Newport, R.I., has the reputation of having been engaged in the slave-trade before the Revolution; and the following item, in the "Boston Gazette," June 30, 1762, noticing without comment the arrival of a Guinea trader there, would seem to show it to have been not an uncommon occurrence. We hear from Newport, Rhode Island, That Capt. Carpenter was arrived there from the Coast of Guinea, having had 104 Days Passage, ten Days whereof they were without Meat, but had a Sufficiency of Rice and Corn. They lost but six Slaves out of 69 they bro't out with them. * * * * * On the 5th of November "the gunpowder treason and plot" was formerly pretty generally remembered,--by the boys, at least, who made bonfires and burned tar-barrels. We believe the custom has fallen into disuse except in Salem and Marblehead, where there seems to be a little "Colonialism" left. As recently as 1885 the writer saw a bonfire in honor of the occasion on a hill near the latter place. In 1762 there must have been quite a demonstration, if we can judge anything by a vote of the town of Boston. Englishmen visiting us have sometimes expressed astonishment at learning that this curious custom should still be kept up here, while it had been abolished at home. Upon a motion made, _Voted_, That the Town will take all proper Measures, by keeping in their Children and Servants, & other Ways, to prevent the Disturbances which have sometimes happened on or about the 5th Day of November. Attest, William Cooper, _Town-Clerk_. _Tuesday last (5th November) being the Anniversary of the happy Deliverance of the British Nation from the Popish Powder Plot, at Noon the Guns at Castle William and at the Batteries in this Town were fired: At One all the nine Men of War then in this Harbour also fired._ From the _Essex Gazette_, Nov. 12, 1771. The accommodation offered for travel between Boston and New York before the Revolution must have been slim enough, judging from an advertisement in the "Boston Gazette" in 1761. Passengers then went by vessel from Providence; that is, "Gentlemen Passengers." Whether ladies were accommodated or not, does not appear; but perhaps they were in the habit of going by stage, taking a week or so to accomplish the journey, or, more than likely, few ever travelled at all in those times. In our day, when every one is on the move, it is hard to realize this state of things. * * * * * _Notice is Given, That SAMUEL and WILLIAM CHACE, of_ Providence, _have a suitable Vessel that goes steadily between there and_ New-York. _So that all Gentlemen Passengers and others that incline to take the Rout from_ Boston _to_ New-York, _or from_ New-York _to_ Boston, _may be well accommodated._ Providence, Aug. 29, 1761.