I would very much love to know what a Czar Bonnet looked like, that entirely new invention of 1800 or so. Gilchrist & Co. were keen to “acquaint the LADIES” that they had just received a delivery of such by Mail Coach. Even better if you could pay by Ready Money, as this would entitle you to a DISCOUNT.

In less merry news, a BAKER’S SHOP had been subject to a break-in the last weekend of 1799, with the offender or offenders making off with a varied bounty.

“About 50 shillings of penny-pieces – about 35 shillings of half-pence – about 5 shillings in silver – one-half peck, bun wrapped in cloth – three small ditto, and some short bread – nine pound of butter – one ditto of candles – one-fourth hundred of quills – two striped short gowns and a petticoat – three shifts marked A.E. in the breast with red ink – one muslin apron – two handkerchiefs – two linen aprons – a hand-towel marked M. with several nightcaps.”

If an enterprising individual could provide information leading to a conviction within the next six months, they stood to receive a reward of TEN GUINEAS.

Finally, in happier news, the students of the Academy at Fortrose had been publicly examined on Christmas Eve, and the respectable Gentleman of the burgh had been highly pleased with their proficiency. Parents looking for a place for their children could do worse than send them to the Academy, for they “may depend on having every attention paid both to their education and their morals”.

All excerpts taken from: Caledonian Mercury, 2 Jan. 1800. British Library Newspapers, accessed via National Library of Scotland membership.