not paid him at previous dates for news
letters, sermons, funeral verses, etc. One of the first books printed in
Hartford was paid for largely by a man who ran a woollen mill in the
vicinity. He took the convenient occasion to thriftily forward his own
trade by having printed and bound with the poems, and thus distributing
to sheep-farmers and farm-wives in the surrounding towns, full
instructions about preparing the wool to be sent to him.

Frequently the notices in the newspapers bore, in quaint wording, warm
testimony to the popularity of a book. "The above book is advertised by
the desire of numbers who have read and admired it." "If to raise the
soul to heights of honourable pride is not unworthy so great a mind,
praise of this book may be given, though needless, since many request
it." "Many curious gentlemen formerly buying their books in London now
wish to buy only in New England where so acute a manner of composure is
found." "For the polite and inquisitive part of Mankind in New England
these poetick fancies are highly conformed as many residents testify by
their frequent perusal and approval."

Public encouragement to aspiring authors was not lacking; this
advertisement in the _New England Weekly Journal_ of March, 1728, is
indeed delightful:

"There is now preparing for the Press, and may upon Suitable
Encouragement be communicated to the Publick, a Miscellany of Poems
of Severall Hands and upon severall occasions some of which have
already been Published and received the Approbation of the best
Judges with many more very late performances of equal if not
superior Beauty which have never yet seen the Light; if therefore
any Ingenious Gentlemen are disposed to contribute towards the
erecting of a Poetickal Monument for the Honour of This Country
Either by their Generous Subscriptions or Composures, they are
desired to convey them to Mr. Daniel Henchman or the Publisher of
this Paper by whom they will be received with Candour and
Thankfulness."

Just fancy the effect of a similar advertisement in a prominent
newspaper of to-day! How composures would flow in from the ingenious
gentlemen who love to see themselves in print! What a poetical monument
could be reared--to the very sky! I have never seen in any colonial
newspaper any subsequent references to this proposed collection or
miscellany of composures, and I know of no book that was published at