The Olden Time Series.

Vol. 4: Quaint and Curious Advertis.e.m.e.nts.

by Henry M. Brooks.

QUAINT

AND

CURIOUS ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nTS.

AMONG the ma.s.s of advertis.e.m.e.nts 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 advertis.e.m.e.nt. 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, b.a.l.l.s, a.s.sEMBLIES, 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 compet.i.tion in trade had not reached the proportions that it has since a.s.sumed, 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 compet.i.tor 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 Tr.i.m.m.i.n.g 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 b.u.t.tons, 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 Circ.u.mstances 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 Const.i.tuents 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 g.a.y.l.o.r.d 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 advertis.e.m.e.nt 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 Tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs, Flowers, and Feather m.u.f.fs 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 m.u.f.fs 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."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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._