The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All AgesBarnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor)
General
The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages
Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor)
Impostors and imposture
"'Blood, blood, blood! The Dorrites have got possession of
Providence. The military are called out. Father is arrayed against
father, and son against son. Blood is already running in our
streets.'
"Now laugh, will you, gentlemen? Blood is running in the streets of
Providence; blood will be running in the streets of Philadelphia before
you are a fortnight older! The tories of Providence and the tories of
Harrisburg must answer for this blood, for they and their
unconstitutional proceedings are the cause of its flowing! Let us see
the rest of this tragic scene." Reads:
"'Is there any remedy for this dreadful state of things?'"
ALDERMAN.--"Of course not, except to hang every rascal of them for
trampling on our g-l-orious Constitution." Reads:
"'Is there any remedy for this dreadful state of things? Yes, there
is.'"
ALDERMAN.--"Oh, there is, is there? What is it? Let me see." Reads:
"'Buy two packages of Pease's hoarhound candy.'"
"Blast the infernal Ledger!" exclaimed the now doubly incensed and
indignant Alderman, throwing the paper upon the pavement with the most
ineffable disgust, amid the shouts and hurrahs of a score of men who by
this time had gathered around the excited Alderman Tom Simmons.
As I before remarked, the "candy" was a very good article for the
purposes for which it was made; and as Pease was an indefatigable man,
as well as a good advertiser, he soon acquired a fortune. Mr. Pease,
Junior, is now living in affluence in Brooklyn, and is bringing up a
"happy family" to enjoy the fruits of his industry, probity, good
habits, and genius.
The "humbug" in this transaction, of course consisted solely in the
manner of advertising. There was no humbug or deception about the
article manufactured.
CHAPTER VIII.
BRANDRETH'S PILLS.--MAGNIFICENT ADVERTISING.--POWER OF IMAGINATION.
In the year 1834, Dr. Benjamin Brandreth commenced advertising in the
city of New York, "Brandreth's Pills specially recommended to purify the
blood." His office consisted of a room about ten feet square, located in
what was then known as the Sun building, an edifice ten by forty feet,
situated at the corner of Spruce and Nassau streets, where the Tribune
is now published. His "factory" was at his residence in Hudson street.
He put up a large gilt sign over the Sun office, five or six feet wide
by the length of the building, which attracted much attention, as at
that time it was probably the largest sign in New York. Dr. Brandreth
had great faith in his pills, and I believe not without reason; for
multitudes of persons soon became convinced of the truth of his
assertions, that "all diseases arise from impurity or imperfect
circulation of the blood, and by purgation with Brandreth's Pills all
disease may be cured."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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