Meanwhile, somewhere in 18th century...

...England (or, in fact, anywhere) things are going-on in parallel to a story I am writing.  Perhaps these things will make their way into the story, but in my mind they are going on even if they don't get a mention.  This research will add depth to the story and characters.  Who am I kidding?   This is a miscellany of distractions I have found that have piqued my interest while I should have been more efficient in my research for a story set mid 18th century.  Perhaps you have a general interest in the eighteenth century, an obsession with it, or you too are looking for detail to add authenticity to your fiction.  For whatever reason you have stumbled upon my notes.  I hope they interest and amuse.

You may already know, from reading texts written in the 1700s, that an additional s was used in print as well as the standard s.  The long s looks like an f without its crossbar.

Also, you will probably work out from context, that etcetera is often printed as &c.