New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS

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The peculiar feature Il this volume is the amount
Of material derived om original sources, afiordng
many facts and incidents to which publicity
has not here .ofore been given, and mparung
an express u of freshness and reahty 10
the moss grown monuments of the past IN
the pre- faration Of the work, MT stone haS
enjoy ID the benefit of the unpublished manuscripts
of '.is father the late Col Stone, who was 30 less
remarkable for his knowledge of the local anhqteS
sof York than for the ability and interest OF MS
historical writings Many of the papers referred 10
consist of the record of conversations taken down
nv him from the lips of men who had prominent
mart in pnbc affairs from the time of the Revolution
containing not little curious well as valuaple
matter Other rare documents have been maze use
of by the author. including Col. stones account VI
the Grand Erie Canal Celebration, the description Oh
tho nrocession in honor of the adoption OF the
Federal Constitution and Of WashiDgtons lnaugu-
ration, by the came, and the celebrated ne
miniscences of New-York City by the late Uunan
C. Verplanck which called forth so much interest
Mt the time of their original publication under the
assumed name of Francis Herbert. These narratives
which are now almost if quite out of print and
Gan hardly be obtained at any price are reproduced
entire in the present volume.
An interesting chapter is devoted to the social
manners and customs of the early Dutch popnatlOn'
which may be taken as a landmark from which to
estimate the progress of wealth and luxury IN New
York since that period. They were distinguished
for their good nature, love of home ana
generous hospitality. Although there were no
fast young men, nor fashionable dissipation,
holidays were abundant and there was no lack Oh
social amusements Each season had its own pecu-
liar festival like quilting apple-raslng ana musk
ing bees After the work such occasions was
completed the guests sat down TO supper, at winch
chocolate and waffies held the place OF honor ana
the affair wound up with a gay dance New-lear
Dav was devoted TO the universal interchange OF
visits Every door in New-Amsterdam was thrown
wide open and a warm welcome extended TO the
stranger as well as the friend. 1t was considered
breach of established etiquette to omit any ac-
ouaintance in these annual calls by which old
friendships were renewed, family differences settled,
and broken or neglected intimacieS restored" lhere
were no dinner parties in those primitive days, but
"tea-fchts were among the most important of the
Dutch institutions. The matrOns, arrayed IN thelT
best petticoats and lnsey jackets, home spun 10y
their own wheels, would proceed ON the intended
afternoon visit They wore capaclOus pockets, with
scissors, pin-cushion and keys hanging from their
girdle outside of their dress and reaching the
neiehboTs house. the visitors industriously USED
knittng-needles and tongues at the same tlne' Inc
village gossip was talked over neighbors affairs
settled and the stockings finished by ea-time' when
the important meal appeared on the table precisely
at six o'clock. THIS was always the occasion Tor the
display Of the family plate. with the Liiputian
cups of rare old family china, out OF which the
guests slipped the fragrant herb. large lump OF
loaf-sugar invariably accompanied each cup, on
little plate, and the delightful beverage was sweet
ened by an occasional nibble, amid the more solid
articles of wafles and Dutch dOughnuts. The pleas
ant visit finished the visitors, DOMINIC clOaks and
hoods-as bonnets were unknOwn-proceeded home
ward in time Cor milking and other necessary house
hold duties. The kitchen hre-places were OF I'M
mense size large enough to roast q sheep whole
hog and the hooks and trammels sustained large
iron pots and kettles In the spacious chimney-cor-
ncTs the children and negroes gathered-telling
stories and cracking nuts ny the light of the blazing
pipe-knots while the industrious rrOics turned tic
merry spinning wheel and their lords, the worthy
misunderstanding just returned from an lndlan
scrlmmage-quiety smoked their long pipes, as they
sat watching the wreaths curling above their heads
At length the clock with its bTazen tongue, having
proclaimed the hour of nine, family prayers were
said and all retired, TO rise with the dawn The
sturdy Dutch were in the habit of keeping early
hours model hOusekeeper rose at cOck-crOwing,
breakfasted with the dawn, and had dinner punctu-
ally on the table at The cheerful parlOr was
warmed by huge fireplace which usually extended
almost across the back of the room, with its i'm
mense gum backlog, and glowing fire of hickory.
Tie shovel and tOngs in each corner of the fireplace
supported the blazing wood
In one corner Of the always stood the huge
oaken chest bIimfu of household linen, spun
,v the ladies of the family, who delighted 10 display
these domestic riches to Their visitors Later this plain
wardrobe place TO the "ehest Of drd'0ers, one
drawer placed upon the other until the pile reached the
ceiling, with its shining brass rings ana key-lOes The
bookcase, with its complicated writngdesk nys-
ferrous drawers and pigeonholes came into
about the same period, though both were unknown to
early Knicker0Ockers Sldeb0ards were not intro
RcvoIuijon and were entirely of English origin The
round teabe also occupied place IN the corner OF the
uarlor while large square dinngabe in the
Kitchen for daily In another stood the we'll
known Holland cupboard, with glass doors, cOnspicu-
iooSnSiasses in narrow black frames were in common
use two three only of the wealthiest burghers pos
ECssing larger mirrors deliberately Ornamented with
gliding aud flowers About 1880, the ScOHce came in
iashOn-a hanging or projecting eandlestick, with
mirror 20 reflect the rays. This was very snowy
article giving fue light 10 the After this pc
ROD pier and mantel glasses came into fashion Pic
lures such they were, abounded but they WERE for
the most part poor engravngs of Dutch cities and naval
engagements. Chintz calico of inferior quality formed
the only windOwcurtalns, without any cOrnices There
carpets among the early Dutch, in
ora among the New. Workers until up to the period
Of the Revolution The famous Captain Kidd 1t Is said,
owned the first modern carpet III his best rooIn aud the
pirates house was the best furnished in the city 1t
was made OF turkey Woik at cost OF twenty-five dOl-
Iars and Teembled large The custom Of sanding
the floor Of the principal roo or Paror was universal
and much taste was display ed III TIE many ianctul de
and figures made IN the sand with the brOoms OF
the smart Dutch matrOns and daughters our Dutch
ancestors knew nothing Of lounges or SOFAS or even OF
That comfortable American invention, the rOCkingchar
Their chairs straight and hghbacked, covered
with Russia leather, and eiaDoTately ornamented with
double and triple rows OF brass nails. In addition 10
these parlOr decorated with two chairs
having embroidered seats and backs the andiwOrk OF
tie daughters Some Of the Oldest families also dis
PLAYED In their best two chars with cushions of
tapestry, velvet trimmed win lace About the year
100 cane became fashionable, and thirty years
after came the learner chairs worth rom Hfe 10 zen
dollars each These led the fashion about thirty years
more, when mahogany and black walnut chairs, with
their crimson d9mask cushions, appeared
Tor the bed, with its heavy curtains and valance OF