The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-01-31
BALTIMORE BEFORE THE REvoLU.
TON,

or those primitive days before the
Revolution, il is recorded OF Baltimore
town" that "aS all were peaceable and
healthy, lawyers and doctors found little
to do, but tradesmen and working-mcn
found ready pay and constant employ
ment. Women's wages especially were
high, as the sex was not numerous ; and
as they generally married by the time
they were twenty, they sought maid
servant for themselves in turn. y duty
Of from five to twenty shillings per an
mum was laid upon all bachelors, and
old maids were not to be met with,
neither jealousy of husbands. The
ful to behold, and without the least
blemish. A frank and generous hospi-
tality prevailed, devoid of glare and
show, but always abundant and good.
Bashfulness and modesty in the young
were regarded rs virtues, and young
lovers listened gravely, and took side
long glances before their elders. At
even-,ide the family, neatly dressed, sat
in the street porch and welcomed their
neighbors. II was customary TO live 1t
ones place OF business, and the wives
and daughters served the shop, retailers
of dry-goods being mostly widows and
SpinsterS. lfa townsman failed in trade,
twas 4 cause of general and deep regret.
Every man who met his ncighbor cX-
pressed his sorrow. Bankruptcy was
rare occurrence, because honesty and
temperance in trade were then universal,
and none embarked without means adc-
quatc to their business. At Christmas.
dinners and suppcrs went the round Of
every social circle, and they who par
took of the former were expected TO re-
main for the supper. Afternoon visits
were made At such an hour rs to permit
matrons TO 20 home and see their chill
dren put to bed.
between tradcsmen and the gentry
there was marked difference. The
aristocracy of the gentleman was MOTTO
ed, il not felt. Such rs followed rough
trades, and all men and boys from the
country. were seen on the streets in
leather brccches and aprons, and would
have been deemed out of place without
them. Hired women wore short gowns
and linScy-woolsey petticoatS. and some
are still alive who used TO call master
and mistress who will no longer do it.
Cookery was palmer than now, and cof
fee is beverage was used but rarely
Chocolate was the morning and evening
drink, and thickened milk for children.
y white floor, sprinkled with clean silver
sand large tables and high-backed chairs
OF solid walnut or mahogany, decorated
parlor enough for the best. Some
times carpet, not however, covering
the whole floor, was seen upon the dI-
ming room.. There wasa show plrlor up
stairs, not used but upon gala occasions.
Pewter plates were in general use. but
china was a rarity. Plate in the form
OF bowls, tankards, and walters, was seen
in most families of easy circumstances.
Punch, the most common beverage, was
drank from one large bowl, and beer
from tankard of silver. At dancing
assemblies no gentleman under twenty
one or lady under eighteen was admit
ted. and the supper consisted of tea,
chocolate. and rusk. Six married man
ayers distributed partners by lot for the
evening, leaving nothing to the success
Of forwardness or favori,ism. Gentle
men always drank tea with the parents
of the ladies who were their partners the
day after the assembly" Invitations
were printed on playing cards: The
honor Of Miss IS company at ball
to be held At six O'Clock 7. NJ" in
dorses the queen of hearts, and is one OF
many such trophies still preserved
Frank .Kl,rr, in Ha,Ttr's Magazine fer
/anna,T.