by B. N. Ayubi
Of Willemst d, Curacao,
stressing the peaceful way in
which many races and creeds
have lived together in the
islands, was printed in offset
photolithography by Ems
chede and Sons Of HARLEM.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23

Cobb and Martin H. Miller
were the judges.
Following the banquet,
DR.. and Mrs. Henry L. Darner
presented a program Of slides
on the Netherlands.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
PHILATELIc NEWS
Booklet Stamps Get
ZIP Code Slogan
BY BELMONT FAIRIES
Star stamp Editor

Booklet stamps are being
printed with a new slogan
promoting the Post Office
Departments ZIP Code pro-
gram.
The Bureau Of Engraving
and Printing last week be-
gan shipping booklets with
one position on each page
filled with this message:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
RARE COINS
WANTED BY
Woodward q Lofhrop

We ore consistently In the market TO
pvrehoss rors coins ohd popsr money
needed In our stock and We will poy
YOU top prices for either single coins
or entire collections. Bring or send
your coins and currency 10 The coin
Department Tor our inspection and
high Gosh oHs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23

Luxembourg will mark
the tenth anniversary Of
the European Convention
on Human Rights with
this blue and gold ESQ
franc stamp to be issued
Tuesday.
sixth position on each pane
has carried this message:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
STAMP AND COIN
CLUB MEETINGS
MONDAY

MONDAf
HyattsviIl e-River-
dale Stamp Club, 8 pm,
Town Hall, 4718 Queensbury
road, Riverdale, Md. Z
FOrestviIle Coin Club, 1880
pm, hospitality room, Penn
Mar Shopping Center. Penn
sylvania avenue extended.
Auction.
WEDNESDAY
Washington Philatelic
Society, z pm, Arts Club.
20l7 I street NV. Garden
dinner. Reservations must be
made by tonight with Secre-
tary Helen Demond.
Alexandria Coin Club, 7::30
pm, Recreation Hall, Cam
eron and Harvard streets,
Alexandria, Va.
THURSDAY
Silver Spring Philatelic
Society, 8 pm, Citizen s
Building and Loan ASsocia-
ton. Fenton street and Per-
shing drive, Silver Spring.
Election of officers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
CNNEMAcNE TRAyERsANT lANDoRRE ss5s1S5SS5S775za7z

This stamp picturing CharIemagne crossing
AndOrra is one of three issued yesterday by
France for use in the tiny republic in the
Pyrennes which is under the joint Suzerainty
of the President of France and the Spanish
Bishop of Urgel.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
HOW TO FIND
RARE COINS

n o volvebls coin wos mixed In with
your smoll ehonss, would you be
obls 10 rseoeniIs ~ Don't LOT tho
big ones slip through your hond'
Leon how 10 spot volVsbIs coin, ond
dsisrmlns how much they ore worh,
Reed 80.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-23
RECORD REVIEW ts ARR
Philadelphia Brilliant
InNew' Shostokovich

one Of Jean-Marie Leclair's
plaintive trios.
Evening star., 1963-02-13
Anti-Nuzi Pruys
And Bomb Falls

the factory, she said that for
this luxury they would have
to stop the conveyor belt.
The factory was hidden
in the woods, north Of Dor
stem. The American 9th Air
Force bombers took on the
assignment Of erasing the
factory. They used to come
in near sundown, across the
Netherlands to Nijmegen,
over Bocholt to Dorsten.
They sent big flakes Of black
snow tumblng downward to
Dorsten and the town was
blown UP many times. But
the factory was never in
danger.
It had been built in the
center Of the woods, q low,
half-buried building Of heavy
concrete. On top Of 1t, real
pines and oaks were growing.
1t looked no different from
all the hunting preserves in
the area. Not even a road
leading to it was permitted
to show from above. On the
other side Of Dorsten was q
prison. In 1t were German
soldiers and officers awaiting
court-martial. Each had
committed the same offense:
Home on leave. he had re-
fused to return to the front,
saying that he had had
enough Of war"
Mrs. Rook knew about the
prison. She knew about lots
Of things. She even knew
Evening star., 1963-02-13
jim BISHOP
An untold story

An untold story :.
1914 was q hot summer
along the Rhine. In the
country where the Wesel
joins the Rhine. the fields
were talcum dry and the
leaves Of the trees hung their
heads. At Dorsten. the
women crossed the bridge in
groups, on their way to the
bomb factory. They worked
hard. They worked long
hours. They worked for
their fatherland. as women
in other countries worked for
theirs.
Katherine Rook was q
forelady. She was short,
strong and found time to
bring up five children, pray
for q husband on the Russian
front, and work in the bomb
factory. She also had muscles
in her tongue. She talked
against the Nazi Party and
had been warned. She ar
gued that she worked for
Deutschland, not the party.
SHE WAS TOLD to keep
her opinions to herself. Mrs.
Rook was not punished be-
cause she was a good fore
lady. Her girls fused every
thing from hand grenades to
big bombs on conveyor belts.
Her production rate was high.
When the Nazi bosses COM
planned that she and her girls
did not salute and yell Hell
Hitler" when they entered
Evening star., 1963-02-13
WORLD ECHOES
North American Newspaper Alliance

Odd items from the world
press:
1T NOW COSTS 50 a min
ute to obstruct public buses
In Paris. The busdriver has
the right to pass out fines to
trucks or private cars that
park double or otherwise
paralyze traffic so that bus
Evening star., 1963-02-13
FAMOUS FABLES
BY e. Z. EDGAR

TOTAL: Leo Durocher was
q weak hitter when he made
his debut with the New York
Yankees. Mana ger Miller
Higgins took him in hand,
but the new shortstop showed
little improvement.
One afternoon, when Duro-
cher was taking batting prac-
tice, a reporter asked Hug
gins:
What do you expect your
new boy to hit this season?"
about AGO." said Higgins.
"That 1900 with his left
hand and 200 with his
right"
TIME: Hum orist Ring
Lardner did not feel at home
writing for the theater. When
the play June Moon," which
he had co-authored, was in
rehearsal, he was pessimistic
about its prospects.
One day, during O con-
ference. the director said:
"The second act isn't right.
Wen have to let the curtain
down to show that a weeks
time has elapsed. But how
will we let the audience know
we have that in mind?"
WELL" suggested Lardner
glumly, I'VE could leave the
curtain down for seven days. !"
Evening star., 1963-02-13

ray, proctoscopic examina-
ton investigation of lower
bowel through a lighted tube)
and study Of the stools for
organisms.
So -
For Mrs. D. (You say, MY
doctor is an excellent one
but he is very close-mouthed
about everything. In my four
years experience with him I
have never been able to get
a comment out of him about
anything. This troubles me-
and many Of my friends who
go to him. What shall I do?
AS THE MAN SAID, there
are many fish In the seal
There are all types of doc
tors. If you don't like the
close-mouthed, there's al
ways the other kind (who
may be just as good.
Bell Syndicate Featured
DR.. Steincrohn'S Iedtlet,
Practical Information for
Shingles Patients" tDiH be
mailed on receipt OF a
stamped, self : addressed en-
Uelope and 10 cents In coin
for handling. Address DR..
Steincrohn In care of The
EUening Star.
Tomorrow: Bottle Boby"
Evening star., 1963-02-13

that the Americans were
broadcasting warnings TO
German civilians to. evacuate
certain areas within certain
hours. To hear 1t. one tuned
in the British BroadcaSting
Company with q blanket over
the radio and over the head.
To deceive the Luftwaffe, the
warnings would be to several
towns far apart: Wiesbaden,
Muhlhausen, Dorsten, Co
blenz and Magdeburg.
Only one was to be raided,
but the citizens Of all were
requested to remain out Of
their respective cities be-
tween the hours Of. say. 5
pm. and 8 pm.
In August, 1914, the Ameri-
cans tried again, and failed
to find the factory. However.
the first wave plastered the
prison and 1t burst into
flame. The Nazf guards came
running out. They left the
soldiers locked in their cages.
The men inside began to
scream. Mrs. Rook stopped
an officer. '"The keyl" she
yelled. "The key! At least let
them outI"
THE OFFICER pushed her
aside. mo-" he said. "Let
them die. In the morning,
they will all be good SOL
diers." She stood and
watched, wringing her hands
and praying. AS the 800 Nazi
guards ran toward the bridge,
she yelled: II hope God pun
ishes you as you punish
them!"
She had hardly finished the
sentence when the second
wave Of bombers arrived, and
a big bomb landed among the
guards. She saw their bodies
turn end over end In the ris-
ing cloud Of dust. God for
give me-" she moaned. II
did this. I caused this. God
forgive me-"
King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Evening star., 1963-02-13

Dear DR.. Steincrohn: My
problem is this: I have q
lump in my left breast. When
I told my nom she said that
I must have bruised 1t and
not to worry. What should
I dop It's now the size Of
a jack ball. Can 1t be cancerp
I'm awfully worried but she
won't send me to our doctor.
What woud you do?-Miss B
Gage 20).
YOUR MOTHER Is playing
q dangerous guessing game
when she takes 1t upon her
self to rule out the possibility
Of a serious growth. It may
not be cancerous, but re-
member that 1t may. Every
day lost is like surrendering
your ammunition to the
enemy instead Of taking
steps to overcome him. My
adviceP Show this column to
your mother. If she still
pooh-poohs the idea, better
take 1t upon yourself to see
your doctor whether she
agrees or not.
Although you still call
your mother "Mom," don't
forget that you're 20 and It's
about time you learned to
protect your life - II you
want to survive.
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: Two
years ago I was stung by q
wasp and my cheek was bad
ly swollen. A month ago I
was stung on my right hand.
Within 48 hours 1t swelled
to twice its normal size. Ten
days ago I was stung on the
finger through q heavy can
vas work glove. Still my
hand began to swell. My
doctor gave me an antiteta-
nus shot and told me to
keep away from wasps' nests
and added, "They can kill
you, you know"
I am 66, quite active. !
work in the yard every day.
The wasp nests are small and
Of the same color as the
twigs to which they are at
tached. Shall I sit in the
house and twiddle my
thumbs or risk more stings?
Isn't there an injection I can
take to build UP some sort
of immunity? Thank you, in
deed.-Mr. P.
I'D STAY AWAY even II
I had to twiddle my thumbs
for q while. AS your doctor
said, there Is the possibility
of q serious reaction to the
next bite. There is q method
of desensitization with bee
venom. If your doctor isn't
acquainted with 1t, an aller-
gist will give you the in
jectionS to build UP your i'm
munity. Meanwhile, I don't
think you should venture
out in your yard without
having in your pocket an
adrenalin- like drug which
you can dissolve under your
tongue II stung. 1t may save
you from a severe reaction
while others get medical help
for you.a
For Mrs. T.: "A high blood
sedimentation rate indicates
that there is some inflam-
nation or tissue degenera-
ton somewhere In the body.
The trouble may or may not
be serious depending upon
the cause. In many persons
no ether reason can be found
than arthritis.
For Miss M: Any diarrhea
which lasts two years de-
serves more than a diagnosis
Of nervous diarrhea. A good
idea is to have a complete
CT series. barium enema X
Evening star., 1963-02-13

a routine checkup at Tour
Going. police discovered that
Dierick had never had q
driving license Of any kind.
A license is too expensive"
said Dierick. i've driven
much more carefully with
out one than I would with
one"
(Nouvelle Gazette, Brussels)
Evening star., 1963-02-13

schedules are disrupted. Oe
Parisien, Paris.)
FOR IL YEARS Arthur
Dierick has driven every
type of heavy truck In Bel
gium and France without
an accident. His employers
have given him medals for
perfect driving. But during
Evening star., 1963-02-13
STOP KILLING YOURSELF
Cancer Doubt?
Consult Doctor

: BY DR.. PETER J. STEINcRoHN
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
248-5SOO
LANGLEY REALTY

BALTIC. PKWY. AREA = Assume
huge loanl This 3-bedrm. rambler
eye-eatching pan. rec, rm. W.
BARI, "a baths and pan. den Cor
~ bedImo Only S17.99O. Call
n No,,l k,;ol,v,.o A.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

BELTsVILLE- Real show place. 4.
bedrm.. 2-bath home with den,
only 0 yrs. old, lot So BY 900
It.. guest house furnished on rear
Of lot. rents for 500 per mo-.
2 swimming. pools, one 10 By 80
r.. children's pool. Q By ~ r..
$1,000 On.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

Continued on Next PaseS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
room, e.bath Cape Cod, spacious
iiv, rm, wIfireplace, huge kit. "
eating area, lovely lot with mani
trees, immhculale eonda io'bn,,,,
Q-QnOO. neaitof
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

SILVER SPRING, mr.. NoI,--4-bed
rm. split level with marble en-,
trance foyer. . baths, lac, liv
Im. With cathedral ceiling and IN
direct lighting. formal size dinlnl
raised hearth fifepi.. equip. kit
with breakfast area. disposal
dishwasher.. etc. Complete bsmt
with outside entrance, Carpeted
cir conditioned throughout, S3b,
800. Many, many extras. fnapec
ton BY appt; 022.23pg.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
ANDREWS AREA
YAupouvp rarArra
tcoNTlNUEol

Westchester Estates = Brick split.
level 3 bedrms., din. rn., beauti-
full rec. rm., bsmt., 2h baths
practically new. S26. $50.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

ROGERS HEIdHTs-RIvERDALE
Only Sl2,950 with best terms for
this immaculate Late, bungaioE ], has h.
y,, Ppeo nar, , ioyen XII; ip,I osm ni
ousied front porch. off-street park
ina plus other fine features,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
REARROOR AcREa

Spacious brick rambler on large
corner lot with 3 bedrms., y
baths. handsomely equipped kit,
separate din. rm.. large liv. rm,
with firepl., spacious rec. rm. and
q dark rm. too. Save and buy
VA nothing dn. or easy FHA
terms.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
HOUSES FOR SALE-MD.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY

800 FLOWER AVE, near Piney
rms. incl. 2 kit, tiled bath. Ice
attic, plus effic apt, rented at
$50 mo. hot-water oil heat, slate
roof, corner loo, Rio coming,
open Sun. . TO 5. SlS,950, terms,
MR.. GATES. VIII o-l31a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
HOUSES FOR SALE-MD.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY

ANDREWS HILLS
Open / to Dark
3-bedrm, brk, rsmblers. alk-out
bsmts, cow, locations. DIR
Out Branch ave. Rte. 81 to Al
lentown I'd, right to Loeb Raven
ANDREWS Hills SubdiviSionJ fol-
Low signs. RE. 6-9080.
Andy Moore, Realtor
MOORE q MOORE REAL ESTATE
ANDREWS, WILSON BRIDGE,
TEMPLE HILLS
any area Of your choice
4,g50-New 3-bedrm., bsmt. brk.
and alum rambler.
Sl6,000-CLINTON 3-bedrm. Cape
God and extra large corner lot,
SlB,900-l-yr. -old 3-bedrm. bsmt,
rambler off ForeStyille, Richie.
I'd,
sl7. 9sO-District Heights. You
can't top this 4-bedrm. bsmt, sep.
din. rm;, all-brick Cape Cod. Large
fenced lot
S26.95O-FoREST HEIGHTS, large
s-rm. brk. Colonial. suitable for
l or 2 families. 3 baths, 2-car
garage RE $4,000.
Andy Moore, Realtor
MOORE & MOORE REAL ESTATE
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
SPENCER

GA. 4-bibi WI. s-a0as
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES rs
On, 81, $3.50 On. TiiA, . bedLms
sjhtt,Isg.gl7,F IA y SMITH assTps, R''l'0r
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
S12.250

Close-in Wheaton-3 bedrms., plus
den, COUNTRY KITCHEN, full
bsmt, LOW DIN. PAYMENT, VA
nothing down. 049-2S60. Realtor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

down OF with 500 dowr
FLA for this 3-bedrm. rambler
with full daylight bsmt.. finished
rec. rm. with firepl.. Y acre leye
fenced lot with off-street pairing
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

RoCKyHLE-BETHEsDA AREA
split foyer, 4 bedrms., ] y baths
kit. with table space, living rm'
dining area, rec. rm. osm at,
wooded lot, cedar fence. Neal
Eiern. school. BY OWNER. S22'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
WOODSIDE FOREST
lO7O5 st. Margarets Way
OPEN / TO DARK
o. D. Field, Inc.

Ju. s-l175 Realtors JU. S-7ils
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
iELTsvILLE. s22.5O0-Bis s-6ed.
LANGLEY REALTY

BELTsvILLE AREA-3 and 4 bed
rm. brick ramblers, sep. dining
rm.. large lot. close 70 all schools,
Also, 5-bedrm. Cape Cod on large
lot. Helton Realty Co.. 474-2343
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
BOGLEY co.
ROCKVILLE, MD.-3 bedTms' IF

iiv' rm' open firspi, sep. din,
rm. porch. mod: Eit. w TIor,s ~ MiH
Navy Hospital, Acc, and schools.
Near shop, ctr, and bus; Ase 1ns
RT ,SssvS slP; a. phone ow 20 Hs;.s6ss
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

VESTA REAL ESTATE
Redwood 8-2OlO
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21
c. paul hickman, inc.
REAITIFIlI- 1-hedrnn o-hath hos

BEAUTIFUL 4-bedrm., 2-bath home
with finished rec. rm., sep. din.
rms eating area in kitchen, OPEN
ing onto patio IN fenced yard.
600 BY owner. 7407 Harwood rd.,
Distriet Heights. Nd. 735-7903.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

Open Sunday go or BY appointment
SILVER SPRING, r o EMAR y
HILLS-Prize winning contmry.,
3 bedrms., 2 baths, liv. rm., din.
area, kit. on one level: expand.
daylight bsmt.. mr.. Methodist,
Catholic. Jewish churches, Elem,
s o%SER 'sGR OS Ssn: 49, s pssa By By
rectionS: out 10th 81. h East
West hwy. left 70 sundale right
70 Richland ST.. left one blk. 70
Richard pi, left 10 22O9.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-21

ROCKVILLE-4 bedrms,, Cape Cod
esrport tile walE;C y1I,v ei m dii 5e.
washer. disposal. siasopoV' Fn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-13
Spanish CiviIWu
In q Novel of
Some BunuIity

INTERIOR EXILE. A novel
by Miguel de Salabert.
Translated from the French
by Renaud Bruce and Her.
ma Briffault. (Simon g.
Schuster; $4.500
Interior Exile" is a novel
first published in French in
1851 by a 32-year-old Span
lard now living in Paris. The
author says the book is mot
so much photographed as
photographed. 1t is the
story Of a boy living through
the horrors Of the Spanish
civil war, mistreated by
practically everybody, moth
er, brother, soldiers, priests,
and employer. Things get
better for the hero when he
. arrives, self-taught, at the
university after the war. but
6 not for the reader, for the
banal tale lacks any arTeSting
or engaging characters, and
the prose style, through the
fault, perhaps, of the trans
lators, founders under I'M
idiomatic expressions and
cliches.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-13
BOOKS IN REVIEW
A New LorouSse:
On Ancient History
By DAY THORPE
Star Book Critie

LAROUSsE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL
HISTORY Marcel Dunan editor. Foreword by Arnold
Toynbee. Translated from the French by Deano Ames
and Godfrey Sainsbury. Harper Row; $3.50 before
December 81: $40 thereafterO
In 1849, 32-year-od scholar Pierre LarouSse, pub
hshed his first ddactc book IAN Elementary photographed
Grammar and started his the last Of the great
institutions Of reference and instruction He
tnued with large number books in many erudte fields
and in 1876 the year after his death there appeared in
volumes the great Larouse du XIXe Steele the first
example of a combination Of unabridged dictionary and
encyclopedia Thereafter the publishing house of
efoated into Of the worlds notable producers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-13
Some Famous Women
Seen by Boccoccio

having no interest in finding
Christian truths in the works
Of the ancients: for him the
myths of the pre- Christian
world are on a par with Holy
Writ as teachers of man
kind.
On one hand he seemed to
believe that the stories he
tells are actually true, that
gods and goddesSes really lived
at one time; on the other
he takes great pleasure in
saying that saints are frauds,
created to impose upon the
credulence Of simple people.
His theory that saints are
man-made just as are gods
he illustrates with his in
variable good humor and easy
mockery in his story of Flora,
the Roman prostitute. Flora
must have been more prop
erly a courtesan, for when
she died she left a large for
tune, part of which was to be
used for lavish public games
to be held annually in her
honor. After some time"
says Boccaccio, the Senate,
knowing the origin of these
games and being ashamed
that the city which was al
ready mistress of the world
should be branded by this
foul blot and that the whole
city rushed to praise a pros
titute, and knowing that it
could not easily wipe this out,
in order to hide their ignom-
my and disgrace added to it
a detestable but droll fiction.
A story was invented in honor
Of Flora, the glorious tesla
trix, and it was recited to the
people who did not yet know
it. :" The story was that
the wind-god Zephyrus, in
love with a mortal maiden,
changed her into a goddess
and as a wedding gift put her
in charge of adjoining trees,
hills, and meadows with
flowers. 1.-THE people were
misled, by this deception"
concludes Boccaccio, land
Flora, who while she was
alive had dwelt in brothelS
and had prostituted herself
for even the smallest fee, was
thought to sit with Queen
Juno and the other goddesses,
as if zephyrus had brought
her to heaven on his wings"