Salem always was famous for its collections of natural and historical curiosities, and many of its houses are now well stocked with such things.

Among these collections we may mention Mr. Geo. R. Curwen's antique family portraits, china, clothing, and furniture; Mr. M.A. Stickney's rare coins, old paper money, and books, autographs, etc.; Mr. H.F. Waters's rare ancient furniture (Mr. Waters is now in London, engaged in historical research in reference to American families); Mr. John Robinson's remarkable collection of Chinese coins, and scarce views of old houses of Salem; Mr. T.F. Hunt's valuable collection of Chinese books and pictures; Rev. Dr. Bolles's fine collection of works on London; Rev. B.F. McDaniel's collection of engravings, etc.; Mr. N.J. Holden's and Mr. F.P.

Richardson's collections of ill.u.s.trated books, autographs, etc.; besides numerous minor collections. It is not too much to say that Professor E.S.

Morse's collection of j.a.panese pottery is certainly not surpa.s.sed in the world; the South Kensington collection in London, which is the best in Europe, does not approach it in size or importance. One of the best museums of our country was started in Salem in the latter part of the last century, and that collection is now, as is well known, in charge of the Peabody Academy of Science. Its objects of natural history have in recent years been carefully cla.s.sified and arranged under the direction of Dr.

Henry Wheatland, Professors Morse, Putnam, Packard, and Robinson; and its cabinets, together with those of the Ess.e.x Inst.i.tute, now contain probably more unique and valuable specimens than are to be found elsewhere in this country.

The "silhouette," or cheap portrait cut in black paper, was much in vogue in New England some seventy or eighty years ago. The process was named from M. Silhouette, an honest French minister who about 1759 was noted for his advocacy of economy in everything relating to the public welfare. He received a great deal of ridicule, and hence all inexpensive things were said to be _a la Silhouette_. At the rooms of the Ess.e.x Inst.i.tute, and in many houses in Salem, there are numerous silhouettes of former citizens of the place. Those who remember the originals consider the likenesses often very striking.

_CORRECT PROFILE LIKENESSES._

MOSES CHAPMAN

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Informs the Ladies and Gentlemen of Salem that he has taken a shop next to Mr. Morgan's, in North street, _Salem_, where he will take PROFILES in the newest and most elegant style: two of one person for 25 cents, or if desired, will paint and shade them for 75 cents.

--> FRAMES, of different kinds and prices, for the Profiles may be had at the above place.

Salem, January 23, 1808.

_Salem Register._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

MR. BROWN

RESPECTFULLY informs the Public that having met with so extensive encouragement, he is induced to continue to cut and frame Profiles at Morse's Inn, opposite Boylston Market. Price for cutting 12-1/2 cents.

N.B. His customers are requested to apply in the morning, noon or evening, on account of his absence at other times. Oct. 15.

_N. E. Palladium_, 1819.

In September, 1808, we have a notice of a circus, in which the horsemanship, according to the representations, must have equalled that of Barnum's people. It is not common to find much editorial comment in the papers of the time on such exhibitions, from which we judge that they were not considered first-cla.s.s entertainments, and were not as much patronized by the clergy as at the present day.

AT THE CIRCUS IN BROAD-STREET, SALEM, _WILL BE EXHIBITED,_ This Evening, (_If the weather permit; if not, the first fair evening_)

A GRAND SCENE OF

Horsemanship,

Consisting of a number of HORNPIPES, danced by the Company on different Horses, while in full speed.

Mr. CRANDEL Dances the Hornpipe and Jumps the Whip.

Mr. FRANKLIN Dances the Hornpipe; Rides with his Toe in his Mouth; he also Leaps from the Ground to his Horse in various ways.

Mr. STEWART Dances the Hornpipe; Jumps a great height from his Horse, and with surprising agility throws himself into different att.i.tudes while his horse is in full speed.

PETER dances the Hornpipe and Jumps the Whip; also, standing erect on his toes, rides in full speed once round the Circus.

Mr. STEWART performs the picking up of four Handkerchiefs from the ground; he also stands erect on his horse, while his horse leaps a board 3 feet from the ground.

PETER, the young African, riding backwards, dances a hornpipe; changes his position in a number of extraordinary leaps; jumps out of one hoop into another; and also, with one leap, jumps twice through a hoop; in once round the Circus leaps 4 quarters; and rides two Horses, one forward of the other.

The Horse _Phoenix_ lies down, sits up, and eats from the table with his master.

The Grand Still Vaulting, by the Company.

Many other Extraordinary Feats performed during the Exhibition.

The performance to conclude with the Brother Miller.

_The Doors opened at 5 o'clock in the Evening. The Performance begins at 6._

_Price, Boxes 1 Dollar, Pit 50 Cents.----Tickets to be had at the Circus and at the Salem Hotel._

Those who please to favor the performers with their presence, are requested to take Tickets before the exhibition commences.--No pains will be spared to render the Entertainment as agreeable as possible.

Sept. 27, 1808.

Monstrous Sight!

TO be seen at A. POLLARD's Tavern, Elm Street--A white Greenland Sea BEAR, which was taken at sea, weighing 1000 wt.

This animal lives either in the sea or on the land. They have been seen several leagues at sea, and sometimes floating on cakes of ice.--This animal displays a great natural curiosity.--Admittance 12 1-2 cts. ... children half price.

april 28.

[Boston] _Columbian Centinel_, 1810.

Just before the declaration of the last war against Great Britain "Non-Intercourse Quills" were for sale. This reminds us that most young people know but little about quills of any kind, and probably not one in a hundred knows, in these days, how to make a quill pen. Quills were in pretty general use for writing until about 1835 or 1836, when steel pens took their place to some extent, although quill pens were used by many down to a comparatively recent period, and occasionally a person may now be seen using one. Steel and silver pens were made by Shakers as early as 1824, and Cushing & Appleton had steel pens as early as 1811, according to an advertis.e.m.e.nt in the "Salem Gazette."

=STEEL PENS=

JUST received for sale by

_CUSHING & APPLETON,_ Oct. 6th, 1811.

NON-INTERCOURSE QUILLS.

CUSHING & APPLETON have still on hand a few thousand _English_ QUILLS, which for a short time will be sold at the present low rate, for specie, or bills of any of the banks in Ess.e.x or Boston.---- --> Persons in want of Quills will please to recollect, that in about _two or three weeks_ the NON-INTERCOURSE with _Great Britain_ takes place, which in all probability will continue during the short time that Nation may exist, at least. Such another opportunity for purchasing can therefore never occur. Jan. 14, 1811.