Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

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1579

The Miracle of Piso Livadi

Three fishermen let their tongues run away with them, and were left counting the cost.

On August 15th each year, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God, that is, the death of the Virgin Mary. One of the oldest churches in the world, the Panagia Ekatontapyliani on Paros, was involved in a remarkable series of events on this day in 1931.

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Picture: © tango7174, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 4.0.. Source.

1580

Mrs Bold’s Thunderclap

There comes a point in some relationships when words just aren’t enough.

In the gardens of the Rectory at Ullathorne, the ambitious Mr Slope, chaplain to the Bishop of Barchester, declares his ‘love’ for wealthy widow Mrs Bold.

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Picture: © David Wright, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1581

Mrs Clements

Mrs Clements of Durham is not a household name, but the product she invented is.

Mrs Clement’s innovative process for making hot mustard powder sparked welcome fresh business for farmers and potters in northeast England, and is the secret behind the famous Colman’s of Norwich - and their “bull’s head” logo.

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Picture: © Derek Voller, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1582

St Nicholas of the Cats

A very unusual monastery with some very unusual protectors.

When the Empress Helen founded the monastery of St Nicholas in the 4th century, she had no idea that this pleasant corner of Cyprus was plagued by venomous snakes.

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Picture: © Riannacone, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.. Source.

1583

‘Nimrod’

Edward Elgar suffered from depression, and ‘Nimrod’ is his token of thanks to the true friend who supported him through it.

By far the best-known of all Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’ is ‘Nimrod’, frequently played at Remembrance services and funerals. But the story behind it suggests that it was intended as music not of loss or parting, but of enduring friendship, and new hope.

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Picture: © Jeff Buck, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.

1584

No Dog Exchanges Bones with Another

How do we get the help of millions of people we don’t know? Only by trade.

For some people, ‘trade’ is synonymous with greed and selfishness but Scottish philosopher Adam Smith (1723-1790) did not think so. However greedy or selfish a businessman may be, if he wants to be successful he must spend at least a little time thinking of others, because no one is going to maintain him in comfort out of pity.

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Picture: © Dean Wissing, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.