Polynesian., 1856-09-13
The Purirnn's Daily Routine.

To rise early was not considered worthy of any
remark; while not rising early would be deemed
crime To be UP by daylight was O matter OF
course with every family. The father was expect
ed to move first to strike light with flint and
steel to kindle fire under the kettle In which the
water for the porridge to be boiled. This done
he calls the bows they soon appear, and after them
the mother and daughters. One wooden wash-ba-
sin served each, in turn, for morning ablutlons; !;
and the roller suffced for wiping all faces. The
dress is suited to their work The father wears an
old coeked-up hat or q thick cotton hat, or thick
cotton cap no cravat, but a low shirt collar
short frock of strongest warp pair OF old leather
breeches and leggins which were confined above
the knee, and tied over the shoe with a string
round the middle of the foot. The boys had cotton
CAPS on their heads the remnants of old felt hats
short Jackets of the coarsest fabrics, and leather
breeches with leggins.
Bv early dawn, the father and three eldest sons
are in the COW ward milking. This over, the young
est son drives the COWS pasture and hastens back
to the next duties. The hogs have received their
allowance of buttermilk. The mornings milk has
been strained and set for or heated to begin
cheese. Then comes the reading of the sacred
Scriptures and the family prayers. Immediately
afterwards following the breakfast, which In winter
is by candle-light, and IN summer by dawn-llght
The breakfast which is commenced by asking Il
blessing and closed by returning thanks, con-
sists of porridge dealt out before sitting down. IN
small wooden bowls. A small central dish has IN 1t
some shad and salted alewives, or peradventure,
some fresh cells, which the boys caught from the
river the evening before. With these brown bread
and beer are served and here ended the usual va
riety. Sometimes the children were RECALLED with
samp and milk and the father with boiled salt pork
From the breakfast table, father and sons repair
To the field and are at work by six O'Clock. With
their tools they have taken the family gun-not SO
much from fear of Indians, as the hope OF securing
some valuable game; sometimes me deei cross
ING their field, on his way to the river, ard II they
are so fortunate as to take him, 1t makes feast at
home for every part is eaten. Sailed and smoked
II was deemed a savory dish. By half-past eight
o'clock our laborers in the field are ready ior the
usnaI lunch. which consists of smoked shad, bread
and cheese and cider. Thus sustained till quar-
Ter before twelve they hear the dinner horn announ
cing-what the boys had been expecting with lmpa-
All hands break Oh and start Tor
home and are ready to sit down just as the sun is
square on the Wlndow-euSe, uiiu ln0 0"N " viz
hour glass is out
blessing craved, they begin with the Indian
nudding. and relish it with little molasses Next
comes niece of broiled salt pork, or DlacK OrOth'
fried eoos. brown bread, cabbage, and cider. Ihey
dinner " boiled vlctuals, ana tneir
mates ssyooden trenchers." Potatoes dld not COne
into nse till 1853, tea and coffee till 100. Iur-
co-rots and narsnips were cultivated Dinner
dafsr,atcbed in fifteen minutes, the time tlil one
o;cIpck was called, 4" noonng,'' when each laoorer
was free to play or sleep. NOOning over they re-
,,o;r 10 the fields and find that fox or Won mas
killed sheep and eaten his dinner. me IS"er
ahoS his n and hastens in Search telling the boys
80 to keen at work, and if they see the fox to whis
tie with all their might" The fox that took great
pains to be there when the owner was away, now
20 ,reat Mains to be away when the owners are
there A drink Of good beer all round at three
o'clock. is the only relief in the afternoons toll
which ends at FIVE at which hour the youngest son
drives home the COWS, and the milking IS finished
at six. The hogs and sheep are now called to taelr
enclosures near the barn, where the faithful eog
will guard them from their night proving enemies