By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 10th September 1853 contained the following snippets which we found interesting. The railway line from Ryde to Ventnor was not yet built, the editor praised local butchers for going to London to buy cheaper meat and a short article criticised a local superstition being acted upon. The spelling of ‘hopping cough’ (presumably whooping cough) and ‘honor’ (instead of honour) caught our eye.
ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY. We understand that the prosecution of this scheme, upon the plan of last year, will not be attempted next session.
It is, however, rumoured that the project for a Coast Line from Ryde to Ventnor will be submitted in the course of the present, or beginning of the next month; but we have no official information to that effect: still it is feasible.
Prices of Provisions.— Great complaints are daily being made as to the price of provisions in the Isle of Wight, and we have reason to fear in many instances not without a cause; but it is with pleasure we hear a few of our spirited pork butchers went to London last week and made large purchases, and this week some of our butchers followed their example, so that we hope the public will be allowed to reap the benefit, which we hear was very great in the difference of Smithfield Market and the Isle of Wight farms.
Superstition in the Isle of Wight.—The ass, as is well known, is marked across the shoulder with a black line, which tradition says is a cross in honor of the one of the fraternity having been ridden into Jerusalem by Christ. Popular error here believes that if a child, afflicted with the hopping cough, seated backwards on this cross bare, should ride round a garden three times, while the attendants say the Lord’s prayer, will be cured! This absurd custom was actually performed within a few miles of Ryde during the present week. The schoolmaster has much yet to do!