On 25 April 1746, nineteen-year-old servant Matthew Henderson was executed for murdering his mistress, Elizabeth Dalrymple. His confession shocked London: he claimed he had no clear motive, only a sudden temptation that led to one of the Old Bailey’s most disturbing domestic murders.
Tag Archives: the Sage Page
Advice of the Day: Never Losing Your TV Remote
The Wise Sage returns with another hilariously reckless “Advice of the Day.” This time he tackles the age-old problem of losing the TV remote with a bold, counter-intuitive solution involving broom handles and ceremonial dignity. In true Viz Top Tips style, this guide is absurd, impractical, and strangely convincing.
This Day in History: 24 April 1723
On 24 April 1723, five men were tried for the murder of Anne Bristol after she was found dying on Smallberry Green. Witnesses heard screams, surgeons found brutal injuries, and confessions were read—yet every accused man was acquitted.
Quote of the Day: Preoccupation
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on distraction and presence: “Preoccupation is what happens when the mind keeps walking north while the body remains in the same area.” A thoughtful reminder that peace is often found not by chasing elsewhere, but by noticing where we already are.
Advice of the Day: Making the Bed
The Wise Sage returns with another hilariously reckless “Advice of the Day.” This time he tackles making the bed with a dangerously efficient solution involving staple guns and permanent duvet placement. In true Viz Top Tips style, this guide to household organisation is absurd, impractical, and mildly alarming.
This Day in History – 22 April 1789
In 1789, servant Sarah Natchell was accused of stealing over £45 from Bartholomew Coffee House in West Smithfield. Though only convicted of stealing tea-cloths, the betrayal of household trust earned her a harsh sentence: seven years’ transportation to New South Wales aboard the Lady Juliana.
Advice of the Day: Exercising at Home
The Wise Sage returns with another hilariously reckless “Advice of the Day.” This time he tackles exercising at home with a bold, counter-intuitive method involving household obstacle courses and accidental fitness. In true Viz Top Tips style, this guide is chaotic, impractical, and guaranteed to keep you moving — whether you want to or not.
This Day in History: April 21st, 1680
On 21 April 1680, the Old Bailey heard two serious cases: Edward Harrison was convicted of manslaughter after a deadly dispute, while William Harding was found guilty of the rape of a young child. Both men were sentenced to death, reflecting the severity of justice in 17th-century London.
Quote of the Day: Reflection
In today’s Quote of the Day, The Sage reflects on midnight reflection and self-examination. Some of life’s most important questions arise not in formal settings, but in quiet, solitary moments. A thoughtful meditation on introspection, clarity, and the value of stepping inward to better understand the life we are living.
Quote of the Day: Practice
In today’s Quote of the Day, The Sage reflects on learning and perseverance. Feeling clumsy or inadequate at the start of something new is completely natural. A gentle reminder that practice, patience, and persistence turn early struggles into skill, and that even the simplest abilities were once learned through trial and error.
The Sage Page 