Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-12
and manners in Boston near half century


since.
mItmay not be uninteresting to sketch the
condition and usages of society about the time OF
the adoption of the constitution, (178S) accord
mo 70 the impression now retained OF them.
There were families who were af1uent and So
cial. They interchanged dinner and suppers.
The evening amusements was usually game
at cards Tables were loaded with provisions
Those of domestic origin were at less than halt
the cost of the present time. The busy part OF
society dined then, as now at one, others at TWO
O'Clock; three O'Clock was the latest hour tor the
most formal occasions. There were no theatr-
cal entertainments; there was positive legal
prohibition There were concerts; ABOUT the
wear 1850. Concert Hall was builtby gentle
man named Deblois, for the purpose of giving
concerts; and private gentlemen played and
sang for the amusement ofthe company. There
were subscription assemblies for dancing, at the
same place. and trequired unanimous assent
to gain admission. Dress was much attended
to by both sexes. Goats OF every variety OF co.
| lor were worn, not excepting red; sometimes the
cape and collar were Of velvet, and of different
color from the coat. Minuets were danced, and
contre dances. COtilions were OF late date
They were introduced by the French who were
refugees from the West-India Islands
" very important parsonage in the fashion
able world was Mrs Haley, sister or the cee-
| brated John Wilkes She came over In the year
| 1885, and purchased the house in which the late
Gardiner Greene lived, at the head Of Court
street She was then advanced in life, Of sim
guar personal appearance, but lady of amia-
Bile department She afterwards married gen.
! teman who was the uncle OF celebrated
Scotch reviewer; but after some years returned
! to England. Her house was place of fashion
able resort. Marriages and funerals were oc-
currences of much more ceremony than at the
present day The bride was visited daily for
four successive weeks. Public notice was gven
Of funerals, and private invitations also. At
tendance was expected; and there was long
train of followers, and all the carriages and
chaises that could be had. The number Of the
| former in town was not more than ten or twelve
There were no public carriages earlier than the
beginning OF 1885, and very few for some years
afterwards. Young men, at their entertain
ments sat long and drank Deep compared to
the present custom Their meetings were emil
vened with anecdote and song.
among the remarkable visiters of this coun-
try was Brssot de Warville, in 1885, afterwards
chief of faction in the French Revolution call
ed the Girondsts. He was executed in Robes
pierre's time, at the age ofthirty-eight. He came
over to learn how to be republican. He was
a handsome, brisk little Frenchman, and was
very well received here. He wrote book on
! this country. He was much delighted with the
Quakers, and is said to have respected their
simplicity Of dress, and to have introduced, in
without powder.
"The means Of education have greatly i'm
proved. There were two Latin Schools. One
! in School-street, and one at the north part OF
the town. The only academies recollected were
one at Exeter New Hampshire) and one at
Andover, at which boys were prepared for col
ege. 1t was common practice for clergymen
to receive boys into families to prepare them for
college. The means ofeducating females were
far inferior to those of the present time. The
best were " boarding schools" and there were
but two or three Of these. The accomplish
ments acquired were inferior to those which are
common among hundreds of young females of
the present time. The sum of requirements
now in the process of education, greatly surS
passes that of forty years ago in both sexes
The moral condition of society, among the well
informed ESQ far as is seen on the surface,) is
greatly improved. There is more occupation
Of various efforts. Society, collectively, is UNI
doubleday better. Whether its members, in all
things then and now, innocent. are happier or
not, one cannot judge from youthful impress
sions. In one respect there is change OF i'm
measurable value; that is, in the intercourse OF
parents and children 1t is very possible that
there are some who prefer the strict discipline
of former days; and who believe that as much
of substantial benefit has been lost as gained, in
the changes which have occurred. If this be
so, it arises from the quality Of education, and
| n 1T because there is more of it."
| ORA VS. TOMORROW