Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1883 — HISTORICAL ITEMS. [ARTICLE]

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

Cyaxares, the flrtt prominent leader of the Medes, burned Nineveh 625 B. 0. The last triumph ever held. in* Rome was that given to Stilioho in 104, when he drove Alario out of Italv after defeating him at Potentia and Verona The Prince and Princess of le early Egyptian dynasties were buried in smal l pyramids which elustered about the larger ones devoted to the Kings. Subjects were only allowed to have truncened pyramids. One of the reasons whv the touch of a King or Queen regnant was supposed to cure disease was probably that a piece of gold from the privy purse was given to each person touched. These coins were called touch pieces, and the fashion of giving them was introduced by Henry VIII. The name Plantagenet belonged originally to the house of Anjou, and it is derived from an adventure of Falk, the first Earl, who, having committed some crime, in remorse went on a pilgrimage to Rome, where he was scourged with broom twigs (planta genesta), and from that circumstance assumed the name. The use of cork for making jackets, as an aid to swimming, is very old. We sire informed that the Roman whom Oamillus sent to the capital when besieged by the Gauls put on a light dress and took oork with him under it, because, to avoid the enemy, it was necessary for him to Swim across the Tiber. Union Pacific—Happy married life.— (Puck.