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"The children of the Male and Female Foundling Hospital who thronged the windows overlooking the scene were delighted with this unexpected addition to the day's entertainment" (U12.547) From the same era, a PC showing a 'Happy group of our Girls' from the orphanage of Clacton-on-Sea (Essex, England). |
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"and a word of praise is due to the Little Sisters of the Poor for their excellent idea of affording the poor fatherless and motherless children a genuinely instructive treat." U12.549) |
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"The viceregal houseparty which included many wellknown ladies was chaperoned by Their Excellencies" (U12.551) |
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"to the most favourable positions on the grand stand while the picturesque foreign delegation known as the Friends of the Emerald Isle was accommodated on a tribune directly opposite. The delegation, present in full force, consisted of Commendatore Bacibaci Beninobenone (the semiparalysed doyen of the party who had to be assisted to his seat by the aid of a powerful steam crane)," (U12.553) |
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"An animated altercation (in which all took part) ensued among the F.O.T.E.I. as to whether the eighth or the ninth of March was the correct date of the birth of Ireland's patron saint." (U12.572) The exact date of birth of S. Patrick (real name Maewyn Succat) is unknown. He was born 387-390 in Scotland. He died in Co. Down around 461-464. There is some certainty that the day of his death was March 17, commemorated as S. Patrick's Day. |
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"In the course of the argument cannonballs, scimitars, boomerangs, blunderbusses, stinkpots, meatchoppers, umbrellas, catapults, knuckledusters, sandbags, lumps of pig iron were resorted to and blows were freely exchanged." (U12.574) |
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"The baby policeman, Constable MacFadden, summoned by special courier from Booterstown, quickly restored order and with lightning promptitude proposed the seventeenth of the month as a solution equally honourable for both contending parties. The readywitted ninefooter's suggestion at once appealed to all and was unanimously accepted. Constable MacFadden was heartily congratulated by all the F.O.T.E.I., several of whom were bleeding profusely." (U12.577) |
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"Quietly, unassumingly, Rumbold stepped on to the scaffold in faultless morning dress and wearing his favourite flower, the Gladiolus Cruentus. He announced his presence by that gentle Rumboldian cough which so many have tried (unsuccessfully) to imitate - short, painstaking yet withal so characteristic of the man." (U12.592) |
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"As he awaited the fatal signal he tested the edge of his horrible weapon by honing it upon his brawny forearm" (U12.614) |
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"or decapitated in rapid succession a flock of sheep which had been provided by the admirers of his fell but necessary office." (U12.616) |
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"On a handsome mahogany table near him were neatly arranged the quartering knife, the various finely tempered disembowelling appliances (specially supplied by the worldfamous firm of cutlers, Messrs John Round and Sons, Sheffield), a terracotta saucepan for the reception of the duodenum, colon, blind intestine and appendix etc when successfully extracted" (U12.618) |
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"and two commodious milkjugs destined to receive the most precious blood of the most precious victim. The housesteward of the amalgamated cats' and dogs' home was in attendance to convey these vessels when replenished to that beneficent institution." (U12.623) |
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"that she would never forget her hero boy who went to his death with a song on his lips as if he were but going to a hurling match in Clonturk park." (U14.644) Hurling is an outdoor team sport and one of Ireland's native Gaelic Games, promoted by the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is played with a wooden axe-shaped stick called a hurley, and a ball. It shares a number of features with Gaelic football, such as the field and goals, number of players, and much terminology. There is a similar game for women called camogie. This photo shows an Irish hurling team in the 1920s (including J.J. Glavin in the middle). |
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"She brought back to his recollection the happy days of blissful childhood together on the banks of Anna Liffey when they had indulged in the innocent pastimes of the young and, oblivious of the dreadful present, they both laughed heartily, all the spectators, including the venerable pastor, joining in the general merriment." (U12.646) |
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"That monster audience simply rocked with delight." (U12.650) |