The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-22
OLD TIMES.


&c. G. Coffin in Atlantic Monthly.)
A half century ago, large part of the
people of the United States lived in houses
unpainted, upholstered, and utterly devoid
of adornment. A well-fed fire In the
yawning chasm of huge chimney gave
partial warmth to single room, and 1t
was common remark that the inmates
were roasting one side, while freezing the
other; in contrast majority of the peo-
pie of the older states now live in houses
that are clapboarded, painted, blinded and
comfortably warmed. Then, the house.
hold furniture consisted of a few plain
chairs, plain table, bedstead made by
the village carpenter. Carpets there were
none. To-day, few are the homes, in city
or country, that do not contain a carpet Of
some sort, while the average laborer by a
weeks work may earn enough to enable
him to repose at night upon a spring
bed.
Fifty years ago the kitchen "dressers"
were set forth with shining row of pew
ter plates. The farmer ate with buck
handled knife and an iron or pewter
spoon, but the advancing civilization has
sent the plates and spoons to the melting
pot, while the knives and forks have given
place to nickel or silver plated cutlery.
In those days the utensils for cooking
were dinner pot, tea kettle, skillet,
dutch oven and frying pan; to-day there
is no end Of kitchen furniture.
The people of 1890 sat in the evening
in the glowing light of pitch knot fire,
or read their weekly newspapers by the
fickering light Of "tallow Dip" now, in
city and village, their apartments are
bright with the fame Of the gas jet or the
softer radiance of kerosene. Then, if the
| fire went out upon the hearth, it was re-
kindled by coal from neighboring
hearth, or by flint, steel, and tinder. Those
who indulged in pipes and cigars could
light them by some hearthstone; to-day,
we light fire and pipes by the dormant
fire works in the match safe, at a cost Of
one hundredth of a cent.
In those days we guessed the hour of
noon, or ascertained it by the creeping Of
the sunlight up to the "noon mark" drawn
upon the floor; only the well to-do could
afford a clock. To-day who does not
carry a watch2 and as for clocks, you may
purchase them at wholesale, by the car
load, at O. cents apiece.
Fifty years ago, how many dwellings
were adorned with pictures? How many
arc there now that do not display print,
engraving, chrome, or lithograph? How
many pianos or parlor organs were there
then? Reed organs were not invented
till 1870, and now they are in every
village.
Some who may read this article will
remember that in 1890 the Bible, the al
manac, and the few text books used in
school were almost the only volumes of
the household. The dictionary was a vol
ume four inches square and an inch and a
half in thickness. In some of the coun
try villages few public spirited men hac
gathered libraries containing from 200 to
500 volumes; in contrast, the public libra
ries OF the present, containing more thar
10000 volumes, have an aggregate o
lo72oooo volumes, not including the Sun
day-school and private libraries of thu
country. 1t is estimated that altogether
the number of volumes accessible to III,
public is not less than 2o,ooo,ooo! Ol
Webster's and Worcester's dictionaries, i
may be said that enough have been pub
lished to supply one of every 100 inhabit
ants in the United States.