The Cauldron No. 5
Fifth in the series titled “The Cauldron” – the circa 1930’s and 1940’s musings of Nelson Douglass Jr. aka Granville Douglass. Enjoy his views and insights of yesteryear, laced with humor, honesty, and sincerity.
Nelson Douglass Jr. was my paternal Grandfather. A man I never met on the physical plane but know intimately through the wealth of writing, notes and stories he left. I am working on a book about a small segment of his life, which you can read about on my website dedicated to this work.
The Cauldron No. 5 by Granville Douglass
Timely Advice –
These words of George Washington are worthy of consideration today. “Nothing is more essential than the permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded, and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings toward all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges toward another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence, frequent collisions; obstinate, envenomed and bloody contests. Agains the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens), the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy, to be useful, must be impartial.”
Things I Don’t Like About People –
The invariable conversation that takes place between the starter and the elevator operator when I’m in a hurry to get up to an appointment…….. Speaking of elevator operators reminds me of an experience a friend of mine had not long ago. He had just stepped into the elevator in his building one morning and was greeted by the operator with a cheerful, “Good morning, Mr. _____________, how are you?” My friend who apparently had had a bad night of it, replied, “Oh, pretty good for an old fat ___ __ _ _____”. As he was stepping out at his floor, the operator said, “Oh, Mr. __________________ you know you’re not old or fat”. The elevator door closed before my pal had thoroughly analyzed the remark.
Cost of Living –
Our cost of living is rising. It is and will be a stealthy process which at first seems harmless, but which ultimately will raise “Ned” with the well known family budget. The first real effect will be made known to us when our 1941 income tax returns go in next spring. I don’t believe many of us realize what has taken place in the prices of foodstuffs in the past year, during which our defense program has been getting under way. During this period we have experienced the following increases in price of foodstuffs, in spite of abundant production and government control; hogs 103%, lard 69%, coffee 60%, cocoa 53%, butter 36%, sugar 30%, wheat 23%, steers 14%, and corn 12%. Check up and you will find that you are paying more for eggs, canned goods and all the other staples, than you did six months ago. The only answer is that we must waste less and conserve more.
A Thought for Today –
I congratulate poor young men upon being born to that ancient and honorable degree which renders it necessary that they should devote themselves to hard work – Andrew Carnegie.
Superstition –
How long has it been since you have handled a two-dollar bill? The things practically have become extinct. They are considered by many to be bad luck, but I’ll wager none of us will be so touchy on the subject by this time next year…….. I’ve heard two different explanations of the superstition regarding three lights from one match. Some say it started during the last war. If three doughboys on the line at night took a light from the same match, by the time the third one lighted up, somebody was pretty apt to get hit. But that explanation sounds phoney, for if you were that close to the enemy there were no matches lighted at night. The more logical explanation of the superstition is that it was started by one of the large manufacturers of matches. It resulted in more matches being used.
Something I’ve Wondered About –
……..During the last war our overseas officers wore Sam Browne belts – but when they came home, had to remove the belts before landing in the good old U. S. A., since the belts were not worn by officers in service at home – and there was to be no distinction, &c. Sam Browne belts today are not only worn by commissioned officers in the service, but by policemen, hotel and apartment house doormen, and anyone else who has an excuse for wearing any kind of uniform. I’ve always wondered about that.