Chapter 3

Monday last, agreeable to ancient Custom, the Artillery Company of the Province, appeared under Arms, being the Anniversary of the Election of Officers for the Company: A Sermon was preached by the Rev'd Mr. _Balch_ of _Dedham_, at the Old Brick Meeting-House, where his Excellency the Governor, the Members of his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives, with a Number of other Gentlemen, attended; after which they proceeded to Faneuil-Hall, where an elegant Dinner was provided; and in the Afternoon the following Gentlemen were chosen for the ensuing Year, viz.

_Thomas Marshall_, Esq; Captain, Mr. _Josiah Waters_, Lieutenant, Mr. _Jeremiah Belknap_, Ensign.

In the Evening a plentiful Repast was given by the Officers newly elected, at Faneuil-Hall; where many loyal Healths were drank.

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After the great fire in Boston in March, 1760, this item appeared in the "Gazette" of May 19:--

We hear that _Charles Ward Apthorp_, Esq; of _N.-York_, Merchant, upon hearing of the Calamity which had befallen this Town by the late dreadful Fire, generously ordered his Agent here to pay to the Gentlemen appointed to receive the Donations of charitable dispos'd Persons the Sum of _One Hundred_ Pounds, L.M. for the Relief of the Sufferers.

Mr. Apthorp, of New York, made this generous donation--a large sum for that time--for the relief of the sufferers of his native place.

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On the 30th of March, 1761, the "Boston Gazette" prints the following among its items of news:--

_The following Proverbs we hope will not be disregarded, tho' taken from a Book in the Hands of almost every Freeholder in this Province; for they are true English Proverbs_----

_LOOK before you leap--Wise Men think twice before they act once--Avoidance is better than late Repentance--Put your Hand in the Lion's Mouth, then get it out if you can--Haste makes Waste--Fast bind fast find--A Wedge once enter'd, the Log flies--You may add, when you cannot take away--Cut your Coat according to your Cloth--A rash Beginning makes a foolish Ending--Better late than never--He that acts for others, should act with Caution--Once well done is twice done--A wise Man foreseeth the Storm and secureth himself----Of all Murderers, Self-Murderers are the most stupid--A Snake in the Grass may bite before it is seen._

A Word to the Wise is sufficient. AMEN.

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BOSTON IN OLDEN TIMES.--The "Boston Transcript," in a notice of the newspapers published in Boston in 1767, of which there were ten, says: The printer in those days was a man of "all work." If a negro or horse was up for sale, the printer was the seller. The advertisements in these old papers are curiosities in their line. The following notices appeared in the advertising columns of the "Boston Evening Gazette," in 1741:--

"To be sold by the Printer of this Paper, the very best negro woman in this town, who has had the small pox and the measles; is as hearty as a horse, as brisk as a bird, and will work like a beaver."

"To be sold by the Printer of this Paper, a negro man about thirty years old, who can do both town and country business very well, but will suit the country best, where they have not so many dram-shops as we have in Boston. He has worked at the printing business fifteen or sixteen years; can handle axe, saw, spade, hoe, or other instrument of husbandry, as well as most men, and values himself, and is valued by others, for his skill in cookery."

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This item, from a paper of 1767, seems to show that the Government was not then obliged to have a "bill" to uphold silver, for it was evidently in the ascendency; but there was no Western territory at that time, or rather, it had not been discovered.

Gold as well as Silver will be taken for the Tickets, and the Prizes paid off in like Manner. Prizes not demanded within Twelve Months after Drawing, will not be paid, but will be deem'd as generously given for the Purpose aforesaid, and applied accordingly.

Tickets to be had of the respective Managers, and of Edes and Gill.

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Fashionable weddings in the days of the spinning-wheel were not so fully described as they are at the present day. Nothing used to be said about the "magnificent dresses," "best man," "ushers," "contracting parties," "elegant presents," etc., etc.; there was a simple announcement of the fact. Here are specimens of marriage announcements,--persons belonging to the first families in Boston.

"Boston Gazette," Feb. 5, 1759.

Last Thursday Morning, was married at King's-Chappel, Dr. THOMAS BULFINCH, Son of the late Dr. BULFINCH of this Town, to Mrs. SUSAN APTHORPE, Daughter of the late CHARLES APTHORPE, Esq; The Rev'd Mr. APTHORPE perform'd the Ceremony, before a very great Number of Spectators.

* * * * *

"Columbian Centinel," March 26, 1788.

----Mr. THOMAS H. PERKINS, merchant, to Miss SALLY ELLIOT, only daughter of Mr. SIMON ELLIOT.

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"Gazette," Jan. 26, 1767.

BOSTON, January 26, 1767.

Tuesday the Honorable JOHN TEMPLE, Esq; Surveyor-General of North-America, was married to Miss BOWDOIN, Daughter of the Honorable JAMES BOWDOIN, Esq; of this Town.

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Specimen of a house in "Corn-Hill," from the "Post-Boy," May 7, 1763.

TO BE SOLD,

A Large and Commodious Brick Dwelling-House, pleasently scituated in Corn-Hill: For further particulars Enquire of _Green & Russell_ Printers in Queen-street.

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The "Virginia Gazette" gives an account of an early and bold attempt at British impressment of seamen. This business caused us a great deal of trouble in after years, and was one of the causes of "Madison's War," as the old people were fond of calling it.

The press-gang was one of the peculiar institutions of Great Britain.

BOSTON, October 26, 1767.

By the Virginia Gazette, of the first Instant, it appears that Captain Morgan, of the Hornet Sloop of War, concerted a bloody riotous Plan, to impress Seamen, at Norfolk, for which Purpose, his Tender was equipped with Guns and Men, and under Cover of the Night said Morgan landed at a public Wharff, having first made proper Dispositions either for an Attack or Retreat, then went to a Tavern, and took a chearful Glass, after which they went to work, and took every Person they met with, and knocked all down that resisted; and dragged them on board the Tender; but the Town soon took the Alarm, and being headed by Paul Loyal, Esq; a Magistrate, they endeavoured to convince Capt. Morgan of his Error, and being deaf to all they said he ordered the People in the Tender to fire on the Inhabitants, but they refused to obey their Commanders Orders, and he was soon obliged to fly, leaving some of the Hornets behind, who were sent to Gaol, but were afterwards released.

Mr. John Ashton, in his recently published work on "Social Life in England at the end of the Eighteenth Century," informs us that one evening in the year 1790, 2,100 men were pressed in London alone, besides many more at the seaport towns.

* * * * *

In the summer of 1762 there was a severe drought in Massachusetts, and the Governor issued a proclamation recommending public prayers for rain; but it will be noticed that he says if rain should come before the day set apart for prayers, then, instead of humiliation, it would be the duty of the people to make it a day of thanksgiving. The proclamation referred to was published in the "Boston Post-Boy" of July 13, 1762.

By HIS EXCELLENCY

FRANCIS BERNARD, Esq;

Captain-General and Governor in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of _Massachusetts-Bay_ in _New-England_, and Vice-Admiral of the same.

A PROCLAMATION

_For a Day of Public Prayer._

IT having pleased Almighty God to visit this Province with another severe Drought, which, if it should continue much longer, cannot fail of bringing great Distress upon the Inhabitants thereof--We are again called upon to supplicate the Interposition of Divine Providence to relieve this Country from the imminent Danger with which it is threatned, by dispensing timely and plentiful Rain.

I HAVE therefore thought fit to appoint, and I do, by and with the Advice of His Majesty's Council, appoint Wednesday the Twenty-eighth Day of this Instant _July_ to be a Day of Public Prayer throughout the Province: Whereon the whole People may as at one Time humble themselves before Almighty God, acknowledging their great Unworthiness, and confessing their manifold Sins, and imploring the Supreme Dispenser of all Good, that He would be graciously pleased not to with-hold from them the Fruits of the Earth, but by seasonable and refreshing Rains bring what yet remains undestroyed to a due and seasonable Maturity.

AND WHEREAS some Places have been exempted from the general Want of Rain; and it is to be hoped that before the Day appointed as aforesaid, many others, and possibly the whole Province, may have a gracious and timely Relief: It will be our Duty to intermix Thanksgiving with Humiliation, in such a Manner as the State of the Province, and particular Parts thereof, shall at that Time require.

And I do order the said Day to be observed as a Day set apart for Religious Worship, and that no servile Labour or Recreation be permitted thereon.

_GIVEN at the Council-Chamber in_ Boston, _the Ninth Day of_ July, 1762, _in the Second Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord_ GEORGE _the Third, by the Grace of GOD, of_ Great-Britain, France, _and_ Ireland, _KING, Defender of the Faith_, &c.

_Fra. Bernard._

By His Excellency's Command, A. OLIVER, Secr'y. GOD Save the KING.

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Fire-works to be "play'd off," Aug. 13, 1759. From the "Boston Gazette."

The Publick REJOICINGS in Town this Day, on Account of the Success of His Majesty's Arms in the Reduction of Ticonderoga, Niagara and Crown-Point, by the Troops under the Command of the victorious General AMHERST, are now beginning--A great Number of People have been employ'd in making Fire-Works, &c. which will be play'd off this Evening, when there will be a handsome illumination.

* * * * *

The "Post-Boy" of November 15 of that year prints the following:--

NEW-YORK, November 15.

The Ships Manchester and Edward, that arrived here lately from London, brought over no less than 206 Chests of Green and Bohea Teas, for the different Merchants of this City.

Since our last two Vessels arrived here from Ireland, with about 2000 Firkins of choice Irish Butter, which we hope will bring down the Price of that Article.

* * * * *

We get an idea of men's clothing in 1767 from the following:--

_WHEREAS in the Time of Divine Service Yesterday, the House of the Subscriber was broke open, and the following Things stolen from thence, viz._ a Chocolate-colour Coat and Jacket trim'd with Brass Buttons, a cloth-colour'd cut-velvet Jacket with white Buttons, a pair Wash-Leather Breeches with white Buttons, five Silver Tea-Spoons, and one large ditto, mark'd G.P. _Whoever shall apprehend the Thief or Thieves, so that he or they may be convicted, shall have FOUR DOLLARS Reward, paid by_

JOHN PRESCOTT.

Concord, September 14, 1767.

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Lectures were not common in the last century. It was not until within fifty or sixty years ago, when Lyceums began to be established, that the lecture system became developed.

We find that in 1769 a Mr. Douglass lectured in Boston, according to an advertisement in the "Chronicle," August 17th.

The well-known Colonel David Mason of the Revolution, who was a prominent figure among the patriots at Leslie's Retreat at the North Bridge in Salem in February, 1775, was one of the earliest, if not the very first, to lecture in Salem upon a scientific subject. In the "Essex Gazette," Jan. 15, 1771, we find his advertisement:--

_No longer than next Week, will Continue to be exhibited, every Evening in which the Air is dry, (Saturday and Sunday excepted)_

A Course of Experiments in that instructive and entertaining Branch of Natural PHILOSOPHY, called

=Electricity=,

To be accompanied with Methodical Lectures on the Nature and Properties of that WONDERFUL ELEMENT,

By David Mason,

At his Dwelling-House near the North Bridge. The Course to consist of two Lectures, At a Pistareen each Lecture.

As the Knowledge of Nature tends to enlarge the human Mind, and give us more noble, more grand and exalted Ideas of the AUTHOR of Nature, and if well pursued, seldom fails producing something _useful_ to Man, 'tis hoped these Lectures may be thought worthy of Regard and Encouragement.

_Tickets to be had at the above Place._

* * * * *

_Positively the LAST NIGHT._ =To-Morrow, being Friday,= _August 17, 1769._ =Mr. Douglass,= _Will deliver the_ _LECTURE_ ON =HEADS,= _Coats of Arms, Wigs, Ladies-head Dresses,_ &c, &c, &c, &c. After which, will be pronounced SOME SELECT PIECES From THE MOST CELEBRATED ENGLISH POETS. *** Tickets for Admission, to be had of _Green_ and _Russell_, and at the _Bunch of Grapes_ in King-Street. _At_ HALF-a-DOLLAR each. To begin exactly at 8 o'clock.

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Thus we see that Salem was early in the field of literature and science. Its citizens must take pride in remembering such great names as Nathaniel Bowditch, William H. Prescott, Joseph Story, Timothy Pickering, John Pickering, Benjamin Peirce, William W. Story, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and many others.

* * * * *

When we see the great waste of paper in these days,--handbills, circulars, and newspapers, which are blowing about the streets at times,--we sometimes wonder how it was in 1767, on October 19, when the following notice appeared in the "Boston Gazette."

--> _THIS is to give Notice, That on_ TUESDAY _the 27th Instant, the Bell-Cart will go thro'_ Boston, _to collect Linnen Rags for_ Milton _Paper-Mill; as the highest Price will be given, all House-keepers and others are desired to have them in Readiness.--And, as it appears that all Sorts of Paper now to be imported, will come at a much higher Price than usual--if People will but save their Rags, it will not only be greatly interesting to the Public that the aforesaid Mill should have a full Supply, but will also encourage the manufacturing of all such different Sorts of Paper as are generally used among us, and a little to spare the neighbouring Governments._

* * * * *

Here are two notices,--the first, nearly eight years before the battle of Lexington, sounds warlike; the second is a call to promote greater economy on the part of the inhabitants.

_Messieurs_ EDES & GILL,

_Please to insert the following in your next._

IT is rumoured, and some say with great Probability, that a Body of Troops are ordered to be in Readiness at Halifax, to embark to any Part on the Continent of America, upon the first Notice of Uneasiness at the Novelties we daily expect.--It is as certain that America is also in Readiness to defend their Liberties at the Risque of every Thing else--there can be no Hesitation whenever the Alternative shall be Slavery or Death--If therefore they wait to know whether we will tamely submit to Slavery, the sooner the Matter is bro't to a Crisis the better.----But while we have any Opinion of the Integrity and good Sense of the Parliament of G.B. such Reports will not easily gain Credit. DETERMINATUS.

* * * * *

The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of this Town, are to meet at Faneuil-Hall, on Wednesday next, to consider and agree upon some effectual Measures to promote Industry, Oeconomy, and Manufactures, thereby to prevent the unnecessary Importation of European Commodities, which threaten the Country with Poverty and Ruin, &c.----

* * * * *

Timothy Pickering, the father of the distinguished Revolutionary officer and statesman of the same name, addressed an open letter to King George III., which is printed in the "Salem Gazette," Oct. 31, 1769. It is a very quaint production, but it shows the writer's love of simplicity and downright honesty. He was a sturdy Puritan.

"Oct. 31, 1769.

"TO THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN.

"GREAT SIR,--Your Kingdom is like a House divided against itself. Something Extraordinary must be done. Our Parliaments for fifty years past (or some of them) have ruined the Nation, in making a monstrous Debt by hiring Money, while greater Sums have been expended in Pride and Luxury. Thirteen hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling, the Public Prints tell us, is paid annually to the Dutch as Interest money. My Advice is that all Rulers and Officers, who have high Salaries, drop them, except so much as is necessary for plain Living;--(Samuel had more Honour in his plain Living with his upright Mind, than Saul had in all his Princely Grandeur,)--And that all unnecessary Pensions cease together with military Officers half-pay, (How Unequal are our Ways: These Officers must have large Half-Pay, while the common Soldiers are not allowed small Half-Pay--who have been exposed generally to greater Hardships than their Officers. Either let all have Half-Pay or none. The Soldiers are to be respected as well as their Officers and are as necessary,) and that high Taxes _very high_ be laid on all Pride and Luxury, wherever it is found, the Clergy and the Women not excepted; And that great Taxes be laid on the Rich. I have an Income of but about eighty Pounds Sterling a Year, including my own Hands Labour, nevertheless I am freely willing to pay one quarter Part of it in Taxes till my Public Debts are paid. Others that have Two hundred a Year, can with Ease pay one half of it in Taxes, if need be. _Pay thy Debts_; Owe no man anything is Law, _Divine and Moral_. Immoral Men are in the road that leads to Hell; if they attend Public Worship, they are Hypocrites, like the Scribes and Pharisees, of whom _Christ_ said, Ye are of your Father the Devil. If I understand the Apostle, when such Men sit or kneel at a Communion Table, it is a Table of Devils to them. Pray, Sir, tell your Placemen that the vast Multitude of your Subjects are very uneasy that so much of the Public Money, when raised is sunk in the Gulph of Exhorbitancy. My Governor, Mr. Francis Bernard, demands a thousand Pounds Sterling a Year; one half that Sum is more than Enough, especially as the Nation is ready to sink with the Weight of its Public Debt. The _Clergy_ can tell their Congregations that the New Testament rather reproves than commands the wearing of costly Array and faring sumptuously every Day; And I may venture to tell my Readers that all those who neglect taking a conscientious care to pay their Debts, private Debts, as well as public, are in the high Way to Destruction; the commonness of the Sin don't abate the Malignity of it.

P.S. Your Majesty sees how diligent Governor Nehemiah was in reforming what was amiss in Israel. He was obliged indeed to contend with the Nobles and the Rulers who opposed him, but he subdued them, and no wonder! Because he feared God and not Man.

From a loyal Subject of my King and a sincere Friend to his Kingdom.

TIMOTHY PICKERING.

Mr. Pickering wrote a letter to his son, while the latter was a student at Harvard College, requesting him not to play at cards, a practice which he regarded as wicked. But the son (Colonel Timothy Pickering afterwards), as Mr. Upham, his biographer, well remarks, was altogether too busy with his studies to waste time over cards.

* * * * *

We do not observe in the old papers much that would indicate a belief in modern Spiritualism; but it would seem from some accounts that "angels" were occasionally seen. In the cases we quote, the kind of "angels" is not stated. Whether they were real live beauties, or not, can only be conjectured. Who would not now like to buy one of these books at "four Coppers," so as to read all about these angels?

_THIS DAY PRINTED._

(And Sold by _Green & Russel_, in Queen-Street,)

A True & wounderful Relation of the Appearance of THREE ANGELS, (cloathed in White Raiment) to a young Man at _Medford_, near _Boston_, in _New-England_, on the 4th of _February_ 1761, at Night. Together with the Substance of the DISCOURSE, delivered by one of the Angels, from the 3d Chapter of _Colossians_, and 4th Verse.

[Price only four Coppers.]

--> Good Allowance to those that purchase by the Dozen.

_Boston Gazette_, Feb. 18, 1761.

* * * * *

About this time, also, "angels" made their appearance "at home" (England), as will be seen by another notice from the same paper.

* * * * *

This Day Published,

(_And Sold by_ Fowle & Draper, _in_ Marlboro'-Street.)

A full Relation of the surprizing Appearance of an Angel, in the Parish-Church of Gainsbury in Lincolnshire, on Christmas-Day last, in the Morning.--From whom was obtained a Prophecy of many Things that should come to pass in Europe; but more especially in England and France:--The first of which Kingdoms is threatened with several Judgments on Account of their great Misimprovement of peculiar Priviledges: Whilst the latter, notwithstanding their Endeavours to become great, shall be totally destroy'd by Discord among themselves, &c. &c. The whole being a loud Call to Repentance.--Published at the Request of the Parishioners, and attested to by two Ministers, and three Esquires.

1761.

* * * * *

In the "Boston Post-Boy" for Dec. 12, 1763, is an account of the dedication of the Synagogue in Newport, R.I.

_NEWPORT, December 5._

_On Friday last, in the Afternoon, was the Dedication of the new Synagogue, in this Town. It began by a handsome Procession, in which were carried the Books of the Law, to be deposited in the Ark. Several Portions of Scripture, and of their Service, with a Prayer for the Royal Family, were read, and finely sung by the Priest and People. There were present many Gentlemen and Ladies. The Order and Decorum, the Harmony and Solemnity of the Musick, together with a handsome Assembly of People, in an Edifice the most perfect of the Temple Kind perhaps in America, and splendidly illuminated, could not but raise in the Mind a faint Idea of the Majesty and Grandeur of the antient Jewish Worship mentioned in Scripture._

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