LIBRARY OF THE

LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY.

A40407

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by J. F. WATSON,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

MAR 29 1900

PROSPECTUS AND TESTIMONIALS.

THE original edition, published in 1830, has been several years out of print, and has been repeatedly sought for since, at advanced prices. It consisted of 820 pages of one volume, 8vo., and sold at three dollars a copy.

Since then, numerous additional facts of equal or increased interest have accumulated, and which will make it essential to publish the whole in two volumes, 8vo., of not less than six hundred pages each, to be bound neatly in sheep, or in ornamental cotton cloth covers, at four dollars a copy.

It is proposed to publish this work by subscription, and at the lowest possible price. The object is not so much to profit by the publication, as to circulate and diffuse to the greatest possible extent among our city and country population, the knowledge of facts so useful and interesting to every Pennsylvanian. Such facts may also recommend themselves to all such intelligent and inquisitive foreigners and citizens of other States, as may be expected to interest themselves in "the Memoirs, Anecdotes and Incidents" of a people arising from comparative nothingness, "to become a praise in the earth."

At the same time, it is proposed to commit to press, another and similar work, concerning the early history, and rise and progress of New York City and State;-being an enlargement of what was formerly published under the title of "Olden Time Researches and Reminiscences of New York City;"-and of which some public commendatory notices will be found incidentally connected in some of the following pages of recommendations. It will be published in one volume, 8vo., of about five hundred pages, to be entitled"Annals and Occurrences of the Early Settlement and Progress of New York City and State," illustrated with many fine plates, and neatly bound in sheep or ornamental cotton cloth covers, at two dollars a copy.

It is presumed that residents in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania will be most free to subscribe for the work relative to Philadelphia, and the nearest and earliest counties of Pennsylvania;-and vice

versa, the inhabitants of New York City and State, for what relates more particularly to themselves;-but it is also expected, that many of those who indulge in general reading, will be equally disposed to possess themselves of both works, as a means whereby to acquaint themselves with all that is curious, amusing, and instructive in bygone times. Both works equally profess to be "a museum of whatever is rare, surprising, or agreeable, concerning the primitive days of our pilgrim forefathers, or of the subsequent changes of their sons." It is to be, in short, a picture of the doings and characteristics of a buried age. In the language of one of the Reviews, "no intelligent housekeeper should dispense with a copy. Buy and read, and learn all sorts of personal and local history. It is what every one should have in his library."

RECOMMENDATIONS,

As extracted from sundry public notices of the former editions. "I say the thing, as it was said of him."

VIZ:

From the United States Gazette.

We have once or twice noticed a new publication, the Annals of Philadelphia, by John F. Watson, Esq. No book has recently issued from the press, that will command such general attention, or afford more gratification than these Annals. Curiosity as to the origin and cause of things around us, is one of the most general propensities of our nature, and the command to gratify that curiosity has issued from the highest of all sources, saying, "When your children ask their fathers, what mean ye by these; then shall ye answer them."-The facts are such, as we should "diligently teach our children."

From the American Daily Advertiser.

This is a great curiosity. Such a book, we may safely affirm, has never before been produced in the United States. Mr. Watson must be a gentleman of the most patient and pains-taking character, or he could not have furnished the varions and original matter which occupies so large a volume. The book is moreover enriched by, a number of engravings illustrative of scenes that the ingenious compiler has been fortunate enough to rescue from oblivion. The Annalist will no doubt have many thanks for the entertainment which he has provided. He will enjoy a peerless fame for his contribution to our stock of knowledge, and trust his book will be universally bought and read. It is strongly recom mended on its first page by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

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From the Saturday Bulletin.

We have been prevented from complying with our promise to further notice this highly curious and interesting volume. It presents a mass of interesting facts respecting the early settlement, to which every descendant of the original inhabitants may turn with interest and profit. The contents are as various as can be conceived. Indeed we find it impossible to give even a general idea of the huge volume; we defy any body to do it. Its contents are as various as can be conceived, presenting something to attract every description of readers. No Philadelphian, who feels an attachment to the place of his residence [whether "to the place native born," or not,] should be ignorant of most of the topics and kind of history of which the volume is filled.

From the National Gazette.

66

We have now before us a portentous octavo of upwards of 800 pages, just published under the title, " Annals of Philadelphia, and Facts of Olden Time of New York City." It is an encyclopædia of reminiscences, a panopticon of our city antiquities. Mr. John F. Watson is the compiler and annalist; and in archaiology will be acknowledged peerless. He will be the Homer of his class. His book is illustrated with curious engravings. No householder in Philadelphia can dispense with a copy. Buy and read, and learn all sorts of personal and local history.

From the Village Record, West Chester.

The author has been at much pains to collect a mass of traditionary lore, which but for him, must soon have passed into oblivion. He does not confine himself strictly to "city limits," but very properly furnishes whatever matter of interest he possesses concerning the whole infant colony. Thus we have chapters on the several subjects of the Pirates, the Indians, the Swedes, Germans and Irish. To the majority of readers the lively sketches of character with which the work abounds, will, we have no doubt, constitute its highest recommendation. But to the writer of this, the work was more particularly attractive, for its full illustration of the domestic manners and familiar employments of the primitive settlers. It seems to convey us back to other times-we see things as they were-minutely and particularly—and not as presented by stately and buskined history, in one general view, vague, glimmering, indistinct, and but too often partially coloured.

From the Norristown Free Press.

No one can read the book without being astonished at the singular industry which could collect the vast fund of information exhibited. The author, who is a cashier of a bank, is remarkable for a fondness to explore the traditions of "the Olden Time," and to preserve recollections of "the things that were." We pronounce, without hesitation, that to any one who is fond of contemplating the past, its manners, customs, &c., the work cannot fail to be deeply interesting. The chief characteristics of his style are sententiousness and simplicity.

The New York notices are as follows, viz:—

From the Christian Intelligencer.

This is in truth a work without example for its imitation, and with

equal truth it is in execution a work sui-generis. It is a museum that will never cease to attract, for it is a picture of a buried age. The annals and statistics of this wonderful book, will have snatched from oblivion most valuable reminiscences of the early youth of our country ;—will furnish the historian, the biographer, and the patriotic orator, with matter to adorn and beautify their productions. He deserves the gratitude of his country, and the patronage of the reading community. No American that can read, and can afford to purchase, should be without a copy of this invaluable contribution to the memoirs of America's early history.

From the New York Mirror.

Among the multiplicity of new publications that have lately come under our view, we have met with none more interesting to us as natives and inhabitants of the good City of New York, than the one at the head of this article. To those who look with fondness on the simplicity of past times, and love to trace the swift progress of this city of enchantment, this book will afford a treat of the most gratifying kind. The author, Mr. Watson, has compiled a great variety of particulars of the early habits, manners, customs, laws and regulations of our Dutch and English ancestors. To the aged, this book will revive the recollections of their early youth; and to the young it will communicate a knowledge of the past, which, but for Mr. Watson, they might never have acquired. It comprises a view of New York in its primitive state; notices of ancient memorials and modern changes; of gardens and boweries; dress, furniture, equipage, low prices of labour and food; annals of the Dutch dynasty; local facts and local changes; superstitions; incidents of the revolutionary war; and various other matters, which will enable us to compare the present and the past, and cause us to wonder at the changes produced.

But we have not space for more extracts, and must conclude by cordially commending this work to the patronage of all who feel a veneration for good old times, and honest, simple hearted people.

From the New York Commercial Advertiser.

It is replete with curious and amusing facts of a buried age, and shows us more of the domestic history, and the manners and doings of our fathers, than any thing which has ever before met the public eye.

From the New York Mercantile Advertiser.

Much herein is comprised to amuse and instruct the citizens of either city. Heartily we cheer such endeavours to revive the images of a buried age of scenes and times gone by. There is in it much good feeling for our city sufficiently grateful to our self-love.

From the New York Evening Post.

The tales of by-gone times, so dear to all who love to travel back to the scenes of their youth, or to contemplate the age and doings of their forefathers, have been lately and agreeably brought to our notice in a new work, the Annals of Philadelphia, and the Recollections and Facts of Olden Times of New York. The very pictures of our "Stadt Huys," and the "Ferry House," once in Broad street, gave us stirring emotions. Our Historical Society has done well in making Mr. Watson an honorary