Queer Advertisments of Duller and Older Days

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 43, 2 November 1927, Page 6

Queer Advertisments of Duller and Older Days

Ass Driver's Challenge

The older newspapers are a mine of curious advertisements. In the “Daily Post” ot July 17, 1728, there is a challenge from Ann Field, ass-drtver, to fight Mrs Stokes for Xio and the title of champiom ss. The challenge was promptly accepted by Mrs Stokes who “doubts not that the blows I shall present her with will be more difficult for her to digest than she ever gave her asses.” In other similar contests’ it is made a condition that the combatants shall hold half a crown in each hand; “the first woman that drops the money to Jose the battle.” This was to prevent the combatants scratching each other. In 1771, in the “Essex Gazette" (America), a husband announces his wife’s desertion : “Run aray trom Josiah Woodbury Cooper, his House Plague for seven long years. A good riddance of bad Ware. Amen.” Dread of a similar experience must have inspired the writer of the following in the Times. “A young gentleman on the point of being married is desirous of meeting a man of experience who will dissuade him from such a step.” The following appeared in the “Clevedon Mercury” : “Wanted, a really plain but experienced and efficient governess for three girls. Brilliancy of conversation facinalion of manner, and symmetry of form objected to, as the father is much at home, and there are grown-up sons.”