The same paper (May 8th, 1724) contains some advertisements about the eclipse, which seems to have been for the moment the absorbing topic, and was apparently made the vehicle for advertising the shops of different tradesmen. The notices were published ostensibly 'to lessen the consternation of ignorant people,' but it is evident the advertisers had an eye to business. 'An exact curious Draft' was to be 'given _gratis_ at Mr. Garway's original shop, the Sign of the Practical Scheme at the Royal Exchange Gate, on Cornhill Side. Up one pair of Stairs at the Sign of the celebrated Anodyne Necklace for Childrens' Teeth, next the Rose Tavern without Temple Bar. At Mr. Gregg's Bookseller, next to Northumberland House, at Charing Cross; and at R. Bradshaw's the author's Servant, at his House, next to the King's Head, in Crown Street, right against Sutton Street End, just by Soho Square. Note, it will not be given to any Boy or Girl.' The cut and description are again reprinted in the number for May 11th, where, amongst other items of news, is the following:--'His Royal Highness went last Monday to Richmond, as did also the Right Hon. the Lord _Chancellor_, Judge Fortescue, and other persons of note; some of the Judges went to Hampton Court, and other gentlemen of Learning and Curiosity to more distant places, to make their Observations, as 'tis said, upon the great Eclipse of the Sun that happen'd in the Evening, and exactly answered the _Calculations_ made of it by our Astronomers.' In the number for May 18th are accounts of how the eclipse was observed in the country. It is stated:--'We are advised from the Isle of Wight that the Eclipse on the 11th instant, which was Total, and caused very great Consternation there lasted about a Minute and a half; but that the chief sufferers thereby were the gentry of that Island, who by the great concourse of Strangers to their Houses, had but very little French Claret left upon their hands; But the comfort is, they have frequent opportunities of running some more.' _Parker's London News_ blended amusement with instruction. The following items of news occur in the same number that contains the account of the eclipse, and show how our forefathers were entertained by the newspapers 160 years ago:--'The Papers of the week, from the highest to the lowest rank have killed one Sir Nicholas Raymond in the Isle of Wight; but as no such knight ever inhabited therein, we can impute it to nothing but want of home news.' 'Last Saturday Night, two Servant Maids at a Snuff Warehouse, at Mile End took _so much Snuff_, that they quarrell'd, and one of them stabbed the other in so many places with an Iron Scuer, that 'twas thought she could not live. The other therefore, was instantly apprehended and committed.'