By one of those stupid accidents,—not, as we are sorry to record, altogether unknown to the business of house-building in our own day,—the memorandum previously sent for the glass turned out to be entirely incorrect. In less than a fortnight after, Mr. Hancock accordingly hastens to countermand his order, as follows:—
"Boston, N.E. July 5th. 1737.
Francis Wilks, Esqr.
"Sr,—Sheperdson's Stay being Longer than Expected Brings me to the 5th of July, and if you have not bought my Glass According to the Demention per Capt. Morris I Pray you to have no regard to those, but the following viz.
"380 Squares of best London Crown Glass all Cutt Exactly 18 Inches Long & 11-1/2 Inches wide of a Suitable Thickness to the Largness of the Glass free from Blisters and by all means be Carefull it don't wind or worp.—
"100 Squares Ditto 12 Inches Long 8-1/2 wide of the Same Goodness as above.
"Our Friend Tylers Son William Comes per This Conveyance, I only add what Service's you doe him will Assuredly be Retaliated By his Father, & will Oblidge Sr
"Your most Obedient Hume Servt
"T. H."
The window-glass being fairly off his mind, Mr. Hancock next turns his attention to the subject of wall-papers, on which head he comes out in the most strong and even amazing manner. We doubt if the documentary relics of the last century can show anything more truly genre than the following letter "To Mr. John Rowe, Stationer, London," dated
"Boston, N. E. Jan. 23d. 1737-8.