WINTER TALES

The winter season with its reduced daylight hours allows us to stay inside more and enjoy some good reading. If we have children (or grandchildren) around, we have the potential to share quality time as we read to or with them some currently-popular literature as well as the classics.

If you're looking for some classic children's literature, we suggest you take a look at this book in the Bullis Collection:

The Man of Snow, and Other Tales

by Harriet Myrtle, published by W. P. Hazard,

in Philadelphia, 1853

The "coloured" frontispiece gives the reader a good idea of what to expect in the clever "Man of Snow," and the story does not disappoint either child or adult in both entertainment value and inspiration. The other tales in this book are ""Winter Pleasure" and "Christmas-Eve at the Cottage." They, too, are good reads that gently and effectively relate their encouraging messages.

In the opening pages of the book, the author writes: "In every change and at every time there are beautiful things for those who can see and feel them. Kind hearts can shed a warmth like sunshine, and deeds of love will bring gladness into every season." What good thoughts for us to remember, when the gloomy days weigh heavy.

Harriet Myrtle wrote other books, among them The Pet Lamb and Little Amy's Birthday, which is highlighted in our post back in September.  Little is known about this author. However, the fact that there are two of her books in this collection leads us to believe that generations of Bullis children enjoyed them. We hope you will, too.

GOING (OR GONE) SOUTH

From our observation post by the window in the Bullis Room, we watch the trees swaying in response to the strong push of the gusty winds outside. This scene is a reminder that some among us will soon be climbing in their RVs (if they haven't already done so) and heading south, not to return  until the geese come back.

For the "Snowbirds" who haven't made that journey yet, we suggest you stop by the Bullis Room before you leave and take a look at some of these books in the collection:

For those of you staying within the U.S.:

To Florida; the Sunshine State:

The Rich Man's Playground and the Poor Man's Paradise

by Tavares & Gulf R.R. published 1915?

If you're thinking of venturing beyond these borders:

Seeing South America

by William Backus Guitteau,

 published in Evanston, Ill, Row, Peterson and Company, c 1929

and

Mexico and Her People of Today; 

an account of the customs, 
characteristics, amusements, history,

and advancement of the Mexicans, and the

development and resources of their country

published by L.C. Page, Boston, 1907

Last, for those of you who want to get really far, far away:

My Winter on the Nile

published by Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1891-1876

Florida, the Nile, Mexico, South America - wherever you go, have a good journey and return to us safe and sound. In the meantime, we'll do our best to carry on without you.

FINDING OUR PATRIOTS

This week we came upon a Bullis Collection book which could be useful for those of you who are researching ancestors who may have served our country more than a century ago. If this is your "thing," we think you will be interested in taking a look at:

Directory, Grand Army of the Republic,

Monroe County Patriots: G.A.R. Posts,

U.V.U Commands, Women's Relief corps,

Sons of Veterans, Ladies' Aids.

Thomas H. Lake is listed as the author of this book, and it was published in Rochester, NY by the Democrat & Chronicle (1899?). 

The book is well-organized and easy to use. In between the data are photos of local military leaders as well as unique advertisements for local products of that day. So even if you aren't searching for a specific patriot, we think you'll still enjoy spending some time with this book. (You're invited to do so.)

THE LURE OF THE ANTIQUE

Yesterday, the Friends of MPL sponsored an Antiques Appraisal Day at the library. Two appraisers skillfully valued a variety of items brought in by more than 30 people. The scene in the Community Room was similar to one on a popular TV show, and the individual outcomes were the same -- some people pleased and surprised by the results of the appraisals while others were a bit disappointed that their keepsake didn't have the monetary value they'd anticipated. Still, it was fun for everyone -  both participants and observers.

As we watched this process, one question came to mind: Why is there so much interest in antiques? This book in the Bullis Collection,

The Lure of the Antique, by Walter A. Dyer

Published in New York by The Century Company, 1921

offers one answer to that question.  In Chapter I, Dyer states: 

...I have yet to find the American, however practical-minded, 

who can hold in his hand his great-great-grandmother's Betty lamp, 

or sit in his great-grandfather's Windsor chair, 

without some slight sentiment.

Is that the simple answer? That we love antiques because they are our connection with our ancestors? Whether they belong to our great-great-grandmother or to someone else's? Perhaps so.

By the way, this little book has lots of cool illustrations, showing tea sets, pitchers, clocks, copper jugs, brass kettles, stoves, and antique furniture. If you're into antiques, give us a call and arrange to have a look at it.