CURIOSITIES OF THE OLD LOTTERY.


PEOPLE of the present generation who look over files of old newspapers
are filled with astonishment to see the great number of lotteries which
are advertised, for many years, down to as late a period as the year
1826. The Faneuil Hall Lottery, the Harvard College Lottery, the Rhode
Island College Lottery, the Massachusetts State Lottery, and lotteries
for a bridge over the River Parker, for Marblehead, for the Williamstown
Free-school, for Episcopal and Congregational Churches, were all
advertised, with numerous other projects. A lottery was proposed for the
purpose of finishing Bunker Hill Monument, although the scheme was not
carried out. It is perhaps not generally remembered that this monument
was at length completed by means furnished by a Ladies' Fair, in 1840,
and handsome contributions by several individuals. Among other
contributors was the celebrated _danseuse_ Fanny Ellsler, who was at
that time giving performances in Boston. Some of the best men in the
community were interested in recommending the various schemes, and
members of churches, men in high repute, bought and sold the tickets. In
Salem, Mass., such well-known and esteemed citizens as John Jenks,
Daniel Jenks, Thomas C. Cushing, of the "Gazette," John Dabney, the
postmaster, Colonel John Russell, and the now venerable and respected
Edward H. Payson--who, at the age of eighty, is still cashier of the
First National (formerly the Commercial) Bank, to which office he was
elected in 1826--sold tickets; so did Colonel John Hathorne. Colonel
Henry Whipple, who is remembered as one of our best citizens, kept, in
connection with his bookstore, a "Fortunate Lottery Office." Other names
might be mentioned, but we think we have given enough to show the