Dec. 11 [1824]. _Essex street._ * * * * * Many young people do not know that in old times blotting-paper of the kind now in use had not been introduced. Black sand was used altogether for drying the ink on freshly written letters or ordinary writing, except in books, when the writers either waited for the ink to dry, or made China paper, taken from the inside of tea-chests, a blotter. Black sand was in general use until within thirty years or thereabouts. We have seen the sand adhering to writing which had been done more than a century. No writing-desk was complete without a sand-box. BLACK SAND, WHICH is so useful to all who have any thing to do with penmanship--for sale, at No. 34, opposite the Treasurer's-Office, in _Marlborough-Street_. --> BOOKS and STATIONARY, as usual. _Boston, May 29, 1790._ _Columbian Centinel._ * * * * * _Country Traders_, Who are in search of penny-worths, are invited to the STORE of John & Tho's Amory & Co. No. 41, _Marlborough-Street_. _Columbian Centinel_, 1790. * * * * * --> _IF the Small Pox should be allowed to spread in this town_ [Boston], _the Editor assures his country customers that every precaution in his power shall be taken, that no part of his papers shall convey the infection into the country.--But it is his belief that it will not be permitted to spread--and his wishes accord with his belief, having never had the infection. Should he be necessitated to innoculate, he shall withdraw himself from his office and leave the business in the care of a person who will use every caution necessary for the purpose._ _Columbian Centinel_, Aug. 29, 1792. * * * * * WHEREAS a Person who called himself by the Name of _Charles Brown_, did on the 29th of _June_ last, hire a Chaise of _Israel Davis_, of _Danvers_, to go to _Boston;_ since which the said Chaise has not been returned: This is to give Notice to any one who will discover the said _Brown_ or Chaise, and leave Word with the Printers hereof, a Reward of Ten Dollars for each, will be given by _Israel Davis._