Today we will discuss one of the largest, one of the smallest, and the third because it took three.
On September 9th 1972, Mammoth Cave was declared to be the largest and longest cave system in the world. A cave mapping team discovered a link between the Mammoth and the Flint Ridge Cave systems, making it the world’s longest system, with over 426 miles mapped and explored.
I have visited the cave several times, the last being a year ago. As is usual for me, when I see something interesting, I try to see if I can find a book or two about it for the library, and to read more. In this case, I found three.
“The Mammoth Cave of Kentucky” by Horace Carter Hovey, published 1912. This book is a great one about the cave system by the modern discoverer who personally mapped much of the known passages. This is rather like a tour book, with fold out maps and photos, along with history of the cave.
The second book is “Cave Life of Kentucky” by Vernon Bailey, published 1933. This book discusses the history of the area, and the mammals, birds, fishes and reptiles that have been found in the cave region.
The third book is Archeology of the Mammoth Cave area, by Patty Jo Watson, published 1974. This book is all about the human use of the Mammoth and surrounding caves by Archaic and Woodland Indians. This is another very interesting book.
Toulouse-Lautrec died September 9th, 1901. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a very prolific French painter. He was quite small, he broke both his legs as a child, and while his torso grew adult sized, his legs did not. Toulouse-Lautrec finally reached about about five feet tall. He had an affinity for prostitutes and drinking. Many of his paintings were of prostitutes, and patrons of bars and nightclubs. I have three books to discuss.
The first book I have is an interesting small book “Toulouse-Lautrec” text by Joseph-Emile Muller, published 1975. This artbook has many plates of his work, along with a timetable of his life.
The second book is “Posters” by Attilio Rossi, published 1966. This book goes through the history of advertising posters, with 77 plates in color. Toulouse-Lautrec drew posters for the Moulin Rouge and other nightclubs, and sometimes for specific singers and dancers. Many of these posters are familiar today.
The third book ia Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec” edited by Gerhard Gruitrooy, published 1996. This is a large coffee table art book that shows and explains Toulouse-Lautrec’s work in different stages of his life. Along with the wonderful large pictures of paintings and posters, there are also drawings and sketches that help give a more rounded view of what he was trying to achieve in his work.
On September 9th 1543, a nine month old Mary Stuart is crowned “Queen of Scots”.
In my three volume set of “Royal Romances of History” by Lyndon Orr, published in 1912, there is a chapter about Mary Queen of Scots.
Mary Stuart had a compelling life, and was married three times. The first to Francis, King of France, second to Lord Darnley (with whom she had a child who became James VI of Scotland and James I of England.) The third marriage was to the Earl of Bothwell. This book goes into her history and especially her last love. The author states:
“Mary Stuart and Cleopatra are the two women who have most attracted the fancy of poets, dramatics, novelists, and painters, from their own time down to the present day. Each was a queen whose affairs were entangled with those of a much greater one. Each won that love recklessly, almost madly. Each in its attainment, fell from love and power. Each died before her natural life was ended.”
He then goes in to the details of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Bothwell. In the end, Mary Stuart was executed, by beheading. Sadly, the first ax strike hit the back of her head. The second, cut through most of the neck, excepting for some muscle. It took a third cut to completely sever her head.
Thrice thank you for reading today.
“There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” -Will Rogers
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