NOTES ON NEWSPAPERS.
The social elements of society in the seventeenth century were more simple in their character and development than at the present period. The population was comparatively small, and therefore the strivings for success in any pursuit did not involve that severe conflict which is so frequently the case in the present day. Society then was more of a community than it is now. It had not public bodies to aid it. It was left more to its own inherent resources for reciprocal good, and for mutual help. The temptations to evade and dissemble, in matters of business, or private and public negotiations, were not so strong as they now are. Its transactions were more transparent and defined, because they were fewer and less complicated than many of our own. We readily grant that society now, in its social, religious, and commercial aspects, enjoys advantages immeasurably superior to those of any former period; still there are some few advantages which it had then, that it cannot possess now. The following advertisements, from the newspapers of the time, will illustrate the truth of the foregoing remarks:
From a Collection for Improvement of Husbandry and Trade.
Friday, January 26, 1693/4.
"One that is fit to keep a Warehouse, be a Steward, or do any Business that can be supposed an intelligent Man that has been a Shopkeeper is fit for, and can give any Security that can be desired, as far as Ten Thousand Pound goes, and has some Estate of his own, desires an Employment of One hundred Pounds a year, or upwards. I can give an account of him."
That a man having 10,000l. to give as security, and in possession of an estate, should require a situation of 100l. per annum, sounds oddly enough in our ears. "I can give an account of him," denotes that the editor was a man well known and duly appreciated. He appears to have been a scribe useful in many ways. He was known, and knowing.
Friday, February 2, 1693/4.
"A very eminent Brewer, and one I know to be a very honest Gentleman, wants an Apprentice. I can give an account of him."
In what sense the word "honest" must here be taken it is difficult to define. As an eminent brewer, we should naturally conclude he must have been an honest man. He is here very eminent and very honest.
Friday March 16, 1693/4.
"Many Masters want Apprentices, and many Youths want Masters. If they apply themselves to me, I'll strive to help them. Also for variety of valuable services."
Here is the editor of a paper offering his help to masters and apprentices for their mutual good. Let us suppose an advertisement of this kind appearing in The Times of our own day. Printing-house Square would not contain a tithe of the individuals who would present themselves for the reception of this accommodating aid. In such a case the editors (as it regards their particular duties) would be cyphers, for a continuous absorption of their time would necessarily occur in the carrying out of this benevolent offer. This advertisement may be considered as multum in parvo, giving the wants of the many in an announcement of three or four lines, connecting them with a variety of services which in those days were thought to be valuable. How greatly are we assisted by these little incidents in forming correct views of the state of society at that period.
The next advertisement shows the value set upon the services of one who was to perform the duties of a clerk, and to play well on the violin.
"If any young Man that plays well on a Violin, and writes a good Hand, desires a Clerkship, I can help him to Twenty Pounds a year."
Of course twenty pounds was of more value then than it is now: still it seems a small sum for the performance of such duties, for twelve months. Here is musical talent required for the amusement of others, in combination with the daily duties of a particular profession. An efficient musician, and a good writer, and all for 20l. per annum! We learn by the editor's "I can help him," his readiness to assist all who would advertise in his journal, to obtain those employments which their advertisements specified.
Friday, April 6, 1694.
"A Grocer of good business desires an Apprentice of good growth."
The "good growth" must have been intended to convey the idea of height and strength.
My next article shall be devoted to advertisements of another class, further illustrating the state of society and the peculiarities of the people at the end of the seventeenth century.
H. M. BEALBY.
North Brixton.