Digest

The Pastimes podcast, hosted by Dave, welcomes guest Christian Navarro, an actor known for his roles in "13 Reasons Why," "Special Victims Unit," and "Dune." The episode delves into a 1767 edition of the Hartford Courant, analyzing a story about three men witnessing a strange phenomenon that sounds like a geyser. The hosts then discuss a story about a naked girl found in a cave, speculating about her situation. They also analyze a story about a 130-year-old man, questioning the validity of his claim. The episode continues with a story about a tiger in Rhode Island, a shipwright's fatal fall, and a family afflicted by jail fever, a contagious disease prevalent in the 1700s. The hosts then discuss a treaty between the Turks and Georgians, where the Georgians are required to send female slaves to the Turks, highlighting the absurdity of the treaty. They also analyze stories about betting on various events, lightning strikes, and a custom-made carpet for the Princess Dowager of Wales. The episode concludes with a story about a tall man observed walking through London, leading to a discussion about the cultural context of the time and the fascination with the unknown.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Guest Introduction & Discussing the Intro and Guest's Background

The podcast introduces its format of reviewing old newspapers and welcomes guest Christian Navarro. They discuss Navarro's acting career and his support for the show. The hosts banter about Dave's intro and Christian's acting career, mentioning his roles in "Special Victims Unit" and "Dune."

00:07:13

The Hartford Courant - 1767 & The Naked Girl in the Cave

The hosts begin analyzing a newspaper from August 17th, 1767, focusing on a story about three men fishing who witness a strange phenomenon involving water flying up, the earth trembling, and stones being thrown from the river. The hosts discuss a story from Vienna about a group of men chasing a wild boar who find a naked young girl in a cave. The story is described as creepy and the hosts speculate about the girl's situation.

00:19:48

The 130-Year-Old Man & The Tiger in Rhode Island

The hosts analyze a story about a man named Francis Ainge who claims to have lived to be 130 years old. They discuss the man's claims and the likelihood of his story being true, considering the lack of medical advancements in the 1700s. The hosts discuss a story about a tiger being seen in Bristol, Rhode Island, that killed several dogs. They joke about the possibility of the tiger being a shapeshifter and the lack of accurate animal identification in the 1700s.

00:30:04

The Shipwright's Fall & The Jail Fever

The hosts discuss a story about a shipwright named Samuel Coleworthy who fell from a stage and died. They compare the story to similar falls in modern entertainment and discuss the role of shipwrights in theater productions. The hosts analyze a story about a widow lady and her family who are afflicted by a contagious disease called "jail fever." They discuss the origins of the disease and its connection to convict ships and prison guards.

00:41:20

The Turkish Delight Treaty & Betting on the Future

The hosts discuss a treaty between the Turks and Georgians, where the Georgians are required to send 25 female slaves to the Turks each year. They joke about the absurdity of the treaty and compare it to modern-day negotiations. The hosts discuss bets being placed on various events, including the Douglas estate and title, and the freedom of the Corsicans. They discuss the absurdity of betting on such events and how it compares to modern-day betting.

00:48:23

Lightning Strikes and a Shockingly Sophisticated Understanding of Electricity & A Family Struck by Lightning and the Curious Case of "Liked to Do Well"

The podcast discusses a historical newspaper article about lightning strikes in a town. The article details how lightning rods were used to protect buildings and how the community understood the concept of electrical charges in clouds. The podcast continues with the newspaper article, describing a lightning strike that injured four children in a family. The article's optimistic tone, stating the children "liked to do well" despite being struck, is discussed and debated.

00:52:34

A Royal Carpet Fit for a Princess and the Cost of Luxury in 18th Century England & A Prisoner Pleads Her Belly and the Jury of Matrons & The Patagonian Cock and the Mystery of a Tall Man in London

The podcast shifts to a different article about a custom-made carpet for the Princess Dowager of Wales. The article details the carpet's intricate design, high quality, and exorbitant cost, leading to a discussion about the disparity in wealth and understanding of value in the 18th century. The podcast delves into a court case where a woman pleads her belly, claiming pregnancy to avoid punishment. The podcast explores the historical practice of a jury of matrons, a group of women who would examine the prisoner to determine if she was truly pregnant. The podcast concludes with a newspaper article about a tall man, possibly a Patagonian, who was observed walking through London. The article's humorous and somewhat absurd tone leads to a discussion about the cultural context of the time and the fascination with the unknown.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the format of the Pastimes podcast?

  The Pastimes podcast reviews old newspapers from random dates, with each episode focusing on a different date.

• What is the significance of the story about the three men fishing in the Hartford Courant?

  The story describes a strange phenomenon that sounds like a geyser, highlighting the lack of scientific understanding in the 1700s and how people interpreted natural events.

• What is the connection between convict ships and the jail fever?

  The newspaper story suggests that the jail fever was spread by convicts who were transported to America on ships, and that the disease was then transmitted to other people, including slaves.

• Why is the Turkish Delight Treaty considered absurd?

  The treaty requires the Georgians to send 25 female slaves to the Turks each year, highlighting the barbaric practices of the time and the lack of respect for human rights.

• How does the Pastimes podcast compare modern-day betting to betting in the 1700s?

  The hosts point out that people in the 1700s bet on events like the outcome of wars and the freedom of entire populations, which is similar to modern-day betting on sports and other events.

• How did the community in the 18th century understand the concept of electricity and lightning?

  The community seemed to have a surprisingly sophisticated understanding of electricity, recognizing that clouds carried electrical charges and that lightning rods could help protect buildings from strikes.

• What was the purpose of a jury of matrons in 18th century legal proceedings?

  A jury of matrons was a group of women who would examine a woman claiming pregnancy to determine if she was truly pregnant. This practice was used to verify the legitimacy of pregnancy claims as a defense against punishment.

• What does the article about the tall man in London reveal about the cultural context of the time?

  The article highlights the fascination with the unknown and the tendency to sensationalize unusual events. It also reflects the limited understanding of different cultures and the tendency to view those who are different as exotic or even threatening.

Show Notes