On the night of 4 November 1734, Londoner Joan Wayte hung her linen to dry in a basement room and returned to find it stolen. The Old Bailey later tried Emanuel Pim for “theft; burglary” of her washing. This retelling shows how even humble laundry could become serious Georgian crime.
Author Archives: The Sage Page
This Day in History: 4 October 1815 — The Hunt Brothers and the Wine Cellar Plot
On 4 October 1815, servants Richard and William Hunt stole silver spoons and wine from their master’s pantry. Tried at the Old Bailey, they were transported for seven years. This lively retelling reveals the perils of temptation and the growing use of transportation in Regency-era British justice.
Quote of the Day: Seeing the light
In today’s Quote of the Day, The Sage muses on the limits of common sense: “Common sense is like a torch — most useful to those still in the dark.” A witty reflection on wisdom, humility, and the danger of thinking our small light reveals the whole truth.
Advice of the Day: Budget Haircare
The Sage offers his latest nugget of questionable wisdom: how to save on shampoo using only rain, gravity, and local wildlife. A hilarious and slightly unhygienic “Advice of the Day” from Dorchester’s wisest beard.
The Wise Sage Gives His Advice of the Day:
The Sage reveals his latest time-saving tip: stop watering your plants and start teaching them independence. With a blend of nonsense and botanical optimism, he claims your houseplants can learn to crawl to the sink. Equal parts absurd, eco-friendly, and faintly alarming — classic Sage logic.
The Wise Sage Gives His Advice of the Day:
The Sage shares his latest pearl of anti-adventurous wisdom: avoid getting lost by never going anywhere new. A masterclass in staying put and calling it mindfulness, this advice perfectly captures his philosophy of doing less, thinking more, and never needing Google Maps again.
Quote of the Day: Search for Meaning
In today’s Quote of the Day, The Sage muses on life’s quiet simplicity: “Some people search for meaning. Others make a cup of tea and let it find them.” A warm, humorous reflection on patience, peace, and how sometimes wisdom arrives not through effort — but through stillness.
This Day in History: 28 October 1789 — The Burglar in the Cellar
On 28 October 1789, David Braithwaite was caught halfway through a cellar window after breaking into William Webb’s London home. Tried that same day at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of burglary and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. This vivid tale captures Georgian justice — clumsy, comic, and cruel.
This Day in History: 24 October 1787 — The Alehouse Quarrel
On 24 October 1787, John Millan stood trial at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of James Carter after an alehouse quarrel. Witnesses described a single blow and a fatal fall. The jury found him not guilty, ruling the death an accident — a glimpse of mercy in Georgian London’s rough justice.
Quote of the Day: Patience
In today’s Quote of the Day, The Sage reflects on the quiet art of patience: “Patience is what you have when doing nothing starts to look like progress.” A gentle, witty reminder that stillness can be strength, and sometimes the best way forward is to wait with grace — and a smile.
The Sage Page 