Town Crier for Ryde

Isle of Wight Observer October 5 1861

A Town Crier for Ryde 1861

This new officer of the town of Ryde commenced his duties on Tuesday morning last in St Thomas’ -square by crying a sale. He was dressed rather smartly in an invisible-blue coat with scarlet collar and cuffs and bright buttons, belt, hat, and gold band. HIs utterance, however, did not seem to us very effective, but this, we are told, he will improve in on overcoming a little strangeness and shyness. His tutors might with good effect also attend to another peculiarity he indulges in, viz., his very liberal use of the letter h in such places where, according to Dr Johnson and other pedantic makers of dictionaries, it is not required.

WATER SUPPLY – The first water was pumped into the reservoir at Ashey from Knighton on Saturday last, Sept 28. The quantity of water supplied from the ponds is considerably over 100,000 gallons daily pumped in at the rate of 70 gallons per minute. The Commissioners are now able to give the town a three hours’ supply daily, instead of every other day as was the case prior to the Knighton water being obtained.

PUTTING THEIR FEET INTO IT – On Sunday night several immaterial accidents happened at Swanmore, which might, however, have been attended by more serious consequences from the same cause. It appears that some owner of property there had occasion to open a drain or lay on a service pipe, and left the excavation open without any protection around it. The result was that four or five persons stepped into it on coming out of church on Sunday night in the dark, and amongst them a lad, who was severely bruised. The individual who thus jeopardised the limbs of Her Majesty’s devout subjects should know that he has, by this neglectful conduct, incurred a penalty under the Ryde Improvement Act, and doubtlessly he will hear from the Board of Commissioners concerning it.

First sewing machine, 1861 and typewriter in Ryde 1876

Isle of Wight Times April 20, 1876

WRITING BY MACHINERY – After sewing machines, the Americans have now brought out a writing machine, and one of these was on view at the establishment of Mr Gelling, ironmonger, of this town, a few days ago. With such a machine, a man may get over two or three letters in the time now occupied in penning one. The work performed, however, partakes more of the nature of printing than writing. On touching different keys in a row a lever is made to raise a letter against an inked ribbon and then on to the paper, where it leaves its impression. As soon as a line is finished the machine moves the paper so as to commence another. Although the machine is not perfection, and its work is far inferior to that of an ordinary printer’s machine, it is calculated to suit the purposes of many, if its figure (25gs) suits their pockets.

Isle of Wight Observer July 13 1861

It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that a gentleman is now exhibiting a sewing machine at Mr Wavell’s. This highly useful modern invention will sew, hem, stitch, gather, &c., and with such rapidity as will astonish the most expert needle workers. We advise our readers to pay this “Lock Stitch Sewing Machine” a visit, for not to know what one is like, now the thing has become so popular, is as bad as not knowing whether the sun sets in the west or the east.

This is an example of a very early sewing machine.