Victorian magazines (especially The Strand) delighted in "round-up" articles - compendiums of information on customs, traditions, artifacts, etc. from around the world. This section brings you our own roundup of "roundup" articles.

The Great Fairs and Markets of Europe, by R.H. Horne (Harper's Monthly, 1873A)

Some Queer Dishes, by Fannie Roper Feudge (St. Nicholas, 1875)

Some delicacies encountered while traveling, including rat meat, locusts, and elephant heart.

Crude and Curious Inventions at the Centennial Exposition, by Edward H. Knight (Atlantic Monthly, 1878)

1: Cotton, silk, and spinning techniques

2: Weaving

3: Water vessels, wooden ware and pottery

4: Furniture, shoes and toilette items

Toys and Toymakers (Little Folks, 1878)

A Doleful Subject (Demorest, 1882)

How coffins are used (or not used) around the world.

Primitive Fishhooks, by Barnet Phillips (Century Magazine, 1883A)

A look at a variety of types of fishhooks used by various cultures and in ancient times.

The Newspapers of the World, by C.F. Gordon Cumming (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1884)

The Ornaments Worn in Many Lands, by Ruth Lamb (Girl's Own Paper, 1884, 1887)

The Postmen of the World by C.F. Gordon Cumming (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1885)

Part I looks at India's Camel Express Messengers; China's mail-packets; Hindustan's tappal runners; the pony express; and other mail delivery systems throughout the world. The second part looks primarily at the history of the British postal system.

Common Schools Abroad, by Matthew Arnold (Century Magazine, 1886B)

A look at children's education, particularly in parochial schools, throughout Europe.

The Girls of the World: Facts and Figures, by Horace Bushnell (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

Interesting collection of statistics on women throughout the world - births, deaths, education, occupations and more.

Salutations, by T.F. Thiselton Dyer (Girl's Own Paper, 1887)

The European Craze for Decorations, by Ernst von Hesse-Wartegg (Century Magazine, 1888A)

On the many medals, crosses, etc. issued by European governments. (A small portion of this article is torn off.)

National Characteristics, by Rev. S. Baring-Gould (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

A look at what various countries think of one another.

Superstitions Regarding Children (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1889)

Charms and practices around the world meant to keep children safe and healthy.

Babies (The Strand, 1891A)

The Cakes of Other Climes, by Fanny Green (Girl's Own Paper, 1893)

This is a charming look at different types of cakes and their "occasions" in other countries - more of a cultural roundup than a recipe collection.

The Romance of Mining (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1893)

Some history of mines around the world.

Marksmanship, by Gilbert Guerdon (The Strand, 1894B)

A look at all sorts of "target practice," from slings and bows and arrows to guns and boomerangs.

The Parliaments of the World, by Alfred Robbins (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1894)

Naming the Baby, by Edward Salmon (The Strand, 1895B)

Idols (The Strand, 1896B)

Telegraph Systems of the World (Windsor Magazine, 1896A)

"The story of the nerves of our commercial life." Even then, businesses aimed for "lightning speed" in communications!

Policemen of the World, by C.S. Pelham-Clinton (The Strand, 1897A)

Queer Conveyances (The Strand, 1897B)

"It occurred to the present writer that a collection of photographs of many of the most picturesque conveyances of the world would prove interesting alike to the traveller and the 'stay-at-home'." And so, from the Pondicherry Push-Push to the camel-drawn state carriage of the Begum of Bhopal, we have a round-up of fascinating means of transport.

Masks, by E.A. Brayley Hodgetts (The Strand, 1898A)

Picture-Writing (The Strand, 1898A)

Postmen of the World, by Thomas Lake (The Strand, 1898A)

Popular Superstitions of Europe, by Daniel Brinton, MD (Century Magazine, 1898B)

My Museum of Eastern Curios, by Mrs. Eliza Brightwen (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

The Devil's Own (English Illustrated Magazine, 1899A)

A look at various places around the world named for the devil.

The Queerest Bridges in the World, by Herbert Fyfe (The Strand, 1900A)

English As She Is Wrote, by Meta Henn (The Strand, 1900B)

An article that proves that our fascination with amusing translations is nothing new!

See also

• Arts, Crafts & Industries

• World Holidays

• World Wedding Customs