Probably camels were not seen in America before 1789. Increased interest attaches to the following advertisement from the fact that the exhibition was held near the very pump which Hawthorne commemorates in "Twice-Told Tales." This notice is taken from the "Salem Mercury," Aug. 4, 1789. TO THE CURIOUS. _To be seen at Mr. BENJAMIN DALAND'S, near the town-pump, Salem._ TWO CAMELS, _Male and Female, imported from Arabia._ THESE stupenduous Animals are most deserving the attention of the curious, being the greatest natural curiosity ever exhibited to the publick on this continent. They are 19 hands high--have necks near 4 feet long--have a large bunch on their backs, & another under their breasts, in the form of a pedestal, on which they support themselves when lying down--they have 4 joints in their hind legs, and will travel 12 or 14 days without drinking, and carry a burthen of 1500 wt.--they are remarkably harmless and docile, and will lie down and rise at command. * * * * * _Abraham was old and well stricken in age: And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest Servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Thou shalt go unto my Country, and to my Kindred, and take a Wife unto my Son Isaac. And the Servant took ten Camels, of the Camels of his Master, and departed; and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city Nahor. And he made his Camels to kneel down without the city, by a well of water, at the time of the evening, even the time that Women go out to draw water. Pure wisdom directed the Servant, and succeeded him in obtaining the consent of the Parents, Brethren and Kindred of Rebeccah, that she should go to the Land of Canaan, and become the Wife of Isaac. And they sent away Rebeccah, their Sister, with her Damsels and her Nurse, & Abraham's Servant, & his men, and they rode upon the Camels._--Gen. XXIV. N.B.--The CAMELS will go from this town this evening. * * * * * In 1796 a mermaid was exhibited in Salem, and in 1800 a cassowary bird. The admission fee to the latter curiosity was for "grown persons" 12-1/2 cents, and for children 6-1/4 cents. The exact change could then be easily made, as the Spanish silver ninepences (12-1/2 cents) and fourpence halfpence (6-1/4 cents) were more common than any other silver pieces. The American dimes and half-dimes had not at that time got much into circulation in New England. NATURAL CURIOSITY. [Illustration] _To be seen at Washington Hall, for this day only,_ THE CASSOWARY, _A Bird, from the East Indies._