Within the writer's recollection, in nearly every house in Salem two or more fire-buckets, marked with the owner's name, were, when not in use, kept hanging in the front hall. At fires, lanes, as they were called, of men were formed, under the direction generally of the fire-wards, and water was passed from one to another and to the fire from some neighboring pump or cistern. * * * * * We see notices like the following of insurance offices; but they were principally for marine risks, as not many fire risks were taken before the beginning of the present century. _Hurd's_ Insurance-Office, At the BUNCH OF GRAPES, STATE-STREET, BOSTON, OPEN at all hours of business, where Policies of Insurance are underwritten upon the most moderate premiums; and the Gentlemen forming this Insurance Company, whose names are inserted in each Policy, having established adequate Funds for the ready payment of such losses as may happen, hereby notify, that business will be done with all possible attention, dispatch and punctuality, by JOHN HURD, April 8, 1784. (Insurance Broker.) * * * * * THIS is to inform all Gentlemen in Trade, That THE INSURANCE OFFICE Lately kept in Ann-Street near the Town-Dock, by SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE, is removed to the House of the Honorable WILLIAM BRATTLE, Esq; next Door to the British Coffee-House, King-Street: Where the Business of Insurance is carried on as usual. _Boston, December 6, 1759._ With regard to policies, the term "under-writer" came from an old custom. There were in old times no joint-stock companies for insurance, but policies were filled out and left at an office kept by some person for the purpose, where any responsible man could sign his name to a particular policy and affix such sum as he was willing to risk, and thus become one of the "underwriters." We have seen, for instance, a policy for $20,000 with twelve or fifteen names of merchants, signed with various sums from $500 upwards. * * * * * A quaint notice of the death of Obadiah Brown, of Providence, from the "Boston Post-Boy":-- _PROVIDENCE, June 21, 1762._