Chapter 6

_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.

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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.

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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.

_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.