The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-21
REMINDERS OF THE
DAYS OF LONG AGO
Hartford Paper of 1894 Owned
In Birmingham
GOOD VARIETY OF NEWS
Robespierre's Will, Gen. Wayne's Cam
paign Against Indians and Other
Items Show Subjects That
Commanded Interest.
GOOD VARIETY OF NEWS

Among the most interesting old publica-
lions in Birmingham is one owned by
Mrs H. D. Merrill of 1921 Sixth avenue
a copy of the American Mercury of No
vember II, 1884, published at Hartford
by Elisha Babcock which is lis years
old, and though yellow with age is still
perfectly legible and displays a fine class
of type composition
The Mercury was one of the most nota-
bic publications of that day and its editor
preserves throughout an individual, sa-
trio vein patterned after his motto: Il
am exactly one year older than was
Il months ago"
It Is full of news from the French revo-
luton and has an account of General
Wayne's expedition against the Indians.
the first ever published. This was Just
after the death of Macmillan Robespierre.
the leader of the French revolution, and
ii contains a copy of his will. which is
printed as veritable SCOOP" and among
the provisions of the will are these in
teresting lines:
Il resign my soul to him who has Of
late inspired me with so many capital eff
forts in favor of liberty. equality and
the rights of man.
My body I commit to the earth, and
knowing that l shall be buried at the
public expense. my will is that have no
other monument than the shouts of the
popuace. My heart l leave to be raf-
| fled for between Barrere. Talllen and Col
lot dHerbois. My nerves I leave to be
manufactured into bell ropes to celebrate
the future successes and triumphs of the
gnillotine. My poverty as a cloak for
modern patriotism
Here is a pun, copied from a London
paper; Some ingenious friend OF admin
istration contend that our retreat from
Flanders is an advantage. BY leaving the
low countries to our enemies we take ND
higher ground and show how much We
are above Them
The editor has a column in which he
exhorts the different classes of people To
the farmers he says: Preserve your
wood If more attention is not paid to
this important concern for time to come
in 90 years great part of the people will
suffer extremely for want of fuel I am
alarmed for posterity." And to all peo-
pie he says Those who live happily
come" and in closing: Great God. pour
down spirit of wisdom and true religion
upon the American people and make them
the partons Of every virture and praise
In the whole EARTH
1t contains a beautiful Biographical con-
trast OF the characters of George WASH
ington and George the Third, and also
letter from General wayne's army, tell
ing of the rout of the Indians. and such
interesting items as william Smith.
Esq, is reelected a representative in
Congress from South Carolina; Mar
ried at New York, Citizen Genet late
minister from the French republic, to
Miss Clinton, daughter of his excellency,
history Of the American revolution writ
ten by a well educated man.
The advertisements are both interesting
and humorous. Samuel j. Jones advertises
for sale by the barrel or less. which
are genuine, French brandy St. Croix
rum, Madeira, sherry, port, Malaga and
Tenneriefe wines. showing that in that
date people believed in drink.
Another ad reads: whereas. Hannah,
wife OF the subscriber. hath without as
signing any just cause or reason. eloped
from my bed and board. and refuses to
live with me, and | am apprehensive in
tends to run me In debt, these are. there
fore to forbid any person harboring or
trusting her on my account. as l will
pay no debts of her contracting after this
date. Signed. Samuel Cross
There Is also a letter from London with
this quaint statement Among the IA
matte imposters that infect this great
city, one has recently sprung up who
says he is God Almighty's nephew; and.
however incredible II may appear at this
enlightened period, 1t is a fact that num-
bers of all descriptions admit his claim
to this distinction and believe the prophe-
sizes with which he pretends his uncle
inspires him"
The paper is full of such Items at a
period when the American republic was
still In its infancy.