Gabriel Beaugrand was convicted of manslaughter on 19 May 1743 after a tavern dispute in Newport Street turned deadly. What began as a drunken argument over status at sea ended in a fatal stabbing. Beaugrand was branded rather than executed, while his uncle Lewis Brunet was acquitted.
Author Archives: The Sage Page
Advice of the Day: Where to Keep Your Change
The Wise Sage returns with another absurd “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling the mystery of loose change. In true Viz Top Tips style, this humorous guide replaces organisation with chaos—offering a counter-intuitive approach to storing coins that ensures they are always somewhere… just rarely where you need them.
Advice of the Day: Feeding the Ducks
The Wise Sage delivers another absurd “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling the deceptively simple task of feeding ducks. In true Viz Top Tips style, this humorous guide replaces gentle feeding with chaos, drama, and questionable snack choices—offering a counter-intuitive approach that may leave you followed, judged, or mildly outnumbered.
Quote of the Day: Time
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on value and priorities: “The theft of gold leads to prosecution; the theft of time rarely does.” A thoughtful reminder that while material loss is punished, the quiet loss of time often goes unnoticed — despite being far more valuable.
This Day in History: 7 May 1740
John Sawney was executed on 7 May 1740 for robbing Sarah Cockram of her cloak in Drury Lane. A former sailor turned soldier, his life spiralled into crime and drink. Captured moments after the theft, he was convicted and sentenced to death in a stark example of 18th-century justice
This Day in History: 6 May 1685
On 6 May 1685, twenty-three prisoners were executed at Tyburn following an Old Bailey session. Despite the Ordinary’s efforts, many remained unrepentant, hoping for pardon until the end. The account reveals a sombre mass execution marked by silence, resignation, and the harsh realities of early modern justice.
Quote of the Day: Transparency
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage explores neutrality and openness: “A neutral stance may appear calm, but only a transparent one leaves ample space for understanding.” A thoughtful reflection on how clarity and honesty create the conditions for genuine understanding, beyond the quiet surface of neutrality.
Advice of the Day: Securing Your Property
The Wise Sage returns with another wildly unhelpful “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling home security. In true Viz Top Tips style, this absurd guide replaces sensible precautions with confusion, noise, and mild chaos—offering a hilariously counter-intuitive approach to deterring burglars that may also deter absolutely everyone else.
Advice of the Day: Sticking to a Diet
The Wise Sage delivers another gloriously unhelpful “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling the challenge of sticking to a diet. With absurd logic, questionable science, and classic Viz Top Tips humour, this guide redefines dieting entirely—offering a surreal, counter-intuitive approach that replaces discipline with denial, distraction, and creative reinterpretation.
Quote of the Day: Imagination
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on direction and identity: “Orientation tells you where you stand; imagination tells you what sort of inhabitant you might become.” A thoughtful reminder that understanding your position matters, but shaping who you are within it matters even more.
