"SLIGHTLY SINGED."

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1834, 8 June 1874, Page 3

"SLIGHTLY SINGED."

A weitee in the Melbourne Weekly Times thus comments on a certain class of trade advertisements, which are by no means peculiar to Victorian shopkeepers :—

" Off to New Zealand !"■ was a standing cry during several years, and after that " Dreadful Sacrifices through the Panio!" Where that panio took place it might not be easy to tell j but it is to be hoped that fewer persons were gulled by it than was anticipated by the clever inventor. Even up to the present day the outbreak of a fire is looked upon as a real godsend by all tradera in the neighbourhood. Not one of them but has damaged goods to sell for throe months afterwards: and, of course, at a ruinous loss. This is sometimes carried a little too far. It is said that not very long ago a fire broke out next door to a draper in one of our upcountry cities: and, though it was never found out that tho conflagration made its way into his place of business, he sold " Blankets Slightly Singed by Fire" during fully sis months afterwards. (Wards the end of the period referred to, a lady asked to see some of the singed goods, and a youth (who will never be a good Victorian man ,of .business) said, "Wo have none in the shop at present, ma'm; but they m. )PgW»g WW. iatfeo Iptpid/ ,;:,'.':.;, V-,.