Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-01-23
Baltimore Before the Revolution.

DHlIlluOrc beIOrc tuc AcVOlutiOu.
OF those primitive days before the
more town" that "as all were peacea-
BILE and healthy, lawyers and doctors
found little to do, but tradesmen and
workingmen found ready pay and
constant employment. Women's
wages especially were high, as the
sex was not numerous; and as
they were generally married by the
time they were twenty, they sought q
maid-servant for themselves in turn.
A duty of from Ave to twenty shillings
per annum was laid upon all bachelors,
and old maids were not to he met with,
neither jealousy of husbands. Tue
children were well-favored and beauti-
full to behold, q nd 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 as virtues, and young
lovers listened gravely, and took side
long glances before the elders. At
even.tlde the family, neatly dressed.
sat in the street porch and welcomed
their neighbors. 1t was customary to
live ut ones place OF business, and the
wives and daughters served the shop,
retailers of dry-goods being mostly
widows and spinsters. If tOwnsman
failed in trade, it was cause. of gen.
eral and deep regret. Every man who
met his neiRhbor expressed his sorrow.
Bankruptcy was rare occurrence, be-
cause honesty and temperance in trade
were then universal, and none EN-.
barked without means adequate to
their business. At q lristmas, dinners
and suppers wen the round of every
social circle, and they who partook Of
the former were expected 10 Iemain for
the supper. Afternoon visits were
made ut such an hour as to permit
matrons to go home aud see their chill
dren put to bed. '''
Between tradesmen aud the gentry
there was q marked difference. The
aristocracy of the gentleman was no
ticed, if not felt. Such as followed
rough trades, and ali men and boys
from the country, wcce seen on the
streets in leather bref ches aud aprons,
and would have been deemed out of
place without the IN. Hired women
wore short gowns and llnsey-woolsey
petticoats, and some are still alive who
used to call mlsier and mistress who
will no longer do it. Cookery WAS
palmer than now, and coffee as Il Lev-
cruge WAS used but rarely. Chocolate
was the morning and evening drink,
and thickened milk for children. 4
white floor, sprinkled with clean silver
sand. large tables and h:gh-backed
chairs of solid walnut or mahogany,
decorated parlor enough for the best.
Sometimes carpet, not, however, COW
ering the whole floor, was seen upon
the dining-roOn. There was a show
parlor up stairs, not used but upon
gala occasions. Pewter plates were in
general use, but china was q rarity.
Plate, in the form of bowls, tankards,
aud walters, WAS seen IN most families
of easy circumstances. Punch, the
most common beverage, was drunk
from ono large bowl, and beer from
q tankard of silver At dancing as
scmblies no gentleman under twenty
one or lady under eighteen was ad-
mitted, and the supper consisted of
tea, chocolate. and rusk. Six married
managers distributed partners 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 play ing-
cards: 1.-The honor of Miss Is COM
pany vt ball to be held ut six O'Clock,
P. NJ, indorses the queen of hearts,
end is one Of many such trophies still
preserved. - FRANK MAYER, in Har-
per's Aagaziae.