A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768
The BEAR-APE, a very deformed Beast of America, has his Belly hanging very low, his Head and Face like a Child’s; his Skin of an Ash-Colour, and Hair like a Bear’s; he has but three Claws upon a Foot, as long as four Fingers, whereby he climbs up the highest Trees, and for the most part lives upon the Leaves of a certain Tree common in those Parts. It will not eat the Flesh, not attempt the Life of Man; But, when tamed, is very fond of Mankind. He does not seem wet, tho’ he has been long in the rain.
A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768
The BEAVER builds an House as the Musk Rat, only much larger; and with Timber makes Dams over narrow Rivers, to catch Fish, by standing to watch them thereon, and jumping upon them on a sudden. It is a very subtle Creature; and there is an orderly Government among their Species. In their Works each knows his proper Business and Station; and the Overseers beat those young ones that loiter, and will make them work stoutly. It is about the Size of a Fox, or a Badger. His Head is short, its Ears are very small and round; its Teeth are long, the under Teeth standing out beyond its Lips three Fingers Breadth, and the upper about half a Finger’s, being very broad, crooked, sharp and strong. His fore Feet are like a Dog’s, his hinder like a Goose’s; but the Tail is most strange of all, being covered over with a Skin, like the Scales of a Fish, and is in Shape like a Soal, about six Fingers broad, and half a Foot long. It lives both in the Water, and on the Land.
A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768
The Common HOUSE-CAT is in all Parts like a Lioness, except in her sharp Ears. Her Flesh is soft and smooth; her Tongue, in licking, is rough like a Lion’s; her Teeth are like a Saw; her Nails are sheathed, like the Nails of a Lion; striking with her fore Feet both Dogs and other Things, as a Man doth with his Hand. The Age of the Cat terminates between six and ten; a nimble Creature, abounding in Spirit, that eats voraciously, and swallows without much chewing. She catchers her Prey by Leaping. The Cat is neat, cleanly, and a very useful domestic Creature.
A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768
The ALLOCAMELUS is a Beast of Peru; it is about two Yards high, and about five Feet in length; His Head, Neck, and Ears, are like a Mule’s; but his Neck as white as a Swan’s, his other Parts of a yellowish Colour; his Body is like a Camel’s, and Feet like an Ostrich’s. It has no Horns. The Males discharge their Urine backwards.
A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768
A HEDGE-HOG is about the Bigness of a Rabbet, but more like an Hog; being covered all over with sharp thorny Hair, as well as on the Face and Feet, and those sharp Prickles covered with a Kind of Moss; but, when ‘tis angry, or gathers its Food, it strikes them by a natural Instinct, as sharp as Pins, or Needles. He has two Holes under his Tail to discharge his Excrements; which no Creature living has besides. His common Food is Apples, Worms, or Grapes. It is reported, that when he finds Apples on the Ground, under the Trees, he rolls himself upon them, until he has filled all his Prickles, and then carries them to his Den; never having above one in his Mouth. When it is apprehensive of Danger, it draws itself up as round as a Foot-ball; so that nothing appears but the prickles.
A Description of Three Hundred Animals, 1768
A RACOON is a Monkey, less than a fox; is grey-haired, has a large black Eye, with Whiskers, and Nose like a Pig, Tail and Feet like a Rat, a brownish Fur on his Back, and a white Belly. It is very prejudicial to Poultry.
The Pennsylvania Gazette, Pittsburgh, May 11, 1769
If the Gentleman, who sent a Letter, under Cover to me, dated Bucks Counter, April 21, and signed, A Friend to all Mankind, will apply to me in Person, I am impowered to give him all the Satisfaction he can desire. - Thomas Gordon.
The Pennsylvania Gazette, Pittsburgh, March 23, 1769
Whereas Elizabeth, my wife, by the advice of her relations and children, hath gone and left me, and continues to stay from me, though often invited to return; and as I have threatenings frequently hinted to me, that I will be sued for a separate maintenance to my wife, it puts me under the disagreeable necessity of thus publickly warning all persons not to trust or credit her on my account, as I will pay no debt of her contracting after this date; and if she returns to the duty of a wife, as she ought, I will always maintain her according to my ability.
The Public Advertiser, London, June 27, 1761
STOLEN
From Mr. James Taylor, in Howard’s Rope-Walk, near the Hermitage,
A Silver gadroon’d Salt, Weight about 2 oz. also a Pepper Box, both marked with the Letters I.T.S and the Workman’s Mark T.B.
If offered to be pawned or sold, please to stop them and the Party, and give Notice as above, and you shall have all reasonable Satisfaction.
Google tells me that a pepper-box is a type of gun, and gadrooning is a decorative motif, so I’m going to go on a limb here and assume that this man is missing two guns and not a set of salt and pepper shakers like I originally assumed.
The Public Advertiser, London, June 20, 1761
My short and lusty wife has run away, do not trust her - but “if she will return will be kindly received” - sure, John Brown, we believe you!
