Chapter I: Part 1

=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

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

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_!

* * * * *