Proposes, on the last day of the present month, to shoot
himself by subscription. His life being of no farther use to
himself or his friends, he takes this method of endeavouring
to turn his death to some account; and the novelty of the
performance, he hopes, will merit the attention and patronage
of the publick.
He will perform with two pistols, the first shot to be
directed through his _abdomen_, to which will be added another
through his brain, the whole to conclude with staggering
convulsions, grinning, &c., in a manner never before publickly
attempted.
The doors to be opened at eight, and the exhibition to begin
precisely at nine. Particular places, for that night only,
reserved for the ladies. No money to be returned, nor half
price taken. _Vivant Rex et Regina._
_N.B._ Beware of counterfeits and impostors.--The person who
advertises to hang himself the same night, in opposition to
Mr. Touchwood, is a taylor, who intends only to give the
representation of death by dancing in a collar, an attempt
infinitely inferior to Mr. T.'s original and authentic
performance.
* * * * *
Probably camels were not seen in America before 1789. Increased interest
attaches to the following advertisement from the fact that the exhibition
was held near the very pump which Hawthorne commemorates in "Twice-Told
Tales." This notice is taken from the "Salem Mercury," Aug. 4, 1789.