AMONG the mass of advertisements that have appeared from time to time in
newspapers are to be found some which are very quaint and curious. Such
are not, in all cases, intended by the writers to be so; but they sound
so, especially to those persons who have an ear for strange or humorous
things. Sometimes, indeed, it is the intention of the writers to attract
particular notice by the wording of the advertisement. Oftentimes the
matter may have been dictated by illiterate persons. Frequently the nature
of the subject is itself sufficient to excite our humorous feelings. But
whatever may be the object of the advertiser, these productions are often
amusing and interesting enough to be reproduced for the benefit of those
who cannot conveniently read the originals.
In 1767 "the Prince of the Power of the Air reigned with almost
uncontrouled Restraint," according to a book published.
THIS DAY _PUBLISHED_,
An ADDRESS to
PERSONS of FASHION,
Concerning frequenting of
PLAYS, BALLS, ASSEMBLIES, CARD-TABLES, &c.
In which is introduced the Character of
_LUCINDA_.
Printed & Sold by _W. McAlpine_, in Marlboro'-street.
*** A Pamphlet worthy the serious Attention of every
Christian, especially at a Time when Vice and Immorality seems
to have an Ascendency over Religion, and the Prince of the
Power of the Air reigns with almost an uncontrouled Restraint.
_Boston Gazette_, May 21, 1767.
* * * * *
In the year 1759 competition in trade had not reached the proportions that
it has since assumed, for the "ill-natured opposition" which two women
met with according to the "Boston Gazette" of August 13, that year, was
probably nothing more or less than the treatment of some competitor in the
same line,--perhaps a man mean enough to undersell. Such things have
frequently occurred in our day,--some mammoth establishment cutting prices
purposely, to drive some poor woman out of business whose sole dependence
is in a small shop selling cotton, pins, needles, etc., barely making a
living at it. "Rule or ruin" is the motto of too many in these days; and
such men are called "smart," and if they get rich are fairly worshipped
for their enterprise.
_Sarah Todd_ and _Mary Purcell_
Hereby inform the Publick that (notwithstanding the ill-natur'd
Opposition they have met with, though not from the Landlord,
who has fulfill'd his Engagement to them) they have remov'd
their Shop from opposite the Old-Brick Meeting-House in
Cornhill to the House lately occupied by Mrs. _Elizabeth
Campbell_, next Door to Deacon _Boutineau's_ in Cornhill,
_Boston_, where they hope their Friends and others will favour
them with their Custom, and whom they engage to supply with
the following Articles at the lowest Rate that any fair Trader
can afford them for Cash. _VIZ._
_India Taffities, Grograms, Persians, black and colour'd
Sattins, Silk, Callamancoe, Tammie, and Horse Hair quilted
Petticoats, a Variety of the newest fashion'd Prussian Cloaks
and Hatts, with figur'd Silk and Trimming for ditto, 6-4 and
yard-wide Muslin, Long Lawn, Cambrick, clear and flower'd
Lawns, Cyprus, Gauze, Tandem Holland, Damask Table Cloths,
India Ginghams, white Callico, Cap Lace, black Bone Lace, and
Trolly ditto, white and colour'd Blond Lace, Stone sett in
Silver Shoe Buckles, Sleeve Buttons, Stock Tape, Sattin
Jockeys with Feathers for Boys, brocaded silk, black Sattin
and Russel Shoes, black Sattin Bonnetts and Hatts, Pastboard
Stomachers, Cotton, Thread and Worsted Mens and Womens Hose, a
great Variety of Ribbons, Necklaces and Earings, black and
white Silk Mitts, Kid and Lamb Gloves and Mitts, French ditto,
Cotton, Cambrick and Scotch Threads, with a great Variety of
Millenary Goods, too many to enumerate. --> The said_ Todd
_and_ Purcell _having spare Room in said House, can
accommodate young Ladies with Board and Lodging at a
reasonable Rate._
* * * * *
In 1760 the town clerk of Boston issued a notice to the public in
reference to persons forestalling the market by falsely representing to
farmers and others that the small-pox was prevalent in the town, which had
so frightened the market-men that they were glad to sell outside the town
and at lower prices than they otherwise would have done.
Boston, February 13, 1760.
WHEREAS sundry evil minded Persons in some of the neighbouring
Towns, to discourage the Market-People coming into this Town
with their Provisions, and that they may have an Opportunity
to purchase at low Rates, and sell them here at an exorbitant
Price, have industriously reported that the Small-Pox for some
Time past has been in this Town, and now prevails here:
THESE are to Inform the Public, that for near two Years past,
there has been only one Person taken down in this Town with
the Small-Pox, which is upwards of a Month past, who upon
discovery of it was immediately removed to the Hospital, and
there died, and no other Person has had it, or any Symptoms of
it since.--That Yesterday there was a general Visitation of
the Town by the Justices of the Peace, Selectmen and Overseers
of the Poor, and upon their Report last Evening of the State
and Circumstances of the Inhabitants, I hereby Certify that
there is not an Infectious Distemper of any Sort, known to be
in Town.--AND as the above false Reports have been Propagated
to the great Prejudice of this Town by those who employ
themselves in Engrossing Provisions and Forestalling the
Market, (many of whom are known to the Selectmen:) They are
hereby particularly Notified, That unless they desist from
such wicked and abusive Practices, they will be prosecuted on
the Act of the Province, for making and publishing such Lyes
and false Reports.----By Order of the Selectmen,
Ezekiel Goldthwait, Town Clerk.
Many Country-People have imagined by seeing Silks hanging on
Poles, that the Small-Pox is in such Houses; but their
Surmises are entirely groundless, they being hung out at the
Silk Dyers for drying.
_Boston Gazette._
* * * * *
In 1760 the Committee of Tradesmen advise voters to "put on Sabbath Day
Clothes" and "wash their Hands and Faces" before going to town meeting the
next day. They also speak of the "New and Grand Corcas," meaning probably
caucus. This is from the "Boston Gazette," May 12.
THE Committee of Tradesmen hereby advise their Constituents
and others to set apart a decent Portion of Time (at least one
Hour) previous to the Opening of the Town-Meeting To-Morrow to
shift themselves and put on their Sabbath Day Clothes, also
to wash their Hands and Faces, that they may appear neat and
cleanly; Inasmuch as it hath been reported to said Committee
of Tradesmen that Votes are to be GIVEN AWAY by the delicate
Hands of the _New and Grand Corcas_; and they would have no
Offence given to Turk or Jew, much less to Gentlemen who
attend upon so _charitable_ a design.--Nothing of the _least
Significancy_ was transacted at a late Meeting of the said new
and grand Corcas to require any further Attention of said
Committee.
_Boston Gazette_, May 12, 1760.
* * * * *
Some one is "desired to refresh his memory" in 1767. Such mistakes remind
us of Willis Gaylord Clark's account of an announcement he once heard at a
revival meeting somewhere in New York State. The minister said: "I would
_ad_nounce to this _codin_gregation [through his nose] that, _pre_bably by
mistake, there was left at this house of prayer this morning a small
_cotting_ umbrella, very much worn and of an exceeding_lie_ pale blue
color; in the place whereof was taken one that was new and of great
beauty. I say, brethren and sisters, that it was _pre_bably by mistake
that of these two articles the one was taken and the other left; but it
was a very improper mistake, and should be discountenanced if possible.
Blunders of this sort are getting to be a _lee_tle too common."
Taken (as is supposed by Mistake) last Wednesday from the
Representatives Chamber in _Boston_, a long Camblet Cloak,
lin'd with red Baize: Whoever has taken the same is desired to
refresh his Memory, and return it to Mr. _Baker_, Keeper of
the Court-House. _Sept. 5, 1767._
* * * * *
By an advertisement in the "Boston Gazette," Oct. 19, 1767, we learn that
the young ladies of Boston had an opportunity to learn to paint on "gauze
and catgut," which we suppose at that time was considered "high art."
To the Young Ladies of _Boston_.
_ELIZABETH COURTNEY_, as several Ladies has signified of
having a desire to learn that most ingenious art of Painting
on Gauze & Catgut, proposes to open a School, and that her
business may be a public good, designs to teach the making all
sorts of French Trimmings, Flowers, and Feather Muffs and
Tippets. And as those arts above mentioned (the Flowers
excepted) are entirely unknown on the Continent, she flatters
herself to meet with all due encouragement; and more so, as
every Lady may have a power of serving herself of what she is
now obliged to send to England for, as the whole process is
attended with little or no expence. The Conditions are _Five
Dollars_ at entrance, to be confin'd to no particular hours or
time: And if they apply constant, may be compleat in six
weeks. And when she has fifty subscribers, school will be
open'd, as not being designed to open a school under that
number, her proposals being to each person so easy, but to
return to those who have subscrib'd their money again, and
keep the business to herself.
_N.B._ Feather Muffs and Tippets to be had; and Gauze wash'd
to look as well as new.
Please to inquire at Mr. _Courtney's_, Taylor, four Doors
below the Mill-Bridge, North-End.
* * * * *
Sept 14, 1761, Samuel Gardner and Joseph Cabot of Salem offer a "snow"
(two-masted vessel) for sale, that "goeth well."
TO BE SOLD, by _Samuel Gardner_, _Francis_ and _Joseph Cabot_
of _Salem_, on reasonable Terms; a SNOW burthened about One
hundred and seventy Tons, well built and fitted, goeth well;
She has 10 Carriage and 6 Swivel Guns, belonging to her.
* * * * *
In June, 1762, "gentleman seamen" were offered a chance to ship.
"Post-Boy."
[Illustration]
Now bound on a CRUIZE of Six Months, Against his Majesty's
Enemies, The Brigantine _Tartar_, A prime Sailer, mounting
Fourteen Six Pounders, Twenty Co-horns, and will carry One
Hundred and Twenty Men, Commanded by _William Augustus Peck_.
ALL Gentlemen SEAMEN and able bodied LANDMEN, who have a Mind
to make their Fortunes, and are inclined to take a Cruize in
said Vessel, by applying to the _KING's-HEAD_ Tavern at the
North-End may view the Articles, which are more advantageous
to the Ship's Company than ever were before offered in this
Place.
_Boston_, _June 28, 1762._
In 1762 the front part of a house is to be let near the "Orange-Tree" in
Boston. The "Orange-Tree" was a tavern.
_TO be LETT, The front Part of the House that Deacon_ Gibson
_formerly liv'd in, a little below the Orange-Tree; for
further Information, inquire of Mr._ Increase Blake, _living
in the back Part of said House and know further._
* * * * *
In September, 1767, those persons who were indebted to Mr. George Bray and
who did not wish to be waited upon by a "monitor"--otherwise a
constable--were reminded of their duty in the following quaint notice from
the "Boston Gazette:"--
IF those who are indebted to Mr. _George Bray_ will pay what
they owe him to me his Attorney on or before the 26th Day of
next Month, they will save me the Trouble of sending, and
themselves of paying a MONITOR, who will at least remind them
that in ancient Times People were desired to "OWE NO MAN ANY
THING, BUT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER": Which I believe is as
obligatory, I am sure as necessary, to be observed now as it
was then; especially considering Mr. _Bray's_ repeated Losses
by Fire, his having a large Family to maintain, and also being
a long Time out of Business.
_Boston_, _Sept. 26, 1767._ JOHN BALL.
_N.B._ Beware of suing, for no further Warning
will be given. J.B.
* * * * *
In 1767 Widow Hendry had "a very chargeable family," and had suffered by a
recent fire in "Paddy's Alley."
THIS is to give notice that the Widow _Hendry_, having had her
Workshop destroyed in the late Fire in Paddy's Alley, carries
on the Farrier's Business on Scarlet's Wharf, at the North
End, where she hopes her Customers will continue their Favors
to her, in her deplorable Circumstances, having a very
chargeable Family, and met with very heavy Losses by the said
Fire.
* * * * *
After the same fire Jonathan Payson missed a pair of "Brass Doggs"
(andirons), etc.
Sundry Things missing after the late Fire, _viz._ One Pair of
Brass Doggs, cast solid, very heavy and large; 22 yards of
Hamburgh Sheeting; one Bell metal Skillet, and one Silver
Spoon--The Persons that took them in not knowing who they may
belong to, I take this Method to inform them that they belong
to the Subscriber.