London News from Aug. 31st, 1765

Whenever I have the itch to lose myself in the past, to let my mind wander through ages gone by, as a form of nerdy escapism equal to that of the most ardent of Potterheads or the most zealous Tolkien fangirl (for truly, the 18th century is one of the greatest stories ever told, it has a grand cast of characters, a smashing soundtrack, captivating sets, and a lovely yet frustratingly convoluted plot!), I find myself searching through newspapers and primary sources for a window onto the past.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love swashbuckling, warmongering, politicking, raging high flung events as much as the next guy, yet nevertheless, reading newspapers from the 18th century allows me somehow to get into the headspace of what the day to day life of the time must have actually been like, to appreciate the small and quiet moments that we so quickly forget. Enter our newspaper for the day. Below I offer a partial transcription of the most interesting news of that day, along with some photos and a video of the news reported by the London based "Gentleman's Magazine" on the day Aug. 31st, for the tumultuous year 1765 anno Domini, with no further ado:

Saturday [August] 31. His Imperial Majesty Francis I. Emperor of Germany, died at Inspruck on Sunday the 18th inst. He was in good health the greater part of the day, and assisted at divine service; but between nine and ten in the evening, he was attacked by a fit of apoplexy, and expired a few minutes afterwards in the arms of his son, the King of the Romans. - He was born Dec 8. 1708p; succeeded to the Duchy of Lorrain March 27, 1729; yielded that Dutchy to king Stanislaus Sept. 24, 1736; was made Grand Duke Tuscany July 9, 1738; married Feb. 12, 1739, to Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia; elected emperor of Germany, Sept. 13, and crowned Oct. 4, 1745. In digging the foundation of some houses in Cammomile-Street, a coffin plate was discovered among some human bones, the date of which was 1026. ... A young lady of immense fortune has lately eloped with her father's French Valet, they have taken the rout of Scotland, and it is hoped, the lady is the same, who having discovered some indiscretions in her seducer, very prudently resolved to put an end to the connection, and accordingly found means to secret herself till her friends should come to her delivery. A commission is making out for the redemption of the British subjects now in slavery in the several pyratical states of Barbary, said to be more than few in number. Several pyracies have been have been committed largely in the channel upon our own ships, by pyrates that appear to be chiefly English. The gentlemen appointed by the board of longitude to examine Mr. Harrison's timekeeper, have met several times within the course of the month, at Mr. Harrison's house, for that purpose, and have at length declared themselves fully satisfied with the utility of the machine, and the rectitude of its principles; in consequence whereof, they have give him a certification of their entire approbation.

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The full volume of the year's supply of the Gentleman's Magazine for the year 1765.

The beginning of the August issue of the Gentleman's Magazine, 1765, along with its table of contents.

The beginning of the news story

The full page of the transcript above, if you, like me, enjoy reading straight from the source itself rather than a transcription.

Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, by Martin van Meytens, c. 1745

John Harrison, inventor of the marine chronometer, Thomas King, 1767.