The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-01-22
Baltimore Before the Revolution.

OF those primitive days before the
Revolution it is recorded of Baltimore
town that 'as all we're peaceable and
healthy, lawyers and doctors found little
to do, but tladesmen and w~oIkingmen
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 a maid
servant for themselves in turn. A 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 chill.
dren we're ~well-favored and beautiful to
behold, and without the least blemish.
A frank and generous hospitality pre-
vailed, devoid Of glare and show, but
always abundant and good. Blshfulpess
and modesty in the young were regarded
as virtues, and young lovers listened
gravely, and took sidelong glances be-
fore their elders. At eventide the fam
lily, neatly dressed, sat in the street
porch and welcomed their neighbors. -
1t was customary to live at ones place
OF business, and the wives and daugh-
ters served the shop, retailers of dry
goods being mostly widows and spin
sters. II a townsman failed in trade it
was q cause Of general and deep regret.
Every man who met his neighbor ex-
pressed his sorrow. Bankruptcy was a
rare occurrence, because honesty and
temperance in trade were then univer-
sal, and none embarked without means
adequate to their business. At Christ
mas, dinners and suppers went the
round of every social circle, and they
who rartook of the former were expect
ed to remain for the supper. Afternoon
visits were made at such an hour as to
permit matrons to go home and see their
children put to bed.
Between tradesmen and the gentry
there was a marked difference. The
~aristocracy Of the gentlemen was noticed
if not felt. Such as followed rough
trades, and all men and boys from the
country, were seen on the streets in
leather breeches and aprons, and would
have been deemed out of place without
them. Hired women wore short gowns
and linsy-woolsey petticoats, and some
are still alive who used to call master
and mistress who will 10 longer do it.
Cookery was palmer than now, and
coffee as o beverage was used but rarely.
Chocolate was the morning and evening
drink, and thickened milk for children.
A white floor, sprinrled with clean sill.
yer sand, large tables and high. backed
chairs of solid walnHt or mahogany,
decorated o parlor enough for the best.
Sometimes a carpet, not, however, Gov
ering the whole floor, was seen upon
the dining.room. There was o show
parlor upstairs, not used but upon gala
occasions. Pewter plates we're in gen.
eral 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 com
mon beverage, was drunk from one
large bowl, and beer from q tankard Of
silver. At dancing assemblies no gen.
tleman under Gwenty-one or lady under
eighteen was admitted, and the supper
consisted Of tea, chocolate and rusk.--
Six married managers distributed part
ners by lot for the evening, leaving
nothing to the SUCCESS of forwardness or
favoritism. Gentlemen 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-'s
company at a ball TO be held at six
O'Clock P, No. indorses the queen of
hearts, and is oneof many such trophies
still preserved. - arper'S Magazine.
The further shrinking OF Tnlare lake,