Page:History of American Journalism.djvu/128



it requested "the fair Daughters of Liberty not to neglect to serve their country by saving for the Paper Mill all Linen and Cotton Rags," and remarked, "If the Ladies should not make a fortune by this piece of Economy, they will at least have the Satisfaction of knowing they are doing an essential Service to the Community, which, with the ten Shillings per pound, the price now given for clean white rags, they must be sensible will be a sufficient reward." The North Carolina Gazette urged young ladies to send to the paper-mill "Any old handkerchief no longer fit to cover their snowy breasts." The Boston Gazette printed a "Rag Lesson" for children and servants, especially girls, and respectfully submitted to the consideration of all "Parents, Masters, and Mistresses, but particularly to the Women of every House: you all know that Paper is made of Rags. You will therefore do much good, if you will promote the Manufac- ture of that useful article by saving all Rags, fine or coarse, of whatever colour, made of Linen or Cotton Don't sweep them into the Fire, or out of the House : but be prudent, and attend to the Direction and Advice of the wisest and best Person that ever lived 'Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.' Although the Quantity you may save should be but small and you should think it of little Consequence in itself, consider that when it is put together with other Savings, it will increase the heap; and that, as the Scotch Proverb says, 'Many Mickles Make a Muckle.' " The New-Jersey Gazette expected "Store- keepers who wish well to their Country to lend their Assistance in taking Rags in and to whom a Compensation will be made." An advertisement in The Providence Gazette announced: "Four Coppers per Pound will be given for fine linen and cotton Rags, and two Coppers for coarse, by John 0. Waterman, at the Paper Mills in Providence, and by the Printer of The Gazette: A cart from the Paper Mills will go through the Town of Providence once a Month for the Purpose of Collecting Rags." Hugh Gaine early in the Revolutionary Period experienced such difficulty in getting paper for his press that he offered prizes to persons who delivered the most rags to the office of his paper in New York, The prizes were ten dollars, eight dollars, and five dol- lars, and were in addition to the regular price paid for rags. On