n. 1, 1729,
aged 78 years.--_Boston News Letter._

* * * * *

Knowledge of natural history at the Isles of Shoals in the early part of
the last century.

A CENTURY AGO. The N. York Gazette relates that when Rev.
Mr. Tuck, in the early part of the last century, was
ordained minister of Star Island, one of a cluster called
the Isles of Shoals, his parish offered him, beside the
usual parsonage house, a quintal of fish each family, but no
money, as a salary. It is well known that the fish cured at
these islands are called dun fish, and have the highest
reputation for excellence wherever known. They are caught in
the depth of winter, and are fit for market before the hot
weather. They derive the name of _dun_ from the color which
they assume. There were at the period of which we speak,
about fifty families in the cluster, giving him fifty
quintals per year. The average price of a dun fish is about
ten dollars, and the worthy pastor always procured a ready
sale for them, thereby realizing his five hundred dollars
per annum. With this stipend he flourished, and brought up
a family, whom he educated himself, and fitted one of his
sons for entrance into Harvard College. The lad had never
been away from the Shoals till he reached Long wharf on his
way to Cambridge. He had never seen a horse, nor heard a
church bell. On landing, he saw many horses attached to
various vehicles; and speaking to his father, said, "Only
see what queer cows they have in Boston! they are not shaped
like ours, and are all without horns." In passing by the Old
South, in Cornhill, the big bell of that church struck up a
peal, the effect of which nearly drove the young man mad.

_Salem Observer_ [1829].

What Captain Hall, R.N., thought of a Salem gentleman.

_From Capt. Basil Hall's Travels in America--just
published._

We reached the town of Salem in good time for dinner; and
here I feel half tempted to break through my rule, in order
to give some account of our dinner-party, chiefly, indeed,
that I might have an opportunity of expatiating--which I
could do with perfect truth and great pleasure--on the
conversation of our excellent host. For I have rarely, in
any country, met a man so devoid of prejudice, or so willing
to take all matters on thei