Thursday, May 26, 2005

100 years ago

Professor Hubert, the eminent phrenologist and psychologist, delivered to a very large audience in the Central Hall of the Exhibition Buildings, a lecture entitled "How to read men and women at a glance." Health, occupation, and marriage were the chief topics of discussion. After giving some indication of the principles of phrenology, which he claimed to be the grandest and sublimest of mental science, the speaker drew the outline of a head on a blackboard, and proceeding from immediately above the nose, went round the head, marking off in succession the different traits of character which the type of head denoted. As a practical lesson two ladies and two gentlemen stepped onto the platform and were phrenologically delineated. The results of the examinations were pronounced aloud by the Professor, and the "subjects" testified to the readings being precise.

50 years ago

Making things at home was becoming an increasingly popular hobby, perhaps thanks to the lead the Women's Institutes had given in organising handicraft classes in villages throughout the country. People whose favourite hobby was the making of lampshades would welcome the latest book on the craft, written by the Hon. County Handicrafts secretary, for the Yorkshire Federation of W.I.s. Miss M R Griffiths, of Scarborough. Miss Griffiths gave an exhaustive and admirably graphic view of the subject. A beginner at the craft would find her instructions clear and easy to follow, but the book also contained valuable advice and directions for the more advanced designs of lampshades. It included an examination of the different types of frames and fittings, the various materials and shapes of the shades and some ingenious provisions for the lamp bases. Miss Griffith, who was a member of the County Executive Committee for the W.I. National Federation, was obviously a master of her subject, and knew how to capture the interest of her readers. "The Lampshade Book" published by Messrs G Bell and Sons, Ltd, cost 8s 6d.

25 years ago

The National Railway Museum in York had its seven millionth visitor. The museum - which opened in September 1975 -had attracted nearly 20,000 people the previous day. "This is a further vindication of the decision to move the museum out of London," said the assistant keeper, Peter Semmens, "We are delighted that the museum is continuing to be so popular. Clearly, the location in York is a good thing for everybody". The total number of visitors over the three-day holiday period was about 35,000 - 5,197 on Saturday, 10,230 on Sunday, and 19,967 on Monday. Admission was free. York Tourist Information Centre reported an exceptionally busy bank holiday weekend. Staff dealt with 927 enquiries on Saturday, over 300 more than on the same day the previous year and 791 on Monday compared with 398 previously.

Updated: 09:06 Thursday, May 26, 2005