KING ALBERT'S BOOK

Today is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I, and we pause to quietly honor all those who were affected by this tragedy that continued for four years.

Countries and their citizens responded to this war in different ways. Belgium refused to let the German Kaiser go through their country in order to invade France. For that act of honor, Belgium suffered greatly, both civilians and military personnel.

This brave action by Belgium was recognized by the rest of the world, and distinguished people throughout the world wrote tributes to the Belgian king and his people. These tributes were collected into a volume titled:

King Albert's Book: Tribute to the Belgian King and People

from Representative Men and Women Throughout the World

published in New York: Hearst International Library, 1914.

There is a copy of this book in the Bullis Room. If you are interested in this period of history, you'll want to stop by and read the entries by such notables as: Winston Churchill, Claude Debussy, Gilbert Chesterton, John Galsworthy, The Aga Khan, Claude Monet, and the Vice Roy of India.

Please consider this your invitation to call us and make an appointment to stop by and look through this book (and others that may be of particular interest to you.) 

UPDATE: BABY SOOTHER

In an October 9, 2008, we referenced the Bullis book, Wayne County Directory, 1867-8. This is another volume in the collection that is fun to look through because it lists shopkeepers, blacksmiths, farmers, and other business people in towns, villages and hamlets that existed in this county almost 150 years ago. In that post, we mentioned an entry in the directory of advertisers for Mrs. Bristol's Baby Soother (which sold for 25 cents a bottle).

Now, almost six years later, in this month's issue of the Newark Arcadia Historical Society and Museum (NAHSM) newsletter, we found more details about this product as well as a photo of "one of the oldest bottles known from Newark," an embossed Mrs. Bristol's Baby Soother, made of aqua glass, 5 inches high and 1 3/8" in diameter. The author of the article speculated that the bottle was blown at the Clyde Glass Works in Clyde, NY.

The article also states that this baby soother was stated to be "The Great Remedy for Children...It will absolutely afford immediate relief for sudden pains or sickness...it will quickly cure griping in the bowels and wind colic...a dose given at bedtime will insure calm and pleasant sleep to both mother and child...for children teething nothing can equal it." All of this was part of the promotion for this product.

However, the author of the NAHSM newsletter also points out: "The problem was this medicine probably contained a high level of opium or morphine. Predating the 1906 Pure Food & Drug Act, it gradually became known that baby medicines did more harm than good, often resulting in death."

"Mrs. Bristol's Baby Soother was manufactured by Arbuckle & Co., owned by Joseph N. Arbuckle of Newark. The product was sold at D.C. Bristol's Drug Store, and possibly others."

So there you have it--an update.  And also a reminder that, although we sometimes become frustrated with current health and safety rules and regulations, they do protect us from products like the baby soother that was once thought to be "The Great Remedy for Children."

(And another reminder: You are invited to stop by the Bullis Room and look through the Wayne County Directory, 1867-8,  as well as other books in the collection. Just give us a call.)

IS "THE FAULT IN OUR STARS"?

The Fault in our Stars is a current movie that is drawing huge audiences and generating lots of talk on the streets and in the press.

Is the title true? Do our "stars" influence us, for good or bad? This age-old question has been discussed without any conclusions, but we do have two Bullis books that claim to have some answers.

The Message of the Stars: An Esoteric Exposition of Medical and Natal Astrology

Explaining the arts of Prediction and Diagnosis of Disease 

by Max Heindel, published in Oceanside, California by the Rosicrucian Fellowship in 1918

and

The Influence of the Zodiac Upon Human Life

by Eleanor Kirk, published in Brooklyn, NY by The Idea Publishing Co. in 1894

We think it's interesting that these books were published on opposite sides of the country, 24 years apart, one 120 years ago, the other 96 years in the past.  And they came together in the Bullis Collection ... hmmm ,.. something else to wonder about. 

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Looking through more of the documents in this collection pertaining to John Lapham Bullis, we've noticed various words describing him.

To Nettie, of course, he was "Uncle John." And to other family members, he was referred to as "John" or "Johnny."

Records show that he was also known as "Thunderbolt" and "Whirlwind" by some of those who experienced his bravery on the battlefield. And to the people of Texas who presented him with a valuable sword to show their appreciation for protecting their homes and their lives, he was known as "Friend of the Frontier."

On a different level, to President Theodore Roosevelt who appointed him Brigadier General on May 24, 9104, he was courageous, brave and a true soldier.

So that's what's in a name ... John Lapham Bulllis, the man, the family member, the soldier who was greatly loved by his family and his country. And we are fortunate to be able to "know" him through the materials in the Bullis Room. You're invited to stop by and let us show you some of them.