Volume II Part 4 (1/2)

_Fra. Bernard._

By His Excellency's Command, A. OLIVER, Secr'y.

G.o.d Save the KING.

Fire-works to be ”play'd off,” Aug. 13, 1759. From the ”Boston Gazette.”

The Publick REJOICINGS in Town this Day, on Account of the Success of His Majesty's Arms in the Reduction of Ticonderoga, Niagara and Crown-Point, by the Troops under the Command of the victorious General AMHERST, are now beginning--A great Number of People have been employ'd in making Fire-Works, &c. which will be play'd off this Evening, when there will be a handsome illumination.

The ”Post-Boy” of November 15 of that year prints the following:--

NEW-YORK, November 15.

The s.h.i.+ps Manchester and Edward, that arrived here lately from London, brought over no less than 206 Chests of Green and Bohea Teas, for the different Merchants of this City.

Since our last two Vessels arrived here from Ireland, with about 2000 Firkins of choice Irish b.u.t.ter, which we hope will bring down the Price of that Article.

We get an idea of men's clothing in 1767 from the following:--

_WHEREAS in the Time of Divine Service Yesterday, the House of the Subscriber was broke open, and the following Things stolen from thence, viz._ a Chocolate-colour Coat and Jacket trim'd with Bra.s.s b.u.t.tons, a cloth-colour'd cut-velvet Jacket with white b.u.t.tons, a pair Wash-Leather Breeches with white b.u.t.tons, five Silver Tea-Spoons, and one large ditto, mark'd G.P. _Whoever shall apprehend the Thief or Thieves, so that he or they may be convicted, shall have FOUR DOLLARS Reward, paid by_

JOHN PRESCOTT.

Concord, September 14, 1767.

Lectures were not common in the last century. It was not until within fifty or sixty years ago, when Lyceums began to be established, that the lecture system became developed.

We find that in 1769 a Mr. Dougla.s.s lectured in Boston, according to an advertis.e.m.e.nt in the ”Chronicle,” August 17th.

The well-known Colonel David Mason of the Revolution, who was a prominent figure among the patriots at Leslie's Retreat at the North Bridge in Salem in February, 1775, was one of the earliest, if not the very first, to lecture in Salem upon a scientific subject. In the ”Ess.e.x Gazette,” Jan. 15, 1771, we find his advertis.e.m.e.nt:--

_No longer than next Week, will Continue to be exhibited, every Evening in which the Air is dry, (Sat.u.r.day and Sunday excepted)_

A Course of Experiments in that instructive and entertaining Branch of Natural PHILOSOPHY, called

=Electricity=,

To be accompanied with Methodical Lectures on the Nature and Properties of that WONDERFUL ELEMENT,

By David Mason,

At his Dwelling-House near the North Bridge.

The Course to consist of two Lectures, At a Pistareen each Lecture.