| Citation |
CJ-NH.773.047
19 Nov 1773: 32,33 (318)
. . . [5 lines introduction] AN ACT FOR SUPPRESSING OF
MOUNTEBANKS. . . [14 lines describing the practice of
mountebanks] And whereas the practice of mountebanks, in
publicly advertising and giving notice of their skill and
ability to cure diseases, and the erecting public stages and
places from whence to declaim to, and harangue the people on
the virtue and efficacy of their medicines, or to exhibit by
themselves or their dependents any plays, tricks, jugling or
unprofitable feats of uncommon dexterity and agility of
body, tends to draw together great numbers of people. . . [6
lines describing ill effects of such tactics] Be it
therefore enacted by the governor, council, and
representatives, in general court assembled, and by the
authority of the same, that no mountebank, or person
whatsoever under him, shall exhibit, or cause to be
exhibited, on any public stage or place whatsoever within
this colony, any games, tricks, plays, jugling or feats of
uncommon dexterity. . . [41 more lines outlawing these
activities and describing penalties for breaking the new
law]
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