From the Massachusetts Colony Records, quoted by Mr. Northend, we
learn that in March, 1761, Sir Christopher Gardner, who had passed
much of his time "with roystering Morton of Merry Mount," and who was
living with a lady he called his cousin, upon receipt by the Governor
of information of two wives in England "whom he has carelessly left
behind," after a long pursuit was captured and sent back to England.
It would seem, then, that there must have been, judging from this
example, in "high places" some "indiscretions" and "unpleasant"
gossip early in our history.
Mr. Northend finds that at "the same date one Nich. Knopp, for
pretending to cure scurvy by water of no value, which he sold at a
very dear rate, was ordered to pay a fine of five pounds or be
whipped, and made liable to an action by any person to whom he had
sold the water."
How would such a decree work in our day, if applied to the makers or
venders of all the "water of no value" which is advertised on the
fences and barns alongside of our railroads and highways?
Mr.
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