Henry M. Brooks

“ BULL-FIGHT IN NEW ENGLAND!
Many persons have supposed that bull-fights were never to be seen except in Spain; but it appears that in June, 1809, according to an advertisement in the "Essex Register," there was to be a bull-fight on the Salem turnpike, near the "Half-way House" (to Boston) . As there were no reporters in those days, we are unable to give an account of the exhibition. ”

“ Cross-bar, the Renelagh full moon, the Prussian stormont, Harlequin's motto, and an olive check inclosing four lions rampant and three flours de Luce; and for gentlemen's waistcoating, the Sportsman's fancy, the Prince of Wales's New-Market jockey, and the modest pale blue. He doubts not in the least, but that among the great variety of figures he has, every fancy may be suited ”

“ Its height is 5 feet, weighs near 100 pounds; it will eat half a peck of apples at a meal, swallow whole eggs, also stones and apples as large as eggs, and jump to a great height.—Goldsmith says, in his history of Animated Nature, it has the head of a Warrior, the eye of a Lion, the defence of a Porcupine, and the swiftness of a Courser.
It is fond of all kinds of vegetables and fruits. It will pick a pea out of a Child's hand without injury. Many that have seen it, say it is the greatest curiosity of the kind ever exhibited here. ”

“ He officiates as high Priest in their temple, where it is his delightful task to adorn the outward man, to shave off excrescences, and trim into proportion the shrubbery which [Pg 82] nature has reared around the headpieces of mankind.—By a judicious application of the scissors of discrimination, the soap of good nature, the brush of reform, and the razor of decision, he expects to bring about results which, like powers of the Steam Engine are, as yet, only dreamed of. ”

“ Takes this method publicly to return his grateful thanks to his friends of Marlborough street, Cornhill, &c. for their kindness to him during the past season; not only in patronizing him while able to perform his usual labors, but in assisting him while under the influence of a distressing and debilitating disease. He has grown old in the service of the inhabitants of Boston, and they do not forget him—they do not cast him off, or suffer him to become an inmate of the Alms-house; and although he is an African, he will not be guilty of the blackest of sins—that of ingratitude. ”

“ The grace of the Athenian beau and the dignity of the Roman senator shall be so intermingled in the grand contour of all who submit to his touch, that the toute ensemble cannot fail to kindle love and command respect. ”

“ To conclude, any Lady or Gentleman may draw a card from a pack, and keep it concealed, and the PIG without hesitation will discover the card when drawn.
Those who doubt the truth of the above are informed in case it don't answer every expectation the advertisement can excite, and prove a real living Animal, shall have the Money returned, or be at liberty to pay after they have convinced themselves by seeing him perform. ”

“ Yesterday the Stars and Stripes were unfurled on board the Frigate ESSEX, and at 12 o'clock she made a majestic movement into her destined element, there to join her sister craft in repelling foreign aggressions, and maintaining the Rights and Liberties of a "Great, Free, Powerful & Independent Nation." ”

“ Without the fear of contradiction, during thirty years and upwards that it has been my privilege to conduct the affairs of Hamilton Hall, I have never heard from five instruments richer music sent forth than I did on the evening of the 27th November, ultimo.—There is one fact that should be known, and which is acknowledged by all who have performed there, that five pieces of music are better in Hamilton Hall than seven in any other Hall in the city. ”

“ The repairs and improvements already made; the furnace which heats the entire Dancing portion of the building,—entries, Supper Hall, etc.; the improved Chandelier, new Sofas, Ladies' drawing-room new carpeted and furnished in a comfortable manner; a reduction of former price of Hall; strict adherence to a uniform price of Help, and every care taken to select and furnish the most careful and obliging attendants, with the enchanting music of the Salem Quadrille Band, cannot fail to secure the patronage of a generous public. ”

“ The Subscriber refers the generous Public to his late advertisements to be informed of the articles he still continues to sell by wholesale and retail; and also respectfully informs them, that he has just come to hand, a fresh assortment of Chintzes and Callicoes, Gentlemen's fancy Waistcoating, silk Romal, buff and other Shawls, printed Jeans, cotton and linen Handkerchiefs, a variety of Ribbons, all of a late importation; Nankeens of a superior quality, and cheaper by nine pence in the single piece than can be purchased in New-York by the quantity. ”

“ In King-Street, just below the Town-House in Boston, and at Salem, in the House where the Honourable Timothy Lindal, Esq; deceas'd, lately dwelt, near the Friends Meeting House, Have lately open'd a very large Assortment of English Goods, of almost every Kind, for Men's and Women's wear, consisting of too many Articles to be compriz'd in an Advertisement, which they will sell at either Place, by Wholesale or Retail, at very low Prices for Cash or Treasurer's Notes, and allow the Interest thereon. ”

“ Hereby inform the Publick that (notwithstanding the ill-natur'd Opposition they have met with, though not from the Landlord, who has fulfill'd his Engagement to them) they have remov'd their Shop from opposite the Old-Brick Meeting-House in Cornhill to the House lately occupied by Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, next Door to Deacon Boutineau's in Cornhill, Boston, where they hope their Friends and others will favour them with their Custom, and whom they engage to [Pg 4] supply with the following Articles at the lowest Rate that any fair Trader can afford them for Cash. ”

“ Notice to the economical, from the "Salem Mercury," July 8, 1788.
☞ Save your Rags!
And send them to the Printing Office; you will there receive for what you think of no service, money enough, which, in effect, is the same as having [Pg 96] money for nothing, and is certainly better than to be at the trouble of sweeping Rags away. If this beloved argument is thought insufficient to procure them, then only think of the virtue of serving your country! ”

“ Salem Gazette, April 3.
The "Worcester Spy" in 1797 had the following quaint advertisement:—
Honesty is the best Policy.
The Gentleman Night Walker, alias Night Villain, who of late has frequented the SLAUGHTER HOUSE of Lemuel Rice, and taken therefrom a considerable quantity of FRESH BEEF, is informed, that if he comes forward, in a gentleman like manner, and settles for the same, his name shall not be exposed; but, if he neglects this friendly hint, he must shortly expect to be complimented by a WARRANT, which will give him that reward his LABORS justly merit. ”

“ This most extraordinary and wonderful production of nature has been visited by a large number of persons, in different cities, and is pronounced a complete model in miniature of her kind; she is so short that she can pass under the belly of the large Ox. ”

“ To show how factories were supplied with operatives in the early days of manufacturing in New England, we copy an advertisement from the "Columbian Centinel," March 4, 1795. This is addressed especially to those parents [Pg 63] "who can ill afford to maintain their children." How much better off our manufacturing towns would be if such a system were practicable now! ”

“ The BOSTON MUSEUM, North side the Market, has lately received many very valuable additions, among which are
The Philadelphia, New-York, and Salem Beauties, and a number of other Figures.—Also, a variety of natural curiosities, among which are the skin of the Sea-Elephant, in natural preservation, which measures 8 feet in length, and 6 feet round the body, &c. The skin of the African Lion, a Calf with 8 legs, 2 bodies, and one head, in natural preservation, &c. &c.
Museum opened every day and evening, Saturdays and Sundays excepted.
☞ Admittance to the Museum, 25 Cents. ”

“ Also, The Art of burning dimples in ladies' cheeks and chins—of repairing female tongues that wear with using—of setting eyes fashionably in their sockets—of giving the face a beautiful pale, deathlike aspect—and of acquiring the elegant hysterick and other fits. ”

“ The price of tuition, except those who paint and embroider, will be three dollars a quarter. To those who paint and embroider, three dollars and fifty cents. Very particular attention will be paid to inculcate virtuous sentiments and preserve the moral character of the scholars.
Bradford, April 9, 1805.
Husbands often advertise wives, but it is seldom that a wife publicly refuses to pay her husband's debts, as according to the following announcement from the "Salem Gazette," [Pg 61] Mistress Sarah Brooks did. This was before the days of "women's rights," too. ”

“ How far it has been adhered to, is demonstrated by almost every town in the United States, that is capable of floating a galley or a gun boat.
Salem has not been backward in this laudable design. Impressed with a due sense of the importance [Pg 74] of a Navy, the patriotic citizens of this town put out a subscription, and thereby obtained an equivalent for building a vessel of force. Among the foremost in this good work were Messrs. Derby and Gray, who set the example by subscribing ten thousand dollars each. But alas! the former is no more—we trust his good deeds follow him. ”

“ Goodhue's Tavern in the Town of SALEM,
By ROBERT BELL, Bookseller, Provedore to the Sentimentalists, and Professor of Book-Auctioniering, who is just arrived from Philadelphia, and will return thither in a few days.
Hours of Exhibition by Auction from Six to Ten each Evening; when the Jewels and Diamonds will, instantaneously, either be sold or sacrificed, according to the Taste of the Company. ”

“ The Printers of this Paper beg Leave to Advertise their Customers, that they have lately purchas'd a new Set of Types, at a very great Expence, which will be improved for the Entertainment and Instruction of the Public. They only desire that those Gentlemen who are in Arrears for more than a Twelvemonth, wou'd be kind enough for their Encouragement to pay off their respective Balances, as soon as may be, in Cash, or [Pg 18] good clean Linnen Rags, the latter of which they prefer. ”

“ If he voluntarily returns to the service of his Master, he shall be received with wonted kindness and affection, but no expense will be spared to punish to the utmost limits of the law, all persons who may be accessory in harboring or concealing him, and the sum of FIFTY DOLLARS [Pg 91] shall be paid to any person who will apprehend and deliver him to his Master, or in his absence to Mr. Ignatius Sargent, in Boston; to Messrs. G. & T. Aspinwalle, in New-York; or Col. Hodgdon, in Philadelphia;—or the sum of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for delivering him to Mr. ”

“ Salem Gazette.
[Pg 130]
Speaking Figure.
The Proprietor respectfully informs the publick that his exhibition will remain in Boston until sold or removed to New-York. More fully to gratify the curiosity of the publick, the Speaking Figure is moved to a part of the room which intirely removes the suspicion of any one being concealed in the chimney.—Those who wish to see this most pleasing phenomenon of art will please to call soon, as this will positively be the last day. ”

“ Elias Hook, the celebrated organ-builder, of the firm of E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings, was a native of Salem and kept a music-store there, moving to Boston about 1830.
NEW
Piano Forte Music.
Just published, and for sale by ELIAS HOOK,
The Maltese Boat Song; Polly Hopkins and Tommy Tompkins; The Soldier's last Sigh; 'Tis sweet to take the bonnie Lake; When I left thy shores, O Naxos; The merry Flageolet; When young men come a sighing; Comin' thro' the Rye; Love was once a little Boy; I've been Roaming; My Heart and Lute; Draw the Sword, Scotland ”

“ THE OLDEN TIME SERIES. GLEANINGS CHIEFLY FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS OF BOSTON
AND SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS SELECTED AND ARRANGED, WITH BRIEF COMMENTS BY HENRY M. BROOKS Quaint and Curious Advertisements
"Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a twist of these two strands. ”

“ Old Salem people will remember "Roast Meat Hill."
Distress in the Baking Business!
Cash spoiling for want of good labor, as my brethren have distressed me so by giving all the workmen in this town steady employ, so that I have not bread to oblige my good customers in season. To relieve myself, I offer to six Journeymen Bakers of other towns, who can recommend themselves by good and quick dispatch in that line of business, $15 per month for this season.——Wanted, two LABORERS about the yard, two months or more ”

“ Nazro, of the Roundhill School (Northampton?) , made the following singular challenge to Edwin Forrest, the tragedian. We do not know whether or not it was accepted.
The Boston Evening Bulletin of Wednesday last contains the following:—
"A Card. If Mr. Edwin Forrest, the Tragedian, thinks that more effect can be produced by reading Tragedy than can be by reading from Scripture, Mr. Nazro, Instructor of Elocution, from Roundhill School, would deny it fully, and offers to meet him, Mr. Forrest, in any town in the United States, and read from Scripture, and Mr. Forrest shall read from Tragedy. ”

“ Rabbits a curiosity in 1798.
Curious Living Animals.
Mr. Gilbert informs the Public that he has purchased, at considerable expense, a Collection of Living Animals, harmless and playful.
A large Baboon, which is allowed to be the most curious Animal of its kind, ever seen in America.
A Porcupine, Bear, Rackoon and Rabbit, which are also very great curiosities.
☞ The Collection may be seen every day (except Sundays) from 4 o'clock in the afternoon until sunset, at the Granary, head of the Mall, Boston. Admittance Nine Pence for Ladies and Gentlemen, and half price for Children. ”

“ All Persons that are indebted
to the Estate of James Mason, late of Boston, Merchant, Deceas'd, are desired to Pay the same [Pg 37] without Delay to Jonathan Mason, Executor to his Will;—and those who have any Demands on said Estate, are desired to bring in their Accompts to said Executor, who has to Sell at his House next Door to the Sign of the Three Kings in Cornhill, the following GOODS belonging to the Estate of the Deceased, which will be Sold at the first Cost and Charges, Viz. ”