The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-12-18
BALTIMORE INOLDEN TIMES.

In the early period of its history, dating
from 1868, Baltimore is described as mod
| ell of primitive simplicity, combined with
"A touch of modern luxury. Almost every
house was approached by water. There
was but little circulating medium. The
exchange of commodities was often by bar
ter. In commercial transactions Europe
an coin was occasionally used. There was
also provincial silver coin, but it was
not in general circulation. The most com
| mon currency was tobacco. At this peri
| cd the colonists sat on stools and benches.
| They dined without forks, but made free
use of the napkin. Their bed, chambers
were daintily furnished. The walls of their
principal rooms were wainscoted. They
| kept great store of massive silver plate
engraved with the arms of their ancestry
Tea and coffee they rarely tasted. Sugar
was considered a treat for festive occasions,
but cider and sack they drank freely. The
silver sack cup was frequent ornament of
the table. Strong punch and sack were
their favorite beverages. They lad every
variety Of both Summer and Winter fruit.
| They delighted in apricots and pears, in
pomegranatcs and figs, in peaches and APP
Piles, and the most luscious melons. The wild
strawberry and grape vines grew in profu-
sion. Game aboundcd in the forests, and
fish in the rivers and bays. Such fine oys
tiers were never seen before, and the tooth
some canvas-back gave a fUretaste of fur
Their delicacles.
The costume bore the stamp of the Mill
tary spirit which prevailed during the
reign Of Charles |. The Maryland cava-
lier was armed with sword and ialchon ;
his coat was lined with blush; he wore all
embroidered belt, IL gold hat band with
feather, leather breeches, and silk stock
ings. Many of the gentlemen could not
write their names, but always made their
marks. There are instances on the records
in which the servant writes his name and
the master makes his mark. Profanc
swearers were fined at the rate of five Skill
ings an oath. Drunkards were fined the
same sum for each otfense. If the fine was
not paid they received thirty mine lashes
or were placed in the stocks for over three
hours. The Sabbath breaker was liable tc
penalty of two hundred pounds of tobac
co. The denial of the Trinity was consid
: cred a breach of the peace, and was pun
ished as blasphemy.
No important changes in the social con
dition took place until after the Revolu
ton. Umbrellas came into use about fou
years prior to the Declaration of Indepen
dence. At first they were secuted as eflem
mate and absurd. The doctors, on thu
other hand, recommended them as gooC
for vertigoes and sore eyes They were o
oiled silk, coarse and clumsy in their max
with rattan sticks, and were imported from
India by way Of England. This was thu
period of Tie workingmau's Paradise
There was plenty of employment and rea
dy pay. The services of the lawyer anC
physician were not in great demand
Girls were married before twenty, ant
, there were no old maids. Great respect wa
paid to the aged.
Young lovers listened gravely, and tool
side-long chances at each other when be
fore their parcnts or elders. Towards tn
the close of the day, they would dress VI
in their best clothes, and sit in the stree
+ porch. 1t was the custom to go from porcl
. to porch in the neighborhood and enjoy
5 social chat. The people lived on the sam
spot where they carried on their business
The wives and daughters often served il
the stores of the head of the family, ant
the retail dry goods business was mostl
in the hands Of widows or the few youn!
= ladies who had escaped marriage. Din
: ners and suppers went the round of ever
r social circle at Christmas Afternoon Wis