Snippets that do not fit in elsewhere.

SIXTY YEARS AGO
No 47
From the Aylesbury News June 30 th 1888
A Girl, forced by her parents into a disagreable match with an old man, whom she detested, when the clergyman came to the part of the service where the bride is asked if she consents to take the bridegroom for her husband, said with great simplicity, “Oh, dear no, Sir; but you are the first person who has asked my opinion upon the affair”
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On Sunday evening a constable of Chesham entered a public house and offered to fight any man there. The amicable challenge was accepted, and the peace-officer, after receiving a right good thrashing, was compelled to acknowledge himself beaten, and was led home about midnight by two of his friends. The constable was on this occasion presented with so remarkable a pair of barnacles that he does not care to make his appearance among his neighbours. What are the local authorities about that they do not interfere in this matter, and at once punish and displace this sworn officer of the peace? If a churchrate warrant wanted signing, there would be no lack of parson-magistrates to perform this Christian act!
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During the night of Sunday week, one hundred young trees, the property of Mr Thomas Cross, were destroyed in a plantation in the parish of Haddenham and several gates on that gentleman’s estate have been thrown off their hinges. A reward has been offered for the detection of the offenders.
No 48
From the Aylesbury News July 7 th 1838
An Odd Mistake – A letter, addressed by our gracious young Queen to a lady of distinction in Ireland , and in her own hand writing, a short time back, was charged double postage, the words “The Queen” having been written on the envolope so illegibly as to bear the appearance of “Mrs. Quinn”
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How Does A Ship Resemble A Woman ? – Because man knows not the expense till he has got one; because they look best when well rigged; because their value depends on their age; because they are upright when in stays; because they bring news from abroad; because they wear caps and bonnets; because they are often abandoned; because they are often painted.
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Aylesbury Railway – The contractor for this line, Mr. J.R. Chapman, is under penalty to complete his undertaking by the 30 th of November next; and we understand that the works are now advancing with great rapidity ……….

AYLESBURY PETTY SESSIONS
Saturday – Before Mr. G. Butcher (in the chair), Mr. T. Gurney, Major Terry, and Mr. H. Wyatt.
Education Defaulter
John Baylis, Aylesbury, was summoned at the instance of Mr. J.N. Hodgkinson (school attendance officer for the Aylesbury Union) for neglecting to send his child regularly to school. The case had been adjourned from the previous week for the production of a medical certificate. Defendant was again represented by his wife, who informed the Bench that the House Surgeon at the Infirmary was willing to give them the facts of the case if applied to, but did not think a certificate necessary.
The Chairman advised the School Attendance Officer to get fuller particulars of such cases.
Mr. Hodgkinson pointed out that he had no authority for obtaining medical certificates, but that it was the parents’ duty to get them.
A nominal fine of 1s was inflicted.

Mischievous Haddenham
George Price and James Allen, of Haddenham were summoned for damaging certain mowing grass belonging to Mr. Pigott, to the value of 1s, on Sunday evening, June 19 th, a similar charge being preferred against them for damage to mowing grass to the same amount in a field belonging to Mr. Franklin.
Defendants did not appear.
Mr. Pigott deposed that the damage had been caused by defendants walking about the standing grass in his field at Scotsgrove Hill. He assesses the damage at 1s.
Alfred Ayres, gamekeeper, said that on Sunday Jun 19 th, about a quarter to six in the evening he saw Price and Allen in Mr Pigott’s field. He saw Price take his clothes off and get into the water for the purpose of cray-fishing, and Allen laid down by the side of the brook in the standing grass in order that he might not be seen. They were there about three-quarters of an hour. They afterwards went across the field through the mowing grass for about 300 yards, and afterwards got into Mr. Franklin’s field where there was also standing grass. Defendants broke down two fences in the fields. He met them at the hedge as they were coming out of Mr. Franklin’s field. He knew both of them well.
John Gale Franklin, son of Mr. Joseph Franklin, farmer, proved damage being done to his father’s mowing grass to the extent of 1s.
The Chairman said as neither of them had put in an appearance to answer the charges made against them they would be fined 10s 6d each in each case, or in default 14 days hard labour.
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1 st BUCKS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS
Inspection by Colonel Kingscote