Stories
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Found items
Books leave their traces in our minds, but we leave traces of ourselves in books too, as these fascinating items found inside old works show.
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Epidemic threats and racist legacies
Epidemiology is the systematic, data-driven study of health and disease in populations. But as historian Jacob Steere-Williams suggests, this most scientific of fields emerged in the 19th century imbued with a doctrine of Western imperialism – a legacy that continues to influence how we talk about disease.
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It’s getting mighty crowded
Mid-20th-century population-density research on mice produced a whiskered apocalypse, predicted to become the fate of humans too. But perhaps a more compassionate approach could fend this off.
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Vivekananda’s journey
How a young Indian monk’s travels around the world inspired modern yoga.
Catalogue
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Three years travels through the interior parts of North-America, for more than five thousand miles; containing An Account of the great Lakes, and all the Lakes, Islands, and Rivers, Cataracts, Mountains, Minerals, Soil, and Vegetable Productions of the North-West Regions of that vast Continent; with a description of the birds, beasts, Reptiles, Insects, and Fishes peculiar to the Country. Together with a concise history of the Genius, Manners, and Customs of the Indians inhabiting the Lands that lie adjacent to the Heads, and to the Westward of the Great River Mississippi; and an appendix, Describing the uncultivated parts of America that are the most proper for forming settlements. By Captain Jonathan Carver, of the provincial troops in America.
Carver, Jonathan, 1710-1780.Date: 1798- Books
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A voyage to North-America: undertaken by command of the present King of France. Containing the geographical description and natural history of Canada and Louisiana. With The Customs, Manners, Trade and Religion of the Inhabitants; a Description of the Lakes and Rivers, with their Navigation and Manner of passing the Great Cataracts. By Father Charlevoix. Also, A Description and Natural History of the Islands in the West Indies belonging to the different Powers of Europe. Illustrated with a Number of curious Prints and Maps not in any other Edition. In two volumes.
Charlevoix, Pierre-François-Xavier de, 1682-1761.Date: MDCCLXVI. [1766]- Books
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A concise account of North America: containing a description of the several British colonies on that continent, including the islands of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, &c. AS To Their Situation, Extent, Climate, Soil, Produce, Rise, Government, Religion, Present Boundaries, and the Number of Inhabitants supposed to be in each. Also Of The Interior, or Westerly Parts of the Country, upon the Rivers St. Laurence, the Mississipi, Christino, and the Great Lakes. To which is subjoined, An Account of the several Nations and Tribes of Indians residing in those Parts, as to their Customs, Manners, Government, Numbers, &c. Containing many Useful and Entertaining Facts, never before treated of. By Major Robert Rogers.
Rogers, Robert, 1731-1795.Date: MDCCLXV. [1765]- Books
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An account of the countries adjoining to Hudson's Bay. in the north-west part of America: Containing a Description of their Lakes and Rivers, the Nature of the Soil and Climates, and their Methods of Commerce, &c. Shewing the Benefit to be made by settling Colonies, and opening a Trade in these Parts; whereby the French will be deprived in a great Measure of their Traffick in Furs, and the Communication between Canada and Mississippi be cut off. With an abstract of Captain Middleton's Journal, and observations upon his behaviour during his Voyage, and since his Return. To which are added, I. A Letter from Bartholomew de Fonte, Vice-Admiral of Peru and Mexico; giving an Account of his Voyage from Lima in Peru, to prevent, or seize upon any Ships that should attempt to find a North-West Passage to the South Sea. II. An Abstract of all the Discoveries which have been publish'd of the Islands and Countries in and adjoining to the Great Western Ocean, between America, India, and China, &c. pointing out the Advantages that may be made, if a short Passage should be found thro' Hudson's Streight to that Ocean. III. The Hudson's Bay Company's Charter. IV. The Standard of Trade in those Parts of America; with an Account of the Exports and Profits made annually by the Hudson's Bay Company. V. Vocabularies of the Languages of several Indian Nations adjoining to Hudson's Bay. The whole intended to shew the great Probability of a North-West Passage, so long desired; and which (if discovered) would be of the highest Advantage to these Kingdoms. By Arthur Dobbs, Esq;
Dobbs, Arthur, 1689-1765.Date: MDCCXLIV. [1744]- Books
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A new system of geography: or, a general description of the world. Containing A Circumstantial Account of all the Countries, Kingdoms, and States of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; Their Situation, Climate, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Rivers, &c. The Religion, Manners, Customs, Manufactures, Trade, and Buildings of the Inhabitants: with The Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Reptiles, Insects, the various Vegetables and Minerals found in different Regions: also A Concise History of each Country from the earliest Times; And an Introductory Treatise on the Science of Geography. Embellished with a new and accurate set of maps, by the best Geographers; and a great variety of copper-plates, exhibiting Views of the most remarkable Cities, Structures, or Ruins; Representations of memorable Historical Events, engraved from masterly Designs; singular Customs, Ceremonies, and Dresses prevailing in the World, particularly among the South Sea Islanders; and many other curious and interesting Subjects. By the late D. Fenning and J. Collyer. A new edition, revised, and supplied with the latest and most authentic particulars respecting every Part of the World, by Frederick Hervey, Esq; Author of the Naval History of Great Britain, in Five Volumes Octavo. The account of North America corrected and Improved, by Captain Oarver [sic], Author of Travels into the interior Parts of that Country. Comprehending every Event of Importance in the American War, and much new and important Information concerning the West India Islands. The Whole brought down to the Commencement of the present Year.
Fenning, Daniel.Date: M.DCC.IXXX. [1780]