One of the centennial events of this year will be the fifth centenary of the use of the word `gentleman' as a title. So far as can be ascertained, the word was first used in 1430, and even if it does not bear quite the same weight nowadays as it did in the past its centenary may, at least, be noted. Only a hundred years earlier, in 1330, caricatures originated; and, a hundred years later, the popular strawberry was first introduced into England from Flanders.
In 1630 several important things seem to have been discovered, amongst them being Epsom salts, the weight of the atmosphere, and the principle of the slide rule. The actual slide rule was invented by one Oughtred in the same year. None of these discoveries are likely to enthuse any large body of people to organise centenary pageants or exhibitions, although Epsom salts has surely done sufficient good to warrant something.
The Irish Times, January 13th, 1930.