The Word on the Street

How Ordinary Scots found out what was happening in bygone days.

A quote from a website I discovered recently.

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"In the centuries before there were newspapers and 24-hour news channels, the general public had to rely on street literature to find out what was going on. The most popular form of this for nearly 300 years was 'broadsides' - the tabloids of their day. Sometimes pinned up on walls in houses and ale-houses, these single sheets carried public notices, news, speeches and songs that could be read (or sung) aloud.

The National Library of Scotland's online collection of nearly 1,800 broadsides lets you see for yourself what 'the word on the street' was in Scotland between 1650 and 1910. Crime, politics, romance, emigration, humour, tragedy, royalty and superstitions - all these and more are here.
Each broadside comes with a detailed commentary and most also have a full transcription of the text, plus a downloadable PDF facsimile. You can search by keyword, browse by title or browse by subject.

Take a look, and discover what fascinated our ancestors."
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The site is full of tragic and humorous news clippings that intrigued the local people including:

Burke and Hare
Fake Acts of Parliament
Court cases
Bagpipes as Torture for the English
Tay Road Bridge

and more:

Find it at

The National Library of Scotland - Digital Library

http://www.nls.uk/broadsides/index.html

Come and Have Fun at Our Second Ceilidh

When:

Friday, 10th of November, 2006 from 7 pm until midnight

Where:

Maadi British International School
Next to Wadi Degla Sporting Club
Zahraa el Maadi.

Tickets:

50L.E. for adults
25L.E. for children (8 years and older)

Will be sold at the dance evenings.

For bookings please call:
Tel. 012 211 4834

We shall provide food and water.
Please bring your own other drinks.