The Dead Shall Not Rest (37 page)
Read The Dead Shall Not Rest Online
Authors: Tessa Harris
Chapter 38
move premises:
John Howison even took rooms near Byrne. He was listed in the parish rates books at No. 12 Cockspur Street for a while in 1783. Byrne moved lodgings several times in order to avoid him.
John Howison even took rooms near Byrne. He was listed in the parish rates books at No. 12 Cockspur Street for a while in 1783. Byrne moved lodgings several times in order to avoid him.
piercing the mound of her rounding belly:
While there is no written evidence that John Hunter performed abortions in this manner, he did assist in terminating the pregnancy of Mary, Countess of Strathmore, by giving her “a black inky kind of medicine” to drink.
While there is no written evidence that John Hunter performed abortions in this manner, he did assist in terminating the pregnancy of Mary, Countess of Strathmore, by giving her “a black inky kind of medicine” to drink.
abortions:
These were not illegal in the United Kingdom until 1803 when “making an abortion after quickening” became a capital crime.
These were not illegal in the United Kingdom until 1803 when “making an abortion after quickening” became a capital crime.
Chapter 39
a very special piece of paper:
From 1725 the Bank of England issued partly printed banknotes for completion in manuscript. The £ sign and the first digit were printed but other details had to be written. By 1745 denominations ranged from £20 to £1,000.
From 1725 the Bank of England issued partly printed banknotes for completion in manuscript. The £ sign and the first digit were printed but other details had to be written. By 1745 denominations ranged from £20 to £1,000.
English Channel:
The term “English Channel” may have come from the Dutch
Engelse Kanaal
, used on Dutch maps since the sixteenth century.
The term “English Channel” may have come from the Dutch
Engelse Kanaal
, used on Dutch maps since the sixteenth century.
Chapter 41
Ancient Library of Alexandria:
Created in the third century
B.C
., in Alexandria, Egypt, this was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world.
Created in the third century
B.C
., in Alexandria, Egypt, this was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world.
Chapter 42
Greenland harpooners:
The
Morning Herald
described the anatomists as clamoring after the giant’s body “just as Greenland harpooners would an enormous whale.”
The
Morning Herald
described the anatomists as clamoring after the giant’s body “just as Greenland harpooners would an enormous whale.”
William Cruikshank and Matthew Baillie at the Great Windmill Street:
The two anatomists succeeded William Hunter in the running of his famous anatomy school.
The two anatomists succeeded William Hunter in the running of his famous anatomy school.
John Sheldon:
The anatomist lived with the preserved body of a woman in a glass case in his bedroom for ten years.
The anatomist lived with the preserved body of a woman in a glass case in his bedroom for ten years.
hide himself in the giant’s box:
The
Morning Herald
reported that an anatomist had ordered a niche made for himself in the giant’s coffin, so that he would be on hand at the “witching time of night, when church-yards yawn.”
The
Morning Herald
reported that an anatomist had ordered a niche made for himself in the giant’s coffin, so that he would be on hand at the “witching time of night, when church-yards yawn.”
blood that spilled:
Charles Byrne died on Sunday, June 1, 1783.
Charles Byrne died on Sunday, June 1, 1783.
Chapter 43
Pidcock:
An animal dealer who owned a menagerie in the Strand.
An animal dealer who owned a menagerie in the Strand.
coffin in the sea:
It is believed that it was Byrne’s express wish that he be buried in a lead coffin at sea, although no direct evidence of his burial wishes survives.
It is believed that it was Byrne’s express wish that he be buried in a lead coffin at sea, although no direct evidence of his burial wishes survives.
Chapter 45
boundary stone:
From 1550 the bridge along the route from London out to Southwark, toward Kent, was regarded as the limit of the City of London’s authority. There is still a boundary stone stating this.
From 1550 the bridge along the route from London out to Southwark, toward Kent, was regarded as the limit of the City of London’s authority. There is still a boundary stone stating this.
Thomas a Becket inn:
St. Thomas-a-Watering was the first rest stop on the journey to Kent where travelers would traditionally water their horses. The history of the landmark pub near this site, called the Thomas a Becket, cannot, however, be traced back further than 150 years.
St. Thomas-a-Watering was the first rest stop on the journey to Kent where travelers would traditionally water their horses. The history of the landmark pub near this site, called the Thomas a Becket, cannot, however, be traced back further than 150 years.
epiphyses:
The ends of long bones, originally separated from the main bones by a layer of cartilage but later united to the main bones through ossification.
The ends of long bones, originally separated from the main bones by a layer of cartilage but later united to the main bones through ossification.
duelist’s jejunum:
The piece of intestine with a bullet hole in it belonged to Colonel Frederick Thomas, who was killed in an illegal duel in 1787. John Hunter attended the man, but there was nothing he could do to save him.
The piece of intestine with a bullet hole in it belonged to Colonel Frederick Thomas, who was killed in an illegal duel in 1787. John Hunter attended the man, but there was nothing he could do to save him.
for study and posterity:
John Hunter was a man of extraordinary vision. His preservation of Charles Byrne’s skeleton led, in 2011, to the discovery of a gene that causes a certain form of giantism.
John Hunter was a man of extraordinary vision. His preservation of Charles Byrne’s skeleton led, in 2011, to the discovery of a gene that causes a certain form of giantism.
an aneurysm in his leg:
Hunter pioneered a new technique in this field that went on to save countless lives.
Hunter pioneered a new technique in this field that went on to save countless lives.
Chapter 46
Gravesend:
A major crossing point of the Thames since the fourteenth century. The Native American princess Pocahontas, who was married to an early Virginia settler, died here before returning to America. There is a statue of her in St. Giles’s Churchyard.
A major crossing point of the Thames since the fourteenth century. The Native American princess Pocahontas, who was married to an early Virginia settler, died here before returning to America. There is a statue of her in St. Giles’s Churchyard.
cara:
Irish for “friend.”
Irish for “friend.”
Chapter 47
water buffaloes:
John Hunter drove a cart pulled by three Asiatic water buffaloes.
John Hunter drove a cart pulled by three Asiatic water buffaloes.
What mysteries did this skull hold
? Byrne’s skull was opened in 1909 and traces of a pituitary tumor that caused a hormonal imbalance were discovered.
? Byrne’s skull was opened in 1909 and traces of a pituitary tumor that caused a hormonal imbalance were discovered.
Chapter 48
Reculver:
The twin towers of Reculver’s ruined church, nicknamed the two sisters, are the main landmark along the stretch of coast from Herne Bay to Margate.
The twin towers of Reculver’s ruined church, nicknamed the two sisters, are the main landmark along the stretch of coast from Herne Bay to Margate.
pier:
Up until the end of the eighteenth century Margate Harbor was protected by a timber pier that ran from east to west in a crescent shape.
Up until the end of the eighteenth century Margate Harbor was protected by a timber pier that ran from east to west in a crescent shape.
hoys:
Small coastal sailing ships which carried goods and occasional passengers.
Small coastal sailing ships which carried goods and occasional passengers.
diving bells:
A newspaper reported that some anatomists had “provided a pair of diving bells, with which they hope to weigh hulk gigantic from its watery grave.”
A newspaper reported that some anatomists had “provided a pair of diving bells, with which they hope to weigh hulk gigantic from its watery grave.”
Thou shalt not be afraid
. . .
:
Psalm 91:5–7.
. . .
:
Psalm 91:5–7.
coffin plunge into the sea:
Charles Byrne was supposedly buried at sea on June 5, 1783. The
Edinburgh Evening Courant
reported, “Yesterday morning the body of Byrne, the famous Irish Giant, who died a few days ago, was carried to Margate, in order to be thrown into the sea, agreeable to his own request, he having been apprehensive that the surgeons would anatomise him.”
Charles Byrne was supposedly buried at sea on June 5, 1783. The
Edinburgh Evening Courant
reported, “Yesterday morning the body of Byrne, the famous Irish Giant, who died a few days ago, was carried to Margate, in order to be thrown into the sea, agreeable to his own request, he having been apprehensive that the surgeons would anatomise him.”
Chapter 49
carefully scooped up:
The dustpan was not invented until the mid-nineteenth century.
The dustpan was not invented until the mid-nineteenth century.
in his cups:
A phrase dating back to the Bible, meaning “to be drunk.”
A phrase dating back to the Bible, meaning “to be drunk.”
litmus paper:
The lichen-based paper was brought into general use first in the 1600s by Robert Boyle (1627–1691).
The lichen-based paper was brought into general use first in the 1600s by Robert Boyle (1627–1691).
a long, black hair:
Dr. Edmond Locard (1877–1966) was a pioneer in forensic science. His exchange principle states that the culprit always leaves something behind.
Dr. Edmond Locard (1877–1966) was a pioneer in forensic science. His exchange principle states that the culprit always leaves something behind.
Chapter 50
mangy mongrel:
John Hunter performed a number of experiments on living dogs which involved shocking acts of cruelty. Three live sheep and an ass were also used to prove his theories.
John Hunter performed a number of experiments on living dogs which involved shocking acts of cruelty. Three live sheep and an ass were also used to prove his theories.
measuring almost eight feet tall:
While alive Byrne is said to have measured eight feet two inches. His skeleton measures seven feet and eight inches.
While alive Byrne is said to have measured eight feet two inches. His skeleton measures seven feet and eight inches.
only my portrait:
A portrait of Boruwlaski, painted in 1782 by Philip Reinagle, hung in Hunter’s museum for many years. It is now on display at the Hunterian Museum.
A portrait of Boruwlaski, painted in 1782 by Philip Reinagle, hung in Hunter’s museum for many years. It is now on display at the Hunterian Museum.
an exhibit for all eternity:
Byrne’s skeleton remains on show at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons, London.
Byrne’s skeleton remains on show at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons, London.
decent people would mob you:
It was not until 1787 that Hunter wrote to Sir Joseph Banks of the Royal Society to say: “I lately got a tall man. But at the time could make no particular observations. I hope next summer to be able to show him.”
It was not until 1787 that Hunter wrote to Sir Joseph Banks of the Royal Society to say: “I lately got a tall man. But at the time could make no particular observations. I hope next summer to be able to show him.”
Chapter 52
Bedlam:
Short for Bethlem Royal Hospital, this was an asylum in London for the insane.
Short for Bethlem Royal Hospital, this was an asylum in London for the insane.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
THE DEAD
SHALL NOT REST
SHALL NOT REST
Tessa Harris
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are included
to enhance your group’s reading of Tessa Harris’s
The Dead Shall Not Rest.
to enhance your group’s reading of Tessa Harris’s
The Dead Shall Not Rest.
Discussion Questions
1.
What are the parallels between the powerful physicians in the novel and the multinational drug companies of today?
What are the parallels between the powerful physicians in the novel and the multinational drug companies of today?
2.
How does Thomas develop as a character in this, the second book in the series?
How does Thomas develop as a character in this, the second book in the series?
3.
Does the course of the War of Independence affect any attitudes toward Thomas in this book?
Does the course of the War of Independence affect any attitudes toward Thomas in this book?
4.
Anatomists in the eighteenth century found corpses so hard to come by that they were forced to turn to grave robbers for a regular supply. Nowadays, more people donate their bodies to science. Would you?
Anatomists in the eighteenth century found corpses so hard to come by that they were forced to turn to grave robbers for a regular supply. Nowadays, more people donate their bodies to science. Would you?
5.
Should organ donation be made compulsory?
Should organ donation be made compulsory?
6.
Freak shows have long been considered an affront to human dignity, but in an age with little social welfare, what was the alternative for the severely disabled?
Freak shows have long been considered an affront to human dignity, but in an age with little social welfare, what was the alternative for the severely disabled?
7.
Charles Byrne and Count Boruwlaski both have major disabilities but are treated in very different ways. Why is this so, and how would they be treated today?
Charles Byrne and Count Boruwlaski both have major disabilities but are treated in very different ways. Why is this so, and how would they be treated today?
8.
How far do revelations about Lydia’s past go to explain her submissive character?
How far do revelations about Lydia’s past go to explain her submissive character?
9.
Was John Hunter a medical visionary or an evil obsessive?
Was John Hunter a medical visionary or an evil obsessive?
10.
Charles Byrne’s skeleton remains on display in the Hunterian Museum in London to this day. Should he be given a proper burial?
Charles Byrne’s skeleton remains on display in the Hunterian Museum in London to this day. Should he be given a proper burial?
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2013 by Tessa Harris
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-8622-2
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