“THE PUBLIC LEDGER”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 428, 8 May 1937, Page 4

“THE PUBLIC LEDGER”

OLD LONDON NEWSPAPER The King’s herb woman with her six maids s.rewing sweet herbs headed the Coronation procession of George 11, according to a plan of the procession appearing in an old London newspaper, “The Public Ledger or Daily Register of Commerce and intelligence,” published on September | 22, 1671. A copy of the issue is owned by Mrs R. Law, of Stratford, and is ut. present displayed in the window of Messrs Mt-noys, Ltd. The paper publishes a poem in honour of the occasion, and there are various references to the great event. It mentions that “the desert prepared by Mr Robinson, his Majesty’s confec- I tioner, for the Coronation Ltast, is ! universally allowed to be the most j elegant of any yet seen la this king- j dom.” The general news matter makes very interesting and occasionally amusing reading. “Philantropos” writes to the paper complaining of the behaviour of young men! firing crackers and squibs, frightening and injuring harmless people. The marriage of “an aniiable young lady of beauty and fortune” is recorded, and there is also an announcement of the death of a prominent young gentleman "deservedly lamented by all his friends and acquaintances.” In the 18 th century there were no lsi( ( :h, happenings as stay-in strikes or go-slow tactics. A paragraph states / hat a weaver was brought before the Sitting Aldermen at the Guildhall and charged: with not finishing a piece of work he had begun, which was (a detriment to his master, and tor ibis offence he was sent to prison. Patent |mediclnc.s, hlailed as new discoveries, are freely advertised in the “Ledger ” The virtues of ‘‘Essence of Balm fit Gilead, or Nature’s ■-’irand l .restorative,” ’ Balkanr tef Honey” for colds,” and a perfume "Essence of Flowers,” lare extolled in a manner that is not much different from the wording of present-day ad. vertking of such lines. ■ “For Sale by the Candle” frequently appears in the advertisement columns. This refers to the sale of goods by auction, the bidding finishing when he candle burned out.