Animal Stories The Indians Told

So, on the subject of books, in particular old books, I am currently reading one that was published in 1927, by Alfred A Knopf of London.


Certainly, not one of my oldest books, but particularly interesting to me nonetheless.

Animal Stories The Indians Told.

As you may have guessed, it is a collection of stories told by the American Indians, gathered from many different tribes, such as the Navajo, the Cherokee, and the Pawnee, selected, and edited by Elizabeth Bishop Johnson.

Most interesting, for me at least, having studied the American Plains Indians at school, is the similarities between these stories they told, and their approach towards various aspects of their lives on the Great Plains. In the same way, I suppose, that our own lives, and morals are based on religion, ultimately at least.

For example, the story of Coyote and Prairie Chicken, written here, and in the book, as near to the way it was told by the Caddo Tribe, along the Red River;-

As Coyote was going along looking for something to eat, he met Prairie Chicken.
Now, Coyote liked to eat Prairie Chicken, but Prairie Chicken did not know that.
So when Coyote suggested that they play a game, and see which one could frighten the other first, Prairie Chicken agreed, and did not suspect that Coyote was trying to find a chance to kill and eat him.

They were playing in the tall grass, so Coyote just hid until Prairie Chicken came near him, when he jumped up quickly, thinking he would frighten him.
But Prairie Chicken flew over his head and laughed at Coyote.

When it was Prairie Chicken's turn, he slipped through the grass to a place that was near a steep bank, and waited there.
Coyote wandered up and down through the grass thinking every minute that Prairie Chicken would jump up, but he did not find him.
Finally, forgetting all about him, he had started on his way, when Prairie Chicken flew up in his face.
He gave a great leap, for he was frightened, and jumped over the steep bank into the canyon below.

A simple story, such as a story you would tell a child. But the similarities between the story, and, for example, the way that the Plains Indians initially waged war, is particularly apparant, preferring to strike suddenly, then quickly leaving, with their lives and bodies intact.

The White Men believed them to be cowardly, and weak, while they thought the White Men foolhardy, for considering death, and injury in battle, a form of bravery.

For the Plains Indian, better to patiently lie in wait, ready to strike your enemy when he has forgotton you are near.
A lesson learned from the story of Coyote and Prairie Chicken?

Old books...

I have an obsession with old books, you know.

That musty smell, and grubby exterior. The knowledge, that this book, in my hand, is many, many years old. Older than anyone on this Earth right now.
The wonder of the things that this book has seen, the things it has survived, the people who have touched it, and their own stories.
I adore them, and because of this, eBay is a dangerous place for me!

I often think, when I receive a new, old book, about where it has come from. Who was the first person to buy this book? Did they buy it for themselves, or was it to be a gift for someone special? What was happening in the world, the day they bought this book?

For example, I find myself imagining a very well dressed gentleman, elegantly smoking his pipe, in his study, reading aloud to the young lady he is courting, from the book, Poetic Sketches, by Alaric. A. Watts. This particular volume, published in 1828.

I think of thee, I think of thee,
And all that thou hast bourne for me;-
In hours of gloom, or heartless glee,
I think of thee, I think of thee.

he reads, as she listens to his words quietly, each verse read touching her very heart.

Imagine that though, this book, in my hands right now, is over one-hundred and eighty years old! The things it has existed through, and my word, how times have changed in it's long lifetime.

This book in my hand, this VERY book, appears to have been inscribed by Alaric Alexander Watts himself.
Written by hand, on the fourth page is;

[Unclear] Lawson
From her friend
The author

And, at the bottom of the title page, underneath the publishing date (MDCCCXXVIII), he adds;

First Published 10 years ago!

(nb: This is the Fourth edition of the book.)

And do you know what?
This piece of history, this little book, that has been around for over one-hundred and eighty years, cost me less than a fiver!

This is why I love old books. Not only for the story contained within their pages, but the story created around their pages too.

The Yorkshire Libertarian Blog.

I have attempted to contact the owner of the Yorkshire Libertarian blog today, in the hope of getting posting permissions on that blog. The reason being (And one of the reasons for the scarcity of posts in this blog.), that I do not want this blog to have such a high volume of politics, and news reports.
This was supposed to be my personal blog, where I would talk about things of personal relaxation, my pastimes, and interests.

I believe I can contribute more to a dedicated Yorkshire Libertarian blog, and reach a wider audience with matters regarding Yorkshire, and libertarianism.
I seem to be having fairly regular correspondance with Hugh Bayley MP at the moment, but I do not wish to be flooding this blog with these conversations.

The Yorkshire Libertarian (YL) blog would be a perfect place for me to share, and document such correspondance, along with local news reports, like from the Yorkshire Evening Post, and York Press, and possibly the Wakefield Express, these being the ones that I myself have interests in.

In time, I would like to see other people from different parts of Yorkshire contributing stories from their local papers, Barnsley, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Halifax, Bradford, to name but a few.
Yorkshire is quite a big place when you think about it, and I do not think that the YL blog should be wasted, as it has the potential to reach a lot of people. A lot of voters.

I will try to offer a Libertarian perspective to my contributions, as suggested by Ian Parker Joseph, the leader of the LPUK, and add the footnote wherever possible of "If the LPUK were in power, they would..."

That's where I'm hoping to go anyway, I suppose it all depends on if the YL blog owner gets my message in the comments section. Otherwise, does anyone else know who owns that blog? Or do you know how I could find out? I suppose I could just set up another YL blog.. I'll give it a few days first, and see if the YL owner contacts me, I don't want to tread on anyone's toes after all.

As for this blog, well, from my next post, it becomes my personal blog, about things of relaxation, and interest to me. The odd libertarian post, and political frustration will no doubt sneak in here, as they too are interests of mine, but decidedly less than have been here these last few Months.

A Response To My Objection;

I sent Hugh Bayley MP an email three days ago, regarding the proposal not to publish MP's expenses that the Prime Mentalist has today changed his mind on. I got a reply today;-

Dear [Bemused],

Thank you for your email about exemption of MPs from the normal Freedom of Information Act. There was no secret about the government’s proposal. It was tabled on the order paper in the normal way but I didn’t agree with it. I went to see government ministers and said I would not vote for changing the law to exempt Parliament from the Act. I am pleased that, following the representations that I and other Labour MPs made to the government, they have decided not to press ahead with this proposal.

The government has proposed a motion which, if carried, will require the House of Commons to publish information on members’ expenses in much greater detail. It proposes breaking down the expenses claims into 26 separate categories. This is a big step forward, but I don’t think it goes far enough and I have tabled an amendment which proposes that individual items of expenditure on “fixtures, fittings and furnishings in MPs’ second homes”, the so-called “John Lewis list”, should be published in full. I hope that the Speaker will call this amendment and that MPs from all parties will support it.

Yours sincerely,
Hugh Bayley MP

I just find myself wondering what the 646 might have sneaked through today, while their employers were busy thinking they actually can hold MP's accountable.