Ye Olden Time Series.

On Thurſday laſt, in the Forenoon, was married Mr. Benjamin Davis of this Town, Merchant, to Mrs. Anstess Greenleaf, ſecond [Pg 5]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 [Pg 6]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 [Pg 7]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.

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.

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——

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,

Died—At Rehoboth, Mr. Henry Bowen. He went to a wedding, well, on Thurſday, taken ſick on Friday, died on Saturday, buried on Sunday.

—At Portſmouth, Mrs. Jane Hill, the virtuous and amiable Conſort of Mr. Eliſha Hill. [1790]

"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, [Pg 10]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 2d. 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.

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[Pg 15] 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[Pg 16] 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.

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[Pg 17] 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.

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 months of the year are introduced as follows:

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 [Pg 20]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 ☉ 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—

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.[Pg 22]

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 [Pg 23]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.

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 [Pg 25]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 [Pg 26]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, [Pg 27]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 [Pg 28]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 [Pg 29]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 [Pg 30]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.

[Pg 31]

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.

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.

"The good whigs of America," ſays a late paper, "may be aſſured, that the infamous Benedict Arnold's manſion is the very next to [Pg 33]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 [Pg 34]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.

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[Pg 35] 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 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 [Pg 36]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 [Pg 37]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.

To read the ſigns in this town is a delicate, ſentimental repaſt.—I hope Boſtonians will never complain of want of [Pg 38]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.

Married at Andover, Mr. Aaron Oſgood to the curious Miſs Eſter Wardwell.

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.

A few years ſince, a young gentleman at the Univerſity in Cambridge aſked of a Collegian the loan of his Wirgil. The inelegant pronunciation of the word Virgil was burleſqued by the young Collegian in the following ſtory, with which his invention readily ſupplied him:—Lately (ſays he) I ſet out on a woyage to Werſailles, with one Captain Winal, in a Britiſh weſſel called the Wiper; but we ſoon met with a wiolent ſtorm, which drove us into a port in Wirginia; where one Capt. Waughn, a wery wicious man, inwited us aboard his weſſel, and gave us ſome weal and weniſon, with ſome winegar, which made me wery ſick; ſo I did womit like wengeance; (and added, reaching out [Pg 40]the book) You may have my Wirgil, and welcome. This humor had the deſired effect; the young gentleman ſaw the abſurdity of doing ſuch wiolence to the letter V, and has ever ſince ſpoke like other people.

Salem Gazette, April 26, 1791.

More Travellers' Stories.

From the National Gazette.

A new book of Travels in America has been recently issued in London which rivals the volumes of our old friends Weld, Ashe, Fearon, &c. It is entitled "A Visit to North America and the English Settlements in Illinois, with a winter residence in Philadelphia; solely to ascertain the actual prosperity of the Emigrating Agriculturist, Mechanic, and Commercial Speculator"—by Adlard Welby, Esquire, of South Rauceby, Lincolnshire. This esquire has said enough, should he be believed, to settle ultimately the point of the truth or falsehood of Godwin's notable doctrine, that we owe the increase of our numbers chiefly to emigration. No sane European would venture among us after having read Mr. Welby's book. He discovered that, in Philadelphia, living was very dear, [Pg 41]comfort very uncommon, and good manners still more rare. Throughout his journey he found in the taverns "a system of impertinence, rudeness, rascality, and filth, rendered more intolerable by an antipathy to the English, in the brutal manifestation of which most of the Colonel, Doctor, and Squire, keepers of the taverns, were pleased to indulge." When he asked an hostler to call him early in the morning, he was answered that—he might call himself and be d——d. In the Western country he found no symptoms of hospitality—witnessed only idleness and licentiousness, and experienced every where brutal rudeness and unbounded extortion. The western people usually combine in cheating all travellers, and sometimes "rifle," that is shoot residents among them who do not choose to descend to their own level. In Illinois "a party proposed to each other coolly to go and shoot neighbour *****, who had behaved ill to them sundry times; it was agreed upon; they went to his field, found the old man at plough, and, with unerring aim, laid him dead." And Mr. Welby adds that the country would be desirable to live in, did not the folks shoot each other thus, and were they not half savages. The shooting case reminds us of a traveller's story which we heard at a dinner table abroad. A gentleman and esquire of strict veracity, like Mr. Welby, related, in order to shew how common was the calamity of the coup de soleil, or stroke of the sun, in the Island of Java, that sitting once in the house of an opulent merchant of [Pg 42]Batavia, drinking a cool glass of Madeira after dinner, with the merchant's wife in the room, the lady was, in the twinkling of an eye, reduced to a heap of ashes by a coup de soleil; when the husband observed to his guest, "don't be alarmed—we are accustomed to this;" then rang the bell with great composure, and on the appearance of the servant, coolly said—"Boy—sweep your mistress out, and bring us clean glasses."

In the neighborhood of Mr. Birbeck's settlement in Illinois, Mr. Welby could obtain neither eggs, milk, sugar, salt, nor water; and when he and his party sent a request to Mr. Birbeck for some water, the answer returned was, he made it a general rule to refuse every one. Mr. Birbeck is represented as having deceived and disappointed most of the English who were lured to his settlement by his "Journal." Mr. W. could discover none of "the snug cottages, with adjoining piggeries, cowsteads, gardens and orchards," which Mr. B. had introduced into his canvass. He found nothing but the primitive log building, that served the whole family—"for parlour, for kitchen, and hall." "The strange heterogeneous mixture of characters," says Mr. W. "which are collected here by the magic pen of Morris Birbeck, is truly ludicrous. Among many others, a couple now attend to the store at Albion who lately lived in a dashing style in London, not far from Bond-street; the lady brought over her white satin shoes and gay dresses, rich carpets, and everything but what in such[Pg 43] a place she would require—yet I have understood that they have accommodated themselves to their new situations, hand out the plums, sugar, whiskey, &c., with tolerable grace, and at least 'do not seem to mind it.'"

In one of the principal literary journals of London, Mr. Welby's book is recommended as "carrying on its front the stamp of plain dealing, truth and candor, and entitled, from internal evidence, to the highest authority amid the conflicting statements and opinions respecting emigration to America." The reviewer adds:—"From a country so destitute of moral beauty as the author depicts it, so disgusting in its human externals, and so low in the scale, not merely of refinement, but of good principles, we are happy to withdraw." As Mr. Welby spent a winter in Philadelphia, and had acquaintance here, it is probable that such of the latter as have not seen his book will be pleased to know the complexion of its contents.

Salem Register, May 18, 1822.

Discourse on Genius. The Richmond Compiler speaks in terms of great praise of a discourse delivered recently in Richmond, before a Young Men's Society, by Joseph Hulbert Nicholas. A [Pg 44]number of extracts are also given in the Compiler, as specimens of the performance, from which we take the following notices of two of our fellow-townsmen.—Boston Courier.

Of Charles Sprague, of Massachusetts, no language can be spoken but that of unqualified praise. Forsaking the modern school of writing, he is contented with being simple and natural. Sublimity, tenderness, wit, elegance, and beneficial satire characterise his muse.—The only complaint I have ever heard made of him is that he does not write more.

Of Nathaniel Parker Willis, a native of Massachusetts, and a fellow-student with myself at Yale College, I come now to speak. Of him I shall speak familiarly, as of an intimate friend; and impartially and justly, as one who wishes him well. Willis, I venture to pronounce the most remarkable genius our country has yet produced. I do not call him remarkable merely for his unusual precocity of song, but remarkable for the possession of that rare genius, which by any man, young or old, in our land, I do not think has ever been displayed. Nature has done wonderful things for him; but alas! he has thus far done but little for himself. The great pieces he has sometimes given us have cost him but little effort, and he has thrown out his productions, in prose as well as poetry, with a profusion and a variety that seem miraculous; and yet, of all our bards, he has met with the most severe and merciless censures. In some measure he has [Pg 45]deserved the treatment. In College he would not condescend to study, and charity only for his high genius enabled him to gain a degree. Besides, he gained his first and best reputation by pieces founded upon scriptural subjects, and he stood committed to the world as a religious man. Many who had never seen aught of him but his productions, and had formed the loftiest estimate of his personal character from the pure tendency of his effusions, were astonished and grieved when introduced to the author.—His head made giddy by the praises of young and old, he forgot himself, and possessing most shrewd good sense, he would talk the reverse. He became fantastic in apparel, as he did likewise in his style of writing; made himself too common, and almost broke a pious father's heart by deserting the altar of that divine Jesus upon whose Bible he had founded the fairest fabric of his fame. My friend, of whom I so sternly speak, is now in Italy; and should these remarks, per chance, ever meet his eye, I beseech him by our past friendship, by our walks "by moon or glittering star-light," through the Eden groves and avenues of New-Haven, by the love he bears to his parents, and above all, by the love he bears that Saviour, upon whose image and the scenes of whose mortal pilgrimage he is rapturously gazing, in the matchless pictures of the Italian masters, I beseech him, when he returns to his native land, to wear no longer a ridiculous mask, but to appear in his own native strength, dignity, and surpassing loveliness.

High Life at Washington. The Washington Correspondent of the Boston Morning Post, in describing Gov. Cass's soiree, thus notices some of the young ladies who were present:—

Miss Keyser of Baltimore, uniting youth and beauty, possesses an eye as dark as the absence of all light, beaming with a lustre that eclipses all. I never saw a countenance betoken such perfect happiness; it was like a star-lit lake, curling its lips into ripples in some dream of delight, as the west wind salutes them with its balmy breath and disturbs their placid slumber. I never before realised Byron's idea of

till Miss Keyser's brought it home to the business and bosom.

Miss Silsbee, of Salem, with a form of great symmetry, possesses a countenance not only beautiful, but entirely intellectual—the most so of any you have met with either here or elsewhere; it is [Pg 47]of the Italian model; and should have basked beneath an Italian sky. She is very easy, graceful and modest in her deportment, and dresses 'rich not gaudy;' the cameo necklace that graced her person was only the foil that set off the diamond.

Miss Harper of Baltimore, with a fine face and form, is particularly unrivalled for a bust of unrivalled symmetry; it would furnish a model for a Canova; and reminds me of Greenough's Medora.

Miss M'Lane of this city, with many separate charms that could not fail of attraction, unites with them the finest of fine forms.

And last, not least, the younger Miss Cass possesses the most perfect Madonna countenance I have ever seen clothed in living lustre. It was one of the first that attracted my attention when I entered the saloon, and the last that received my parting glance when I retired; it seemed to be—

I am told it is entirely characteristic; that she is in heart and thought, what you behold in her countenance—happy, but not gay; serious but not sad; devout, yet not a devotee.

William Erſkine, Eſq. is ſaid to be the author of the new and intereſting Novel, "Guy Mannering."—Walter Scott had been pronounced the author.

Waverly.—It is not yet decided to whom this very intereſting novel belongs. It came into the world with all the advantage that the name of Walter Scott could give it; but Guy Mannering's appearance ſeems to have diſſolved that connection. An article in our first page attributes the work to Wm. Erſkine; but in the laſt North-American Review we read the following:—"An Engliſh Magazine ſays, the author of Waverly and Guy Mannering is a young gentleman of the name of Forbes, the ſon of a Scotch baronet." The Review remarks, that the extract in the title page of the latter, from the Lay of the Laſt Minſtrel, was a delicate way of informing the public that they were under a miſtake in attributing the former to Walter Scott.

Yeſterday the great Solar Eclipſe took place, agreeably to the calculations which had been made. The day was very favourable to viewing it. The air was remarkably clear, and there was not a [Pg 49]cloud in the hemiſphere. As the ſun ſhut in, the ſtars appeared, and many were viſible at the time of total darkneſs. A conſiderable alteration in the temperature of the atmoſphere was felt during the continuance of the Eclipſe.

FROM A LONDON PAPER.

EXCISE.

The following curious little document is the opinion of Lord Mansfield, when Attorney-General, upon Dr. Johnson's explanation of the word Excise:—

CASE.

Mr. Samuel Johnson has lately published a book, entitled "A Dictionary of the English Language, in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers. To which are prefixed a History of the Language and an English Grammar."[Pg 50]

Under the title "Excise" are the following words:—

Excise, n.s. (accijs, Dutch; excisum, Latin,) a hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom "Excise" is paid.

EXCISE.

The Author's definition being observed by the Commissioners of Excise, they desire the favour of your opinion:

Qu.—Whether it will not be considered as a libel; and if so, whether it is not proper to proceed against the author, printers and publishers thereof, or any and which of them, by information or how otherwise?

OPINION.

"I am of opinion that it is a libel; but under all the circumstances, I [Pg 51]should think it better to give him an opportunity of altering his definition; and in case he don't, threaten him with an information.

"(Signed)            W. MURRAY.

"29th Nov, 1755."

SAMUEL SEWALL.

When John Foster (the first who carried on printing in Boston) died in 1681, the town was without the benefit of the press; but a continuance of it being thought necessary, Samuel Sewall, not a printer but a magistrate, and a man much respected, was selected as a proper person to manage the concerns of it, and as such was recommended to the general court. In consequence of this recommendation, the court, in Oct. 1681, gave him liberty to carry on the business of printing in Boston. The license is thus recorded: "Samuel Sewall, at the instance of some Friends, [Pg 52]with respect to the accommodation of the public, being prevailed with to undertake the Management of the Printing Press in Boston, late under the command of Mr. John Foster, deceased, liberty is accordingly granted to him for the same by this court, and none may presume to set up any other Press without the like Liberty first granted."

Sewall became a bookseller.—Books for himself and others were printed at the press under his management; as were several acts and laws, with other works for government. Samuel Green, jun., was his printer. In 1682 an order passed the general court for the treasurer to pay Sewall ten pounds seventeen shillings, for printing the election sermon, delivered that year by the Rev. Mr. Torrey.

In 1684, Sewall, by some means, was unable to conduct the press, and requested permission of the general court to be released from his engagement. This was granted; the record of his release is in the words following.

"Samuel Sewall by the providence of God being unable to attend the press, &c., requested leave to be freed from his obligations concerning it, which was granted, with thanks for the liberty then granted."

In 1684, and for several subsequent years, the loss of the charter occasioned great confusion and disorder in the political concerns of the colony. Soon after Sewall resigned his office as conductor of the press in Boston, he went to England, and he returned in 1692. He was undoubtedly the same Samuel Sewall [Pg 53]who, when a new charter was granted by king William, was for many years one of the council for the province, and who, in 1692, was appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court; in 1715 Judge of Probate; and in 1718, Chief Justice of Massachusetts. He died Jan. 1, 1729, aged 78 years.—Boston News Letter.

A Century Ago. The N. York Gazette relates that when Rev. Mr. Tuck, in the early part of the last century, was ordained minister of Star Island, one of a cluster called the Isles of Shoals, his parish offered him, beside the usual parsonage house, a quintal of fish each family, but no money, as a salary. It is well known that the fish cured at these islands are called dun fish, and have the highest reputation for excellence wherever known. They are caught in the depth of winter, and are fit for market before the hot weather. They derive the name of dun from the color which they assume. There were at the period of which we speak, about fifty families in the cluster, giving him fifty quintals per year. The average price of a dun fish is about ten dollars, and the worthy pastor always procured a ready sale for them, thereby realizing his five hundred dollars per annum. With this stipend he flourished, and brought up a [Pg 54]family, whom he educated himself, and fitted one of his sons for entrance into Harvard College. The lad had never been away from the Shoals till he reached Long wharf on his way to Cambridge. He had never seen a horse, nor heard a church bell. On landing, he saw many horses attached to various vehicles; and speaking to his father, said, "Only see what queer cows they have in Boston! they are not shaped like ours, and are all without horns." In passing by the Old South, in Cornhill, the big bell of that church struck up a peal, the effect of which nearly drove the young man mad.

Salem Observer[1829].

From Capt. Basil Hall's Travels in America—just published.

We reached the town of Salem in good time for dinner; and here I feel half tempted to break through my rule, in order to give some account of our dinner-party, chiefly, indeed, that I might have an opportunity of expatiating—which I could do with perfect truth and great pleasure—on the conversation of our excellent host. For I have rarely, in any country, met a man so devoid of prejudice, or so willing to take all matters on their favorable side, and withal, who was so well informed about every [Pg 55]thing in his own and in other countries, or who was more ready to impart his knowledge to others.

To these agreeable attributes and conversational powers he adds such a mirthfulness of fancy, and genuine heartiness of good-humour, to all men, women, and children who have the good fortune to make his acquaintance, that I should have no scruple—if it were not too great a liberty—in naming him as the person I have been most pleased with in all my recent travels.

After dinner, we repaired to the Museum, the rich treasures of which have been collected exclusively by captains or supercargoes of vessels out of Salem, who had doubled one or other of the great southern promontories,—the Cape, and the Horn, as they are technically called by seamen. As my eye fell on numberless carefully cherished objects, which I had often seen in familiar use on the other side of the globe, my imagination revelled far and wide into regions I may never live to see again.

Salem Observer, 1826.

Compliment to New England. In a speech made by Mr. Lyell, the eminent geologist, at a late meeting of the British Geological Association, he said—"Were I ever so unfortunate as to quit my native land to reside permanently elsewhere, I should without hesitation choose the United States for my second country, especially New England, where a population of more than two [Pg 56]millions enjoys a higher average standard of prosperity and intellectual advancement than any other population of equal amount on the globe."

Salem Observer, 1843.

"REFUGEE IN AMERICA."

New-York and Boston. Mrs. Trollope, in her new work, called the Refugee in America, introduces some queer comparisons between the manners of the two cities. We quote for example:—"In Boston, there are no persons allowed to vote at the elections of President or Governor of that province but native born yankees; while at New-York, emigrants are forced from the ships in which they arrive directly to the hustings, which are kept open the first two weeks of every month at Mason's lodge, Broadway, where they are allowed to jostle off the sidewalks the most respectable inhabitants. If they are reproved for such conduct, the answer invariably is,—'Isn't this a land of liberty?' I was one forenoon myself stopped at the lodge and offered a vote, with the preliminary question,—'Are you a Clay or a Jackson man?' In Boston, a person seen with a segar in his mouth in the street, is counted a blackguard; but in New-York no gentleman [Pg 57]makes his promenade without one. In Boston, a housekeeper would be placed at the Sessions dock for suffering the refuse of his mansion to be thrown into the street; while in N. York he would be fined $1 if he allowed it to be thrown elsewhere near his premises. Swine is a Bostonian's bane, and a N. Yorker's antidote,—indeed this animal is as much caressed by the ladies and gentlemen of the latter city, as a lap-dog in London or Paris. The Governor and his twenty chosen ministers have made it a capital offence to molest one of these interesting quadrupeds while roaming the streets!"—[Oh! what a lying jade!]

Salem Observer, Oct. 13, 1832.

Early Accounts of New-England. The first settlers of New-England must have been blessed with singular powers of vision. One of them speaks of lions in Cape Ann: another (Josselyn), who arrived at Boston in 1663, and resided in this Colony about eight years, says of our frogs, "some, when they sit upon their breech, are a foot high, and some as long as a child one year old." He likewise says "old barley frequently degenerates into oats" in New-England.

Dr. Douglass's Notice of Salem. In looking over Dr. Douglass' historical summary, we found the following note on Salem. The author formerly lived in Boston, and after his removal to England, published his work in 1749. As he was a physician, he probably considered himself authorized to broach new theories. He certainly showed his ingenuity in imputing to our soil a tendency to produce the diseases of which he makes mention. It is perhaps fortunate for us that the Doctor did not live in our day, as he would have found in the excitement which has recently prevailed here in relation to the Mill Dam, Theatre, &c., new proofs of the correctness of his hypothesis.

"In Salem and its neighborhood Enthusiasm and other nervous disorders seem to be endemial. Hypochondriack, hysterick, and other maniack disorders prevail there, and Ipswich adjoining, to this day."

Salem Register, 1826.

PHILADELPHIA, July 23 [1788].

A correſpondent wiſhes that a monument could be erected in Union Green, with the following inſcription:—

IN HONOUR OF
AMERICAN BEER and CYDER.

It is hereby recorded, for the information of ſtrangers and poſterity, that 17000 people aſſembled on this Green, on the [Pg 59]4th of July, 1788, to celebrate the eſtabliſhment of the Conſtitution of the United States, and that they ſeparated at an early hour, without intoxication or a ſingle quarrel. They drank nothing but Beer and Cyder. Learn, reader, to prize thoſe invaluable federal liquors, and to conſider them as the companions of thoſe virtues which can alone render our country free and reſpectable.

Learn likewiſe to deſpiſe
SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS, as antifederal;

and to conſider them as the companions of all thoſe vices which are calculated to diſhonour and enſlave our country.

......POETRY......

From the Lady's Miscellany.

YANKEE PHRASES.