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The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities: Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts — John Shaqi

The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities: Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, MassachusettsBrooks, Henry M. (Henry Mason)

History

The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities: Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts

Name: The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities: Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts
Author: Brooks, Henry M. (Henry Mason)

Brooks, Henry M. (Henry Mason)

Literary curiosa; New England -- Social life and customs

Another cries, I want more fun,
    A witty anecdote or pun,
      A rebus or a riddle;
    Some long for missionary news,
    And some, of worldly, carnal views,
      Would rather hear a fiddle.

    The critic, too, of classic skill,
    Must dip in gall his gander quill,
      And scrall against the paper:
    Of all the literary fools
    Bred in our colleges and schools,
      He cuts the greatest caper.

    Another cries, I want to see
    A jumbled-up variety,
      Variety in all things,--
    A miscellaneous, hodge-pod print,
    Composed (I only give the hint)
      Of multifarious small things.

    I want some marriage news, says miss:
    It constitutes my highest bliss
      To hear of weddings plenty;
    For in a time of general rain
    None suffer from a drought, 'tis plain,--
      At least, not one in twenty.

    I want to hear of deaths, says one,
    Of people totally undone
      By losses, fire, or fever:
    Another answers full as wise,
    I'd rather have a fall and rise
      Of raccoon skins and beaver.

    Some signify a secret wish
    For now and then a favorite dish
      Of politics to suit them.
    But here we rest at perfect ease,
    For should they swear the moon was cheese,
      We never should dispute them.

    Or grave or humorous, wild or tame,
    Lofty or low, 'tis all the same,
      Too haughty or too humble;
    And every editorial wight
    Has nought to do but what is right,
      And let the grumblers grumble.

            From a Salem paper of 1828; author not stated.

       *       *       *       *       *

    "All are needed by each one,
    Nothing is fair and good alone."
                               EMERSON.

In "old times" almost all the young ladies upon their marriage were
"amiable" and "agreeable"; at least they are so represented in most of
the announcements. The "maiden aunt" could not speak plainer in writing
for the "Boston Sunday Gazette." We copy some specimens from Boston and
Salem papers.

    On Thursday last, in the Forenoon, was married Mr. BENJAMIN
    DAVIS of this Town, Merchant, to Mrs. ANSTESS GREENLEAF,
    second Daughter of STEPHEN GREENLEAF Esq; High Sheriff of
    the County of Suffolk.

    The same Evening Mr. OLIVER WENDELL, of this Town, Merchant,
    was also Married to Mrs. MARY JACKSON, only Daughter of the
    late Mr. EDWARD JACKSON; both young Ladies of great Merit.

                                               Sept. 13, 1762.

       *       *       *       *       *

    On Thursday Evening last Mr. _Phillip Dumaresq_, Merchant,
    was Married to Mrs. _Rebecca Gardiner_, third Daughter of
    _Sylvester Gardiner_, Esq; of this Town, an agreeable young
    Lady.

                                                 Dec. 19, 1763.

       *       *       *       *       *

    MARRIED]--Mr. SAMUEL SMITH, to Mrs. ABIGAIL PITTENGILL, an
    agreeable young widow.

                                                 Dec. 22, 1790.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities: Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts

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