The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-08-24

| VI There is much truth us well as Eumot in
the following article, which we copy from the
! Salem ObSerrer
TREATING.
Alas, for the days of treating Temperance
societies and cold water, have broken UP and
almost extingushed the venerable old custom
OF trcatng-general and upon all occasions
once upon entering friends house, no sooner
was the salutatory shake over, than the social
cup was presented; and upon parting, he, who
refused to proter, was guilty of the violation OF
hospitality, and he, who refused to partake in
! the valedictory rite, left behind MIN the repu.
tation OF being unsocal and i'll bred Now one
meets with cold reception, and a dry parting
he custom, TO be sure, muddled the ideas a
httie, but what was wanting in clearness was
made up in warmth
Did old Appropriateness meet after long sep
rraiion,-perhaps in the street what was 10
he done why, TO be sure, repair TO the first
| bar-room, and there awaken dormant reminis-
cent OF old lang syne' by the talasmanic bowl
- drawn out sleeping recallections. as hunt
ers arc wont to unburrow wood .chucks. bv
pouring IN plentifully some liquid element into
their hiding places.
Did fortune turn up good luck to any one,
nc was forthwith expected to pour out a liba-
ton at this altar of custom, and call his neigh
bors around to rejoice with him. We once liy-
ed in manufacturing village, at the are whom
treating was the order of the day, and many
a merry meeting il made. Did a mans birth
day come round, the anniversary must be mark
ed by general treating-the blue fame must
be burnt at the shrine of Bacchus. Perhaps he
was IN the line at military promotion upon
new election, the commission must be " wet
down, the uniform spunged, or it would be
liable 10 be spotted and woe TO him that was
niggard on such occasions. Did a new conner
" wee bit of thing" come into the village
the tidings were no sooner announced, than he,
in whose house the little soiourner had han
penod to take up his abode, must array the de-
canters, lemons, and sugar, to have the event
duly chrstened. A husking, raising, no mat
ter what the occasion, glad or gloomy, the
treat was Indispensable. The custom, to be
sure, was often attended with accidents, some
times with quarreling, and trained up, at least,
one half OF the population in the way of drunk
enness, but 1t was custom and sanctioned by
ALL
Alas, fer tie days of treating business the
other day led us to the same neighborhood =
the old race had passed away, and with them
the convvial custom-some TO death, and some
TO poverty and the poOr-house. Upon inquiry,
we found that treating had become obsolete,
and drinking out of fashion-labor was now
pursued, and friendly sociablity sustained with
out the celebrating treat. We thought, but it
may have been imaginary, that the people
wore a neater and more healthy appearance,
that the village looked brighter and more
fiourishing. The images, however, of merry
makings, were before us, flushed faces, and
uproarouSness. when ourself with a dozen other
urchlns were suffered to linger round the scene,
and perhaps invited to partske little by the
way ofinvita,ion and we thought Of the days
of d" treating