Miscellaneous History: Puzzles — Can you help?
If anyone can help with the following queries, please E-mail the Webmaster
Headington Fever
This print, drawn and engraved by R.Cruickshank and published in Bernard Blackmantle [Charles Molloy Westmacott], The English Spy (Sherwood Jones & Co, 1824) is inscribed, “Tom Echo laid up with the Headington Fever or an Oxonian very near the Wall”.
In the text, Tom Echo says, “I have only just quitted Aeger Haven and have been very near the Wall.” A footnote states: “The depôt of invalids; Dr Wall being a celebrated surgeon whose skill is proverbial in the cure of the Headington or Bagley Fever.”
A hunting cap hangs over the fireplace: is the fever something to do with hunting?
Where in Quarry is this?
The above print show Headington Quarry in about 1820, and was engraved by John Whessell (born 1760). Is anyone able to identify the buildings in the picture? Do they still exist?
The above picture shows a house in New Headington/Highfield. The brickwork may now have been rendered, and the house could even have been demolished. Does anyone recognize where it is?
