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Title: The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities - Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts
Author: Brooks, Henry M. (Henry Mason), 1822-1898
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities - Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts" ***
=Ye Olden Time Series.=
During the Spring of 1886 TICKNOR AND COMPANY began the publication of
"YE OLDEN TIME SERIES, OR GLEANINGS FROM THE OLD NEWSPAPERS, CHIEFLY OF
BOSTON AND SALEM," with brief Comments by HENRY M. BROOKS, of Salem,
Massachusetts. Six volumes are now ready: each in 1 vol. 16mo. Cloth.
Price, 50 cents per vol.
Of this Series there are now ready:--
=Vol. I. CURIOSITIES OF THE OLD LOTTERY.=
=Vol. II. DAYS OF THE SPINNING-WHEEL IN NEW ENGLAND.=
=Vol. III. NEW-ENGLAND SUNDAY.=
=Vol. IV. QUAINT AND CURIOUS ADVERTISEMENTS.=
=Vol. V. SOME STRANGE AND CURIOUS PUNISHMENTS.=
=Vol. VI. LITERARY CURIOSITIES.=
The Series will be continued, and the following are some of the titles
of forthcoming volumes:--
="New-England Music in the Latter Part of the 18th and in the Beginning
of the 19th Century."=
="Travel in Old Times, with Some Account of Stages, Taverns, etc."=
="Curiosities of Politics, among the Old Federalists and Republicans."=
* * * * *
"What Mr. Brooks has thus gleaned has a noteworthy interest, not only as
offering a fund of amusement to young and old, but as having a certain
value to the student of New-England history, and an instructiveness for
the general reader."--_Boston Advertiser._
"A treat of good things out of the past. While not professing to be
history, they will contain much material for history."--_Literary
World._
* * * * *
_Sold by all Booksellers. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of price by the
Publishers,_
TICKNOR AND COMPANY, BOSTON.
THE OLDEN TIME SERIES
* * * * *
LITERARY CURIOSITIES
_Newspapers will ultimately engross all literature._--LAMARTINE.
_The careful reader of a few good newspapers can learn more in a year
than most scholars do in their great libraries._--F.B. SANBORN.
_No good book, or good thing of any sort, shows its best face at
first._--CARLYLE.
THE OLDEN TIME SERIES.
GLEANINGS CHIEFLY FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS OF BOSTON AND SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
SELECTED AND ARRANGED, WITH BRIEF COMMENTS
BY
HENRY M. BROOKS
* * * * *
Literary Curiosities
"Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread
that is not a twist of these two strands. By necessity, by proclivity,
and by delight, we all quote."--EMERSON
[Illustration: T AND CO]
BOSTON
TICKNOR AND COMPANY
1886
_Copyright, 1886,_
BY TICKNOR AND COMPANY.
* * * * *
_All rights reserved._
=University Press:=
JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.
INDEX OF NAMES.
PAGE
ADAMS, JOHN 82, 107
Adams, Rev. Mr. 8
Adams, Sally 8
Aiken, Rev. Mr. 125
Aldrich, Mrs. 105
André, Major 111
Arnold, Benedict 32, 33
Averell, Joseph 7
BARNARD, EDWARD 19
Barnard, Rev. Thomas 19
Barnard, Thomas, D.D. 19
Bayley, Matthew 105
Belcher, Governor 6
Belcher, Miss 5
Binney, Spencer 8
Birbeck, Morris 42
Blunt, John 39
Blunt, Mary Ann 39
Bons, Francis 103
Bowen, Henry 9
Bowes, John 102
Bradstreet, Anne 69
Breed, James 7
Brent, Eleanor 65
Brent, Robt. 65
Briggs, Enos 118
Brodie, Charlotte B. 9
Brookley, John 103
Bulkeley, Peter 68
Bullard, Polly 7
Bulow 111
Burt, Emily 8
Burton, Francis 12
Button, John 104
CABOT, J. 30
Cameron, Mary 104
Cass, Lewis 46
Cass, Miss 47
Casteguedo, F.L. 102
Checkley, Samuel 6
Checkley, William 6
Cheever, Master 125
Clough, Sally 11
Clough, Samuel 17
Cobbett, William 123
Columbus, Christopher 16
Consist, Francis 103
Cook, Nancy 12
Cotton, Charles 82
Cranston, Polly 6
Cromwell, Oliver 70
Currier, Samuel 11
Cushing, T.C. 62
DALAND, JACK 13
Davis, Benjamin 4
De Cugna, Numas 101
De la Roche Sur Yon 115
De Lametter, Christina 105
Derby, E.H. 117, 118
Desmond, Countess 102
Dexter, Lord Timothy 13, 14, 15, 16
Dodge, John 96
Douglass, Dr. 57, 58
Drakenberg, C.J. 103
Drinker, Edward 105
Dryden, John 72
Dumaresq, Phillip 5
Dunham, John M. 8
ECLESTON, MR. 102
Edwards, Pierpont 93
Ellis, Miss 103
Ellis, Mr. 103
Erskine, William 48
Erving, John 6
Erving, Nancy 6
FEARON, HENRY B. 107
Follart, John 104
Forbes, Mr. 48
Forster, Margaret 103
Foster, John 51, 52
Fox, C.J. 113
Franklin, Benjamin 116
French, Josiah 11
French, Moses 11
Froome, Mr. 103
GARDINER, REBECCA 5
Gardiner, Sylvester 5
Gibbon, Edward 96, 97, 98
Goldsmith, Oliver 32
Gore, Mary 103
Grant, Abigail 7
Grant, Alexander 7
Green, B., & Allen, J. 17
Green, S. 20
Green, Samuel, jun. 52, 53
Greenleaf, Anstess 4
Greenleaf, Stephen 5
Guthrie, Mr. 110
HALL, BASIL, R.N. 54
Hanson, Elizabeth 95
Hanson, John 95
Hanson, Rev. Mr. 93, 94
Harper, Miss 47
Harris, Benjamin 20
Hart, Rev. Mr. 10
Haven, Rev. Dr. 39
Herrenden, Elisha 11
Hill, Elisha 9
Hill, Jane 9
Hogg, Catharine 8
Holyoke, E.A., M.D. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Hubbard, Rev. William 51
Huntington, Rev. Mr. 7
ISAIAH (VII. 20) 126
JACKMAN, BETSEY 11
Jackson, Daniel 10
Jackson, Edward 5
Jackson, Mary 5
Jackson, Rebecca 10
Jay, John 82
Jefferson, Thomas 112
Jenkins, Henry 102
Jennison, Dr. J. 5
Johnson, Dr. Samuel 49, 50
Jones, John Coffin 6
Jones, Polly 8
Jones, Thomas 8
Josselyn, John 57
KEIMER, MR. 116
Keyser, Miss 46
King Charles I. 83, 84
King Charles II. 32
King George IV. 112
King Henry VII. 81, 82
King James II. 20, 23, 32
King William III. 53
LAINCOURT 111
Lamson, Eunice 7
Lawrence, Mr. 102
Lawrence, Schuyler 10
Lemon, Eliza Peel 12
Loring, Caleb 7
Lovell, Master 126
Lushure, Elenor 11
Lyell, Sir Charles 55
MAFEUS 101
Maiden Aunt, The 4
Mansfield, Lord 49
McDonald, Mary 103
McIntire, Elizabeth 89
McIntire, Samuel 88, 89
McIntire, Samuel F. 89
McKeen, Donald 104
McLane, Miss 47
Millot 98
Milton, John 38
Minns, Chloe 10
Mirabeau 120
Montgomery, Robert 102
Moore, Larkin 12
Moore, Thomas 124
Morse, Rev. Jedediah 68, 110
Murray, W. 51
NELSON, MR. 106
Nicholas, J.H. 44
Noah, M.M. 10
OGLETHORPE, GEN. 103
Oliphant, Rev. Mr. 12
Osgood, Aaron 38
Otway, John 72
Oulton, Mrs. 29
PAINE, THOMAS 96
Parker, Elizabeth 7
Parnell, Paul 11
Parre, Thomas 102
Payne, Mr. 105
Pearson, Joseph 64
Pickman, Benjamin 30
Pittengill, Abigail 5
Plum, Lewis 12
Pork, Robert 8
QUEEN ANNE 16
RANDOLPH, EDWARD 20
Reeder, John 68
Richards, Giles 8
Richter, J.P.F. 83
Rimbault, E.F. 32
Robinson, Miss 8
Rose, Aquila 16
Rousby, Matthew 10
Rowe, Mr. 104
Russell, Benjamin 97
Russell, E. 94
SACK, SIMON 103
Sagar, F. 102
Scaredevil, Mary 117
Scott, Sir Walter 47, 48
Selsbry, Polly 7
Sewall, Samuel 51, 52
Seymore, Bridget 5
Silsbee, Miss 46
Silsbee, Nathaniel 46
Simes, Mark 39
Slock, Mrs. 105
Smallpeace, Robert 122, 123
Smith, Major 9
Smith, Mr. 104
Smith, Samuel 5
Spalding, Hezekiah 5
Sparks, Jared 46
Sprague, Charles 44
Stewart, Duncan 6
Stiles, Rev. Dr. 113
Stillman, Rev. Dr. 7
Swift, Jonathan 71, 72
Symonds, John 119
TARRING, WILLIAM 12
Taylor, Ann 10
Thatcher, B.B. 125
Torrey, Rev. Mr. 52
Trollope, Mrs. 56
Tuck, Rev. Mr. 53
Tully, John 20
Turner, John 30
Turner, Rev. R. 109
UPHAM, REV. C.W. 12
WAGNER, ELIZABETH 12
Walker, Thomas 90
Walter, John 7
Wardwell, Ester 38
Wharton, Eliza 89, 94
Watkins, Dr. 82
Webster, Noah 88
Welby, Adlard 40, 41, 42, 43
Weld, Mr. 111
Wendell, Oliver 5
West, Benjamin 95
Whipple, Plato 13
Whitman, Elizabeth 91, 93
Whitney, John 5
Willard, Joseph 98
Williams, Judith 6
Williams, Mary 5
Willis, N.P. 44, 45
Winsloe, Thomas 103
Woodwrod, Ebenezer 8
YATES, MARY 103
Young, William 6
[Illustration]
LITERARY CURIOSITIES.
THE following humorous lines well describe the difficulty that editors
find in pleasing the public. They are expected to know everything, and
to be able to satisfy all tastes and capacities. No imperfections can be
excused in conductors of newspapers; they are not even allowed to be
unfortunate.
THE EDITOR.
That editor who wills to please,
Must humbly crawl upon his knees,
And kiss the hand that beats him;
Or, if he dare attempt to walk,
Must toe the mark that others chalk,
And cringe to all that meet him.
Says one, Your subjects are too grave,
Too much morality you have,--
Too much about religion;
Give me some witch and wizard tales
Of slip-shod ghosts with fins and scales,
Of feathers like a pigeon.
I love to read, another cries,
Those monstrous, fashionable lies,--
In other words, those novels,
Composed of kings and queens and lords,
Of border wars, and gothic hordes
That used to live in hovels.
No, no, cries one, we've had enough
Of such confounded love-sick stuff,
To craze the fair creation;
Give us some recent foreign news
Of Russians, Turks, the Greeks, or Jews,
Or any other nation.
The man of dull scholastic lore
Would like to see a little more
In scraps of Greek or Latin;
The merchants rather have the price
Of southern indigo and rice,
Of India silks, or satin.
Another cries, I want more fun,
A witty anecdote or pun,
A rebus or a riddle;
Some long for missionary news,
And some, of worldly, carnal views,
Would rather hear a fiddle.
The critic, too, of classic skill,
Must dip in gall his gander quill,
And scrall against the paper:
Of all the literary fools
Bred in our colleges and schools,
He cuts the greatest caper.
Another cries, I want to see
A jumbled-up variety,
Variety in all things,--
A miscellaneous, hodge-pod print,
Composed (I only give the hint)
Of multifarious small things.
I want some marriage news, says miss:
It constitutes my highest bliss
To hear of weddings plenty;
For in a time of general rain
None suffer from a drought, 'tis plain,--
At least, not one in twenty.
I want to hear of deaths, says one,
Of people totally undone
By losses, fire, or fever:
Another answers full as wise,
I'd rather have a fall and rise
Of raccoon skins and beaver.
Some signify a secret wish
For now and then a favorite dish
Of politics to suit them.
But here we rest at perfect ease,
For should they swear the moon was cheese,
We never should dispute them.
Or grave or humorous, wild or tame,
Lofty or low, 'tis all the same,
Too haughty or too humble;
And every editorial wight
Has nought to do but what is right,
And let the grumblers grumble.
From a Salem paper of 1828; author not stated.
* * * * *
"All are needed by each one,
Nothing is fair and good alone."
EMERSON.
In "old times" almost all the young ladies upon their marriage were
"amiable" and "agreeable"; at least they are so represented in most of
the announcements. The "maiden aunt" could not speak plainer in writing
for the "Boston Sunday Gazette." We copy some specimens from Boston and
Salem papers.
On Thursday last, in the Forenoon, was married Mr. BENJAMIN
DAVIS of this Town, Merchant, to Mrs. ANSTESS GREENLEAF,
second Daughter of STEPHEN GREENLEAF Esq; High Sheriff of
the County of Suffolk.
The same Evening Mr. OLIVER WENDELL, of this Town, Merchant,
was also Married to Mrs. MARY JACKSON, only Daughter of the
late Mr. EDWARD JACKSON; both young Ladies of great Merit.
Sept. 13, 1762.
* * * * *
On Thursday Evening last Mr. _Phillip Dumaresq_, Merchant,
was Married to Mrs. _Rebecca Gardiner_, third Daughter of
_Sylvester Gardiner_, Esq; of this Town, an agreeable young
Lady.
Dec. 19, 1763.
* * * * *
MARRIED]--Mr. SAMUEL SMITH, to Mrs. ABIGAIL PITTENGILL, an
agreeable young widow.
Dec. 22, 1790.
* * * * *
Thursday evening last, JOHN WHITNEY, Esq. merchant, of the
state of Georgia, to the amiable Mrs. BRIDGET SEYMORE, of
Wesport.
June 2, 1792.
* * * * *
--At Plainfield, Mr. Hezekiah Spalding, a batchelor of large
fortune, aged 68, to the amiable Miss Mary Williams, aged
22!
1790.
* * * * *
MARRIED]--At Cambridge, Dr. J. JENNISON, to the amiable Miss
BELCHER, daughter of his late Excellency Governour
_Belcher_, of Nova Scotia, and grand daughter of his
Excellency _Jonathan Belcher_, Esq. deceased, formerly
Governour of the then provinces of Massachusetts Bay and
New-Hampshire.
Aug. 31, 1790.
* * * * *
--At Newbury-Port, Mr. WILLIAM YOUNG, of Boston, to the
amiable Miss JUDITH WILLIAMS, of that town.
June 7, 1788.
* * * * *
NEWPORT, Nov. 24.
The 16th Instant, Mr. WILLIAM CHECKLEY, Son of the Rev. Mr.
SAMUEL CHECKLEY of Boston, was married to Miss POLLY
CRANSTON, a young Lady of genteel Acquirements, and of a
most amiable Disposition.
Dec. 19, 1766.
* * * * *
BOSTON, January 12 [1767].
Last Thursday Evening DUNCAN STEWART, Esq; Collector of His
Majesty's Customs for the Port of New-London, was married to
Miss NANCY ERVING, youngest Daughter of the Hon. JOHN
ERVING, Esq; of this Town; a most amiable and agreeable
young Lady.
* * * * *
Thursday last was married, at Newport, JOHN COFFIN JONES,
Esq. of Boston, merchant, to the truly amiable and
accomplished Miss ABIGAIL GRANT, daughter of the late
ALEXANDER GRANT, Esq. a Lady of real merit, and highly
qualified to render the connubial state desirable and
supremely happy.
May 22, 1786.
* * * * *
--By the Rev. Dr. STILLMAN, Mr. CALEB LORING, distiller, to
the agreeable Miss POLLY SELSBRY.
May 25, 1792.
* * * * *
MARRIED]--At _Billerica_, Mr. JAMES BREED, to the amiable
Miss ELIZABETH PARKER.--At _Newtown_, Mr. JOHN WALTER, A.B.,
to the agreeable Miss POLLY BULLARD.
March 24, 1792.
* * * * *
Married,
At Topsfield, by the Rev. Mr. Huntington, Mr. JOSEPH
AVERELL, to the accomplished Miss EUNICE LAMSON.
_Salem Register,_ 1801.
* * * * *
Editors were formerly very fond of curious matter for their lists of
marriages and deaths. In the "Massachusetts Centinel" for 1789 the
marriage of Pork and Hogg has a doubtful look, although it used to be
supposed that everything in the paper was true.
MARRIED]--Lately in Delaware, Mr. ROBERT PORK, merchant, to
Miss CATHARINE HOGG.--At Pepperell, Mr. GILES RICHARDS, of
this town, to the amiable Miss SALLY ADAMS, youngest
daughter of the late Rev. Mr. ADAMS, of Roxbury.--At Hull,
Mr. SPENCER BINNEY, to Miss POLLY JONES, daughter of Mr.
THOMAS JONES, of that place.
* * * * *
A Boston paper of 1795 prints the following:--
_MARRIAGES._
At Concord, Ebenezer Woodwrod, A.B., Citizen Bachelor, of
Hanover, N.H., to the amiable Miss ---- Robinson. At
Longmeadow, Mr. John M. Dunham, Citizen Bachelor and
Printer, as aforesaid, to the amiable Miss EMILY BURT.
The promptness and decision which the said Citizens have
shown----
"In all the fond intrigues of Love,"
is highly worthy of imitation; and the success that has so
richly crowned their courage and enterprize, must be an
invincible inducement to the fading phalanx of our remaining
Bachelors, to make a vigorous attack on some fortress of
female beauty, with a determined resolution,
----"Ne'er to quit the glorious strife,"
'Till, drest in all her charms, some blooming fair
Herself shall yield, the prize of conquering love!
In the "Salem Mercury," June 17, 1788, we find the following
announcement, which reminds us of "Solomon Grundy, who died on Monday."
DIED--At Rehoboth, Mr. HENRY BOWEN. He went to a wedding,
well, on Thursday, taken sick on Friday, died on Saturday,
buried on Sunday.
* * * * *
"Virtuous and amiable" were terms used frequently in the lists of
deaths.
--At Portsmouth, Mrs. Jane Hill, the virtuous and amiable
Consort of Mr. Elisha Hill. [1790]
* * * * *
The following is a list of marriages and deaths at various dates, taken
from Boston and Salem papers:--
"Salem Gazette," July 19, 1811.
......_MARRIAGES_......
In Williamsborough (N.C.), Major SMITH, of Prince Edwards
(Va.), to Miss CHARLOTTE B. BRODIE.--This match, consummated
only a few days since, was agreed upon thirty-one years ago
at Camden (S.C.), when he was captured at the battle of
Camden; and being separated by the war, &c., each had
supposed the other dead, until a few months since, when they
accidentally met, and neither plead any statute of
limitation in bar of the old bargain.
* * * * *
"Salem Mercury," Oct. 21, 1788.
MARRIED--In England, Mr. Matthew Rousby, aged 21, to Mrs.
Ann Taylor, aged 89. The lady's grandson was at this equal
union, and was 5 years older than his grandfather.
* * * * *
"Salem Gazette," 1817.
MARRIED,
In this town, Mr. Schuyler Lawrence, to Mrs. Chloe Minns,
Mistress of the African School in Salem, and who has
deserved well of the town and of the African race.
* * * * *
"Salem Register."
_MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1827._
MARRIED
At New-York, by Rev. Mr. Hart, M.M. NOAH, senior editor of
the Enquirer, to Miss Rebecca, only daughter of Mr. Daniel
Jackson, of that city. The junior editor of the Enquirer was
on the same day killed in a duel. An old Bachelor at our
elbow thinks the fate of the surviving editor most deserving
of commiseration!
* * * * *
"Salem Gazette," 1811.
......DEATHS......
A short time ago, at the romantic village of
Laughton-en-le-Morthen, in Yorkshire, England, Farmer PAUL
PARNELL, late of the Ewes Farm House, age 76 years, who
during his life, drank out of one silver pint cup with two
handles, upwards of 2000l. sterling worth of nut-brown
Yorkshire stingo (good old ale), being much attached to
stingo tipple, of the best double stout, home-brewed
quality. N.B. This calculation took at 2_d._ each cupfull.
* * * * *
"Essex Register," Feb. 5, 1824.
_MARRIAGES._
In Solon, by Rev. Moses French, Josiah French, Esq., aged
48, to Miss Betsey Jackman, aged 40, being his _fifth wife._
* * * * *
"Salem Gazette," Oct. 17, 1825.
At Rochester, N.Y., Capt. Samuel Currier to Miss Sally
Clough--_his sixth wife_!
* * * * *
"Independent Chronicle," Nov. 23, 1797.
At Gloucester (R.I.), Mr. ELISHA HERRENDEN, Æt. 83, to Mrs.
ELENOR LUSHURE, Æt. 88, being his _eighth_ wife!
* * * * *
"Salem Gazette," 1829.
By Rev Mr Upham, Mr Lewis Plum, of Newark, N.J., to Miss
Eliza P. Lemon, of this town.
* * * * *
"Essex Register," Dec., 1820.
At Beverly, on Wednesday evening last, by the Rev. Mr.
Oliphant, Mr. Larkin Moore, travelling preacher, physician,
poet, trader, &c., to Mrs. Nancy Cook.
* * * * *
"Salem Gazette," 1790.
_Died_]--At Horseley, in Derbyshire, England, a venerable
matron, named _Frances Burton_, aged 107. She had practised
midwifery upwards of 80 years. The husband of the above old
lady was sexton of the parish church 70 years; and this
ancient pair frequently boasted, that she had _brought into
the world_, and he had _buried_, the parish twice over!
* * * * *
1807.
......_DIED_......
Near Gloucester, Virg., _Elizabeth Wagner_, aged 107. She
never took medicine of any kind in her life.
* * * * *
From "Salem Gazette," 1811. Appropriate name for a
rope-maker.
Mr. WILLIAM TARRING, rope-maker, 38.
* * * * *
"Massachusetts Mercury," Dec. 27, 1799.
Died,
At _Hamilton, Essex_ County, PLATO WHIPPLE, aged 103, one of
God's images in ebony.
* * * * *
"Salem Gazette," 1811.
Mr. JACK DALAND, a very worthy black man, aged 65. He was
brought from Africa to the West Indies at about 11 years of
age; but instead of being _eaten_, as he expected, by the
white men, he was transferred by purchase to a happy asylum
in this place, where he has spent upwards of 50 years of his
life, respected by the whole town, as a faithful,
industrious, pleasant-tempered, intelligent man. His honest
industry was rewarded by the acquisition of a comfortable
property, which he has left for the enjoyment of his family.
The long train of white people who followed his remains to
the grave, testify to the esteem in which he was held.
* * * * *
The following is a notice of a "distinguished merchant" and "literary"
character of Newburyport, Mass. In the appendix to "Lord" Dexter's great
production--where all the stops are placed together on the last page,
so that "people can salt and pepper as they please"--we find these
lines:
"All men inquire, but few can tell
How thou in Science doth excel!"
TIMOTHY DEXTER. The subject of the present sketch, according
to his own account, was born in Malden, Massachusetts. "I
was born," says he (in his celebrated work, "A Pickle for
the knowing ones"), "1747, Jan. 22; on this day in the
morning, a great snow storm in the signs of the seventh
house; whilst Mars came forward Jupiter stood by to hold the
candle. I was to be a great man."
Lord Dexter, after having served an apprenticeship to a
Leather dresser, commenced business in Newburyport, where he
married a widow who owned a house and a small piece of land,
part of which, soon after the nuptials, were converted into
a shop and tanyard.
By application to his business his property increased, and
the purchase of a large tract of land near Penobscot,
together with an interest which he bought in the Ohio
Company's purchase, afforded him so much profit, as to
induce him to buy up Publick Securities at forty cents on
the pound, which securities soon after became worth twenty
shillings on the pound.
His Lordship at one time shipped a large quantity of
_warming pans_ to the _West Indies_ where they were sold at
a great advance on prime cost, and used for molasses
ladles. At another time, he purchased a large quantity of
_whalebone_ for _ship's stays_; the article rose in value
upon his hands, and he sold it to great advantage.
Property now was no longer the object of his pursuit; but
popularity became the god of his idolatry. He was charitable
to the poor, gave large donations to religious societies,
and rewarded those who wrote in his praise.
His lordship about this time acquired his peculiar taste for
style and splendour; and to enhance his own importance in
the world, set up an elegant equipage, and at great cost
adorned the front of his house with numerous figures of
illustrious personages.
By his order, a tomb was dug under the summer house in his
garden, during his life; which he mentions in 'A Pickle for
the knowing ones,' in the following ludicrous style:--
"Heare will lie in box the first Lord in Americake the first
Lord Dexter made by the voice of hampsher state my brave
fellows Affirmed it they give me the titel and so Let it
goue for as much as it will fetch it wonte give me Any
breade but take from me the Contrary fourder I have a grand
toume in my garding at one of the grasses and the tempel of
Reason over the toume nand my coffen made and all Ready I
emy house painted with white Lead an side and outside
touched with green and bras trimmings Eight handels and a
good Lock, I have had one mock founrel it was so solmon and
there was so much Criing about 3000 spectators I say my
house is Euqal to any mansion house in twelve hundred miles
and now for sale for seven hundred pounds weight of Dollars
by me
TIMOTHY DEXTER."
Lord Dexter believed in transmigration sometimes; at others
he was a deist. He died on the 22d day of Oct. 1806, in the
60th year of his age.
_Salem Observer,_ Dec. 17, 1825.
From what we have heard and read of Mr. Dexter, it is a matter of
surprise to us how such eccentricities could have attracted the
attention they evidently did. It is doubtful if so much folly and
conceit could now interest many people for any length of time.
* * * * *
Curious old almanacs.
AN OLD ALMANACK. A friend has handed us an almanack one
hundred and fifty years old, which is quite a curiosity in
its line. The following is the title:
"The New-England Almanack for the Year of our Lord MDCCIII.
Being Third after Leap-year, and from the Creation, 5652.
Discovery of America by Columbus, 211. Reign of our Gracious
Queen Anne, (which began March 8, 1702,) the 2 year. Wherein
is contained, Things necessary, and common in such a
Composure. As the Quarters of the Moon, Aspects of the
Planets and Weather set down Exactly according to the
Aspects, Courts, Spring Tides, Rising and Setting of the
Sun, Sun and Moons place, time of Full Sea at Boston, the
Eclipses, High Ways, &c., with several other Curiosities.
Calculated for the Meridian of Boston, the Metropolis of
New-England, Lat. 42, 24, but may serve any part of the
Country, (even as far as New-York,) without sensible Error.
By Samuel Clough.
The Heavens to us, God's Glory do make known,
By th' Firmament, his handy work is shown.
Licensed by His Excellency the Governour. Boston: Printed by
B. Green and J. Allen, for the Booksellers, and are to be
Sold at their Shops. 1703."
Then follows a short address "To the Readers" of the
Almanack. The figure of "Man's Body" with the "Twelve Signs
of the Zodiack," is headed with the following lines:
The Anotomy must still be in,
Else th' Almanack's not worth a pin:
For Country-men regard the Sign
As though 'Twere Oracle Divine.
But do not mind that altogether,
Have some respect to Wind and Weather.
The months of the year are introduced as follows:
_January._
Cold Weather now 'gins to be fierce,
And Norwest Winds our bodys pierce.
_February._
The Weather still continues cold,
Therefore warm cloaths are good we hold.
_March._
'T is the best Month of all the year,
Wherein to brew good napping Beer.
_April._
Now Leaves on Trees begin to spring,
And Birds on Hedges sit and sing.
_May._
To walk Five Miles in his own Farm,
Will do a Husbandman no harm.
_June._
Now Countrymen each Sun shine day,
Mow down their Grass, and make it hay.
_July._
If Mildew now blasts English Grain,
'Twill make poor Husbandmen complain.
_August._
But if from Blasting it be free,
The Farmers then should thankful be.
_September._
The Leaves from Trees now fall away,
And sweetest Flowers do decay.
_October._
If Barns are full, though Fields be empty,
It doth prognosticate a plenty.
_November._
One day this Month each Fruitful year,
Give thanks to GOD, and Eat good chear.
_December._
The Weather now 'gins to be cold,
Which makes to shrink both young and old.
* * * * *
SATURDAY, DEC'R 24, 1853.
The Salem Observer.
ANOTHER OLD ALMANACK. In our last we gave an account of an
old Almanack for the year 1703. Since then we have seen
another some sixteen years older, printed for the year 1687.
It was bound in with an old account book that formerly
belonged to the Rev. Thomas Barnard, a minister of Andover,
from 1682 to 1718,--the great-grandfather of the Rev. Thomas
Barnard, D.D., the first minister of the North Church in
this city, who died Oct. 1, 1814, in the sixty-seventh year
of his age, also an ancestor of Capt. Edward Barnard, of
this city. We insert the title page and other extracts
therefrom, which we trust will impart the same interest to
our readers as we derived from its perusal.
It is prefaced by the following:
Novemb. 24th, 1686. I have Perused the Copy of an Almanack
for the Ensuing Year, Composed by John Tulley, and find
nothing in it contrary to His Majesties Laws, and therefore
Allow it to be Printed, and Published by Benjamin Harris,
Book-Seller in Boston.
EDWARD RANDOLPH, Secr.
The following is the title:
Tully 1687. An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord MDCLXXXVII.
Being the third after Leap-year, and from the Creation 5636.
The Vulgar Notes of which are Prime 16--Epact 26--Circle of
the [Symbol: Sun] 16--Domin: Letter B. Unto which is annexed
a Weather Glass, whereby the Change of the Weather may be
foreseen. Calculated for and fitted to the Meridian of
Boston in New-England, where the North Pole is elevated 42
gr. 30 m. By John Tulley. Boston, Printed by S. Green for
Benjamin Harris; and are to be Sold at his Shop, by the Town
Pump near the Change. 1687.
Then follows "A Table of Kings," from William the Conqueror,
1066, to James 2d, 1685, closing with the lines--
Now may we look on Monarchy and sing,
In health and peace long live great JAMES our King.
And concluding with the "Weather Glass," &c., &c., which
follow:
_Prognostica Georgica_: Or the Country-man's Weather-Glass.
Prognosticks of Tempests. The obscuring of the smaller stars
is a certain sign of Tempests approaching, the oft changing
of the Winds is always a forerunner of a storm.
Of Winds. The resounding of the Sea upon the shore, and
murmuring of the Winds in the Woods without apparent Wind,
shew wind to follow; shooting of stars (as they call it) is
an usual sign of wind from that quarter the star came from,
Redness of the Skie in the morning is a token of Winds, or
Rain, or both: if the circles that appear about the Sun, be
red and broken, they portend wind: if thick and dark, Winds,
Snow, or Rain: The like may be said of the Circles about the
Moon.
Of Rain. If two Rainbows appear, they are a sign of Rain: If
the Sun or Moon look pale, look for Rain: if a dark Cloud be
at Sun-rising, in which the Sun soon after is hid, it will
dissolve it, and Rain will follow: if the Sun seem greater
in the East than commonly, it is a sign of Rain, if in the
West about Sun-setting there appear a black Cloud, you may
expect Rain that night, or the day following, if in the
winter time thick white Clouds appear in the South-east near
the Horizon at Sun rising, they portend Snow, a day or two
after: If black Clouds appear there, it is a sign of Rain.
Of Fair Weather. If the Moon look bright and fair, look for
Fair Weather. Also the appearing of one Rainbow after a
storm, is a known sign of Fair Weather. If Mists come down
from the Hills, or descend from the heavens, and settle in
the valleys, they promise fair hot weather: Mists in the
Evening shew a fair, hot day on the morrow: The like when
mists rise from the waters in the evening. Much more might
be added, but I would not tire the reader.
It appears by the following that the first form of
government, under the King, was accepted by the people in
1686.
May 14, 1686. Arrived from England, His Majesty's Commission
to divers worthy Gentlemen, to be a President and Council
for the management of his Majesty's Government here, and
accordingly on the 25th of May, '86, the President and
Council being assembled in Boston, the exemplification of
the Judgment against the Charter of the Late Governour and
Company of the Massachusetts-Bay in N E together with His
Majesty's Commission of Government were publickly read, and
received by persons of all conditions with general
Acceptance.
It will appear by the following advertisement that a market
was then first appointed by authority to be kept in Boston.
Advertisement. There is Appointed by Authority a Market to
be kept in Boston, and a Committee is ordered to meet and
state the place, and days, and other circumstances relating
to the good settling thereof: Of which a more particular
Account may be speedily expected.
This Almanack was published only 67 years from the
settlement at Plymouth, and 59 from that of Salem.
In the eyes of the old New England people the almanac stood next to the
Bible in importance. Almost the only knowledge we have of many events of
those early days has been obtained from diaries kept in interleaved
almanacs. It is true, important facts are often found recorded in
connection with trifling or quite unimportant matters.
* * * * *
The venerable Dr. Holyoke, of Salem, president of the Massachusetts
Medical Society, who died in March, 1829, at the age of one hundred
years and eight months, wrote a letter, a few months before his death,
in answer to a request that he would furnish some particulars of his
mode of living. Dr. Holyoke was through life noted for being remarkably
temperate in all things. After his death it was reported that some
physician said (perhaps in fun) that if Dr. H. had not been in the
habit of using intoxicating liquors he might have lived to a _good old
age._
We give here a copy of this interesting letter.
Salem.
SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1, 1829.
DR. HOLYOKE. The Medical Society of this District have
rendered an appropriate tribute of respect for the memory of
their venerated associate, the late Dr. E.A. HOLYOKE, by
publishing an elegant little volume, containing a memoir of
the deceased, prepared by a Committee of the Society, and a
few of his writings. We have selected from the latter the
following articles, which will interest the reader. The
first is an account of Dr. Holyoke's habits of life, diet,
&c., furnished by him in a letter to one of his friends; the
others are a historical memorandum and a fragment of the
Doctor's poetical effusions.
_To ---- ---- ---- Williamsville, Person County, North
Carolina._
SALEM, Oct'r--1828.
SIR,--I received yours of the 20th ult. on ye 30th, wherein
you wish me to give you some Account of my Mode of Life,
&c.--In answer to which I would first mention that I was
providentially blessed with an excellent Constitution--that
I never injured this constitution by Intemperance of any
kind--but invigorated it by constant Exercise, having from
my 30th to my 80th Year walked on foot (in the Practice of
my Profession)--probably as many as 5 or 6 miles every day,
amounting to more than a _million_[A] of miles, and tho'
sometimes much fatigued, the next Night's refreshing Sleep,
always completely restored me. In early life, between 20 and
30, I used to ride on Horse back, but being often pestered
by my Horses slipping their Bridles I found it more
convenient to walk.
As to my Diet, having been taught to eat of any thing that
was provided for me, and having always a good Appetite, I am
never anxious about my food, and I do not recollect any
thing, that is commonly eaten, that does not agree with my
Stomach, except fresh roasted Pork, which tho' very
agreeable to my Palate, almost always disagrees with me; for
which however I have a remedy, in the Spirit of Sal Amoniac.
Eight or Ten drops of Aqua Ammonia pura in a wine glass of
Water, gives me relief after Pork, and indeed after anything
else which offends my stomach. As to the Quantity, I am no
great Eater, and I find my appetite sooner satisfied now
than formerly;--there is one peculiarity in my Diet which as
it may perhaps have contributed to Health I would mention; I
am fond of Fruit, and have this 30 or more years daily
indulged in eating freely of those of the Season, as
Strawberries, Currants, Peaches, Plums, Apples, &c., which
in summer and winter I eat just before Dinner, and seldom at
any other time, and indeed very seldom eat any thing
whatever between meals.--My Breakfast I vary continually.
Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, with toasted bread and butter, Milk
with Bread toasted in hot weather, but never any meat in my
Life--seldom the same Breakfast more than 2 or 3 days
running. Bread of Flour makes a large portion of my Food,
perhaps near 1-2. After Dinner I most commonly drink one
glass of Wine--plain boiled rice I am fond of--it makes
nearly 1-2 of my Dinner perhaps as often as every other
Day--I rarely eat Pickles or any high seasoned
Food--Vegetable food of one kind or other makes commonly 2-3
or 3-4 of my nourishment--the condiments I use are chiefly
Mustard, Horse radish and Onions. As to Drinks, I seldom
take any but at meal times and with my Pipe--in younger Life
my most common draft was Cider, seldom Wine, seldom or never
Beer or Ale or distilled Spirits--But for the last 40 or 50
years, my most usual drink has been a Mixture, a little
singular indeed, but as for me it is still palateable and
agreeable, I still prefer it--The Mixture is this, viz. Good
West India Rum 2 Spoonfuls, Good Cider whether new or old 3
Spoonfuls, of Water 9 or 10 Spoonfuls--of this Mixture
(which I suppose to be about the strength of common Cider) I
drink about 1-2 a Pint with my Dinner and about the same
Quantity with my Pipe after Dinner and my Pipe in the
Evening, never exceeding a Pint the whole Day; and I desire
nothing else except one glass of Wine immediately after
Dinner the whole day. I generally take one Pipe after Dinner
and another in the Evening, and hold a small piece of
pigtail Tobacco in my mouth from Breakfast till near Dinner,
and again in the Afternoon till tea; this has been my
practice for 80 years--I use no Snuff--I drink tea about
sunset and eat with it a small slice of Bread toasted with
Butter--I never eat any thing more till Breakfast.
I have not often had any complaint from indigestion, but
when I have, abstinence from Breakfast or Dinner, or both,
has usually removed it; indeed I have several times thrown
off serious Complaints by Abstinence.--As to Clothing, it is
what my Friends call thin; I never wear Flannel next my Skin
tho' often advised to it, and am less liable to take cold,
as it is called, than most people--a good warm double
breasted Waist-Coat and a Cloth coat answers me for winter,
and as the season grows warmer I gradually conform my
Covering to it. As to the Passions, Sir, I need not tell you
that when indulged, they injure the Health; that a calm,
quiet self-possession, and a moderation in our Expectations
and Pursuits, contribute much to our Health, as well as our
happiness, and that Anxiety is injurious to both.
I had a good Set of Teeth, but they failed me gradually,
without Pain, so that by 80 I lost them all.
Thus, Sir, you have, blundering and imperfect as it is, an
answer to your Requests, with my best wishes that it may be
of any service to the Purpose for which it was made--But
must rely upon it that Nothing I have written be made public
in my Name.[B] Wishing you long Life and many happy Days,
I am Yours, &c.
E.A. HOLYOKE.
P.S. I forgot to speak of my repose. When I began the
practice of Physick, I was so often call'd up soon after
retiring to Rest, that I found it most convenient to sit to
a late Hour, and thus acquired a Habit of sitting up late,
which necessarily occasioned my lying in bed to a late Hour
in the Morning--till 7 o'cl'k in Summer and 8 in Winter. My
Business was fatiguing and called for ample repose, and I
have always taken care to have a full proportion of Sleep,
which I suppose has contributed to my longevity.
_Recollections & Memorandums of Past Events._
The first thing that I entirely remember was the funeral of
Aunt Oulton, which was on July 18, 1732.
The first Aurora Borealis I ever saw, the Northern or rather
Northeast Sky appeared suffused by a dark blood-red colored
vapour, without any variety of different colored rays. I
have never since seen the like. This was about the year
1734. Northern lights were then a novelty, and excited great
wonder and terror among the vulgar.
In 1737, Square Toed Shoes were going out of fashion; I
believe few or none were worn after 1737. Buckles instead of
Shoe Strings began to be used about the same time, but were
not universal in the country towns till 1740 or 1742. Very
broad brim'd Hats were worn as early as I remember. My
father had a beaver whose Brims were at least 7 inches;
which when he left off, I remember I used to wear in the
Garden, or in a shower, by way of Umbrella. They were all
cock'd triangularly. And pulling them off by way of
salutation was invariably the Fashion by all who had any
Breeding.
Boots were never worn except on horseback, or snowy or rainy
weather. They frequently had large broad Tops that reach'd
full half way up the Thigh. But Boots did not come into
general use till the close of the revolutionary war.
Funerals were extravagantly expensive. Gold Rings to each of
the Bearers, the Minister, the Physician, &c., were
frequently given when the family could but ill afford it.
White gloves in abundance, burnt wine to the company, &c.,
&c. This extravagance occasioned the enacting sumptuary
laws, which though they check'd did not entirely suppress
the complaints till the commencement of the revolutionary
war.
In 1749, it was reported the train band list of the town of
Marblehead was equal to that of the town of Salem. The
difference is now very great. I suppose Salem has at least
twice the number of Marblehead.
[1749.][C] The Houses (in Salem) were generally very
ordinary. The first handsome house was built by Mr. Jno.
Turner, then Col. Pickman, then Mr. J. Cabot, &c.
There was but one ropewalk, and that was on the neck, inside
the gate. But one tavern of any note, and that was an old
house at the corner now occupied by Stearns' brick store.
The Houses for public worship were only the old (first)
church--the eastern parish--the secession from the first
church--the Friends' meeting house, and the Episcopal
church.
The number of Inhabitants was estimated at between 5 and
6000.
The Commerce of this town was chiefly with Spain and
Portugal and the West Indies, especially with St. Eustatia.
The Cod fishery was carried on with success and advantage.
The Schooners were employed on the fishing banks in the
summer, and in the autumn were laden with Fish, Rum,
Molasses, and the produce of the country, and sent to
Virginia and Maryland, and there spent the winter retailing
their cargoes, and in return brought Corn and Wheat and
Tobacco. This Virginia voyage was seldom very profitable,
but as it served to keep the crews together, it was
continued till more advantageous employment offered.
There were a few Chaises kept by gentlemen for their own
use, but it was no easy matter to hire one to go a journey.
_Salem Observer._
[A] This seems to have been a slip of the pen; the following is his own
calculation, made in 1823, and which from his great degree of
exaggeration falls short of half the actual amount. "If from my age of
20 to 80 years I have walked 5 miles a day, which is a moderate
calculation, I must have gone in that 60 years,
109,500 miles.
And in the first 20 & last 15 years, 38,325
In 95 years probably, Total, 147,825
[B] This prohibition could only have regard to the period of his life
time and was occasioned by that extreme modesty which always rendered it
painful to the Doctor to be held up to the public notice.
[C] These remarks refer to the period of Dr. Holyoke's residence in
Salem, preceding the revolution.
Dr. Holyoke during his whole life, it is said, was never fifty miles
distant from the spot where he was born. He was the first person to
receive the degree of M.D. from Harvard College; was the first president
of the Massachusetts Medical Society; and he made in the course of his
life three hundred and twenty-four thousand professional visits.
ANTIQUITY OF NURSERY RHYMES.--Many of these productions have
a very curious history, if it could only be traced. Some of
them probably owe their origin to names distinguished in our
literature; as Oliver Goldsmith, for instance, is believed
in his earlier days to have written such compositions. Dr.
E.F. Rimbault gives us the following particulars as to some
well-known favorites: "Sing a Song of Sixpence," is as old
as the sixteenth century. "Three Blind Mice" is found in a
music-book dated 1609. "The Frog and the Mouse" was licensed
in 1580. "Three Children Sliding on the Ice" dates from
1633. "London Bridge is Broken Down" is of unfathomed
antiquity. "Girls and Boys come out to play" is certainly
old as the reign of Charles II.; as is also "Lucy Locket
lost her Pocket," to the tune of which the American song of
"Yankee Doodle" was written. "Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where
have you been?" is of the age of Queen Bess. "Little Jack
Horner" is older than the seventeenth century. "The Old
Woman Tossed in a Blanket" is of the reign of James II., to
which monarch it is supposed to allude.
_Salem Gazette._
* * * * *
Some British opinions of Benedict Arnold.
"The good whigs of America," says a late paper, "may be
assured, that the infamous BENEDICT ARNOLD'S mansion is the
very next to TYBURN,--a well chosen habitation for such an
abandoned traitor: A step or two conveys him to that fatal
spot, where the most guilty of all the miserable beings who
have ever suffered, was perfectly innocent compared with
him.--He lives despised by the nobility and gentry, and
execrated by the people at large--countenanced by none
excepting their Britannic and Satanic Majesties, and such of
their adherents, respectively, who are looking for promotion
under their royal masters."
By a gentleman from the southward we learn that it is
expected Congress will fix their permanent residence at
Philadelphia.
_Salem Gazette,_ Feb. 26, 1784.
* * * * *
NEW-YORK, November 16.
By very recent accounts from St. John, Nova-Scotia, we are
informed that _Benedict Arnold_, having attempted to JOCKY
some of the inhabitants out of their property, but being
detected, and the people being much exasperated, offered to
deliver him up to the Americans for ten dollars; but alas!
before the bargain was firmly agreed on, he made his escape
to Halifax, and there got protection from the populace.
We are informed that Benedict Arnold lately sailed from
New-Brunswick for London. It is said that his residence in
America, even among the provincial Loyalists, was rather
uncomfortable; he therefore wisely preferred being
enveloped in the atmosphere of London to residing on a
continent which had been the theatre of his traitorous acts,
and consequently the occasion of more frequent reflections
on the infamy of his crimes.
_Massachusetts Gazette,_ November, 1786.
* * * * *
Receipt for apple-pudding, in 1788, with the apple and the pudding left
out.
_For the_ HERALD _of_ FREEDOM.
HOW TO MAKE AN APPLE PUDDING.
_Being a curious, elaborate and sublime_ DISSERTATION,
_never before published._
By _YANKEE DOODLE, Esquire._
(_In Continuation._)
CHAPTER.--HOW AND ABOUT NAMES.
_Nugæque canoræ._ Hor.
I LOOK upon it as the greatest happiness of my life, that
fortune has given me _a name_ that corresponds with my
nature and constitution. Patriotism is the strongest
passion; and I glory in being a _Yankee_.--A _Yankee_ is any
man born in New-England--and New-England contains the three
northern States, and a certain _little, pestiferous, pseudo
Island_. My countrymen generally have the credit of being a
good-natured, psalm-singing, religious kind of men, very
honest, but plaguy hard in their dealings--insomuch that a
_Carolinian_ or a _Georgian_ frequently swear that the very
_Satan_ himself could never get to windward of them.
This puts me in mind of a story.--A certain Boston sea
Captain, of a sloop of 60 tons burthen, coming with a cargo
of New-England rum, shoes, cheese, potatoes, and other
valuable commodities, into _Broadway_, which you must know
is a very _narrow_ passage in the _Appomatax_, a branch of
_James River_ in _Virginia_.--Before I proceed I must
acquaint the serious reader--and who is there but must be
serious in reading the solemn truths I am about to
declare--that every _iota_ of what I shall delineate in in
these sacred depositories of facts, is TRUTH.----I am now
about to elucidate the psalm-singing, religious character of
_Yankees_, by a TRUE STORY, _never before
published_.----When our Boston sea Captain, therefore, came
into Broadway, a Virginian comes a-board of him--and as he
goes down into the cabbin, had to stoop a little, because
the cabbin was low--for, as I said before, the sloop was 60
tons, although our religious sea-captain _entered_ but 40
tons at the Naval-Office: Howsomever he had a reserve of
conscience, for the Naval-Officer charged him for _light
money_, when there was not one light-house in all the
ancient dominion.--But this is nothing to my story.
_N.B._ I mean to give the good-natured reader a whole
chapter on _the art of_ STORY-TELLING.
Well, as I was saying, the Virginian being obliged to
stoop--the _stooping_ caused his head to be bowed down; and
looking down, he saw a _book_ lying upon the starboard
locker.--Well, says he, and what the d----l--but I think it
expedient to omit the _Virginian_ oath; for this man, not
being a moral man, swore consumedly, and did not know a
_bible_ by sight, but only by _hearsay_.--And Captain, cried
the _Virginian_, will you sell this bible of yours: I hear
it's a mighty clever book for children.--And why not for
grown people? cried the Captain, taking up the _book_. Why,
quoth the _Virginian_, because I mean my three boys, who are
from 11 to 14 years old, shall be good _scholards at their
larning_--they can all say their letters already, and the
youngest can spell.--The Boston sea Captain opening the
bible found these words: "_Search the scriptures_;" and
without saying any thing himself, pointed out the passage to
the _Virginian_.--Pugh! said the _Virginian_, and walked
upon deck.--Now, to explain this mystery, you must know the
Yankee sea Captain shewed him the passage to denote that he
would sooner sell his soul to the d----l, than his bible to
a _Virginian_;--and the _Virginian_ said pugh! and walked
upon deck, because he could not read.
* * * * *
LONGEVITY. Since we published the examples of longevity,
collected by the editor of the Medical Adviser, we have seen
another list, which is _supposed_ to comprise all, which can
be found from the year 66 to 1799. The number of those who
lived from _one hundred_ and _seventy_ to _one hundred_ and
_eighty-five_ years is 3; from _one hundred_ and _sixty_ to
_one hundred_ and _seventy_, 2; from _one hundred_ and
_fifty_ to _one hundred_ and _sixty_, 3; from _one hundred_
and _forty_ to _one hundred_ and _fifty_, 7; from _one
hundred_ and _thirty_ to _one hundred_ and _forty_, 26; from
_one hundred_ and _twenty_ to _one hundred_ and _thirty_,
84; from _one hundred_ and _ten_ to _one hundred_ and
_twenty_, 277; from _one hundred_ to _one hundred_ and
_ten_, 1310. Total of those who survived a century,
_Seventeen hundred and twelve_.----This writer could not
have included in his list the examples of longevity which
Russia furnished, for we frequently find in the bills of
mortality of this country for a single year, twice the
number of centenarians. We have before us the table of
deaths for 1813, which gives the following remarkable ages.
One 165;--three 135;--one 130;--fifteen 125;--thirty-three
from 115 to 120;--fifty-three from 110 to 115;--one hundred
and twenty-seven from 100 to 105;--fourteen hundred from 95
to 100;--two thousand eight hundred and forty-nine from 90
to 95;--four thousand four hundred and fifty-one from 85 to
90. Whole number of deaths 971,338.
_Salem Observer,_ Oct. 29, 1825.
* * * * *
Boston shop-signs in 1789.
To read the signs in this town is a delicate, sentimental
repast.--I hope _Bostonians_ will never complain of want of
amusement, while there is one sign standing. If I had time,
I would certainly consult _Milton_, to see how he has
_arranged_ matters in his description of _chaos_.--I doubt
not I could there get a _hint_ for two whole chapters. I had
as lief take a walk through Cornhill, as to go to the
new-invented moral lectures.
_Herald of Freedom._
* * * * *
A CURIOUS WOMAN.
We have often heard it said that men are curious, and we can well
believe it; but now we find it recorded that there has been at least
_one_ curious woman. Read the following extract from the "Salem Gazette"
of 1795:--
Married at Andover, Mr. Aaron Osgood to the _curious_ Miss
Ester Wardwell.
* * * * *
"AWFULLY GOOD."
In our opinion the oft-repeated words "awfully good," "jolly fine," and
similar expressions, which sound so "charmingly sweet" from the lips of
interesting young ladies, are quite cast into the shade by language used
in the following extract from the Portsmouth, N.H., "Oracle of the
Day," Nov. 24, 1798:--
MARRIED]--In this town, on Sunday evening last, by the Rev.
Dr. Haven, MARK SIMES, Esq. Deputy Post-Master, &c. to the
elegantly pretty and amiably delicate Miss MARY-ANN BLUNT,
youngest daughter of the late Capt. John Blunt, of
Little-Harbour.
_Genius of Hymen; Power of fondest Love!
In showers of bliss descend from worlds above,_
_On_ Beauty's _rose, and_ Virtue's _manlier form,_
_And shield, ah! shield them both, from time's tempestuous storm_!
* * * * *
A FEW years since, a young gentleman at the University in
_Cambridge_ asked of a Collegian the loan of his _W_irgil.
The inelegant pronunciation of the word _Virgil_ was
burlesqued by the young Collegian in the following story,
with which his invention readily supplied him:--_Lately_
(says he) _I set out on a woyage to Wersailles, with one
Captain Winal, in a British wessel called the Wiper; but we
soon met with a wiolent storm, which drove us into a port in
Wirginia; where one Capt. Waughn, a wery wicious man,
inwited us aboard his wessel, and gave us some weal and
wenison, with some winegar, which made me wery sick; so I
did womit like wengeance;_ (and added, reaching out the
book) _You may have my Wirgil, and welcome_. This humor had
the desired effect; the young gentleman saw the absurdity of
doing such w_iolence_ to the letter V, and has ever since
spoke like other people.
_Salem Gazette,_ April 26, 1791.
* * * * *
What Mr. Welby, an English gentleman, saw when he was in the United
States in 1821. A very flattering picture of the West.
More Travellers' Stories.
_From the National Gazette._
A new book of Travels in America has been recently issued in
London which rivals the volumes of our old friends Weld,
Ashe, Fearon, &c. It is entitled "A Visit to North America
and the English Settlements in Illinois, with a winter
residence in Philadelphia; solely to ascertain the actual
prosperity of the Emigrating Agriculturist, Mechanic, and
Commercial Speculator"--by Adlard Welby, _Esquire_, of South
Rauceby, Lincolnshire. This esquire has said enough, should
he be believed, to settle ultimately the point of the truth
or falsehood of Godwin's notable doctrine, that we owe the
increase of our numbers chiefly to emigration. No sane
European would venture among us after having read Mr.
Welby's book. He discovered that, in Philadelphia, living
was _very dear_, comfort _very uncommon_, and good manners
still more rare. Throughout his journey he found in the
taverns "a system of impertinence, rudeness, rascality, and
filth, rendered more intolerable by an antipathy to the
English, in the brutal manifestation of which most of the
Colonel, Doctor, and Squire, keepers of the taverns, were
pleased to indulge." When he asked an hostler to call him
early in the morning, he was answered that--he might call
himself and be d----d. In the Western country he found no
symptoms of hospitality--witnessed only idleness and
licentiousness, and experienced every where brutal rudeness
and unbounded extortion. The western people usually combine
in cheating all travellers, and sometimes "_rifle_," that is
_shoot_ residents among them who do not choose to descend to
their own level. In Illinois "a party proposed to each other
_coolly_ to go and shoot neighbour *****, who had behaved
ill to them sundry times; it was agreed upon; they went to
his field, found the old man at plough, and, with unerring
aim, laid him dead." And Mr. Welby adds that the country
would be desirable to live in, did not the folks _shoot_
each other thus, and were they not half savages. The
_shooting_ case reminds us of a traveller's story which we
heard at a dinner table abroad. A gentleman and esquire of
strict veracity, like Mr. Welby, related, in order to shew
how common was the calamity of the _coup de soleil_, or
stroke of the sun, in the Island of JAVA, that sitting once
in the house of an opulent merchant of Batavia, drinking a
_cool_ glass of Madeira after dinner, with the merchant's
wife in the room, the lady was, in the twinkling of an eye,
_reduced to a heap of ashes_ by a _coup de soleil_; when the
husband observed to his guest, "don't be alarmed--we are
accustomed to this;" then rang the bell with great
composure, and on the appearance of the servant, _coolly_
said--"Boy--sweep your mistress out, and _bring us clean
glasses._"
In the neighborhood of Mr. Birbeck's settlement in Illinois,
Mr. Welby could obtain neither eggs, milk, sugar, salt, nor
water; and when he and his party sent a request to Mr.
Birbeck for some water, the answer returned was, he made it
a general rule to refuse every one. Mr. Birbeck is
represented as having deceived and disappointed most of the
English who were lured to his settlement by his "Journal."
Mr. W. could discover none of "the snug cottages, with
adjoining piggeries, cowsteads, gardens and orchards," which
Mr. B. had introduced into his canvass. He found nothing but
the primitive log building, that served the whole
family--"for parlour, for kitchen, and hall." "The strange
heterogeneous mixture of characters," says Mr. W. "which are
collected here by the magic pen of Morris Birbeck, is truly
ludicrous. Among many others, a couple now attend to the
store at Albion who lately lived in a dashing style in
London, not far from Bond-street; the lady brought over her
white satin shoes and gay dresses, rich carpets, and
everything but what in such a place she would require--yet
I have understood that they have accommodated themselves to
their new situations, hand out the plums, sugar, whiskey,
&c., with tolerable grace, and at least 'do not seem to mind
it.'"
In one of the principal literary journals of London, Mr.
Welby's book is recommended as "carrying on its front the
stamp of plain dealing, _truth_ and candor, and entitled,
from internal evidence, to the highest authority amid the
conflicting statements and opinions respecting emigration to
America." The reviewer adds:--"From a country so destitute
of moral beauty as the author depicts it, so disgusting in
its human externals, and so low in the scale, not merely of
refinement, but of good principles, we are happy to
withdraw." As Mr. Welby spent a winter in Philadelphia, and
had acquaintance here, it is probable that such of the
latter as have not seen his book will be pleased to know the
complexion of its contents.
_Salem Register,_ May 18, 1822.
* * * * *
In the "Essex Register" of July 18, 1833, may be found the following
notice of two well-known American authors:--
DISCOURSE ON GENIUS. The Richmond Compiler speaks in terms
of great praise of a discourse delivered recently in
Richmond, before a Young Men's Society, by Joseph Hulbert
Nicholas. A number of extracts are also given in the
Compiler, as specimens of the performance, from which we
take the following notices of two of our
fellow-townsmen.--_Boston Courier._
Of Charles Sprague, of Massachusetts, no language can be
spoken but that of unqualified praise. Forsaking the modern
school of writing, he is contented with being simple and
natural. Sublimity, tenderness, wit, elegance, and
beneficial satire characterise his muse.--The only complaint
I have ever heard made of him is that _he does not write
more_.
Of Nathaniel Parker Willis, a native of Massachusetts, and a
fellow-student with myself at Yale College, I come now to
speak. Of him I shall speak familiarly, as of an intimate
friend; and impartially and justly, as one who wishes him
well. Willis, I venture to pronounce the most remarkable
genius our country has yet produced. I do not call him
remarkable merely for his unusual precocity of song, but
remarkable for the possession of that rare genius, which by
any man, young or old, in our land, I do not think has ever
been displayed. Nature has done wonderful things for him;
but alas! he has thus far done but little for himself. The
great pieces he has sometimes given us have cost him but
little effort, and he has thrown out his productions, in
prose as well as poetry, with a profusion and a variety that
seem miraculous; and yet, of all our bards, he has met with
the most severe and merciless censures. In some measure he
has deserved the treatment. In College he would not
condescend to study, and charity only for his high genius
enabled him to gain a degree. Besides, he gained his first
and best reputation by pieces founded upon scriptural
subjects, and he stood committed to the world as a
_religious_ man. Many who had never seen aught of him but
his productions, and had formed the loftiest estimate of his
personal character from the pure tendency of his effusions,
were astonished and grieved when introduced to the
author.--His head made giddy by the praises of young and
old, he forgot himself, and possessing most shrewd good
sense, he would talk the reverse. He became fantastic in
apparel, as he did likewise in his style of writing; made
himself too common, and almost broke a pious father's heart
by deserting the altar of that divine Jesus upon whose Bible
he had founded the fairest fabric of his fame. My friend, of
whom I so sternly speak, is now in Italy; and should these
remarks, per chance, ever meet his eye, I beseech him by our
past friendship, by our walks "by moon or glittering
star-light," through the Eden groves and avenues of
New-Haven, by the love he bears to his parents, and above
all, by the love he bears that Saviour, upon whose image and
the scenes of whose mortal pilgrimage he is rapturously
gazing, in the matchless pictures of the Italian masters, I
beseech him, when he returns to his native land, to wear no
longer a ridiculous mask, but to appear in his own native
strength, dignity, and surpassing loveliness.
In the "Salem Observer," March 8, 1834, are to be found the following
references to well-known young ladies of the day. Miss Silsbee is
supposed to be the daughter of the Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, of Salem,
Massachusetts senator in Congress. She afterwards married Jared Sparks,
the well-known historian, president of Harvard College, etc.
HIGH LIFE AT WASHINGTON. The Washington Correspondent of the
Boston Morning Post, in describing Gov. Cass's soiree, thus
notices some of the young ladies who were present:--
Miss Keyser of Baltimore, uniting youth and beauty,
possesses an eye as dark as the absence of all light,
beaming with a lustre that eclipses all. I never saw a
countenance betoken such perfect happiness; it was like a
star-lit lake, curling its lips into ripples in some dream
of delight, as the west wind salutes them with its balmy
breath and disturbs their placid slumber. I never before
realised Byron's idea of
"Music breathing o'er the face;"
till Miss Keyser's brought it home to the business and
bosom.
Miss Silsbee, of Salem, with a form of great symmetry,
possesses a countenance not only beautiful, but entirely
intellectual--the most so of any you have met with either
here or elsewhere; it is of the Italian model; and should
have basked beneath an Italian sky. She is very easy,
graceful and modest in her deportment, and dresses 'rich not
gaudy;' the cameo necklace that graced her person was only
the foil that set off the diamond.
Miss Harper of Baltimore, with a fine face and form, is
particularly unrivalled for a bust of unrivalled symmetry;
it would furnish a model for a Canova; and reminds me of
Greenough's Medora.
Miss M'Lane of this city, with many separate charms that
could not fail of attraction, unites with them the finest of
fine forms.
And last, not least, the younger Miss Cass possesses the
most perfect _Madonna_ countenance I have ever seen clothed
in living lustre. It was one of the first that attracted my
attention when I entered the saloon, and the last that
received my parting glance when I retired; it seemed to be--
"While in, above the world;"
I am told it is entirely characteristic; that she is in
heart and thought, what you behold in her
countenance--happy, but not gay; serious but not sad;
devout, yet not a devotee.
* * * * *
In the "Salem Gazette" of 1815 is the following curious information
about Scott's novels, which shows how easy it is for people to be
mistaken.
William Erskine, Esq. is said to be the author of the new
and interesting Novel, "_Guy Mannering_."--Walter Scott had
been pronounced the author.
WAVERLY.--It is not yet decided to whom this very
interesting novel belongs. It came into the world with all
the advantage that the name of Walter Scott could give it;
but Guy Mannering's appearance seems to have dissolved that
connection. An article in our first page attributes the work
to Wm. Erskine; but in the last North-American Review we
read the following:--"An English Magazine says, the author
of Waverly and Guy Mannering is a young gentleman of the
name of FORBES, the son of a Scotch baronet." The Review
remarks, that the extract in the title page of the latter,
from the _Lay of the Last Minstrel_, was a delicate way of
informing the public that they were under a mistake in
attributing the former to Walter Scott.
* * * * *
On the 16th June, 1806, there was a total eclipse of the sun. The
following is all the "Salem Gazette" of the 17th has to say of such a
remarkable event.
Yesterday the great Solar Eclipse took place, agreeably to
the calculations which had been made. The day was very
favourable to viewing it. The air was remarkably clear, and
there was not a cloud in the hemisphere. As the sun shut
in, the stars appeared, and many were visible at the time of
total darkness. A considerable alteration in the temperature
of the atmosphere was felt during the continuance of the
Eclipse.
* * * * *
In the "Boston Palladium" of 1819, copied from a London paper, is Lord
Mansfield's opinion about a word in Johnson's Dictionary. In the
original editions of this work are to be found many very curious
definitions, some of which bore so hard upon the government as to be
construed into libel.
FROM A LONDON PAPER.
_EXCISE._
The following curious little document is the opinion of Lord
Mansfield, when Attorney-General, upon Dr. Johnson's
explanation of the word Excise:--
_CASE._
Mr. Samuel Johnson has lately published a book, entitled "A
Dictionary of the English Language, in which the words are
deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their
different significations by examples from the best writers.
To which are prefixed a History of the Language and an
English Grammar."
Under the title "Excise" are the following words:--
EXCISE, n.s. (_accijs_, Dutch; _excisum_, Latin,) a hateful
tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common
judges of property, but _wretches_ hired by those to whom
"_Excise_" is paid.
The people should pay a rateable tax for their
sheep, and an _Excise_ for every thing which they
should eat.--HAYWARD.
"Ambitious now to take _excise_
Of a more fragrant paradise."--CLEVELAND.
_EXCISE._
"With hundred rows of teeth the shark exceeds,
And on all trades, like Cassawar, she feeds."
MARVEL.
"Can hire large houses and oppress the poor
By farm'd Excise."--DRYDEN'S Juvenal, Sat. 3.
The Author's definition being observed by the Commissioners
of Excise, they desire the favour of your opinion:
_Qu._--Whether it will not be considered as a libel; and if
so, whether it is not proper to proceed against the author,
printers and publishers thereof, or any and which of them,
by information or how otherwise?
_OPINION._
"I am of opinion that it is a libel; but under all the
circumstances, I should think it better to give him an
opportunity of altering his definition; and in case he
don't, threaten him with an information.
"(Signed) W. MURRAY.
"29th Nov, 1755."
* * * * *
Samuel Sewall, whose remarkable "Diary" has within a few years been
printed by the Massachusetts Historical Society, appears to have been
the successor of John Foster, who printed the first book ever issued
from the press in Boston,--namely, "Hubbard's Election Sermon,"--in
1676. All previous printing in the colony had been executed at
Cambridge. Mr. Hubbard was the minister of Ipswich.
SAMUEL SEWALL.
When John Foster (the first who carried on printing in
Boston) died in 1681, the town was without the benefit of
the press; but a continuance of it being thought necessary,
_Samuel Sewall_, not a printer but a magistrate, and a man
much respected, was selected as a proper person to manage
the concerns of it, and as such was recommended to the
general court. In consequence of this recommendation, the
court, in Oct. 1681, gave him liberty to carry on the
business of printing in Boston. The _license_ is thus
recorded: "Samuel Sewall, at the instance of some Friends,
with respect to the accommodation of the public, being
prevailed with to undertake the Management of the Printing
Press in Boston, late under the command of Mr. John Foster,
deceased, liberty is accordingly granted to him for the same
by this court, and none may presume to set up any other
Press without the like Liberty first granted."
Sewall became a bookseller.--Books for himself and others
were printed at the press under his management; as were
several acts and laws, with other works for government.
Samuel Green, jun., was his printer. In 1682 an order passed
the general court for the treasurer to pay Sewall ten pounds
seventeen shillings, for printing the election sermon,
delivered that year by the Rev. Mr. Torrey.
In 1684, Sewall, by some means, was unable to conduct the
press, and requested permission of the general court to be
released from his engagement. This was granted; the record
of his release is in the words following.
"Samuel Sewall by the providence of God being unable to
attend the press, &c., requested leave to be freed from his
obligations concerning it, which was granted, with thanks
for the liberty then granted."
In 1684, and for several subsequent years, the loss of the
charter occasioned great confusion and disorder in the
political concerns of the colony. Soon after Sewall resigned
his office as conductor of the press in Boston, he went to
England, and he returned in 1692. He was undoubtedly the
same Samuel Sewall who, when a new charter was granted by
king William, was for many years one of the council for the
province, and who, in 1692, was appointed one of the Judges
of the Superior Court; in 1715 Judge of Probate; and in
1718, Chief Justice of Massachusetts. He died Jan. 1, 1729,
aged 78 years.--_Boston News Letter._
* * * * *
Knowledge of natural history at the Isles of Shoals in the early part of
the last century.
A CENTURY AGO. The N. York Gazette relates that when Rev.
Mr. Tuck, in the early part of the last century, was
ordained minister of Star Island, one of a cluster called
the Isles of Shoals, his parish offered him, beside the
usual parsonage house, a quintal of fish each family, but no
money, as a salary. It is well known that the fish cured at
these islands are called dun fish, and have the highest
reputation for excellence wherever known. They are caught in
the depth of winter, and are fit for market before the hot
weather. They derive the name of _dun_ from the color which
they assume. There were at the period of which we speak,
about fifty families in the cluster, giving him fifty
quintals per year. The average price of a dun fish is about
ten dollars, and the worthy pastor always procured a ready
sale for them, thereby realizing his five hundred dollars
per annum. With this stipend he flourished, and brought up
a family, whom he educated himself, and fitted one of his
sons for entrance into Harvard College. The lad had never
been away from the Shoals till he reached Long wharf on his
way to Cambridge. He had never seen a horse, nor heard a
church bell. On landing, he saw many horses attached to
various vehicles; and speaking to his father, said, "Only
see what queer cows they have in Boston! they are not shaped
like ours, and are all without horns." In passing by the Old
South, in Cornhill, the big bell of that church struck up a
peal, the effect of which nearly drove the young man mad.
_Salem Observer_ [1829].
What Captain Hall, R.N., thought of a Salem gentleman.
_From Capt. Basil Hall's Travels in America--just
published._
We reached the town of Salem in good time for dinner; and
here I feel half tempted to break through my rule, in order
to give some account of our dinner-party, chiefly, indeed,
that I might have an opportunity of expatiating--which I
could do with perfect truth and great pleasure--on the
conversation of our excellent host. For I have rarely, in
any country, met a man so devoid of prejudice, or so willing
to take all matters on their favorable side, and withal, who
was so well informed about every thing in his own and in
other countries, or who was more ready to impart his
knowledge to others.
To these agreeable attributes and conversational powers he
adds such a mirthfulness of fancy, and genuine heartiness of
good-humour, to all men, women, and children who have the
good fortune to make his acquaintance, that I should have no
scruple--if it were not too great a liberty--in naming him
as the person I have been most pleased with in all my recent
travels.
After dinner, we repaired to the Museum, the rich treasures
of which have been collected exclusively by captains or
supercargoes of vessels out of Salem, who had doubled one or
other of the great southern promontories,--the Cape, and the
Horn, as they are technically called by seamen. As my eye
fell on numberless carefully cherished objects, which I had
often seen in familiar use on the other side of the globe,
my imagination revelled far and wide into regions I may
never live to see again.
_Salem Observer,_ 1826.
* * * * *
_Compliment to New England._ In a speech made by Mr. Lyell,
the eminent geologist, at a late meeting of the British
Geological Association, he said--"Were I ever so unfortunate
as to quit my native land to reside permanently elsewhere, I
should without hesitation choose the United States for my
second country, especially New England, where a population
of more than two millions enjoys a higher average standard
of prosperity and intellectual advancement than any other
population of equal amount on the globe."
_Salem Observer,_ 1843.
* * * * *
Mrs. Trollope avers that pigs are caressed by the ladies and gentlemen
of New York.
"REFUGEE IN AMERICA."
NEW-YORK AND BOSTON. Mrs. Trollope, in her new work, called
the Refugee in America, introduces some queer comparisons
between the manners of the two cities. We quote for
example:--"In Boston, there are no persons allowed to vote
at the elections of President or Governor of that province
but native born yankees; while at New-York, emigrants are
forced from the ships in which they arrive directly to the
hustings, which are kept open the first two weeks of every
month at Mason's lodge, Broadway, where they are allowed to
jostle off the sidewalks the most respectable inhabitants.
If they are reproved for such conduct, the answer invariably
is,--'Isn't this a land of liberty?' I was one forenoon
myself stopped at the lodge and offered a vote, with the
preliminary question,--'Are you a Clay or a Jackson man?' In
Boston, a person seen with a segar in his mouth in the
street, is counted a blackguard; but in New-York no
gentleman makes his promenade without one. In Boston, a
housekeeper would be placed at the Sessions dock for
suffering the refuse of his mansion to be thrown into the
street; while in N. York he would be fined $1 if he allowed
it to be thrown elsewhere near his premises. Swine is a
Bostonian's bane, and a N. Yorker's antidote,--indeed this
animal is as much caressed by the ladies and gentlemen of
the latter city, as a lap-dog in London or Paris. The
Governor and his twenty chosen ministers have made it a
capital offence to molest one of these interesting
quadrupeds while roaming the streets!"--[Oh! what a lying
jade!]
_Salem Observer,_ Oct. 13, 1832.
* * * * *
EARLY ACCOUNTS OF NEW-ENGLAND. The first settlers of
New-England must have been blessed with singular powers of
vision. One of them speaks of lions in Cape Ann: another
(Josselyn), who arrived at Boston in 1663, and resided in
this Colony about eight years, says of our frogs, "some,
when they sit upon their breech, are a foot high, and some
as long as a child one year old." He likewise says "old
barley frequently degenerates into oats" in New-England.
* * * * *
"Enthusiasm" is described as a nervous disorder by Dr. Douglass, author
of the Historical Summary.
DR. DOUGLASS'S NOTICE OF SALEM. In looking over Dr.
Douglass' historical summary, we found the following note on
Salem. The author formerly lived in Boston, and after his
removal to England, published his work in 1749. As he was a
physician, he probably considered himself authorized to
broach new theories. He certainly showed his ingenuity in
imputing to our soil a tendency to produce the diseases of
which he makes mention. It is perhaps fortunate for us that
the Doctor did not live in our day, as he would have found
in the excitement which has recently prevailed here in
relation to the Mill Dam, Theatre, &c., new proofs of the
correctness of his hypothesis.
"In Salem and its neighborhood _Enthusiasm_ and other
_nervous disorders_ seem to be _endemial_. _Hypochondriack_,
_hysterick_, and other _maniack_ disorders prevail there,
and Ipswich adjoining, to this day."
_Salem Register,_ 1826.
* * * * *
Beer and cider "Federal liquors."
PHILADELPHIA, July 23 [1788].
A correspondent wishes that a monument could be erected in
UNION GREEN, with the following inscription:--
IN HONOUR OF
AMERICAN BEER AND CYDER.
It is hereby recorded, for the information of strangers and
posterity, that 17000 people assembled on this Green, on
the 4th of July, 1788, to celebrate the establishment of the
Constitution of the United States, and that they separated
at an early hour, without intoxication or a single quarrel.
They drank nothing but Beer and Cyder. Learn, reader, to
prize those invaluable _federal_ liquors, and to consider
them as the companions of those virtues which can alone
render our country free and respectable.
Learn likewise to despise
SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS, as _antifederal_;
and to consider them as the companions of all those vices
which are calculated to dishonour and enslave our country.
* * * * *
In these "awfully fine" times, the following lines ought to be
interesting:--
......POETRY......
_From the Lady's Miscellany._
YANKEE PHRASES.
AS sound as a nut o'er the plain,
I of late whistled chuck full of glee,
A stranger to sorrow and pain,
As happy as happy could be.
As plump as a partridge I grew,
My heart being lighter than cork;
My slumbers were calmer than dew,
My body was fatter than pork.
Thus happy, I hop'd I should pass
Slick as grease down the current of time;
But pleasures are brittle as glass,
Although as a fiddle they're fine.
Jemima, the pride of the vale,
Like a top nimbly danc'd o'er the plains;
With envy the lasses were pale,
With wonder stood gazing the swains.
She smil'd like a basket of chips,
As tall as a may-pole her size--
As sweet as molasses her lips--
As bright as a button her eyes.
Admiring, I gaz'd on her charm,
My peace that would trouble so soon,
And thought not of danger nor harm,
Any more than the man in the moon.
But now to my sorrow I find
Her heart is as hard as a brick,
To my passion forever unkind,
Though of love I am full as a tick.
I sought her affection to win,
In hope of obtaining relief;
Till I like a hatchet grew thin,
And she, like a haddock, grew deaf.
I late was as fat as a doe,
And playful and spry as a cat;
But now I am as dull as a hoe,
And as lean and as weak as a rat.
Unless the unpitying fates
With passion as ardent will cram her,
As certain as death or as rates,
I soon shall be dead as a hammer.
_Salem Gazette,_ April 5, 1811.
* * * * *
Gentlemen and children have sometimes been considered bugbears.
Boarders Wanted.
TWO or Three Ladies can be accommodated with Board, on
reasonable terms, in a small family, 18 miles from town,
where there are neither Gentlemen or Children; a Stage
passes the house twice a week, and the Middlesex Canal Boat
near it every other day. Inquire at the Centinel Counting
Room.
_Columbian Centinel,_ July 25, 1812.
* * * * *
_LIBERAL DONATIONS_
Of the Legislature of _New-York_ to the University of that
State: 1,500l. for the Library; 200l. for chemical
apparatus; 1,200l. for a wall round the College; 5,000l. for
erecting a Hall, and additional wing to the College; 750l.
for five years annually, for the salaries of additional
Professors.--_Blush! Citizens of Massachusetts, for your
Legislators--who have so frequently denied relief to your
University!!!_
_Columbian Centinel,_ May 5, 1792.
The books children read in 1789.
A great Variety of
=Children's Books=
Neatly printed, and adorned with elegant Cuts, are sold by
_T.C. CUSHING_, at the Printing-Office in Salem--viz.
LITTLE ROBIN RED-BREAST.
Memoirs of a PEGTOP.
The SUGAR-PLUMB; or, sweet Amusement for leisure hours.
The JUVENILE BIOGRAPHER, containing the Lives of little Masters and
Misses.
Be MERRY and WISE; or, the Cream of the Jests, and the Marrow of
Maxims, for the Conduct of Life.
The HOLY BIBLE abridged.
History of little KING PIPPIN.
History of GILES GINGERBREAD.
History of TOM JONES.
History of Master JACKEY and Miss HARRIOT.
History of CHARLES CAREFUL and HARRY HEEDLESS.
Mother GOOSE's Melody.
The Exhibition of TOM THUMB.
Tom Thumb's SONG BOOK.
The FATHER's Gift.
The MOTHER's Gift.
The BROTHER's Gift.
The SISTER's Gift.
Nurse Truelove's NEW-YEAR's GIFT.
Death and Burial of COCK-ROBIN.
The ROYAL ALPHABET.
The HERMIT of the Forest, and the Wandering Infants.
_Salem Mercury._
* * * * *
A new way to cure insanity.
_A CURIOUS IDEA._
KNOWLEDGE is attained with the greatest difficulty; we have
it not by intuition, but acquire it by many unsuccessful
trials and long experience. One gives a hint, and the other
improves it; but prejudice and ignorance too often stand in
the way: "_That cannot be,_" or "_I cannot believe that,_"
has crushed many an useful project. How incredible did the
recovery of drowned persons appear at first! When the report
reached England, that many abroad had been brought again to
life, after laying under water some time, who gave it
credit? But experience has since convinced us of its
possibility.
Now, from the great success attending the recovery of
drowned persons, I would offer a hint to the public, and
leave it to be improved by them, respecting the recovery of
those who are mad, and given up as incurable.
When madness breaks forth, the first care of the physician
is to reduce and keep his patient low, in order to check the
velocity and whirl of his thoughts; and if possible to
procure sleep, by quieting the internal turbulency. If all
his skill and efforts fail, such a person is as much lost to
society as if he were dead. Now if such an one were plunged
into water, and there kept until he was apparently dead, and
was then recovered by the usual methods (and of which
recovery we have now a moral certainty) I am apt to believe
we should behold a perfect cure. There is, I own, something
shocking to nature in the experiment; but if the patient be
already lost, and dead to society, why should we hesitate a
moment to make the trial, when the probability of succeeding
is so flattering?
_Salem Gazette,_ July 12, 1791.
It would be interesting to see the punch-bowl out of which the members
of Congress drank in 1811, on the day succeeding the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Pearson.
At Washington, Hon. JOSEPH PEARSON, Esq. (Federal
Representative from N. Carolina), to Miss ELEANOR BRENT,
daughter of Robt. Brent, Esq., Mayor of the city.-- --> _The
greater part of the members, the next day, left the business
of the nation to attend the punch drinking, so that the
House adj'd at an early hour_. Dec. 13, 1811.
* * * * *
As the following lines have the indorsement of a Hartford paper, we
venture to reproduce them:--
From the New-York Daily Advertiser, May 10.
DESCRIPTION OF CONNECTICUT.
HERE fond remembrance stampt her much lov'd names,
Here boasts the soil its _London_ and its _Thames_;
Throughout her shores commodious ports abound,
Clear flow the waters of the varying ground;
Cold nipping winds a lengthen'd winter bring,
Late rise the products of the tardy spring.
The broken soil a labouring race requires;
Each barren hill its generous crops admires,
Where nature meanly did her gifts impart,
Yet, smiling, owns how much she owes to art.
But keen as winds that guide the wintry reign,
All bow to lucre, all are bent on gain;
As chance decreed, their various lots are thrown;
Its house each acre, every mile its town;
With gilded spire the frequent church is seen,
Sacred to him that taught them to be keen;
Eternal squabblings grease the lawyer's paw,
All have their suits, and all have studied law;
With tongue that art and nature taught to speak,
Some rave in Latin, some dispute in Greek;
Proud of their books, in ancient lore they shine,
And one month's study makes a learn'd divine;
Fond to converse, with deep designing views,
They pump the travelling stranger of his news;
Fond of his wit, but fonder to be paid,
Each house a tavern, claims a tavern's trade;
While he that comes, as surely hears them praise
The hospitality of modern days.
Yet brave in arms, of enterprising soul,
They tempt old Neptune to the farthest pole;
In learning's walks explore the mazy way
(For genius here has shed his golden ray);
In war's bold arts thro' various contests try'd,
True to themselves, they took their country's side,
And, party feuds dismiss'd, join to agree
That scepter only just that left them free.
_Connecticut Courant,_ July 14, 1790.
* * * * *
Errors of the press.
The following paragraphs will shew how completely the sense
is altered by the omission of a single letter of the word in
Italics.
"The conflict was dreadful, and the enemy was repulsed with
considerable _laughter_."
"Robert Jones was yesterday brought before the sitting
Magistrate, on a charge of having spoken _reason_ at the
Barleymow public-house."
"In consequence of the numerous accidents occasioned by
skaiting on the Serpentine River, measures are taking to put
a _top_ to it."
"When Miss Leserve, late of Covent Garden Theatre, visited
the 'Hecla,' she was politely drawn up the ship's side by
means of a _hair_."
"At the Guildhall dinner, none of the poultry was eatable
except the _owls_."
"A gentleman was yesterday brought up to answer a charge of
having _eaten_ a hackney-coachman for having demanded more
than his fare; and another was accused of having stolen a
small _ox_ out of the Bath mail; the stolen property was
found in his waistcoat pocket."
_Salem Register,_ 1827.
* * * * *
_A CURIOSITY._
"We have often heard of the Lord's Prayer being written in
the compass of a shilling, but have lately seen a piece of
paper of that dimension, which contains, in manuscript, the
Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, Psalms 117,
120, 127, 131, 132, 134, and 150; 9th chapter of Proverbs,
Prayer of St. Chrysostom, two Collects, Prayer for the
Royal Family, Nobility, Clergy, &c., &c., the Blessing, and
Junior, 1702, the name of the writer. This curiosity is in
the possession of Mr. John Reeder, of Brighton, who being an
auctioneer at a sale where it was lately sold, purchased it
on very easy terms. It is not legible without a good glass."
_Columbian Centinel,_ June 5, 1790. _Eng. pap._
* * * * *
In an old Salem paper we find the following:
--> We understand the number of deaths in this town the past
year was 234, of which 15 died abroad.
This reminds us of the curious jumble made in the first edition of
Morse's "American Gazetteer," published in Boston in 1797. In the
description of Albany, N.Y., it says: "This city and suburbs, by
enumeration in 1797, contained 1,263 buildings, of which 863 were
dwelling-houses and 6,021 inhabitants. Many of them are in the Gothic
style with the gable end to the street, which custom the first settlers
brought from Holland."
* * * * *
The earliest American writer of whom we have any information
was Peter Bulkley, who was born in England in 1583 and died
in 1659 in Massachusetts, and wrote Latin Poetry and
Sermons. The earliest poetic volume written in this country
was by Anne Bradstreet, of Boston, born 1612, died 1672.
_Salem Observer,_ 1834.
* * * * *
The author of these lines must have been one of the old school.
[_The following was paid for as an Advertisement._]
The folloing lines were Presented to A lat skull mistres in
this town by 4 of her skolers the morning after her mareg
MAY all Joiy and happiness Vait
To attend your nuptal stat
you our instructer and the Guid
of our early youth beside
as you Quit the plas
wich you fild with euery Gras.
Our Grateful Thanks are sure your due.
Except them thearfor from us fue.
Whos shur to you that pras is due.
Must euery sorro euery Cear be yourn
Forbid it Heauin and let it turn
to peas and Joiys next to diuin
Rise Glorious euery futer Sun
and Bless your days with Joiys as this has dun
let sorrows sese and Joiys tak plas
to briten euery futer day with equil Gras
and wen your cald from hence above
may you inioy your souors Loue
wee ever shall regrat our los
and yet with you wee all reioyss
_Essex Gazette,_ May 14, 1771.
* * * * *
Boston school-books in 1790.
The School Committee in Boston have ordered that the
following Books be used in the Reading Schools of that town,
viz.
The HOLY BIBLE;
WEBSTER's SPELLING-BOOK;
The Young Ladies' ACCIDENCE;
Webster's American SELECTION of Lessons in Reading and Speaking;
The CHILDREN'S FRIEND;
MORSE's GEOGRAPHY abridged; and
The NEWSPAPERS, occasionally.
_Salem Gazette._
* * * * *
ANECDOTE.
WHEN Oliver Cromwell first coined his money, an old cavalier
looking upon one of the new pieces, read this inscription on
one side, _God with us_; on the other side, _The
Commonwealth of England_. I see, said he, _God and the
Commonwealth are on different sides._
_Salem Mercury,_ June 26, 1787.
Two different ways of telling a story.
_Anecdote_. A CLERGYMAN, who in the Matrimonial Lottery had
drawn much worse than a _blank_, and, without the patience
of Socrates, had to encounter the turbulent spirit of
Xantippe, was interrupted in the middle of a _Curtain
Lecture_, by the arrival of a pair, requesting his
assistance to introduce them to the _blessed_ state of
Wedlock. The poor Priest, actuated at the moment by his own
feelings and particular _experience_, rather than a sense of
canonical duty, opened the book, and began: "_Man, that is
born of a Woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full
of trouble, &c., &c.,_" repeating the _burial_ service. The
astonished Bridegroom exclaimed, "Sir! Sir! you mistake, I
came here to be _married_, not _buried_!" "Well (replied the
Clergyman), if you insist on it, I am _obliged_ to marry
you--but believe me, my friend, you had _better_ be
_buried_."
_Columbian Centinel,_ March 12, 1791.
* * * * *
ANECDOTE. It is doubtless recollected that Dean Swift,
though a great favorite among the ladies, was (no doubt for
good and substantial reasons) nevertheless a bachelor. His
opinion of the married state seemed to be not very much
exalted. On one occasion, he had been called upon to marry a
couple, and after getting them properly arranged, commenced
as follows: "Man, that is born of a woman, hath but a short
time to live, and is full of misery," &c. "My dear sir,"
interrupted the bridegroom, "you are reading the burial
service, instead of the matrimonial." "Never mind, friend,"
whispered the Dean, "_you had better be buried than
married_."
_Salem Observer,_ 1834.
* * * * *
AN OPPOSITION.
Dryden and Otway lived opposite to each other in
Queen-street. Otway coming one night from the tavern,
chalked upon Dryden's door, _Here lives John Dryden, he is a
wit_. Dryden knew his hand writing, and next day chalked on
Otway's door, _Here lives Tom Otway, he is oppo-site._
_Essex Register,_ 1802.
* * * * *
Specimens of old time newspaper poetry.
To a LADY who admired dancing.
_MAY I presume in humble lays,
My dancing fair, thy steps to praise?
While this grand maxim I advance,
That all the world is but a dance,
That human-kind, both man and woman,
Do_ dance _is evident and common.
David himself, that God-like king,
We know could_ dance, _as well as_ sing.
_Folks who at court would keep their ground,
Must dance the year attendance round.
All nature is one_ ball, _we find:
The water dances to the wind;
The sea itself at night and noon
Rises and capers to the moon;
The moon around the earth does tread
A Cheshire round in buxom red;
The earth and planets round the sun_
Dance, _nor will their_ dance _be done
'Till nature in one mass is blended;
Then we may say the_ ball _is ended._
_Salem Mercury,_ July 29, 1788.
* * * * *
THE FOUNT.
--> THE following--from the pen of a fair
correspondent--cannot be read without PLEASURE and
IMPROVEMENT.
* * * * *
_LINES FOR A SCREEN._
TO BE WRITTEN BENEATH THE FIGURE OF "MINERVA HOLDING A CROWN
OF OLIVE."
Ah! lovely Ladies--while with care
Ye guard from harm your FACES fair;
While spreads the airy PARASOL
To shield you from the beams of SOL;
And many a FAN and VEIL and BLIND
Protect from each intrusive wind:--
And whilst ye deign to intervene
Twixt you and fire, the humble SCREEN!--
Oh! strive alike to guard your _hearts_
From VICE, and all her wily arts.
Your parasol let VIRTUE prove,
To ward th' attacks of _lawless_ love--
Prudence will prove a _screen_ to thee,
And let thy VEIL be MODESTY.
Attend my words, ye Fair, for know,
This _Crown_ shall grace the worthiest brow.
ORA.
_Columbian Centinel,_ July 27, 1814.
* * * * *
_From the_ GAZETTE _of the_ U. STATES.
IMPROMPTU.
_On seeing a young Lady darning Stockings._
ALONG the stocking's foot, with ease and grace
Your fingers, lovely Mira, when you move,
On them with eye admiring I will gaze,
And drink deep draughts of all resistless love.
Assume thy gloves, my most enchanting fair,
When next your stockings you begin to mend,
For though full white the hose, they yet appear
As saffron yellow, near thy lily hand.
As constant as your all obedient thread
Does thy bright needle's devious path pursue,
So does each thought of my poor brainless head
For ever dwell, divinest nymph, on you.
Oft as thy needles pierce the yielding hose,
So oft thy beauties pierce my yielding breast:
Oh then compassionate my deep felt woes,
And bid awhile the polish'd needle rest.
Or if one idle minute you disdain,
On me be exercis'd your mending art,
Yes, lovely maid, to ease of my pain,
Come, darn the hole that rankles in my heart.
_Salem Gazette,_ August 26, 1800.
* * * * *
THE WHITE CLOVER.
BY A LADY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
THERE is a little perfum'd flower,
It well might grace the lovliest bower,
Yet poet never deign'd to sing
Of such a humble, rustic thing.
Nor is it strange, for it can show
Scarcely one tint of Iris' bow:
Nature, perchance, in careless hour,
With pencil dry, might paint the flower;
Yet instant blush'd, her fault to see,
So gave a double fragrancy;
Rich recompence for aught denied!
Who would not homely garb abide,
If gentlest soul were breathing there,
Blessings through all its little sphere?
Sweet flower! the lesson thou hast taught,
Shall check each proud, ambitious thought,
Teach me internal worth to prize,
Though found in lowliest, rudest guise.
_Salem Gazette,_ June 27, 1815.
* * * * *
[Illustration]
_CASTALIAN FOUNT._
AMERICAN POETRY.
A FRAGMENT.
_The following beautiful lines were written on the death of
a young lady in Pennsylvania, whose dissolution was
occasioned by her mistaking a poisonous mineral for the
flower of sulphur, and swallowing a spoonfull:_
THUS, o'er the tomb of what she held most dear,
The weeping muse no common sorrow pours;
No common anguish prompts the falling tear--
No common virtues those she now deplores.
Dear hapless girl, was there no saving power?
Where was your guardian angel--where your friend?
Could nought prevent the fatal destin'd hour?
Nor pitying Heaven would hear or succour lend.
Then, if nor Heaven _would_ hear--nor friends _could_ save,
Be still, my heart, nor breathe another sigh;
Drop the last tear upon her early grave,
And let it teach you--that _the best must die_.
--> _A few original favours from our poetick friends would
be very acceptable._
_Massachusetts Centinel,_ March 28, 1789.
* * * * *
_From the New York Daily Advertiser._
_The Sailor Boy._
Dark flew the scud along the wave,
And echoing thunders rend the sky;
All hands aloft! to meet the storm,
At midnight was the boatswain's cry.
On deck flew every gallant tar,
But one--bereft of ev'ry joy;
Within a hammock's narrow bound,
Lay stretch'd this hapless SAILOR BOY.
Once, when the Boatswain pip'd all hands,
The first was he, of all the crew,
On deck to spring--to trim the sail--
To steer--to reef--to furl or clue.
Now fell disease had seiz'd a form
Which nature cast in finest mould;
The midwatch bell now smote his heart,
His last, his dying knell it toll'd.
"O God!" he cried, and gasp'd for breath,
"Ere yet my soul shall cleave the skies,
"Are there no parents--brethren--near,
"To close, in death, my weary eyes?
"All hands aloft to brave the storm,
"I hear the wintry tempest roar;"
He rais'd his head to view the scene,
And backward fell, to rise no more.
The morning sun in splendour rose.
The gale was hush'd and still'd the wave;
The Sea-boy, far from all his friends,
Was plung'd into a wat'ry grave.
But He, who guards the Sea-boy's head,
He, who can save or can destroy,
Snatch'd up to Heav'n the purest soul
That e'er adorn'd a SAILOR BOY.
_Salem Gazette,_ Oct. 29, 1805.
* * * * *
EARLY RISING.
WIVES, _awake! unveil your eyes;
Sluggards, no more yawning;
See the Delphick god arise,
Bright Apollo dawning._
_Husbands, rouse at love's alarms,
Drowsy slumbers scorning;
Rovers, quit your favourite charms,
Up! behold, 'tis morning._
_Virgins fair, have at your hearts;
Hymen's torch is flaming;
Cupid whets his pointed darts,
And look! the rogue is aiming._
_Fair the bud of beauty blows,
Mellow sweets are palling;
Crown us with the virgin rose,
And so prevent its falling._
_See the charms that nature yields;_
Why _sleep away your duty?
Arise! the fragrance of the fields
Is friendly to your beauty._
_Lads, for shame! abed till now!
Forsake them, and be wiser;
There's health and pleasure, you'll allow,
In being an early riser._
_Bound with ivy, bound with vines,
Youth serenely passes;
Bacchus round our temples twines,
And sparkles in our glasses._
_No longer drown the mind in sleep;
But breathe the vernal air!
Our hours may thus improvement reap,
And who has any t' spare_?
_Salem Mercury,_ May 17, 1788.
* * * * *
_From the New Monthly Magazine._
=On seeing a Tomb adorned with Angels weeping.=
Though sculptors, with mistaken art,
Place weeping Angels round the tomb;
Yet, when the good and great depart,
These shout to bear their conquerors home.
Glad they survey their labours o'er,
And hail them to their native skies;
Attend their passage to the shore,
And with their mounting spirits rise.
Britain may mourn her Patriot dead,
And pour her sorrows o'er his dust:
But streaming eyes, and drooping head,
Ill suit those guardians of the just.
Parents may shed a tender tear,
And friends indulge a parting groan;
If these in mimic form appear,
Such pious grief becomes the stone.
But if the wounded marble bear
Celestial forms to grace the urn,
Let triumph in their eyes appear,
Nor dare to make an angel mourn.
_Salem Register,_ 1819.
* * * * *
Varieties.
_Origin of the word_ DUN.--Dunny, in the provincial dialect
of several countries, signifies deaf: to dun, then, perhaps
may mean, to deafen with importunate demands. Some derive it
from the word _donnez_, which signifies _give_; but the true
original meaning of the word owes its birth to one Joe Dun,
a famous bailiff of the town of Lincoln, so extremely active
and so dexterous in his business, that it became a proverb,
when a man refused to pay, "Why do you not _dun_ him?" that
is, Why do not you set _Dun_ to arrest him?--Hence it became
a cant-word, and is now as old as since the days of Henry
VII. Dun was also the general name of hangman, before that
of Jack-ketch.
And presently a halter got,
Made of the best strong hempen tear,
And e'er a cat could lick her ear,
Had tied it up with as much art,
As Dun himself could do for 's heart.
COTTON'S VIRGIL TRA. BOOK iv.
It is curious to observe that _Dun_, who, as we said before,
was _finisher of the law_ in the reign of Henry VII., had a
son, who became a bailiff--This bailiff having scraped some
money together, made his son an attorney, who changed the
name of _Dun_ to _Dunning_--the rest of the genealogy are
well known.
_Massachusetts Gazette,_ Aug. 29, 1786.
* * * * *
_Biographical Correctness_.--As a specimen of the accurate
way in which Biographical Dictionaries are made up, the
Enquirer refers to Dr. Watkins' volume, in which he writes
down that John Adams "died in 1803."--And yet for 23 years
after this date, the old patriarch was living in health and
happiness. A still more ludicrous blunder appeared a few
years since in a French Biographical Dictionary, in which it
was stated that the now venerable John Jay, who yet lives
full of years and full of honors, was a Frenchman, who,
after having framed the Constitution of the State of
New-York, and witnessed the close of the American
revolution, returned to France--became a member of the
French Convention, and was finally brought to the
guillotine!--_N.Y. Com. Adv._
_Essex Register,_ Sept. 18, 1826.
The works of John Paul Richter are almost unintelligible to
any but Germans, and even to some of them. A worthy German,
just before Richter's death, edited a complete edition of
his works, in which one particular passage fairly puzzled
him. Determined to have it explained at the source, he went
to John Paul himself and asked him what was the meaning of
the mysterious passage.--John Paul's reply was very German
and characteristic: "My good friend," said he, "when I wrote
that passage, God and I knew what it meant; it is possible
that God knows it still; but as for me, I have totally
forgotten."
_Essex Register,_ Oct. 9, 1826.
* * * * *
ORIGIN OF "FOOLSCAP" PAPER. It is known that Charles I. of
England, granted numerous monopolies for the support of his
government. Among others was the privilege of manufacturing
paper. The water mark of the finest sort was the royal arms
of England. The consumption of this article was great at
this time, and large fortunes were made by those who had
purchased the exclusive right to vend it. This, among other
monopolies, was set aside by the parliament that brought
Charles to the scaffold, and by way of showing their
contempt for the king, they ordered the royal arms to be
taken from the paper, and a fool, with his cap and bells, to
be substituted. It is now more than an hundred and
seventy-five years since the fool's cap and bells were taken
from the paper, but still, paper of the size which the Rump
Parliament ordered for the journals bears the name of the
water mark then ordered as an indignity to Charles.
* * * * *
A new version of "Yankee Doodle," from the "Salem Gazette,"
July, 1811.
YANKEY SONG.
[_The following song was composed a few years since by a
gentleman then one of the officers of the Salem regiment, to
be sung at the military celebration of the 4th of July. Its
wit and pleasantry continues it a favorite with the Yankies,
and it was again sung by the Military at Lynn Hotel, and by
the Federalists at Washington Hall, on the late
anniversary._]
I.
Yankey Doodle is the tune
Americans delight in;
'Twill do to whistle, sing, or play,
And just the thing for fighting.
CHORUS.
_Yankey Doodle, Boys; Huzza!
Down outside--up the middle--
Yankey Doodle_, fa, sol, la,
_Trumpet, Drum, and Fiddle._
II.
Should Great Britain, Spain, or France
Wage war upon our shore, sir,
We'll lead them such a _woundy_ dance,
They'll find their toes are sore, sir.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
III.
Should a haughty foe expect
To give our boys a caning,
We _guess_ they'll find our boys have _larnt_
A _little bit_ of training.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
IV.
I'll wager now a _mug of flip_,
And bring it on the table,
Put Yankey boys aboard a ship,
To beat them they are able.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
V.
Then if they go to _argufy._
I _rather guess_ they'll find, too,
We've got a set of _tonguey blades_,
T'out talk 'em, if _they're mind to._
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
VI.
America's a _dandy_ place;
The people are all brothers;
And when one's got a _pumpkin pye_,
He shares it with the others.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
VII.
We work, and sleep, and pray, in peace--
By industry we thrive, sir;
And if a drone won't do his part,
We'll scout him from the hive, sir.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
VIII.
And then, on _Independent Day_,
(And who's a better right to?)
We eat and drink, and sing and play,
And have a dance at night, too.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
IX.
Our girls are fair, our boys are tough,
Our old folks wise and healthy;
And when we've every thing we want,
We _count_ that we are wealthy.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
X.
We're _happy_, _free_, and _well to do_,
And cannot want for knowledge;
For, almost ev'ry mile or two,
You find a _school_ or _college._
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
XI.
The land we till is all our own;
Whate'er the price, we paid it;
Therefore we'll fight _till all is blue_,
Should any dare invade it.
CHORUS.--_Yankey Doodle_, &c.
XII.
Since we're so bless'd, let's eat and drink
With thankfulness and gladness:
Should we kick o'er our cup of joy,
It would be _sartin_ madness.
CHORUS.
_Yankey Doodle, Boys; Huzza!
Down outside, up the middle--
Yankey Doodle_, fa, sol, la,
_Trumpet, Drum, and Fiddle._
* * * * *
"Going snacks."
At the time of the plague in London, a noted body searcher
lived whose name was _Snacks_. His business increased so
fast that, finding he could not compass it, he offered to
any person who should join him in his hardened practice half
the profits; thus, those who joined him were said to go with
_Snacks_. Hence going _snacks_, or dividing the spoil.
_Salem Observer,_ 1823.
_A Word omitted by Webster_. In a history of the second
parish of Beverly, published not long since, a vote passed
in 1776, to take measures to collect the "behindments" of
certain persons in the parish, is noticed. "Behindments"
meant arrearages.
_Salem Observer,_ 1837.
* * * * *
The following curious collection belonged to Mr. Samuel McIntire, the
architect of the South Meeting-House in Salem, whose spire is
acknowledged to be one of the best proportioned and handsomest in New
England:
_FOR SALE,_
SUNDRY Articles belonging to the Estate of SAMUEL MCINTIRE,
deceased.--VIZ.
1 elegant BARREL ORGAN, 6 feet high, 10 barrels; 1 Wind Chest of
an Organ;
ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, complete;
Paladio's Architecture, best kind;
1 Ware's do.; 1 Paine's do.;
2 vols. French Architecture;
1 large Book Antient Statues, excellent;
Lock Hospital Collection of Music;
Handel's Messiah, in score;
Harmonia Sacra;
Magdalen Hymns; Massachusetts Compiler;
1 excellent toned SPINNET;
1 excellent VIOLIN and Case;
1 eight day CLOCK, Mahogany Case;
12 Prints of the Seasons;
1 book Drawings of Ships;
1 large Head of Washington;
Number of Busts of the Poets;
2 Figures of Hercules, 2 feet high;
1 Head of Franklin, and Pillar, for a Sign;
Composition Ornaments;
Number of Moulding Planes, and sundry other Articles. Apply to
ELIZABETH M'INTIRE, _Adm'x_.
or to SAMUEL F. M'INTIRE, _Att'y_.
N.B.--The Subscriber carries on CARVING as usual at the Shop
of the deceased, in Summer-Street, where he will be glad to
receive orders in that line. He returns thanks for past
favors.
April 30 [1811]. SAMUEL F. M'INTIRE.
* * * * *
Many years ago there was published in Boston a small volume entitled
"Eliza Wharton, the Coquette. By a Lady of Massachusetts." It consisted
of a series of letters said to be founded on fact. A young woman died at
the Bell Tavern in Danvers in 1788, whose gravestone a few years ago
might be seen in the old Danvers (now Peabody) burial-ground. We copy
from the "Salem Mercury" of July 29, 1788, the following account:--
Last Friday, a female stranger died at the Bell Tavern, in
Danvers; and on Sunday her remains were decently interred.
The circumstances relative to this woman are such as excite
curiosity and interest our feelings. She was brought to the
Bell in a chaise, from Watertown, as she said, by a young
man whom she had engaged for that purpose. After she had
alighted, and taken a trunk with her into the house, the
chaise immediately drove off. She remained at this inn till
her death, in expectation of the arrival of her husband,
whom she expected to come for her, and appeared anxious at
his delay. She was averse to being interrogated concerning
herself or connexions; and kept much retired to her chamber,
employed in needle-work, writing, &c. She said, however,
that she came from Westfield, in Connecticut; that her
parents lived in that State; that she had been married only
a few months; and, that her husband's name was Thomas
Walker;--but always carefully concealed her family name. Her
linen was all marked E.W. About a fortnight before her
death, she was brought to bed of a lifeless child. When
those who attended her apprehended her fate, they asked her,
whether she did not wish to see her friends: She answered,
that she was very desirous of seeing them. It was proposed
that she should send for them; to which she objected,
hoping in a short time to be able to go to them. From what
she said, and from other circumstances, it appeared probable
to those who attended her, that she belonged to some country
town in Connecticut: Her conversation, her writings and her
manners, bespoke the advantage of a respectable family &
good education. Her person was agreeable; her deportment,
amiable & engaging; and, though in a state of anxiety and
suspense, she preserved a cheerfulness, which seemed to be
not the effect of insensibility, but of a firm and patient
temper. She was supposed to be about 35 years old. Copies of
letters, of her writing, dated at Hartford, Springfield, and
other places, were left among her things.--This account is
given by the family in which she resided; and it is hoped
the publication of it will be a means of her friends'
ascertaining her fate.
Elizabeth Whitman was the real name of the stranger, and the following
was the inscription on the stone:--
"This humble stone, in Memory of Elizabeth Whitman, is
inscribed by her weeping friends, to whom she endeared
herself by uncommon tenderness and affection. Endowed with
superior genius and acquirements, she was still more
endeared by humility and benevolence. Let candour throw a
veil over her frailities, for great was her charity to
others.--She sustained the last painful scene far from
every friend, and exhibited an example of calm resignation.
Her departure was on the 25th of July, A.D. 1788, in the
37th year of her age, and the tears of strangers watered her
grave."
Although we recollect seeing the stone some years ago, when the whole
inscription could be read, we visited the spot in April, 1885, and found
only a small portion left,--a triangular piece, perhaps a foot and a
half high on one side, at the bottom of which we could only make out:
"A.D. 1788, ... the tears of strangers watered her grave." For years,
young persons of a romantic turn of mind have visited the grave and
chipped off small pieces of the freestone for relics. This modern habit
of chipping monumental stones for relics is inexcusable; for it is not
done by ignorant or otherwise lawless persons, but too often by the
educated, who carry their mawkish sentiment to such an extreme as to
deface and sometimes, as in the present case, entirely to ruin a
monument. It is in vain to urge that this was only a stranger's stone,
and that there were none to care. It was all the more an outrage, if
there were no friends to protect it. We are glad to learn that there
were people in the town who did what they could to prevent this
sacrilege.
The following account of this unfortunate lady we take from Hanson's
"History of Danvers:"--
"Elizabeth Whitman came from a very respectable family in
Connecticut, where her father was a clergyman. She was
possessed of an ardent poetical temperament, an inordinate
love of praise, and was gifted with the natural endowment of
beauty and perfect grace, while she was accomplished with
those refinements which education can bestow. She was lovely
beyond words. But her natural amiabilities were warped and
perverted by reading great numbers of romances, to the
exclusion of almost all other reading. She formed her idea
of men by the exaggerated standards she saw in the books to
which she resorted; and thus when she looked around her she
saw no one who realized her ideal. She subsequently became
intimate with a lawyer, said to be the Honourable (?) Judge
Pierpont Edwards."
We next hear of her in Danvers, "where the novelty of her situation,"
continues Hanson, "and her attractive beauty and manners during her
short sojourn, caused the entire village and many from the neighboring
towns to attend her funeral. A few weeks after her burial, an unknown
hand erected the gravestone with its eloquent inscription." The stone is
evidently Connecticut sandstone or freestone. Mr. Hanson says of the
volume "Eliza Wharton": "The catchpenny volume of letters which pretend
to give her history has but the figments of the imagination of its
authoress to recommend it."
* * * * *
Picture of the old Bell Tavern in Danvers. From the "Salem Gazette,"
January, 1781.
[Illustration]
_Danvers, Jan. 1781._
Just published,
And to be SOLD by
E. RUSSELL,
at his Printing-Office,
near the Bell-Tavern;
_The Second Edition of
Russell's_ American ALMANACK,
For the Year of our Redemption, 1781.
Being First after Leap Year; and Fifth Year of Independency.
Fitted for the Meridian of Boston, N. E. Lat. 42: 25 N.
Wherein may be found all Things necessary for this Work.
To which is added, a Declaration of the Rights of the
Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, extracted
from the Frame of Government; and a List of the Chief
Officers of Government, which is thought necessary to be
possessed by every Freeman in this Commonwealth.
Calculated by that curious and accurate Astronomer, BENJAMIN
WEST, Esq; of Providence, State of Rhode-Island.
_At the same Place may also be had, just published;_
The Remarkable Captivity and Redemption of
ELIZABETH HANSON,
Wife of Mr. _John Hanson_ of _Knoxmarsh_ at _Kecheachy_, in
_Dover_ Township, who was taken Captive with her Children
and Maid-Servant, by the _Indians_ in _New-England_, in the
Year 1724.
IN WHICH ARE INSERTED
Sundry remarkable Preservations, Providences, and Marks of
Care and Kindness of Providence over her and her Children,
worthy to be remembered.
_The Substance of which was taken from her own Mouth, and
now published for general Service._
THE THIRD EDITION,
Also, an entertaining Narrative of the cruel and barbarous
Treatment and extreme Sufferings of
Mr. JOHN DODGE,
During his Captivity of many Months among the _British_, at
_Detroit_.
IN WHICH IS ALSO CONTAINED,
A particular Detail of the Sufferings of a Virginian, who
died in their Hands.
_Written by himself; and now published to satisfy the
Curiosity of every one throughout the_ United States.
THE SECOND EDITION.
*** All the above Books, with a Variety of other small
Books, &c. will be sold to Shop keepers, Travelling-Traders,
&c. at the very lowest Rate, if they purchase by the
Hundred, Groce or Dozen.
* * * * *
In these sceptical and agnostic days it may sound a little strange, and
perhaps to some seem quite absurd, that the authorities of Harvard in
1791 felt obliged publicly to deny that Gibbon's History was used as a
text-book at the University. But with the exception perhaps of Tom
Paine, no one in this country had then ventured to assail the literal
interpretation of the Scriptures. Probably the masses of the people
then believed that "Joshua commanded the sun and moon to stand still,
and they obeyed him," that Jonah was swallowed by the whale, and that
"In Adam's fall,
We sinned all."
Of course there were exceptions. Therefore, although Gibbon might be an
able writer, it was not safe for young men to study his works, simply
because he had thrown doubt or derision on the Christian miracles. So
when it was reported that a growing liberality of sentiment was being
manifested at Cambridge, and that Gibbon's "Decline and Fall" was to be
used, doubtless no little excitement was roused; and hence the notice.
Before this time doubts concerning many cherished doctrines had been
openly expressed in Boston, Cambridge, Salem, and other places; but
Gibbon had rejected and attacked the whole Christian system as false,
which was a very different matter.
_For the CENTINEL._
MR. RUSSELL,
A WRITER in the CENTINEL of the last _Saturday_, under the
signature of _Christianus_, says, "that an abridgment of
GIBBON'S history (if his information be true) is directed
to make a part of the studies of the young gentlemen at our
University." I now beg leave, through the channel of your
paper, to acquaint that writer, as also the publick, that
his information is _not true_. The system taught is MILLOT'S
_Elements_ of _General History, ancient and modern_, and
GIBBON'S history was never thought of for the purpose.
JOSEPH WILLARD, _President._
_Cambridge, Nov._ 14, 1791.
* * * * *
THE CHOLERA.--It is worthy of remark that the word occurs in
two passages of the Bible, both in Ecclesiasticus, and both
places in connexion with directions and exhortations to a
sober temperate mode of living, which is still recommended
as the best preservative against this disorder.
_Salem Observer,_ 1832.
* * * * *
The character of Boston ladies in 1788 is set forth in a letter in the
"Herald of Freedom." The writer gives his observations on the error of
committing children too much to the care of nurses; also makes reference
to teaching the catechism, etc., showing the value of early religious
training. There can be no doubt, we think, that the old methods were in
some respects superior to the present, where in many cases young
children are left to Sunday-school teachers, or, as is often the case,
receive no religious instruction whatever, for fear, as we have often
heard it stated, that they might imbibe some false doctrinal notions at
an age when the deepest impressions are made.
* * * * *
_For the_ HERALD _of_ FREEDOM.
LETTER IX.
DEAR PIERRE,
No moments glide away more agreeably than those that are
employed in writing to a friend. Happy am I in having
frequent opportunities of exhibiting my sentiments to you,
and in return receiving yours, which palliates in some
degree, the sorrow our separation occasions.----The glaring
absurdities of the dress of the Boston ladies, occupied the
greatest part of my two last letters. It is but just to say
something of their more laudable qualities; amongst which,
maternal affection deservedly claims precedence.--The
barbarous customs of Europe, in this particular, have not as
yet, and I hope never will be, practised here. Mothers in
this country are so much attached to their tender offspring,
as to forego all the pleasures of life (or rather what are
so termed in Europe) in attending to their nurture, from
which they derive the most superlative of all enjoyments,
the heart-felt satisfaction of having done their duty to
their God and country, in giving robust, healthy and
virtuous citizens to the State. The effeminacy of exotic
fashion has not at present extended its pernicious influence
so far as to induce them to commit the rearing of their
children to mercenary nurses, who are sometimes the very
dregs of a people; and whose vicious habits of taking a drop
of the _good creature to drown sorrow_, does not promise
redundancy of health and vigour to those suckled by them--on
the contrary, children thus unnaturally thrown from the arms
of a parent into those of a nurse, are, almost without
exception, weak and puny; of irrascible tempers and vicious
inclinations.--Nor does the attention of the ladies expire
with the infancy of their children--they still are unwearied
in instructing them as they increase in years, and
assiduously endeavour to inculcate principles of virtue into
their young minds at a time when they are most liable to
make a deep impression--to accomplish which, they never fail
to teach them the catechism, Lord's prayer, &c. &c. all of
which they oblige them to learn, because they are perfectly
adapted to their comprehension, though many parts of the
catechism are altogether incomprehensible to most
adults.--Yet this is not strange to those who credit the
scriptures; nor does it appear the least inconsistent--for
there it says, "God hath chosen the foolish things of this
world to confound the wise."--Therefore, the wonder that
children should be able to _understand_ that, which is the
_foundation_ of all polemical divinity, vanishes, when we
try it by the touchstone of scripture, which is the
criterion by which we ought to judge.--When they are thus
instructed in the rudiments of virtue, they are seldom known
to apostatize; so that for a native to become dissolute and
abandoned, is very rare.--Indeed they have characters of
this kind who emigrate from old countries; but they soon
find employment for such gentry, by obliging them to labour
for the publick good, and "work out their salvation by the
sweat of their brow."--Thus the community is not only
delivered from such pests, but experience beneficial effects
from their confinement. Knavery, though rarely found in a
native, is not entirely extirpated from the breasts of some
among them.
* * * * *
Remarkable instances of longevity.
LONGEVITY. Mafeus, who wrote the history of the Indies,
which has always been a model of veracity as well as elegant
composition, mentions a native of Bengal, named Numas de
Cugna, who died 1566, at the age of 370. He was a man of
great simplicity and quite illiterate; but of so extensive a
memory, that he was a kind of living chronicle, relating
distinctly and exactly what had happened within his
knowledge in the compass of his life, together with all the
circumstances attending it. He had four new sets of teeth;
and the color of his hair and beard had been very
frequently changed from black to grey, and from grey to
black. He asserted that in the course of his life, he had
700 wives, some of whom had died, and the others he had put
away. The first century of his life passed in idolatry, from
which he was converted to Mahometanism, which he continued
to profess to his death.--The account is also confirmed by
another Portuguese author, Ferdinand Lopez Casteguedo, who
was historiographer royal.
_Salem Observer,_ Feb. 22, 1834.
* * * * *
LONDON, May 28.
_Remarkable Instances of Longevity in Europe._
THOMAS PARRE, of Shropshire, died on the 16th of November,
1635, aged 152.
James Bowes, of Killinworth, in Shropshire, died the 15th of
August, 1656, aged 152.
Anonymous, of Yorkshire, aged 140, and his son, aged 100,
were both living, and attended to give evidence at York
Assize, in 1664.
F. Sagar, of Lancashire, died in January, 1668, aged 112.
Henry Jenkins, of Yorkshire, died on the 8th of December,
1670, aged 169.
Robert Montgomery, of Yorkshire, was living in 1670, aged
126.
Countess of Desmond, Ireland, aged 140.
Mr. Ecleston, of Ireland, died 1691, aged 143.
Mr. Lawrence, of Scotland, living, aged 140.
Mary Gore, born at Collinworth, in Yorkshire, lived 100
years in Ireland, and died at Dublin in 1727, aged 125.
Mr. Ellis, of Surrey, died about 1748, aged 137.
Simon Sack, of Trionia, died on the 30th of May, 1761, aged
141.
Col. Thomas Winsloe, of Ireland, died on the 12th of August,
1766, aged 156.
Francis Consist, of Yorkshire, died in January, 1768, aged
150.
Francis Bons, of France, died on the 6th of February, 1769,
aged 124.
Christopher Jacob Drakenberg, of Norway, a boatswain in the
Danish navy, died on the 24th of June, 1770, aged 146.
Margaret Forster, of Cumberland, aged 136.
Gen. Oglethorpe died in August last, aged 103.
A goldsmith, of France, died in June, 1776, aged 140.
Mary Yates, of Shropshire, died in 1776, aged 128.
John Brookley, of Devonshire, living in 1777, aged 134.
Miss Ellis, daughter of Mr. Ellis, of Surrey, died in 1781,
aged 104.
Mr. Froome, of Holms-Chapel, in Cheshire, died in May last,
aged 125.
Mary M'Donald, county of Down, in Ireland, died on the 16th
of June last, aged 118.
Mary Cameron, of Invernessshire, in Scotland, died in July
last, aged 130.
Miss Ellis, of Richmond, in Surrey, living on the 16th of
August last, aged 105.
Mr. Rowe, at Nutwell-House, in Scotland, died in August
last, aged 106.
Donald McKeen, of Argyleshire, in Scotland, died in
September last, aged 109.
John Button, of Liverpool, died on the 18th of November
last, the oldest burgess of that borough upon record; he
lived in six reigns, being born in the reign of James II.
Mr. Smith, a farmer, at Dolver, in Montgomeryshire, died in
November last, aged 103: He was never known to drink any
thing but buttermilk.
John Follart, woolcomber, at Norney, near the city of
Exeter, living and in good health on the 30th of November
last, aged 121; he works still at his business, and retains
his faculties.
_Massachusetts Gazette,_ Sept. 1, 1786.
* * * * *
PHILADELPHIA, August 19.
_Instances of Longevity in America._
In South-America there was said, in the year 1785, to be a
negro woman living, aged about 175; she remembered her first
master, who died in 1615, and that he gave her away with
some other property towards sounding a school.
Some years ago there was living in Virginia, a native of
Ireland, who at the age of 109, was able to work at the
taylor's trade without spectacles; and what renders this
case more remarkable, he was naturally very intemperate, and
would get drunk as often as he could get liquor.
In the year 1776, died one Mr. Payne, in Fairfax, Virginia,
upwards of 100 years of age.
Died, November, 1782, in this city, Mr. Edward Drinker,
almost 102, being born December 24, 1680, in Philadelphia.
In the year 1782, there was living, near this city (and
perhaps may be still living) a healthy negro woman, able to
walk several miles in a day, and wash clothes, who was then,
as near as she could tell, about 103.----She remembers her
being brought to this city before any houses were built
here.
Died last summer, in New-York, Mrs. Slock, aged 108 years
and one half.
Last winter died at Jones's creek, a branch of Pee Dee, in
North-Carolina, Mr. Mathew Bayley, aged 136: he was baptised
when 134 years old; had good eye sight, strength of body and
mind until his death.
There was a woman living last winter, in Uxbridge, state of
Massachusetts, of the name of Aldrich, and likely to live
many years, who has 12 children, all living, and has lived
till 25 of the fifth generation are born, the eldest of
which is more than eleven years of age.
Died on Tuesday the 1st inst. at Hudson, in New-York, Mrs.
Christina de Lametter, in the 94th year of her age. She died
merely of old age, without any kind of disease or fever; but
descended very slowly and patiently to the bottom of the
hill of life. She was a woman, who, through life, has been
remarkable for her silent resignation to the divine will.
What renders the last part of her life remarkable, is, that
she lived 39 days without any sustenance whatever, except
about two spoonfuls of wine with water daily; the vital
motions and functions being so near a cessation, that the
solids needed no reparation; yet she retained all her senses
to the last moment.
In the year 1774, died at Danvers, in Massachusetts, Mr.
---- Nelson, aged 106 years.
_Massachusetts Gazette,_ Sept. 1, 1786.
* * * * *
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 8.
A widow lately died near Landscrone, aged 118 years. She
continued to get a livelihood by spinning till she was 116.
_Salem Mercury,_ Nov. 25, 1786.
* * * * *
DINNER IN "OLD TIMES."
It was an old custom in New England to begin dinner with pudding instead
of soup. Many persons of the last generation may remember, as the writer
distinctly does, seeing old people who still adhered to this practice as
late certainly as from 1850 to 1860. The writer was once at a dinner
where all the family began with soup except the father, a gentleman of
the old school, who had a piece cut from a fresh-baked plum-pudding. He
remarked to the company that such had always been his practice; and so
he excused himself for keeping to his own fashion of dining. The custom
of eating pudding before meat is still very common in Yorkshire,
England. The following extract from a Boston paper of 1819 shows that
John Adams, in 1817, kept up the old style of dinner, which, as might
perhaps be imagined, was not confined to the common people, so called.
In "old times" it was customary to say to children, "Those who eat the
most pudding shall have the most meat."
_Extract from the "Narrative of a Journey of 5000 miles
through the Eastern and Western States of America," in
1817.--By Henry B. Fearon, an Englishman._
PRESIDENT ADAMS.
The ex-president is a handsome old gentleman of eighty-four;
his lady is seventy-six: she has the reputation of superior
talents, and great literary acquirements. I was not
perfectly a stranger here, as a few days previous to this I
had received the honor of an hospitable reception at their
mansion. Upon the present occasion the minister (the day
being Sunday) was of the dinner party. As a table of a
"_late king_" may amuse some of you, take the following
particulars:--first course, a pudding made of Indian corn,
molasses and butter;--second, veal, bacon, neck of mutton,
potatoes, cabbages, carrots, and Indian beans; Madeira wine,
of which each drank two glasses. We sat down to dinner at
one o'clock; at two, nearly all went a second time to
church. For tea, we had pound cake, sweet bread and butter,
and bread made of Indian corn and rye, similar to our brown
home-made. Tea was brought from the kitchen, and handed
round by a neat white servant girl.
The establishment of this political patriarch consists of a
house two stories high, containing, I believe, eight rooms;
of two men and three maid servants; three horses and a plain
carriage. How great is the contrast between this individual,
a man of knowledge and information--without pomp, parade,
vitious and expensive establishments, as compared with the
costly trappings, the depraved characters, and the
profligate expenditure of ---- House, and ----! What a
lesson _in this_ does America teach! There are now in this
land no less than three Cincinnati!
* * * * *
Hogs in New York streets.
Yesterday forenoon, while in Broadway, we witnessed another
instance of the impropriety of suffering Hogs to run at
large in our streets. A highly respectable and most worthy
young lady, was literally run down by a large Hog that was
pursued by a dog. In her fall, her breast struck the curb
stone, and she was considerably injured. After she had
partially recovered, the gentleman at whose store she had
made some purchases, kindly conveyed her to her father's
house in a carriage. The reader may easily imagine the
distressing effect produced on the mind of a fond parent, at
the sight of a darling child, whose pale cheeks plainly
indicated her situation. --> _What would not the citizens of
Boston say of their Police, if Hogs were permitted to run
loose in the streets_?
_Columbian Centinel,_ Boston [1817].
* * * * *
English blunders about America in 1802.
_From the_ (Newyork) EVENING POST.
SPECIMENS _of the_ IGNORANCE _and_ BLUNDERS _of_ English
Geographers, Tourists, _&c. &c. with respect to_ AMERICA.
THE Rev. R. Turner, who has published a book called
Classical Geography, gives the following account of the
cities of Philadelphia and Newyork. "Philadelphia, (says he)
is the finest and _best situated_ city in America,
containing _thirty thousand_ houses and one hundred and
twenty thousand inhabitants, who are mostly
quakers!!!"--"Newyork contains three thousand houses and
twelve thousand inhabitants!"
Another book, intitled Guthrie's improved Geography, after
setting forth in the preface that their (the Editors)
relation of America, will be found both satisfactory and
complete, as they have not only carefully examined the works
of the celebrated Morse, but likewise applied to several
other authentic sources, which have enabled them to give the
best information in the most satisfactory manner, states
that "the city of Newyork contains five thousand
inhabitants, chiefly of Dutch extraction." Here is pretty
strong evidence of the diligence of these London bookmakers,
as to applying to the most authentic sources of information,
as they profess to have done. An imposition of this kind in
any American publication, would afford a fine opportunity
for an English Reviewer to rail against our national
honesty.
The very last edition of Guthrie's original work, describing
the river Hudson, states that this river is navigable to
Albany, which is "_six hundred miles from Newyork_."
An English Tourist, whose name is not just now recollected,
has published a volume of his travels through the United
States, in which he speaks particularly of the orderly
manner in which Elections are conducted in the city of
Newyork. "On the appointed day, says he, all the citizens
take care to be at home at a certain hour, at which time the
inspectors of the election go through the city with ballot
boxes in their hands, and call at every door for votes,
whereupon the citizens step to their doors and deposit
their ballots in these same small boxes, which are
straightway carried to the City Hall; the votes are there
examined, and thus the election is determined in a few
hours, without uproar or inconvenience!!!"
An English Editor of a work, called the _German Museum_, in
his translation of some memoirs of Major André, records,
that this unfortunate officer was taken and hanged "_at the
west point of America_."
A London paper some time ago made mention of certain
improvements which were taking place in Newyork, with a view
to promote the health of the city, and observed that our
corporation were erecting a range of permanent wharves on
one side of the city, which were to extend from Corlear's
Hook to the Battery _along the Delaware River_!
Some notice shall be taken hereafter of the
misrepresentations and falsehoods of Laincourt, Weld, Bulow,
and a number of others, relative to the United States.
_An_ AMERICAN.
_Worcester Spy._
* * * * *
SECRET LOVE.
_From a very rare volume of old Poetry._
The fountaines smoake, and yet no flame they shewe;
Starres shine all night though undeserned by daye;
And trees do spring yet are not seen to growe;
And shadowes move although they seem to staye;
In winters woe is buried summers bliss,
And love loves most, when love most secret is.
The stillest streame descries the greatest deepe;
The clearest skye is subject to a shower;
Conceit's most sweete, when as it seems to sleepe;
And fairest dayes do in the morning lower:
The silent groves, sweete nymphes theye cannot misse,
For love loves most, when love most secret is.
The rarest jewels hidden virtue yield.
The sweete of traffique is a secret game;
The yeere once old doth show a barren field
And plants seeme dead, and yet they spring again.
Cupid is blind; the reason why, is this,
Love loveth most, when love most secret is.
_Salem Register,_ 1827.
* * * * *
_George the Fourth_.--The attributes of this potentate, who
was the most popular monarch England has had for many years,
are thus severely described, by Thomas Jefferson in his
correspondence of 1789.
"He has not a single element of mathematics, of natural and
moral philosophy, or of any other science on earth, nor has
the society he kept been such as to supply the void of
education. It has been that of the lowest, the most
illiterate and profligate persons of the kingdom without
choice of rank or mind & with whom the subjects of
conversation are only horses, drinking matches, bawdy
houses, and in terms the most vulgar. The young nobility,
who begin by associating with him, soon leave him disgusted
with the insupportable profligacy of his society; and Mr.
Fox, who has been supposed his favorite, and not over nice
in the choice of his company, would never keep his company
habitually.
"He has not a single idea of justice, morality, religion or
of the rights of men, or any anxiety for the opinion of the
world. He carries that indifference to fame so far, that he
would probably not be hurt were he to lose his throne,
provided he could be assured of always having meat, drink,
horses & women."
_Essex Register,_ Aug. 26, 1830.
* * * * *
President Stiles of Yale College on the public revenue.
_Extract from President STILES's Election Sermon._
BUT I pass on to another subject in which the welfare of a
community is deeply concerned, I mean the publick
_revenues_. National character and national faith depend on
these. Every people, every large community is able to
furnish a revenue adequate to the exigences of government.
But this is a most difficult subject; and what the happiest
method of raising it, is uncertain. One thing is certain,
that however in most kingdoms and empires the people are
taxed at the will of the prince, yet in _America_, the
people tax themselves, and _therefore cannot tax themselves
beyond their abilities_. But whether the power of taxing be
in an absolute monarchy, a power independent of the people,
or in a body elected by the people, one great error has, I
apprehend, entered into the system of Revenue and Finance in
almost all nations, viz. restricting the collection to
money. Two or three millions can more easily be raised in
produce, than one million in money. This collected and
deposited in stores and magazines, would, by bills drawn
upon these stores, answer all the expenditures of war and
peace. In one country it has been tried with success for
ages; I mean in _China_, the wisest empire the sun hath ever
shined upon. And here, if I recollect aright, not a tenth of
the Imperial revenues hath been collected in money. In rice,
wheat and millet only are collected 40 millions of sacks, of
one hundred and twenty pounds each, equal to 80 million
bushels; in raw and wrought silk one million pounds. The
rest is taken in salt, wines, cotton, and other fruits of
labour and industry, at a certain ratio per cent. and
deposited in stores over all the empire. The perishable
commodities are immediately sold, and the Mandarins and army
are paid by bills on these magazines. In no part of the
world are the inhabitants less oppressed than there.
_Massachusetts Gazette,_ Sept. 29, 1786.
* * * * *
_Religiously Inclined_.--A gentleman perceiving a fellow
leaning against the front of St. Paul's church yesterday,
who was unable to stand without some such support, asked him
if he was going to join the church. 'No,' replied
Bottlenose, 'not edzactly to jine, but I'm only
lean--leanin'--that way.'
_New Era_ [1837].
* * * * *
Meaning of the word.
GENTLEMEN. How the signification of words alter in the
course of a century. There was a time when all persons in
England, below the rank of an _Esquire_, were divided into
_Gentlemen_, Yeomen and _Rascals_. The former word is now
used to signify the individuals of the first order--those
whom you would take by the hand in the street, and sup with
of an evening. The second term retains pretty nearly its
original meaning. But to make an application of the latter
appellative at this time, would operate as an invitation to
be knocked down. 'Gentlemen,' is used in opposition among
the old chronicles to 'simple man,' and neither in any very
exalted sense. It is on record, that the French Princess, De
La Roche Sur Yon, receiving a sharp reply from a Knight, to
whom she gave the epithet of '_Gentilhomme_,' was told by
the King, to whom she complained, that she deserved all she
got, for so offending, herself, in the first instance. The
lower people in England were commonly '_the
Rascality_'--equivalent to the '_Canaille_' of the French,
or our own significant _Rabble_ of the present day.
In what sense do they use the word 'Gentlemen' in
Congress--Eh?--_Charleston Gaz._
_Salem Observer,_ April 3, 1820.
_Professional_ ANECDOTE _of Dr._ FRANKLIN.
WHEN he came to Philadelphia, in 1723, he was first employed
by one Keimer, an eccentric genius, as a pressman, for he
was then printing an elegy of his own composition, on the
death of Aisquila Rose--and as he had but one small font of
types, and used no copy, but composed the elegy in the
press, he could not employ him in the composition. Keimer
was a visionary, whose mind was frequently elevated above
the little concerns of life, and consequently very subject
to make mistakes, which he seldom took the pains to correct.
Franklin had frequently reasoned with him upon the
importance of accuracy in his profession, but in vain. His
fertile head however soon furnished him with an opportunity
to second his arguments by proof.--They soon after undertook
an impression of a primer that had been lately published in
New-England.--Franklin overlooked the piece; and when his
master had set the following couplet--
When the last trumpet soundeth,
We shall not all die,
But we shall all be _changed_
In the twinkling of an eye,
He privately removed the letter _c_, and it was printed
off--
When the last trumpet soundeth,
We shall not all die,
But we shall all be _hanged_
In the twinkling of an eye.
_Herald of Freedom,_ June 23, 1790.
_SURNAMES._
In the Cambridge Chronicle of Saturday, August 1, 1772, is
an advertisement said to have been taken from the Canterbury
Journal, which beggars the list of surnames lately
enumerated:
"Mary Scaredevil, widow of the late William Scaredevil, of
Maidstone, does, by the assistance of the Almighty, intend
to carry on the business of Whitesmith, and hopes for the
favors and recommendations of the gentlemen and ladies whom
the late William Scaredevil had the pleasure to serve, which
will be gratefully acknowledged by their most humble
servant,
MARY SCAREDEVIL."
_Salem Gazette,_ Nov., 1805.
* * * * *
Launching of the "Grand Turk."
Thursday last being a very pleasant day, great numbers of
people assembled to see the launching of the large and
beautiful ship from Mr. DERBY'S wharf. They were, however,
disappointed in the pleasure they expected, by her stopping
when she had run about half her length: and all the efforts
which could be made were ineffectual in getting her off at
that time: the next day, however, with the aid of proper
apparatus, and the assistance of the people assembled, she
was again put in motion, and gained the water.--The name of
_The Grand Turk_ is revived in this ship, heretofore borne
by a ship belonging to Mr. DERBY, remarkably successful as a
privateer in the late war, and which was some time since
sold in India.
The ingenious Mr. ENOS BRIGGS, from the North River, was the
master-builder of the new ship Grand Turk.
A CARD.
_Mr._ E.H. DERBY _requests his fellow-townsmen and others,
to accept his sincere thanks for their ready and unwearied
exertions to enable him to complete the launching of his
Ship._ MAY 21.
Mr. CUSHING,
The following lines were addressed to the Ship GRAND TURK,
while launching. They are at your service.
Your's, Z.
_The swelling waves roll joyfully along,
To greet thee, welcome to the azure main;
The gaping multitude in anxious throng,
Their ardent--vacant--tumult--scarce restrain._
_Slow o'er the lubrick ways--immense--you move,
High o'er the stern your flowing honours stand,
In distant climes, on unknown seas to prove
The matchless glory of your native land._
_For thee--the lofty Cedar nods alone,
The sturdy Oak its honours lopp'd deplores,
The forest mourns its tallest beauties gone
To waft Columbian treasure--to the Indian shores._
_Doom'd to resist the rage of warring waves,
Whilst rushing winds impel your foaming way:
The firm built sides their utmost fury brave.
The tempest mock--and in the whirlwind play._
_Safe may you reach your distant--destin'd port,
Nor rocks--nor treach'rous sands--oppose your fame,
May gentle winds your swelling topsails court,
And thousands shout you welcome home again._
_Salem Gazette,_ May 24, 1791.
* * * * *
The oldest person who had lived in Salem up to 1791.
On Friday last, the venerable Mr. JOHN SYMONDS, of this
town, entered the _one hundredth year of his age_. He is the
only male person who has arrived at that great age, from the
first settlement of the town by the English in 1629 to this
day.
* * * * *
Irish Litany.
DUBLIN, May 11.
_To the Printers of the_ Rights _of_ Irishmen.
GENTLEMEN,
I am enabled by an invisible power to communicate to you, a
Litany sanctioned by me, and to be adopted by the
professors of the patriotic religion of Ireland; a Litany
which breathes the spirit of that freedom which I professed
when on earth, and has been here on eternal record; if its
principle and doctrine tend to enlighten and emancipate your
country, it will add (if possible) to that indescribable
happiness enjoyed by him, whom, without vanity, I may now
call the virtuous and patriotic
MIRABEAU.
_Elysium, 5th Feb._ 1792.
_THE LITANY._
1st. Let there be a free, equal, and general representation
of your people in Parliament.
And all the people shall say amen.
2d. Let there be a reform of your church, an abolition of
tithes, and let each sect maintain its own pastor.
And all, &c.
3d. Let the people of my terrestrial country be an example
to your people, and let their freedom be your freedom.
And all, &c.
4th. Let the fetters which the nobles of your land have
forged, be broken asunder; and let those who earn,
distribute the bread of Ireland.
And all, &c.
5th. Let each man freely worship God according to the
dictates of his conscience.
And all, &c.
6th. Let christians be philosophers, and let philosophers be
christians.
And all, &c.
7th. Let the rich few no longer be supported by taxes on the
many and unrepresented poor.
And all, &c.
8th. Let all the sons of Hibernia be free--yea, even as free
as the negroes[D] of Africa.
And all, &c.
9th. Let truth never be deemed a libel, and let the Liberty
of your Press be extended.
And all, &c.
10th. Let the noble (tho enlisted) sons of Ireland never
become the hired assassins of their countrymen.
And all, &c.
11th. Let the army which eats the bread of Ireland, be her
guardian and protector, and not the base invader of her
rights and liberties.
And all, &c.
12th. Let him who first proposed a mortgage on the revenues
of Ireland, be accursed in the annals of your country.
And all, &c.
13th. Let yourselves no longer be the slaves of religion, or
sect, or party, but the united sons of freedom and
philosophy.
And all, &c.
14th. Let the majesty of your king reflect the majesty of
your people.
And all, &c.
_Mirabeau scripsit._
_Salem Gazette,_ 1792.
[D] Vide Wilberforce on the emancipation of the slaves.
* * * * *
Boston School of Fashion in 1807.
Robert Smallpeace,
_At his_ DRESSING ACADEMY, _and_ SCHOOL _of_ FASHION, _in_
MILK STREET, _opposite the South door of the_ Old South,
[Illustration]
REMINDS the Sons and Daughters of Fashion and Beauty, that
tho' they may possess every latent excellence, yet they
require the improving hand of ART, like _rough_ diamonds, to
obtain the polish and brilliancy of the _first water_. What
is elegance of form or contour of beauty without
improvement? like "a light hid under a bushel," or whatever
can be conceived to be _most unlike_:--And it is a
lamentable fact, that
_Full many a mind is rear'd with toil and care,
To waste its worth--by_ SLOV'NLINESS _in_ HAIR.
The _tailor_, or _milliner_, may encase us with taste and
elegance; the _dancing master_ teach us the steps of ease
and dignity; the _musician_ instruct us in our throats and
fingers; and the _preceptor_ may inform our minds; and yet,
with all these _accomplishments_, can we even be PASSABLE,
if the _highest_ accomplishment of all be neglected? and the
HEAD be left to its own "disorder worse confounded,"
exhibiting a "_paltry crown of mud and straw_," placed upon
an "_edifice of ivory and gold_!"--and further--
_What though the_ EYE _voluptuous roll,_
_The_ FORM _possess each heavenly grace_;
_Say, can they_ ANY HEART _control,_
_Draw_ FRIENDSHIP _near--bid_ LOVE _take place,_
_'Till_ SMALLPEACE _touch them_!--he _whose trade is,_
_T' make_ Gods _of_ Men--_and_ Goddesses _of_ Ladies!
--> SMALLPEACE has elegant apartments for Ladies and
Gentlemen; and will be found constantly at "the post of
honour," and attendance, to wait upon them.
Oct. 17 [1807].
_Columbian Centinel._
* * * * *
The novels of 1833; from the "Salem Observer," July 13.
The decidedly bad moral tendency of some of the most popular
novels of the times is forcibly depicted in a magazine
recently established in England, by two of the sons of
William Cobbett, in the following language:--
"Would you seduce a wife? Falkland shall teach you to do it
with gravity and dignity. Would you murder? Eugene Aram
shall show you its necessity for the public advantage. Would
you rob? Paul Clifford shall convince you of the injustice
of security, and of the abominableness of the safety of a
purse on a moonlight night.--Would you eat? Turn to Harry
Bertram and Dandy Dinmont to the round of beef. Would you
drink? Friar Tuck is the jolliest of companions. Would you
dance, dress, and drawl? Pelham shall take you into tuition.
Would you lie, fawn, and flatter? Andrew Wylie shall
instruct you to crawl upward, without the slime betraying
your path. Would you yawn, doze, sleep, or dream? Cloudesly
shall do it for you, for the space of the first volume."
* * * * *
THOMAS MOORE.
Hostile feelings to the Americans having been imputed to the
poet MOORE in the first number of the (London) Westminster
Review, the following paragraph appeared in the London Times
of the 4th Feb., 1824.
"In the first number of the Westminster Review, just
published, there is an article upon a late work of Mr.
Moore's, in which the writer says, 'Mr. Moore has resided in
America, and, we understand, speaks of the Americans with
unbounded dislike and contempt.' In this assertion we can
confidently state, the writer is entirely mistaken. Whatever
opinions Mr. Moore may have hastily formed, when a very
young man, with respect to the character and institutions of
the Americans, we know that he has long since learned to
correct them, and to feel towards that people all the
admiration and respect which the noble example they set to
the other nations of the world demands."
_Boston Telegraph,_ 1824.
* * * * *
From the "Salem Gazette," Sept. 6, 1811.
Aiken's blood-letting Sermon
_for sale by Cushing & Appleton._
* * * * *
From the "Boston Transcript," Dec., 1834.
OLD TIMES.--Mr. Thatcher stated, in his Lecture before the
Boston Lyceum, that the Old Latin School in this City was
commenced two hundred years ago, according to the records of
the Town, which begin at the same year. For a long time it
was the only school; and there was no writing school among
us until November, 1684, (just 150 years since.) Master
Cheever presided over the Latin 38 years, till he died at
93. He was the teacher of two of the Mathers, and the second
Doctor said of him in an obituary essay, with his own
peculiar felicity, that
----to vast age he grew,
_Till Time's scythe waiting for him rusty grew._
Lovell was his second successor, and held on 92 years, till
in 1776 he left the town a Loyalist. The old gentleman had a
house furnished for him in School street, and a garden that
reached nearly to Court street, which his best boys were
allowed to till; and they had also the privilege as a reward
of merit of sawing his wood and bottling his cider.--The
Lecturer remarked that this was the first manual labor
school he had heard of.
* * * * *
A quotation from Scripture.
"In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is
hired."
* * * * *
From the "Salem Observer," 1840.
LITERARY CURIOSITY. The following letter was written by a
young gentleman to his "lady love," under the direction and
eye of a rigid old father. The understanding, however,
between the lovers, was, that she should read only every
other line, beginning with the first. Love is full of
expedients.
MADAM,--
The great love I have hitherto expressed for you
_is false, and I find that my indifference, toward you_
increases daily; the more I see of you, the more
_you appear in my eyes an object of contempt._--
I feel myself every way disposed and determined to
_hate you. Believe me, I never had an intention to_
offer you my hand. Our last conversation has
_left a tedious insipidity, which has by no means_
given me the most exalted idea of your character;
_your temper would make me extremely unhappy,_
and if we are united, I shall experience nothing but
_the hatred of my parents, added to their everlasting dis-_
pleasure in living with you. I have, indeed, a heart
_to bestow, but I do not wish you to imagine it is_
at your service; I could not give it to any one more
_inconsistent and capricious than yourself, and less_
capable to do honor to my choice and to my family.--
_Yes, Madam, I trust you will be persuaded that_
I speak sincerely; and you will do me a favor
_to avoid me. I shall excuse your taking the trouble_
to answer this. Your letters are always full of
_impertinence, and you have not the least shadow of_
wit or good sense. Adieu! Adieu! believe me, I am
_so averse to you that it is impossible for me ever to be_
your affectionate friend and ardent lover.
[Illustration]
Transcriber's note:
Text version
*** Represents Inverted Asterism
--> Represents Right Index
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities - Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts" ***
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