The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-14

aside their rude garments Of skins, and donned
loose robe, reaching TO the ANGLE; over
that they fastened long and flowing robe,
fastened, over both shoulders. by clasp or
buckle which rested on the bosom. Their
next step was 10 line them with rich and beau
tiful furs, and decorate them with philactery
or border Of gold or embroidery. This was
the dress of the higher class. The soldiers
and the commonalty wore tunics reaching
only 10 the knee, and short cloaks pendant
over the left shoulder and buckled on the
right. To these they sometimes put an edg.
ing OF gold. In these changes, yon VIII re-
cognize the influence Of Roman dress--ihe
conquered had donned the attire Of the con-
querors. Conical caps, probably made Of
SKINS, were worn by all classes. The men
had their hair long and flowing, and (as
nave already namely they allowed the beard
10 grow 10 great length on the upper lip.
Wh' the Normans came over. and were OBJ
served not TO wear the mustache, one OF
liarold's spies ,aunlingly said, There are
not soldiers, but monks" When the Nor
mans prevailed they compelled the Anglo
Saxons, most reluctantly, 10 abandon their
hirsnte appendages. To lose their liberty
was hard, but to lose their moustache was
peculiar grievance! Both sexes wore mas
sive chains and bracelets Of gold, around the
necks and wrist, and large golden rings on
the fingers Barbarons as were these people
none OF them wore those ungracefnl things,
miscalled ornaments, which-after the ex-
ample Of the savages in the South Sea
Islands ladies OF the present day are COM
PEELED, by the imperial decree Of fashion.
.nl a "a inf, tl1alr
Yes. ear rings are the adoption of later times
II wonder when fashion will demand that
rings be worn in the nose also! ! am sure
that one dis-adornment is no worse than the
other
The attire Of the Anglo-Saxon ladies' must
have been one of singular grace and beauty.
A long, loose robe, reaching to the ground,
made Of some valuable material and richly
ornamented with gold and embroidery, gave
a flowing outline TO the figure. The hair
unconfined b, the trammels Of art---wayed up
on their shoulders, and being turned back, fell
down behind, without tying or bending Vel
low tresses- the fayorite color Of the ancient
poets.--werc the ton, and we know that, in
Rome at least, the hue was simulated by she'd
ding gold dust amid the hair
In these times the men and women Of the
upper rank wore slippers; crossed bandage,s
which secured the slipper to the foot, served
the men in lieu Of stockings; but fear that
the ladies were stocking-less. Perhaps their
feet were so white that they lacked not the
foreign aid of ornament" Where the face
was beautiful who would look at the feet, I'M
less, indeed, TO admire their exquisite symme-
try!
The manner Of the Anglo-Ssxon had dash
OF that semi savage chivalry which redeems
much Of the barbarity the early and mid
die ages. To that sex whose weakness is
its strength, they paid the utmost respect.
The lady Cor as the Saxons called her, the
"ieafdien" or head -giyer,) safe al the upper
end the table, and distributed the provisions
to her guests, who took their places in the
strict order Of their rank--for the laws Of ca
mute provided, that any one taking a seat to
which he was not entitled, should be pelted
out Of it by bones,--at the discretion of the
company. II such lawwere 10io enforced,
fancy what perpetual peltngs there would be.
The salt was placed in the centre of the table,
and the seats Of honor were above it. At
some of the higher houses a side or elevated
table was reserved, in all the pride of naughty
aristocracy, for the peculiar use Of the host.
Their food was plain but plentiful. Large
joints Of roasted meat had the preference, and
sailed ,ictuals were much used. Wine, mead,
ale, and various spiced drinks were freely
used AT their feasts were displayed the rich
est of the Anglo Saxons' furnturer. There
were exhibited their gold, silver. and silyer-git
cups---their dishes, bowls and basins Of the
same precious metals their benches and seats
carved like animals, after the Grecian fash
ion, and covered with embroidered cloth !;
their apartments decorated with richly wrought
hangings, aud their tables made of valuable
wood ,---sometimes even Of marble and silver.
But, whatever pomp they could exhibit, they
had little idea Of what we are accustomed to
consider as the comforts and necessaries OF
life. Their indoor amuserlents were bear.
batting. gambling, dancing and singing; their
manly field sports we're hunting and hawking.
In domestic life the Angio-Saxons were ex-
emplary. True, their piety often degenerated
to credlity or superstition, and their hospitali-
" 10 drunken extravagrance, but they were
remarkably fond Of their wives, children, and
retainers. When married, the nuptial tie was
usually well observed, and---would that the
fashion were generally revived! most OF the
ladies' nursed their own children. M
Marriages were celebrated with great state,
as something not lightly to be undertaken
Every mniden had a guardian, from whom the
lover had 10 purchase her by mede or gift, the
amount Of which was settled by law. Wo-
men who had been married before, had claim
TO this guardianship, but the law set higher
price, by one hall, upon the maiden than the
widow. No wedding took place until the
guardian was assured that provision had been
secured in case Of the husbands death. The
relations of both parties were invited to the
wedding feast, and made presents Of gold,
arms, clothes, and household stuff, which
formed the marriage portion Of the bride. On
the morning after the marriage, the bride had
a risht--from custom immemorial-to ask