American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-01-07
THE UNION.
MoRGANTOWN. JAN. 7, 1858.
THE OLD DOMINION.

N. P. WILLIS, one of the editors Of
tho Home Journal, has been sojourning
in Old Virginia, where he has seen 4
heard many strange things. In the
following extract from one of his let
ters he shows off some Of the manners
and customs of the L. T. VS., in way
to make manifest that the Temperance
reform is not yet finished up in that
quarter:-
/ am indirectly apologizing, by this
explanation of haste, for the very in
adequate notice with which / am com.
pclled to pass by o certain Virginian
institution the matutinat miat,ju-
lep, or anti-febrile stomach -nudger-
served to the male guests on their first
rising in the morning, and previous to
their introduction to the ladies. This
most appetizing potation is prepared in
a family tankard, Of size which it
takes two hands to lift; and it was
most gravely passed around like
solemn and ssvory "good morning."
as we entered the drawing-room before
breakfast, each guest burying his head
successively in the thicket Of the frag-
raat herb, and subtracting his own
"tithe Of mint" with measure of
breath wholly discretionary. AS a
sanitary precaution, Gn locality where
the morning air is to be dreaded on an
empty stomach, this breakfast is doubt
less very expedient; but one can
scarce help rejoicing also in a certain
secondary efFect-the social fusion or
the dispelling of mornings natural
moodiness, consequent upon this pass.
ing around of cordial for all lips
In fact, of the full enjoyment of this
Virginia "institution," as beginning to
bo felt by the merry party assembled
afterwards around the table, the too
early coming Of the boat was felt by
all to be trying interruption.
may as well mention here, dpropos
Of the art Of nourishment as perfected
in different ATTITUDES, one or two other as
tistancos of the Nature, which [ had not
met with in previous travel, and which
may help to account for the larger
stature, greater fecundity Of language,
and other generous exuberances char
acteristic of Virginians, The dinner
is commonly at one o'clock, the hun
griest hour; but, at twelve, there is
first summons to the sideboard, and, at
half-past twelve, another, for tho sake
of confirming, by little something
md water" the preparatory condition
Of the stomach. The dinner itself, Of
course, is Of that profusion of meats
and game for which the State is famous;
but its final elimination was new to
mc--the passing around of a tray Of
raw oysters, to be eaten from the shell,
and, by the liquescent insinuation, and
uncloying succulence OF which, any
omitted creyice or forgiven pore or
vesicle Of the careless or inattenuative
stomach might be securely reached
On leaving the table, after this oyster
climax, the stranger would naturally
suppose dinner to be over; but, with
brief hour OF cigars and convorsa'
ton in the drawing.room, the folding
doors were again thrown open, and 10 !
in the centre of the table, vastpunch.
bowl Of "egg nog"---the appotizing
digestive, by which any hardness or
torpor of tho reluctant stomach might
be encouragingly overtaken. The gold.
en- liquor was dispensed with long
silver ladle, by our host, as VIC stood
around with expectant tumblcrs; after
which, Of course, we returned moro
eheerfully to our double labors of diges-
ton and conversation. Tea with the
ladies' followed naturally, at six; and
supper at nine; with hot toddics in.
definitely thereafter. But it will be
seen, that, in modern Virginia, they
live we'll"
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