When was it published?

October 20, 1738 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News October 20, 1738

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Public Spectacle, Political Satire

Q: What keywords are associated?

St Pauls Birds, Eagles, Gun Fired, Spaniards Fleeing, Public Assembly

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 3

What is this article about?

In St. Paul's Church-yard, thousands gathered to view two large birds perched on St. Paul's Cathedral, possibly eagles, cormorants, or storks. They flew away after a man fired a gun, prompting jokes comparing them to fleeing Spaniards.

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OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

Yesterday in the afternoon, several thousand people assembled together in St. Paul's Church-yard to look at two large birds, which were perch'd on the top of St. Paul's; one was on the top of the cross, and the other on one of the pine apples; they were very large birds, and appear'd thro' a telescope to be two eagles, tho' some were of opinion they were cormorants or storks; they sat very quietly 'till a man went up St. Paul's, and fir'd a gun at them, on which they flew away. Various were the sentiments of the people at this uncommon sight, and some cry'd out, See, see, how the Spaniards fly away at the firing of a gun, nothing else will bring the Dons to reason.

What sub-type of article is it?

Public Spectacle Political Satire

What keywords are associated?

St Pauls Birds Eagles Gun Fired Spaniards Fleeing Public Assembly

Where did it happen?

St. Paul's Church Yard

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

St. Paul's Church Yard

Event Date

Yesterday In The Afternoon

Outcome

the birds flew away.

Event Details

Several thousand people assembled to look at two large birds perched on the top of St. Paul's; one on the cross and the other on a pine apple. They appeared to be eagles through a telescope, though some thought cormorants or storks. They sat quietly until a man fired a gun at them, causing them to fly away. People expressed various sentiments, with some joking that it showed Spaniards fleeing at the sound of a gun.