Besieged by Witch Fever is a book that delves into the fascinating history of wallpaper. This seemingly mundane household item has a rich and storied past that few are aware of. The book focuses specifically on a specific type of wallpaper that gained popularity in the Victorian era, known as Arsenic Sulphide wallpaper. The name itself gives a clue to the danger hidden behind its beautiful and intricate designs. Arsenic Sulphide, as the name suggests, contains high levels of arsenic - a highly toxic element. The book explores how this toxic substance became an essential part of wallpaper production during the 19th century.

South Carolina announces new name for live mascot

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina Athletics announced a new name for its live mascot Monday, replacing the former name, “Sir Big Spur”.

The live mascot will now be known as The General in homage to Revolutionary War General Thomas Sumter, whose nickname “Fighting Gamecock” created the original moniker for Athletics.

“We know Gamecock fans are passionate about our traditions and seeing the live mascot at games and other Athletics events is something they look forward to,” South Carolina Deputy Athletics Director Eric Nichols said. “When we realized that we would have to change his name to keep that tradition alive, it seemed fitting to go back to where ‘Gamecocks’ got started.”

South Carolina’s live mascot has been a staple at Gamecock football and baseball games for nearly two decades, and The General will continue to represent the Athletics Department through a partnership with new owners Beth and Van Clark. A dispute about the care of the rooster between the Clarks and its previous owners yielded the withholding of the name “Sir Big Spur,” which neither the University nor the Athletics Department owned the rights to.

In deciding on the new name, the Athletics Department worked with the Clarks, internal staff and even reviewed fan suggestions on social media. With the University’s legal department discouraging keeping any part of the previous name in the new one, the Gamecocks chose to honor their original namesake and give the live mascot the name The General.

When football season starts next Saturday, The General will have not just a new name, but a new perch as well. The Athletics Department and the Clarks are creating a ‘C’ for The General to sit, somewhat replicating the South Carolina Block C logo.

The General is set for his first appearance of the 2022-23 athletic season at the South Carolina football season opener against Georgia State on Sat., Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m.

South Carolina’s Gamecock mascot has a new name and we’re figuring out odds

The SEC craziness lands a week early in Columbia. And yeah, we really missed insane college football stories.

The book explores how this toxic substance became an essential part of wallpaper production during the 19th century. The author, Lucinda Hawksley, takes readers on a journey through time, revealing the various stages in the production of Arsenic Sulphide wallpaper. It highlights how arsenic was used to achieve vibrant colors and intricate patterns, becoming a mark of luxury and high status.

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter

Share All sharing options for: South Carolina’s Gamecock mascot has a new name and we’re figuring out odds

We’re still a few days away from Week 0 in college football, and while the SEC isn’t featured heavily on the opening slate, the conference can’t seem to help itself when it comes to making headlines. The South Carolina Gamecocks have decided to move on from the “Sir Big Spur” moniker for its live mascot, and the reason is both ridiculous and peak college football.

To be clear, the University of South Carolina isn’t discontinuing using a live mascot. On the contrary, the chicken will still be paraded around through tailgates on his little cart and will be on the sidelines during games, clucking his team to victory. The formerly named Sir Big Spur has changed owners; thus, they believe a name chance is also in order. The University doesn’t own the rights to ‘Big Spur,’ which was the costumed mascot's name pre-1980 before the creation of ‘Cocky.’ The school is helping to steer the selection of the new name, and an announcement is expected ahead of the season opener against Georgia State on Saturday, September 4.

And local paper The State has come up with suggestions for a new name. They range from tame names like ‘The General’ and Coop to humorous such as Capt. Cluck or Cluck Norris. As the football team continues to turn around its tarnished image from the failed Will Muschamp experiment, the Gamecocks are in a unique position to continue their re-branding.

Odds for Potential South Carolina New Live Mascot Names*

Coop: -125
Cluck Norris: +100
Capt. Cluck: +150
Kickin’ Chicken: +300
General: +500
Marco Pollo: +750
Brooster+900
Mr. Chicken Scratch: +1000
Cock-a-doodle-dude: +2000
Cock Commander +10000

* Not actually available for betting anywhere because c’mon y’all

When it comes to determining which name will be chosen, Coop stands as the favorite. It has it all. It is a pun, it is harmless for kids and fun for the whole family, which the school would enjoy. One could even say it pays homage to standout wide receiver Pharoah Cooper who played for the team from 2013-2015. The fan-favorite installed at +100 would be Cluck Norris. Even typing that out, I had to smile. It just reeks of awesomeness and would ensure that the live mascot would forever win any hypothetical fights against other mascots in the NCAA. Right on the heels of that would be Capt. Cluck (+150) and Kickin’ Chicken (+300).

A name like ‘General’ is too basic and doesn’t inspire excitement from fans, young or old, so it is a long shot at +500. Marco Pollo is clever, but if we are being honest, fans likely wouldn’t pronounce it the correct way, which drops it down to +750 odds. Cock Commander has been tossed around, but there is no shot the hoi polloi in Columbia will allow it even with a majority of people voting for it in a poll, so it’s +10000 odds for that one.

It depends on the direction the owners and the University want to take. Sir Big Spur is mainly seen around campus, and at sporting events, so the name will hopefully be either rich in tradition or a punny name that fans can come together and get behind. There is ample opportunity for a uniting name between the Gamecocks’ women’s basketball team success, back-to-back baseball national championships and football history should they go with something sports related. All in all, the name likely won’t measure up to Sir Big Spur, given that the moniker was not only a tribute to the school but to the unique animal that it was attributed to. We should know the new moniker of the live mascot over the next 10 days as the football team plays gears up for its home opener under the lights of Williams Brice Stadium.

The wallpaper industry became a lucrative business, but little did people know about the deadly effects lurking within their homes. As the book progresses, Hawksley also delves into the societal impact of Arsenic Sulphide wallpaper. She discusses the health hazards it posed, including symptoms such as rashes, respiratory problems, and even death. One particularly horrifying aspect of the wallpaper's toxicity was how it could release arsenic gas when damp, jeopardizing the health of anyone living in a room adorned with the wallpaper. Amidst the aesthetic appeal and societal fascination, it soon became apparent that danger lurked behind the beautiful patterns. The book traces the rise of public awareness regarding the toxic effects of Arsenic Sulphide wallpaper. It discusses how the media and medical profession began to highlight its dangers, leading to the eventual decline and discontinuation of its production. Besieged by Witch Fever sheds light on a forgotten chapter of history, providing a riveting account of a household item that was once coveted but turned out to be a silent killer. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of being mindful of the materials we bring into our homes. So next time you admire the patterns adorning your walls, spare a thought for the hidden dangers that may lie beneath..

Reviews for "Witchcraft and Folklore: Exploring Cultural Beliefs and Practices"

1. John - 1 star

I found "Besieged by Witch Fever" to be a complete disappointment. The book lacked depth and failed to captivate me. The author's attempt to explore the history of wallpaper through the lens of witchcraft fell flat. The writing style was lackluster, and the information presented felt disjointed and disorganized. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone interested in either witchcraft or the history of wallpaper.

2. Emma - 2 stars

I had high hopes for "Besieged by Witch Fever", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. While the concept of exploring the historical connection between witchcraft and wallpaper was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The book lacked a cohesive structure, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Additionally, the writing style was overly academic, which made it challenging to engage with the material. Overall, I found the book to be a missed opportunity for a fascinating exploration of an unusual topic.

3. Ryan - 2.5 stars

"Besieged by Witch Fever" was a mediocre read for me. The premise was intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired. The book lacked a clear direction and failed to delve deep enough into the subject matter. While there were some interesting tidbits about the history of wallpaper, the connection to witchcraft felt forced and superficial. The writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book unless you have a strong interest in both witchcraft and the history of wallpaper.

The Bizarre Methods Used to Prove Witchcraft in Trials