"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" - The Mad Hatter
Lewis Carroll introduced us to the quirky "Mad Hatter" in his 1864 novel, "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland." The Hatter, the Dormouse, and the March Hare are perpetually having tea because they are stuck in time precisely at 6:00 pm.
They move around the table using new cups and saucer's because they don't have time to wash the ones they were using. They do "curiouser and curiouser" things like asking riddles and putting various un-complimentary items in their tea like butter and the Hatter's pocket watch.
After dozens of letters asking Mr. Carroll for the answer to the Hatter's most famous riddle, "why is a raven like a writing desk?," he later admitted that there was no pre-thought-out answer to it. His best answer was, "because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front!"
Want to know the answer to my riddle, "why are Mad Hatter's mad?" It's because they are slowly poisoned by the fumes of mercury that are let off during certain stages of the hat making process.
FACT: Mercury poisoning was a hazard of hat making in the 1800's. The process has evolved since then and is not as dangerous an occupation as it once was.
Using true historical facts in a story only makes it that much more fascinating to me.
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In 2010's movie version the Hatter's hatband held a note which read, "In this style 10/6." It meant the price of the hat was 10 shillings, 6 pence in old British currency.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
The Royal Sacred One: Princess Ka'iulani
"I, a poor, weak girl, with not one of my people near me and all of these statesmen against me, have the strength to stand up for the rights of my people. Even now I can hear their wail in my heart, and it gives me strength.” - Princess Victoria Ka'uilani.
Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawēkiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn was born on 6 October 1875 to Scottish Statesman Archibald Scott Cleghorn and Hawaiian Princess Miriam Kapili Kekauluohi Likelike in Honolulu, Hawaii. Victoria was the only child born of the Kalakaua dynasty and was second in line for the Hawaiian throne (after her mother's death) following her Aunt Liliuokalani.
Growing up she led a fairy tale life and enjoyed the privileges that came with being royalty. On her estate, called Ainahau, she adored the free roaming peacocks and loved riding her little white pony, Fairy. She rode Fairy all over the island visiting family and friends, including Robert Louis Stevenson.
When she was thirteen her father Archibald and Uncle King David Kalakaua decided she should sail to Britain to attend a private school and experience different cultures via traveling Europe. She initially refused to go because her heart was in Hawaii and it was where her mother had died. But she had no choice. She spent the next eight years overseas. Speculators insist that her lengthy stay abroad was intended to keep her safe from the ever present rebel threat on the island.
While Ka'iuloni was away the Hawaiian monarchy suffered great turmoil. Weakened by several revolts and the death of King Kalakaua, the monarchy was barely holding on. The final blow came on 17 January 1893 with the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, King Kalakaua's sister.
At that time the Hawaiian Islands for both their profitable exporting industry and their strategic military position in the Pacific. The United States simply could not let Hawaii fall into control of a rival super power. It was for these reasons that the United States sponsored the final rebellion.
When Ka'iuloni heard of the takeover she grieved for her country and vowed not to stand idly by. She would appeal to President Grover Cleveland and the people of the United States directly.
Though she had always been shy, her royal lineage and dual heritage brought attention to her wherever she went. Her beauty, grace, and intelligence won her many admirers and she would now use them to her full advantage. Even her name, Ka'iuloni means "royal sacred one." Everyone loved her.
Before her arrival in America it was assumed that she was a dark skinned, barefoot barbarian woman who knew little of literacy and even less about hygiene. Ka'iuloni proved them wrong.
The newspapers compared her to an angel from heaven...noting not just her aesthetic appearance and intellect, but also the sincerity and conviction in which she spoke about her cause. She touched the peoples hearts. But her real goal was to use the press as a means of scoring an invitation to the Whitehouse.
It did not take long for President Cleveland to grant the Princess's wish. He and Mrs. Cleveland made Ka'iulani feel welcome by inviting her to breakfast. They enjoyed polite conversation as was custom for the time period. While there, Ka'iulani advocated for her nation's plight and gained the President as a strong ally in the process. He vowed to bring her case before Congress.
President Cleveland sent Former Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, James Blount, to Hawaii to investigate its government takeover. After several months Blount agreed the takeover had been conducted under false pretenses, thus making it illegal.
Upon hearing the evidence President Cleveland ordered the usurping government to relinquish control of the islands and reinstate Lili'uokalani's authority of the Queen. They refused. Unwilling to use military force, Cleveland appealed to Congress. His influence did little to sway its members.
In 1898, under the term of President McKinley, who was in favor of the annexation of Hawaii, the U.S. signed the Newlands Resolution making Hawaii a US territory. Ex-President Cleveland felt America shamed itself.
By this time Ka'iulani realized her dream of restoring the monarchy was futile. She had returned to Hawaii where she lived with the remaining members of the royal family. She and Queen Lili'uokalani's new cause was fighting for the voting rights of their people.
Sadly, in January 1899, Princess Ka'iulani was caught in a rainstorm and fell ill. Instead of getting better her cold became worse due to her compromised immune system; she had not yet fully recovered from a previous illness. She died of pneumonia two months later. She was 23 years old.
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Hawaii remained a territory for 60 years until March 1959 when Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act officially making Hawaii a state.
Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawēkiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn was born on 6 October 1875 to Scottish Statesman Archibald Scott Cleghorn and Hawaiian Princess Miriam Kapili Kekauluohi Likelike in Honolulu, Hawaii. Victoria was the only child born of the Kalakaua dynasty and was second in line for the Hawaiian throne (after her mother's death) following her Aunt Liliuokalani.
Growing up she led a fairy tale life and enjoyed the privileges that came with being royalty. On her estate, called Ainahau, she adored the free roaming peacocks and loved riding her little white pony, Fairy. She rode Fairy all over the island visiting family and friends, including Robert Louis Stevenson.
When she was thirteen her father Archibald and Uncle King David Kalakaua decided she should sail to Britain to attend a private school and experience different cultures via traveling Europe. She initially refused to go because her heart was in Hawaii and it was where her mother had died. But she had no choice. She spent the next eight years overseas. Speculators insist that her lengthy stay abroad was intended to keep her safe from the ever present rebel threat on the island.
While Ka'iuloni was away the Hawaiian monarchy suffered great turmoil. Weakened by several revolts and the death of King Kalakaua, the monarchy was barely holding on. The final blow came on 17 January 1893 with the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, King Kalakaua's sister.
At that time the Hawaiian Islands for both their profitable exporting industry and their strategic military position in the Pacific. The United States simply could not let Hawaii fall into control of a rival super power. It was for these reasons that the United States sponsored the final rebellion.
When Ka'iuloni heard of the takeover she grieved for her country and vowed not to stand idly by. She would appeal to President Grover Cleveland and the people of the United States directly.
Though she had always been shy, her royal lineage and dual heritage brought attention to her wherever she went. Her beauty, grace, and intelligence won her many admirers and she would now use them to her full advantage. Even her name, Ka'iuloni means "royal sacred one." Everyone loved her.
Before her arrival in America it was assumed that she was a dark skinned, barefoot barbarian woman who knew little of literacy and even less about hygiene. Ka'iuloni proved them wrong.
The newspapers compared her to an angel from heaven...noting not just her aesthetic appearance and intellect, but also the sincerity and conviction in which she spoke about her cause. She touched the peoples hearts. But her real goal was to use the press as a means of scoring an invitation to the Whitehouse.
It did not take long for President Cleveland to grant the Princess's wish. He and Mrs. Cleveland made Ka'iulani feel welcome by inviting her to breakfast. They enjoyed polite conversation as was custom for the time period. While there, Ka'iulani advocated for her nation's plight and gained the President as a strong ally in the process. He vowed to bring her case before Congress.
President Cleveland sent Former Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, James Blount, to Hawaii to investigate its government takeover. After several months Blount agreed the takeover had been conducted under false pretenses, thus making it illegal.
Upon hearing the evidence President Cleveland ordered the usurping government to relinquish control of the islands and reinstate Lili'uokalani's authority of the Queen. They refused. Unwilling to use military force, Cleveland appealed to Congress. His influence did little to sway its members.
In 1898, under the term of President McKinley, who was in favor of the annexation of Hawaii, the U.S. signed the Newlands Resolution making Hawaii a US territory. Ex-President Cleveland felt America shamed itself.
By this time Ka'iulani realized her dream of restoring the monarchy was futile. She had returned to Hawaii where she lived with the remaining members of the royal family. She and Queen Lili'uokalani's new cause was fighting for the voting rights of their people.
Sadly, in January 1899, Princess Ka'iulani was caught in a rainstorm and fell ill. Instead of getting better her cold became worse due to her compromised immune system; she had not yet fully recovered from a previous illness. She died of pneumonia two months later. She was 23 years old.
**********************************
Hawaii remained a territory for 60 years until March 1959 when Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act officially making Hawaii a state.
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