1912, 1797
A perfect illustration of "The Immaculate Failure" ("The Captive Bride", page 160), from Captain Scott’s diary, this day in 1912:
"It is
wonderful to think that two long marches would land us at the Pole. We left our
depot today with nine days’ provisions, so that it ought to be a certain thing
now, and the only appalling possibility is the sight of the Norwegian flag
forestalling ours. Little Bowers continues his indefatigable efforts to get
good sights, and it is wonderful how he works them up in his sleeping-bag in
our congested tent. (Minimum for night -27.5o) Only 27 miles from
the Pole. We ought to do it now."
More on this tale on March 17, and a hint of it in Shackleton's tale on Jan 5.
As to "Little Bowers": Lieutenant Henry Robertson “Birdie”
Bowers; he
undertook most of the depot-laying as preparation for the south pole attempt, but wasn’t meant to be on the actual expedition. He was
included at the last moment when one of the team chickened out, and accompanied
the Polar Party by leading a pony called Victor which was pulling a sledge. He
made it to the Pole, but died on the way back, aged just 29. Full story and
lots of photos here
1797
The text in the illustration, in case you can't read it, says:
The text in the illustration, in case you can't read it, says:
Jan 15th. John Hetherington, haberdasher, returned from Paris this morning, sporting the latest fashion there: a top-hat. Displaying it outside his shop in the Strand, the crowds who gathered to see the curiosity became so unruly the police had to be called. Hetherington was arrested for inciting a riot.
On the same day, outside Rivoli, Napoléon wrapped up the defeat of the Austrian army under Baron Alvinczi. Napoléon wore a tricorn.
Amber pages:
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin born today in 1622, later known as the playwright Molière.
Alan Lomax, chronicler of the American folk-song, born today in 1915.
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