WANTED—much wanted—ſeveral ſmall ſums of money—ſay, from 4/6. to Ten Dollars—for which obligations, which have frequently been offered, will be given. Inquire of the Printer.
A Boston paper of 1789 prints the following unique production, copied from a late London paper. It was probably designed as a "take-off" to some of the humbugs of the day.
THOMAS TOUCHWOOD, GENT.,
Propoſes, on the laſt day of the preſent month, to ſhoot himſelf by ſubſcription. His life being of no farther uſe to himſelf or his friends, he takes this method of endeavouring to turn his death to ſome account; and the novelty of the performance, he hopes, will merit the attention and patronage of the publick.
He will perform with two piſtols, the firſt ſhot to be directed through his abdomen, to which will be added another through his brain, the whole to conclude with ſtaggering convulſions, grinning, &c., in a manner never before publickly attempted.
The doors to be opened at eight, and the exhibition to begin preciſely at nine. Particular places, for that night only, reſerved for the ladies. No money to be returned, nor half price taken. Vivant Rex et Regina.
N.B. Beware of counterfeits and impoſtors.—The perſon who advertiſes to hang himſelf the ſame night, in oppoſition to Mr. Touchwood, is a taylor, who intends only to give the repreſentation of death by dancing in a collar, an attempt infinitely inferior to Mr. T.'s original and authentic performance.
Probably camels were not seen in America before 1789. Increased interest attaches to the following advertisement from the fact that the exhibition was held near the very pump which Hawthorne commemorates in "Twice-Told Tales." This notice is taken from the "Salem Mercury," Aug. 4, 1789.