The Olden Time Series, Vol. 4: Quaint and Curious Advertisements | Page 4

for making and publishing such Lyes and false Reports.----By Order of the Selectmen,
Ezekiel Goldthwait, Town Clerk.
Many Country-People have imagined by seeing Silks hanging on Poles, that the Small-Pox is in such Houses; but their Surmises are entirely groundless, they being hung out at the Silk Dyers for drying.
Boston Gazette.
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In 1760 the Committee of Tradesmen advise voters to "put on Sabbath Day Clothes" and "wash their Hands and Faces" before going to town meeting the next day. They also speak of the "New and Grand Corcas," meaning probably caucus. This is from the "Boston Gazette," May 12.
THE Committee of Tradesmen hereby advise their Constituents and others to set apart a decent Portion of Time (at least one Hour) previous to the Opening of the Town-Meeting To-Morrow to shift themselves and put on their Sabbath Day Clothes, also to wash their Hands and Faces, that they may appear neat and cleanly; Inasmuch as it hath been reported to said Committee of Tradesmen that Votes are to be GIVEN AWAY by the delicate Hands of the New and Grand Corcas; and they would have no Offence given to Turk or Jew, much less to Gentlemen who attend upon so charitable a design.--Nothing of the least Significancy was transacted at a late Meeting of the said new and grand Corcas to require any further Attention of said Committee.
Boston Gazette, May 12, 1760.
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Some one is "desired to refresh his memory" in 1767. Such mistakes remind us of Willis Gaylord Clark's account of an announcement he once heard at a revival meeting somewhere in New York State. The minister said: "I would adnounce to this codingregation [through his nose] that, prebably by mistake, there was left at this house of prayer this morning a small cotting umbrella, very much worn and of an exceedinglie pale blue color; in the place whereof was taken one that was new and of great beauty. I say, brethren and sisters, that it was prebably by mistake that of these two articles the one was taken and the other left; but it was a very improper mistake, and should be discountenanced if possible. Blunders of this sort are getting to be a leetle too common."
Taken (as is supposed by Mistake) last Wednesday from the Representatives Chamber in Boston, a long Camblet Cloak, lin'd with red Baize: Whoever has taken the same is desired to refresh his Memory, and return it to Mr. Baker, Keeper of the Court-House. Sept. 5, 1767.
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By an advertisement in the "Boston Gazette," Oct. 19, 1767, we learn that the young ladies of Boston had an opportunity to learn to paint on "gauze and catgut," which we suppose at that time was considered "high art."
To the Young Ladies of Boston.
ELIZABETH COURTNEY, as several Ladies has signified of having a desire to learn that most ingenious art of Painting on Gauze & Catgut, proposes to open a School, and that her business may be a public good, designs to teach the making all sorts of French Trimmings, Flowers, and Feather Muffs and Tippets. And as those arts above mentioned (the Flowers excepted) are entirely unknown on the Continent, she flatters herself to meet with all due encouragement; and more so, as every Lady may have a power of serving herself of what she is now obliged to send to England for, as the whole process is attended with little or no expence. The Conditions are Five Dollars at entrance, to be confin'd to no particular hours or time: And if they apply constant, may be compleat in six weeks. And when she has fifty subscribers, school will be open'd, as not being designed to open a school under that number, her proposals being to each person so easy, but to return to those who have subscrib'd their money again, and keep the business to herself.
N.B. Feather Muffs and Tippets to be had; and Gauze wash'd to look as well as new.
Please to inquire at Mr. Courtney's, Taylor, four Doors below the Mill-Bridge, North-End.
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Sept 14, 1761, Samuel Gardner and Joseph Cabot of Salem offer a "snow" (two-masted vessel) for sale, that "goeth well."
TO BE SOLD, by Samuel Gardner, Francis and Joseph Cabot of Salem, on reasonable Terms; a SNOW burthened about One hundred and seventy Tons, well built and fitted, goeth well; She has 10 Carriage and 6 Swivel Guns, belonging to her.
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In June, 1762, "gentleman seamen" were offered a chance to ship. "Post-Boy."
[Illustration]
Now bound on a CRUIZE of Six Months, Against his Majesty's Enemies, The Brigantine Tartar, A prime Sailer, mounting Fourteen Six Pounders, Twenty Co-horns, and will carry One Hundred and Twenty Men, Commanded by William Augustus Peck.
ALL Gentlemen SEAMEN and able bodied LANDMEN, who have a Mind