Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-07-15
BRIDGEPORT.
A Visit to DIR. Afilick's Library.

We enjoyed an hour of special pleasure in
thumbing a few of the many volumes of for
gotten lore with which the shelves of our old
friend, DR.. Affiick, abound. Taken altogeth-
er, we doubt if in Eastern Ohio just such an
extensive collection of rare works, on subjects
from ''the grave to the gay" be found as the
Doctor has gathered; and we may safely say,
carefully read and digested. And then it is a
treat to feel so entirely at ease, as the gener-
Gus old Scotchman, with true peliteness, en-
tertains you.
1t is our purpose to notice merely few
of the many curiosities in literature piled
up all about u.s. We accidentally pick up
first rusty bound volume bearing this head
ing
pennsylvania Gazette, January 81, 1902
Number 1874"
Containing the freshest advices, Foreign and
Domestic"
The paper is 1Sx14 inches in size. with a
heading-fgure surmounted by the British Ii
on, and banded in by the circular emblems of
the kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scot
cy, Justice" The paper is remarkably well
printed and free from defects; indeed, the
Doctor informs us he has repeatedly carefully
examined it, and in the entire volume, cover
ing two years of the paper, he has failed en-
tirely to discover single typographical error,
which speaks well for the care bestowed on
the mechanical part Of a paper printed so
long, long ago. On the lower margin of the
fourth page the modest announcement is
made-"Phila. Printed by B. Franklin,
Post Master, and D. Hall, at the new print
ing office, near the market" The paper is
printed in old-fashioned English type, as well
as orthography. A peculiar feature of the pa
per is it contains from first to last not one
word of editorial-the contents being largely
advertisements, and copious extracts from 9th
er journals, prominent among which was the
London Gazette. Considering Ben. Frank
Inns peculiar religious and political views, it
sounds queer to read advertisements abound
ing everywhere in the Gazette, of ''To be
sold"-the time Of the whites and the bodies
of the blacks. Many of these notices would
be spurned by the press of the present day as
too immodest to appear in print, and that too
after publishing the Beecher sweetness long
drawn out" The only wonder is such things
ever appeared in paper of B. Franklin's.
Many, however, now regarded as funny, ap-
pear also, few of which we append, merely
to contrast them with now:
"The Episcopal congregation of the Bor-
ough of Chester, is notified that having failed
to provide Glebe--a dwelling -house-and to
keep in proper repair their Church and Bury
ing-ground, a Lottery is projected to do these
things, which being for the glory Of God, is
pressed for favorable consideration then
if the congregation don't do better the gospel
will be taken from il"
''The Presbyterians advertise a Lottery,
which being for the glory Of God, it is hoped the
people will literally buy tickets, to raise f300
to finish the Presbyterian Church in the Forks
of Brandywine."
Subsequently parties selling tickets for this
enterprise were sued for not paying over the
funds. Two other Lotteries were advertised,
each to raise $40, 900; one ''to build bridge
over the rapid Skippach"-the other to erect
a lighthouse on the Delaware at Cape Hento-
pen."
'sJohn Dicks, of Chestertown, Chester CO.,
informs the public that his wife Mary eloped
from him, carrying away sundry valuables, in
cluding pair of linsey-woolsey trowsers."
"a scheme to raise $500 for bridge ever
the Conastogoe creek, between Philadelphia
and the Borough of Lancaster"
''Mary Smith is % years old, has good
breast of milk, month old; would go into
creditable family as wet nurse"
A very frequent advertisement is for runa-
ways, generally white, who have certain
time yet to serve parties who advanced their
fare from the old country, virtually buying
them. This is a common style Of numerous
advertisements. Smallpox and measles being
terrible bug-bears in those days, it appears
any one owing servitude that had these dis
eases were greatly enhanced in value:
"To BE SODA likely healthy negro
wench, about Is years old, this country born,
has had smallpox and measles, can do all
manner OF house-work, is well used to milk
ing and being among COWS. She can spin fax