The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-01-03

III.
Charleston at this period was the seat
ot refined and generous hospitality, and
IN social elegance was far in advance OF
any other city in the Southern Sta;es.t-
Always conservative, her inhabitants we're
slow to admit any innovations in man.
ncrs, and the tasteful and rich costumes
OF the middle Of the century were still
worn therefore by the more respectable
clas ."s, though numerous notifications
had 10 en gcncral,y adopted ia Boston,
New York and Philadelphia. Milliners
and tailors corresponded directly with the
inventors Of dresses in London and Paris,
and had little regard for the taste Of our
republican court. Women preferred the
French fashions, and often improved upon
them, but DR.. Ramsey assures us that
they rarely had resolution enough 10 fol-
low their own correct ideas in originating
styles entirely new. Gentlemen were par
| ual To blue, the prodact OF their staple
indigo, and most Of them had at all times
at least one coat Of that color. Panta
looms had been introduced and were now
worn hy some Of the younger men, but
IN few years they were entirely laid
aside, AMI brceches again adopted, not.
withstandng the superior fitness Of the
more modern garment for so warm a eli
mate. A keen sensbility on points of
persoIal honor gave rise t frequent duels,
40 that more took place in South Caro-.
lima than in all the nine States North OF
Maryland bat it was regarded as a con-
sequence OF TINS practice that there was
prevailing propriety aud courtesy in So
clety. Drunkenness, we have the au-
thority OF Dr. Ramsay for believing,
might be called an endemic vice. there,
and lie finds for il an apology in the Quail.
ties OF the atmosphere. Periodical races,
hunting and fishing, and luxurious and
protracted dinners, occupied the attention
"f old aud young, while in dancing and
TAT Newborn the President attended pub
lie dinner and ball at the old palace OF Gov.
TTyon, which was probably at that time the
most splendid residence in America. An en-.
craving OF IL appears In Mr.. Lossing's "Ffeld
Book of the Revolution" from original draw.
ings made by Nc. John Hawks, the architect,
in 1897, and preserved by his grandson, tho
Rev. Francis l.. Hawks, ID. d., LII. D., of New
York. On tablet in the vcstibule were some
lines In Latin, by Sir William Drapc-, whicl,
'he late Governor Martin, OF North Carolina,
translated, not very gracefully, as follows
lin the reign Of monarch who goodness dis.
closed,
\ tree, happy people, to dread tyFants opposed,
Have 70 virtue and merit erected this dome.
Nay the owner and household make this their
loved home,
Where religion, the laws, and the arts shall in.
yite
Future ages to i've in sweet peace and delight" :"
tIankeepers, We learn from Dr. Ramsey, com.
Plaihed that this virtue was carried to such an
extent that their business was scarcely worth
following. The doors Of the citizens through.
out the State uore opened 10 all decent travel.
ers, and shut against none. The abundance Of
provisions on plantations rendered che exercise
OF hospitality convenient and the avidity Of
county people for hearing news made them
rather seek than shun the calls Of stranRers.--
The State mighsbs Travelled over with very little
expense BY peTons furnished with letters OF In
PRODUCTION, or even u.sheo, them, by calling 4,
the plAn'ationsOf private gentlemen on or near
che roads.