you, that you were my own in spite of poverty, column of advertisements which by some peoand-must I confess it?-in spite of Mr. This-ple is never read. tle." It would be gratifying to the curious to be "But this does not prevent you from ruin, made acquainted with the real origin of newsmy Lord of Burleigh.' "Ruin! I don't understand you." paper advertisements. We believe it to be wrapped in obscurity, so numerous are the versions that have been given. The latest we have seen is by an Englishman, who has been overhauling the back files of the English news "It is not like you to mislead me, Alick, about this thing. Aunt Sophia had it on good authority that your uncle's property was conditional upon your marrying an heiress, or some-papers preserved in the British Museum and thing of the sort." "And that was the lucky ticket-of-leave which preserved you from the flames. Thank Aunt Sophia for one fib, if no more. She has an unaccountable manner of perverting the letter and spirit of things. My copy of the will reads just the other way. Marry an heiress and I am lost. If you will be obliging enough to marry me it will be a capital speculation." elsewhere. He claims to have discovered that the earliest advertisement published in the English language was the offer of a reward for the recovery of a "piebald nag," inserted in The Moderate (a London newspaper), March 27, 1649, about two months after the execution of Charles I. The same writer professes to give the origin of quack medicine proclamations. To one Mrs. Claudia Faber belongs the ques tised an article called "Aurem Potabile”— doubtless some exhilarating cordial-in the London Gazette of 1682, and the court beauties of the "Merry Monarch's" reign patronized the philter. "But it will disappoint Aunt Sophia," said I. tionable honor of commencing it. She adver"And perhaps Mr. Thistle," said he. May 12.-Aunt Sophia called this morning with Julia; she has lost considerably by the fire -I wonder if she thinks I set it. She did not invite me to return to her home, but asked Mrs. | Cordis if it was true that I meant to make such a precious fool of myself as to marry Trehurne. "It's the money, depend upon it," was her flattering conclusion; "but then she always was a little silly, you know." Mrs. Cordis treated my affectionate relative to a piece of her mind-a generous piece, no doubt. The first of June is my wedding-day. NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS. About the same time, also, the art of newspaper puffing seems to have been introduced. The origin of the word puff as applied to a newspaper article is French. In France, at one time, the head-dress most in vogue was called a pouff. It consisted of the hair raised as high as possible over horse-hair cushions, and then ornamented with objects indicative of the tastes and history of the wearer. For instance, the Duchesse d'Orleans, on her first appearance at Court, after the birth of a son and heir, had on her pouff a representation in gold and enamel, most beautifully executed, of a the important, for no man really becomes acquaint-nurse, and a whole host of playthings. Maed even with the news of the day until he has dame d'Egmont, the Duc de Richelieu's daughthoroughly perused the advertisements. They ter, after her father had taken Port Mahon, wore are the pulse of commerce and universal activ-on her pouff a little diamond fortress, with senity. They contain not only rare specimens of tinels keeping guard—the sentinels, by means of human idiosyncrasies, but afford a general view mechanism, being made to walk up and down. of life in every possible phase. They aid the This advertisement-the pouff-is the origin of arts and sciences; they minister to love; they the present word "puff" applied to the inflations speak of change; sometimes they excite a smile, of newspapers. Puffing commenced early, even sometimes a tear. To the sick man they prom-before the word was thus used. In the reign of ise health; to the poor man they offer wealth; the pleasure-seeker is posted in amusements; the book-buyer learns the title and price of the last new work; the house-hunter reads of a desirable and eligible tenement for "a family without children;" the traveler of the best means of conveyance; the unemployed of employment; in fine, every imaginable want is supposititiously supplied by the advertising department of a daily newspaper. James II. a journal told the people that "about forty miles from London is a schoolmaster who has had such success with boys as there are almost forty ministers and schoolmasters that were his scholars." Not very good grammar this, but in other respects very much like the announcements one sometimes sees, that certain Members of Congress, and men learned in law and divinity, will vouch for the excellence of some collegiate school, they or their sons "having been Different theories may be held on the art educated at that institution." By-the-way, the and science of advertising. This paper, how-schoolmaster who had such success with boys in ever, will neither advocate old ones nor advance any thing new. Its design is rather to illustrate history by some of the curiosities of advertising, and to show how many secrets of social and commercial life are locked up in a the seventeenth century had a helpmate who deserves mention. "His wife," says the pennya-liner, "teaches girls lace-making, plain work, raising paste, sauces, and cookery to the degree of exactness." JONAS SPOCK. A few specimens of antique advertising may killed, there was found in its belly a child, supposed to be show that, while we have improved in orthog-four years old, together with a live dog! It had a hern raphy and punctuation, we have made scarcely All gentlemen and ladies desirous to see it may apply to on its tail seven inches long, and it ran as fast as a horse. any advance in the true art of advertising. The the subscriber at Peck's Slip. following proves that Isaac Punchard was "a man-of-all-work." His advertisement appeared in a paper published in Aylesham, County of Norfolk, England, in 1680, and read thus, ver batim et literatim: By his Majesty's letters patent, Beards taken off and Registered by ISAAC PUNCHARD, Barber, Perrewig maker, Surgeon, Parish Clerk, Schoolmaster, Blacksmith & Man Midwife. I shaves for a penne, cuts hare for two pence, and oyld and Powdird in the bargane, young Ladies gentely educated, lamps lited by the year or quarter, young Gentlemen also taut their Grammer language in the neat est manner & great keer takin of their marrels & Spelen. Also Salme Singing and Horce shewing by the reel makir, likewise maks & Mends all sorts of butes & shews, teaches the Ho boy and Jews harp, cuts corns, bledes & Blisters on the lowest terms. Cowtillions and other dances taut at hoam and abrode, also deals holesale & retail in Perfumery in all its branches, sells all sorts of Stashinary ware, together with blackin ball, Red herins, Gingerbread, Coles, Scrubbin brushes, treycle, mousetraps, & all other sweetmeats, Likewise God-father's cordial, red rutes, Ta toes, Sasnges, Black Puddins, and other Garden stuff. P.S. I teeches Goggrify & all them outlanguaged kind of things. A bawl on Wensday and Friday. All performed God willon by me ISAAC PUNCHARD. To be hard off at my wharehouse were you may be sarved with the very best Bacco, by the ounce, ream, quire, or Single Sheet. N.B. Also Likewise, beware of Counterfeets for such is abrode. Travelers between New York and Philadelphia will be not a little edified by the following, which appeared in Bradford's Philadelphia Mercury, March, 1732-3: This is to give Notice unto Gentlemen, Merchants, Tradesmen, Travelers, and others that Solomon Smith and James Moore of Burlington keepeth two Stage Wagons, intending to go from Burlington to Amboy, and back from Amboy to Burlington again. Once every week or offt'er if that business presents. They have also a very good storehouse, very commodious for the storing of any sort of Merchants' Goods free from any charges, where good care will be taken of all sorts of Good. One of the earliest poetical advertisements with which we have met appeared in the Philadelphia Gazette in 1746. Here it is: Two handsome chairs With very good geers, With horses or without, To carry friends about. Likewise saddle horses, if gentlemen please, To carry them handsomely, much at their ease Is to be hired by Abram Carpenter, cooper, Well known as a very good cask-hooper. Shows were "rayther skeere" in the olden times, and caterers had to make the most out of little. The copy of an advertisement which appeared in the New York Gazette, or Weekly Postboy, of November 22, 1756, will give the reader an idea of the show business in former days. Jonas Spoek must have been the Barnum of his day. Here is the curiosity: TO BE SEEN, at the sign of the Golden Apple, at Peck's Slip, price sixpence, children four coppers, a large snakeskin, 21 feet long, and four feet one inch wide. It was killed by some of Gen. Braddock's men by firing six balls into him, close by the Allegheny Mountains, supposed to be coming down to feed on dead men. When it was the last century, who were able to take care of There appear to have been women, even in themselves and maintain their "rights;" that is, if we may judge from an advertisement which appeared in the Philadelphia Chronicle, February 8, 1760: ANTHONY REDMAN, my inhuman husband, having ad. vertised me to the world in the most odious light, justice his accusation, and to assure the public that his charges to my character obliges me to take this method to deny against me are without the least foundation in truth; and proceed, as I imagine, from the ill advice of his pretended friends, added to the wild chimeras of his own stupidly CATHERINE REDMAN. jealous and infatuated noddle. By the advertisement which follows we are reminded of the fact that the first paper manufactory in Massachusetts was established at Milton by Captain John Boies. Previous to its establishment all paper was imported from England. The proprietor advertises in the Boston Gazette, March 9, 1767, as follows: THE BELL CART will go through Boston before the end of next month, to collect rags for the paper mill at Milton, when all people that will encourage the paper manufac tory may dispose of them. The best price will be given. Then follow the names of various parties by whom the rags will be taken in, the advertisement closing with a poetical effusion: "Rags are as beauties, which concealed lie, By the pen and press such knowledge is display'd, One of the oddest advertisements of olden time, and apt to stir American patriotism, we gather, almost as a matter of course, from an Irish paper, the Londonderry Journal, of April 30, 1783: WHEREAS, on February, the 14th, 1783, it pleased kind Providence to confer on Mathew Neely, of Burnally, Parish of Tamlaghtfinglan, and County of Londonderry, a man child whose appearance is promising and amiable, and hopes the Being who caused him to exist will grant him grace. Also, in consideration and in remembrance of the many heroic deeds done by that universally renowned patriot, General Washington, the said Mathew Neely hath done himself the honor of calling the said man child by the name of George Washington Neely, he being the first child known or so called in this kingdom by the name of Washington, that brilliant western star. The members of the dentistry "persuasion" may not be a little surprised to be informed of a fact concerning one of the pioneers in their profession. In the year 1784 an advertisement was published, wherein Dr. Le Mayeur, dentist, proposed to the citizens of Philadelphia to transplant teeth; stating therein, that he had successfully transplanted one hundred and twentythree teeth in the preceding six months. At the same time, he offered two guineas for every tooth from "persons disposed to sell their front teeth, or any of them!" He was very success 66 a ful in his operations, and realized a consider- | form of an advertisement, a droll specimen of able fortune. This anecdote reminds us of an Yankee wit. The writer certainly deserved advertisement which appeared a few years ago good run of custom :" in the Courrier de Sonne et Loire, of which the following is a translation. It is peculiarly French: MONSIEUR AND MADAME CUILTER, Mechanical Dentists, inform the public that they are about to quit Chalons for their country house, and those patrons who intend according them their confidence will find in their new Eden of flowers every thing to satisfy their tastes. The apprehension usually raised by the sight of the instruments will disappear as by enchantment beneath the carpet of verdure of their delightful oasis. The great social nuisance of "servant-galism" is not really of modern date, but troubled some of our ancestors; and by them, as by us, recourse was had to the press to correct some features of the evil. Here, for example, is an advertisement which appeared in the Providence (Rhode Island) Gazette of 1796: FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD-Was mislaid, or taken away by mistake (soon after the formation of the Abolition Society), from the servant-girls of this town, all inclination to do any kind of work, and left in lieu thereof an impudent appearance, a strong and continued thirst for high wages, a gossiping disposition for every kind of amusement, a leering and hankering after persons of the other sex, a desire of finery and fashion, a never-ceasing trot after new places more advantageous for stealing, with a number of contingent accomplishments that do not suit the wearers. Now, if any person or persons will restore to the owners that degree of honesty and industry which has been for some time missing, he or they shall receive the above reward of Five Hundred Dollars, besides the warmest blessings of many abused householders. The same paper, of November 19, same year, publishes the advertisement of a painstaking, industrious, and rhyming shoemaker. It is a fair contribution to the curiosities of newspaper literature: IT may be wise to advertise, He makes a heel, neat and genteel Court, block and stick, made quick and sleek All those that view, may say 'tis true, But to be short, another sort Of heels, are called spring, By John Smith made, this is his trade: Sold by wholesale, or at retail, One dozen for twelve pence. And he can show you where to stop, "To MR. JONATHAN CADY. "Make an end to your rhymes, close accounts with the past, And take to your heels, and you'll speed well at last." The Providence Gazette also published, in the PUNISH To be sold by Nicholas Branch, at his Refectory, west end of the bridge in Providence, SOLID ARGUMENTS, Consisting of bread, butter, cheese, hams, eggs, salmon, neats' tongue, oysters, etc., ready cooked. AGITATIONS.-Cider, vinegar, salt, pickles, sweet-oil, etc. GRIEVANCES.-Pepper-sauce, mustard, black pepper, cayenne, etc. MENTS.-Wine, brandy, gin, spirits, porter, etc. SUPERFLUITIES.-Snuff, tobacco, and segars. N.B. Any of the above articles to be exchanged for NECESSARIES, viz. — French crowns, Spanish dollars, pistareens, cents, mills, or bank-bills. Credit given for PAYMENTS-30, 60, and 90 seconds, or as long as a man can hold his breath. RUDIMENTS GRATIS, viz.-Those indebted for Arguments must not be Agitated, nor think it a Grievance if they ties, and supposing it not Necessary to make immediate should meet Funishment for calling for such Superflui Payment. that one. No one can read the "Personals" of the city daily without seeing into much of the romance of everyday life. They are the very cream of While other the curiosities of advertising. classes deal with the outer movements of trade, business, and social needs, this deals only with the secret springs of individual action. Other advertisements are addressed to the entire community, but a personal one is generally intended but for the eye of one individual, and is, therefore, framed so as to be intelligible only to It is the mystery thus given to them which constitutes a peculiar charm. He who does not know the key to the mystery is apt to surround it in his own mind with highly-colored attributes; and when he undertakes to sketch outlines, not only for one, but sometimes for a dozen of these romances in a day, he certainly has to give a wide scope to his imagination. From grave to gay, from serious to frivolous, from solemn to ridiculous, they lead the mind through a fantastic realm of thought. A similar record of the internal daily life of Thebes, of Athens, or of Rome, hundreds of years ago, would be worth more than the serious writings of historians in giving us a life-like impression of the manners of the day. But neither Egyptian, Greek, nor Roman civilization reached so far as to produce a newspaper, and consequently the romance of personal advertisements was unknown to it. In fact, they may be regarded as an American institution. Many that we find in our own papers are inserted by courtesans, fortune-tellers, and the "baser sort" generally. Such are not worth repeating, and should never be allowed insertion in any journal claiming respectability, or that is read by our wives and daughters. Others, however, are of a more innocent kind, but so mysterious as to excite speculation. Those of the matrimonial character are, of course, prominent, and show the difficulty that some men, and even women, have in securing "partners for life." Here is an instance of a delicate way of advertising for a husband, which, considering that it is from a young lady, comes most remarkably to the point without any feminine circumlocution: WANTED.-By a young Lady, aged nineteen, of pleasing countenance, good figure, agreeable manners, general information and varied accomplishments, who has studied every thing, from the creation to crochet, a situation in the family of a gentleman. She will take the head of the table, manage his household, scold his servants, nurse his babies (when they arrive), check his tradesmen's bills, accompany him to the theatre, cut the leaves of his new book, sew on his buttons, warm his slippers, and generally make his life happy. Apply in the first place, by letter, to Louisa Caroline, Linden Grove,, and afterward to Papa, upon the premises. Wedding-Ring, No. 4, Small. The following, of the same gender, is equally as explicit : A HIGHLY RESPECTABLE WIDOW, A LITTLE OVER THIRTY, unincumbered, and possessing her own pin-money, is of a kind and affectionate disposition, and capable of making a home happy, would like to correspond with a widower older than herself (has no objection to a family), with a view to matrimony. Can give good references and reasons for this mode of making her wishes known. Will receive letters for one week. Address, etc., etc. Few can doubt the eligibility of this candidate for the marriage noose. But he is in a bad fix, and honestly says that he wants a wife to take care of him. And, really, his brilliant and substantial accomplishments should recommend him to some of the new families of Murray Hill, who would find such a son-in-law a rare acquisition. The next, quoted from the New York Herald, is modest with all the virtue of innocence: WANTED.-A situation as son-in-law in a respectable family. Blood and breeding no object, being already supplied; capital essential. No objection to going a short distance into the country. Another young man is hunting after a handsome income: MATRIMONIAL-WANTED.-A Wife, possessing intelligence and a moderate allowance of beauty, by a young man of twenty-five, passably good-looking, and enjoying a The "highly respectable widow," for the handsome income. Any young lady of property, matribenefit of the coming husband, is "unincum-monially inclined, may find a correspondent of like inclination by addressing Harry Williamsburg Postbered," but graciously says in advance that she office, New York. "has no objection to a family." She is, however, particular that the future husband should The gem of matrimonial advertising, howbe "a widower older than herself," fancying, ever, is the following. The writer is evidently perhaps, that "old birds are caught with chaff," a coward; but still, under certain circumstances, or rather, maybe, that widowers of experience displays a remarkable degree of common sense: make the most pliant husbands, if perchance A YOUNG GENTLEMAN, on the point of getting married, they have gone through a hard mill. Never- is desirous of meeting a man of experience who will distheless, those disposed to reply to such an ad-suade him from such a step. Address, etc. vertisement should remember Sam Weller's immortal advice, "Beware of the vidders!" 99.66 Sweet "eighteen," money no object," "ample means to support them handsomely through life." Great inducements! and, doubtless, a great humbug. But still, it may be that Miss S is "honest." Nevertheless, we can not help questioning the "good appearance" of the advertiser. Very young men are also guilty of advertising for matrimonial companions. A promising young gentleman thus advertised in the New York Dispatch: I AM TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF AGE, five feet eleven inches and a half in height, a figure and face said to be the model of symmetry and beauty-a gentleman by birth and inheritance (there was never a mechanic in my family), educated in a European University, an accomplished musician, a thorough linguist-and utterly incapable of earning a living. I should like to marry into a wealthy family, which, wanting the prestige of birth, would be elevated by an alliance with me. I could make myself generally useful in such a family by teaching the younger members manners, and accustoming the elder to the easy carriage and grace of well-bred people. There are many wealthy families who have boxes at the opera, who, under my direction, would speedily learn to look as aristocratic and important as they try to persuade themselves that they are. Such a family, after a few lessons from me, would pass for well-bred people-in a crowd--and I should make them understand the opera, which now they do not. Experience "after marriage" produces also some curious features in the advertising columns. For example, a man out West thus posts his truant wife: On the 6th of July, on the night of Monday, eloped from her husband, the wife of John Grundy. His grief for her absence each day growing deeper, should any man find her he begs him to keep her. Another husband is disconsolate, and calls upon an absent wife to return to his "bed and board;" and in any event of non-compliance, to send the next best thing-the key of the cupboard: JANE, Your absence will ruin all. Think of your hus band-your parents-your children. Return-return-all may be well-happy. At any rate, inclose the key of the cupboard where the gin is. In the columns of the Albany Times we find the following advertisement, which we copy ver batim, free from charge: $3 REWARD.-The above reward will be paid to whoever will cause the return to me of my wife Mary. She is of middle size, light complexioned, freckles on face, short Is about hair, trimmed behind, and wears beau-catchers. 15 years of age, and of a loving disposition, and had on three rattan hoops. WM. SNOW, Corner of Lodge and Maiden. A repentant husband, of Conway, N. H., thus exposes his weakness to the gaze of the public: WHEREAS I, DANIEL CLAY, through misrepresentation, was induced to post my wife Rhoda in the papers, now beg leave to inform the public that I have taken her to wife, after settling all our domestic broils in an amicable manner; so that every thing, as usual, goes on like clock-work. On the other hand, although not so commonly, we have women advertising for truant husbands. In these, however, there is but little va riety. Yet now and then the reader may meet with one of an emphatic character, as, for instance, when a woman thus closes her advertisement: "Daniel may be known by a scar on his nose-where I scratched him." Here is a whole romance contained in four little lines. What pictures of life in a great city they open up to the mind's eye! They lead the mind to imagine a weak, and it may be an erring woman, contending against evils and outrages that menaced her very existence, helped out of trouble by some Good Samaritan, and resolving to obey that injunction that may have ⚫ been long sounding in her ear, "Go, and sin no more:" MR. C., of 132 B. W.-Spring Street was a good place for me on the 18th-evening. You have saved my life and little money. God bless you and help you out of your trouble. I left town forever. MARIE B. Every day we find just such bits of romance lurking among the "Personals." Listen to this wail of affection from a faithful woman's heart: ALONZO.-Received. I implore you to suffer me to come to you. Your society (even in poverty) I should prefer to all the world besides. Pray give me hope of seeing you soon. I am truly miserable. Write to same address. ELIZA A. confess that our ingenuity is entirely at fault here, and that we can not venture upon even a probable solution of this advertising riddle. We therefore leave it among the unsolved mysteries. That the Irish are in America we find ludicrous evidence even among advertisements. The following appeared during last year in one of the New York dailies: NOTICE. If the gentleman who keeps a store in Cedar Street with a red head, will return the umbrella he borrowed from a lady with an ivory handle, he will hear of something to his advantage. Another, in the same paper, setting forth the many conveniences and advantages to be derived from metal window-sashes, among other particulars enumerates as follows: "Those sashes will last forever; and afterward, if the owner has no use for them, they might be sold for old iron." The above can only be matched by an announcement contained in a transatlantic newspaper: MISSING from Killarney, JANE O'FOGARTY, she had in her arms two babies and a Guernsey cow, all black, with red hair and tortoise-shell combe behind her ears, and large spots all down her back, which squints awfully. Here is another which is "confusion worse As an offset, we often find fugitive friends or relatives implored to return to their deserted confounded,” but is certainly a bona fide adver homes. Here are two such, addressed to the same person on different days: tisement: THIS is to certify that I, DANIEL O'FLANAGAN, am not the person who was tarred and feathered by the liberty M. I. S.-Dolly, we are very anxious about you. Write, mob on Tuesday last; and I am ready to give twenty or return home. All will be forgiven. W. R. S. M. I. S.-Dolly, why don't you come home? Have you not any sympathy for me? If you could appreciate my love for you, you would never desert your home and friends. We are only mortal, and liable to err. If you will return, your word shall be law. Take pity on me, do, for Heaven's sake! W. R. S. The following is evidently from a coxcomb who has been carrying on a correspondence with some romantic unknown: TRUTHFUL'S letters all received. She is earnestly requested to throw aside the impenetrable veil of secreey which now envelops her, and grant an interview. Charles has loved sincerely, earnestly, devotedly; but believed his fragrance was wasted on the desert air. Should the object of his affections prove to be the fair unknown, happiness may yet be in store for both. When they meet Charles will describe his palace by the lake of Como, which, with himself, his ten thousand a year, his shooting box on the Mississippi, and all his other jewels, shall be hers. To close these "personals" of a special character, see what loose ideas of American etiquette and English grammar break out in the following announcement: If the young lady who bowed to a gentleman in a win. dow on Broadway, near Broome Street, who had on a blue dress and black silk mantilla, will address a note to O. II., Broadway Post Office, and state how an introduction can be obtained, she will confer a great favor. What on earth could a gentleman in a blue dress and black silk mantilla have been doing in a window on Broadway? and why should a young lady who had never been introduced bow to him, unless she took him for a lay figure intended to represent a Chinese mandarin? We guineas to any one that will bet me fifty that I am the other man who goes by my name. Witness my hand, this 30th of July, 1865. DAN. O'FLANAGAN. Among "Personals" in the London Times, a few years ago, the following challenge appeared from one of the "softer sex:" I, ELIZABETH WILKINSON, of Clerkenwell, having had some words with Hannah Hyfield, and requiring satisfaction, do invite her to meet me on the stage, and box me for three guineas, each woman holding half-a-crown in each hand, and the first woman that drops the money to lose the battle. She shall have rare sport. This evoked an answer on the next day, couched in the following language: 1, HANNAH HYFIELD, of Newgate Market, hearing of the resoluteness of Elizabeth Wilkinson, will not fail, God willing, to give her more blows than words. Desiring home-blows, and from her no favor, she may expect a good thumping. The London Times, by-the-way, is not very far behind the New York press in the singularity of many of its advertisements. As an example of the peculiar things found in its columns, take the announcement of the wants of a pious and affluent elderly lady, who, desirous of having the services of a domestic like-minded with herself, appeals to the public for "a groom to take charge of two carriage-horses of a serious turn of mind." So, also, the simple-hearted innkeeper, who advertises his "limited charges and civility;" and the description given by a distracted family of a runaway member, who consider that they are affording valuable means for |