The Olden Time Series, Vol. 4: Quaint and Curious Advertisements

Boston Gazette, May 12, 1760.

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Some one is "desired to refresh his memory" in 1767. Such mistakes remind us of Willis Gaylord Clark's account of an announcement he once heard at a revival meeting somewhere in New York State. The minister said: "I would adnounce to this codingregation [through his nose] that, prebably by mistake, there was left at this house of prayer this morning a small cotting umbrella, very much worn and of an exceedinglie pale blue color; in the place whereof was taken one that was new and of great beauty. I say, brethren and sisters, that it was prebably by mistake that of these two articles the one was taken and the other left; but it was a very improper mistake, and should be discountenanced if possible. Blunders of this sort are getting to be a leetle too common."

Taken (as is supposed by Mistake) last Wednesday from the Represe