This is an interesting work: full of biographies of persons known and unknown; those currently in the minds of many, and others long forgotten.
Things that would hardly raise and eyebrow today, were strange then: to give two examples:
Great hight and size e.g. "Samuel M'Donald, better known in Scotland by the name of 'Big Sam,' from his immense bulk..,. Sam was six feet ten inches high, measured four feet round the chest, and was stout and muscular in proportion" (310).
Great age: "The celebrated Thomas Par or parr, was one of the oldest post-diluvians, of whom we have any authentic account. In the year 1635, John Taylor... published a phamphlet, entitied 'The Olde, Olde, Very Olde Man; or, the Age, and Long Life of Thomas Parr, the Sonne of John Parr, of Winnington, in the Parish of Alberbury, in the county of Salopp, (or Shropshire) who was born in the reign of king Edward the IVth, and is now living in the Strand, being aged 152 years and odd monthes...' " (91).
etc.
Unfortunately, a large part of the book -- 95 pages; from page 324 to 419-- is taken up by Napoleon's life and military exploits. He could have been left out entirely, and more stories of strange and interesting people could have taken his place.
Things that would hardly raise and eyebrow today, were strange then: to give two examples:
Great hight and size e.g. "Samuel M'Donald, better known in Scotland by the name of 'Big Sam,' from his immense bulk..,. Sam was six feet ten inches high, measured four feet round the chest, and was stout and muscular in proportion" (310).
Great age: "The celebrated Thomas Par or parr, was one of the oldest post-diluvians, of whom we have any authentic account. In the year 1635, John Taylor... published a phamphlet, entitied 'The Olde, Olde, Very Olde Man; or, the Age, and Long Life of Thomas Parr, the Sonne of John Parr, of Winnington, in the Parish of Alberbury, in the county of Salopp, (or Shropshire) who was born in the reign of king Edward the IVth, and is now living in the Strand, being aged 152 years and odd monthes...' " (91).
etc.
Unfortunately, a large part of the book -- 95 pages; from page 324 to 419-- is taken up by Napoleon's life and military exploits. He could have been left out entirely, and more stories of strange and interesting people could have taken his place.
I purchased my copy of this book from a seller the Pasadena City College Flea Market about a year ago. It was formerly owned by John F. Seyer. The Inscription on the title-page reads:
Emily b. Pierce
Compliments of the Author
Emily b. Pierce
Compliments of the Author