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28 June 2017
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Greenock Advertiser
25 June 1850

Andrew Strathern, a little boy of apparently 10 years-of-age, was charged with theft by shipbreaking, aggravated by three previous convictions, in so far as, on the 13th ult., he entered the brig 'Arab' of Greenock, then lying at the Dry Dock in the West Harbour, by means of opening a sliding window, in the side of the round-house or deck-cabin, and took thence a ship's mariner's compass, an iron one-pound weight, an iron half-pound weight, 20 to thereby pounds' weight of iron nails, 14 or thereby pounds' weight of lead, and six or thereby pounds' weight of sewing twine. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and the case went to trial, when, after several witnesses were examined, the charge was fully proven, and the sheriff, after an impressive address, in which, after mentioning the previous warnings he had got, he said in this case the greatest mercy the court could award was to sentence the prisoner to the longest period which the law would allow; and he would therefore sentence him to 12 months' imprisonment in the general prison at Perth, where he would have the connection between him and his companions in guilt broken off, and where he would receive instruction, and a knowledge of the means of becoming a respectable member of society. But he intimated that if this warning did not prove sufficient to deter him from crime, he would be sent out of the country.

Ayrshire Express
27 June 1863
Caution to Ladies Taking 'Sweeties' to Church

On a Sunday forenoon, betwixt and the Whitsunday market, a young damsel entered a U P church situated not more than 99 miles from John Street, and in the usual manner dropped her donation into the plate. It was afterwards discovered, however, that, instead of a 'mite', she had inadvertently placed in the plate a conversation sweetie, bearing the appropriate inscription, 'Will you take me.'

Aberdeen Press and Journal
28 June 1948
Letter to the Editor

Sir – I am glad to see that the catering establishments of this country are at last making a move to promote cleanliness in the handling of food. Is there any chance of the shopkeepers taking any steps in the same direction? I am appalled at the way in which many bakers' and butchers' personnel handle their wares. Frequently I see corned beef (which is almost invariably eaten uncooked as it comes from the butcher) being handled with hands which are covered with blood from raw beef, and weighed on scales which have not been wiped after being used to weigh mince or other meat; equally bloody. Today I called in at a butcher's shop where the laundry boy was collecting soiled laundry, and saw a bundle of articles, which included at least one dirty shirt, lying on the counter within a few inches of a piece of beef! Surely such habits are inexcusable in a country which claims to be enlightened.
– Disgusted, Deeside

Banffshire Journal and General Advertiser
29 June 1847
Supposed Murder in Glasgow

On Sabbath morning the inhabitants of Main Street, Calton, were thrown into a state of consternation by an alarm of murder. It appears that Agnes Sutherland or Thomson, residing at 14 Main Street, a woman of intemperate habits, and who is said to have been labouring under delirium tremens for the last eight days, has been cohabiting with a sheriff-officer named Archibald Smith. About a quarter past three o'clock the neighbours were alarmed by the cries of murder from the unfortunate woman, who had her head out of the open window. Shortly afterwards one of the neighbours lifted her window and spoke to her, when she exclaimed, 'Will you no help me; see hoo he's kicking me.' Such scenes were not unusual, and the neighbours did not expect that the matter would end so seriously. About four o'clock Smith left the house, when the neighbour who had spoken over the window, alarmed by a heavy fall, entered the house, and found the unfortunate woman lying dead on the floor, the body being very much discoloured. Monday forenoon Smith was apprehended, and was committed to prison. The case is undergoing an investigation by Sheriff Bell.

Dundee Courier
2 July 1844
Singular Circumstance

On Saturday week a hive of bees belonging to Mr W Miller, Balloch, near Crieff, left their skep, and while holding in an eastern direction the whole of the bees hived upon the back of one Lewis Millar, who was in pursuit of them at the time. The man stood fast; and having no apparel upon him but his trousers and shirt, in this position he remained a considerable time, when a skep was procured and placed upon his back. Notwithstanding of all this, the man sustained little or no injury, with the exception of two stings while placing the skep upon his back. The whole of the bees were recovered.

The Scotsman
2 July 1928
A Dying Shetland Industry

Sir – The article in today's women's page is interesting, and it is sad to think this beautiful industry has fallen on evil times. Some years ago I met a lady who had lived for 32 years on one of the Shetland Isles, and from her I learned that the women who knit these exquisite lace shawls must keep their hands perfectly smooth, and 'would not even put a peat on the fire for fear of roughening them.' With the present vogue for evening shawls, I am sure if some leader of fashion took the matter up the industry would revive. A Shetland lace shawl mounted on shell pink chiffon would be a lovely wrap, and at the same time warm and light. – I am, &c. M D B.



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Diary 2
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Travel
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Memoir
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Poetry
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Monday 26 June

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