Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-12-17

BALTIMORE BEFORE THE REvOLUTIoH.-
OF those primitive days before the Revo-
luton, it was recorded Of Baltimore
town" that 'as all were peaceable and
healthy, lawyers aud doctors found little
to do, but tradesmen and working men
found ready pay and constant employment.
Women's wages especially we're 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 annum was laid
upon all bachelors, and old maids were not
to be met with, neither jealousy Of hus-
bands. The children were well favored
and beautiful to behold, and without the
least blemish. A frank and generous hos
pitality prevailed, devoid Of glare and
show, always abundant and good. Bash
tulness and mOdesty in the young we're re-
garded as virtues, and young lovers list
ened gravely, and took sidelong glaneea
before their elders. At eyentide the fami-
ly, healthily dressed, sat in the street porch
and welcomed their neighbors. 1t was
customary 10 live at ones place Of business,
and the wives and daughters served the
shop, retailers Of drygoods being mostly
widows and spinters. II a tOwusman
failed in trade, it was the cause Of general
and deep regret. Every man who met his
neighbor expressed his sorrow. Bankrupt
cy was a rare occurrence, because honesty
and temperance in trade were then univers-
al, and none embarked without means ade-
quate to the business. At Christmas, din
ners and suppers went the round OF every
social circle, and they who partook of the
former were expected 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 20 bed.
Between tradesmen and the gentry
there was marked difference. The aris-
tOcracy Of the gentleman was noticed, il
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 beeu deemed
out Of place without them. Hired women
wore short gowns and linsey-woolsey petit
coats, and some are still alive who used to
call master and mistress who will no long
er do it. Cookery was palmer than now,
and coffee as beverage was used but rare
ly, Chocolate was the morning and even
ing drink, and thickened milk for children.
A white floor sprinkled with clean silver
sand, large tables and high-baeked chairs
VI ooAAu walnut VI llhlloBdul5 ubCUIuleu a
parlor enough for the best. Sometimes a
carpet, not, however, covering a whole
floor, was seen upon the dining room.
There was a show parlor 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, tank
efks, and walters, was seen in most fami-
lies of easy circumstances. Punch, the
most common beverage, was drunk from
one large bowl, and beer from tankard of
silver. At dancing assemblies no gentle
man under twenty-one or lady under eigh-
teen was admitted, and the supper consist
ed of tea, chocolate and rusk. Six mar
ried managers distributed partners by lot
for the evening, leaving nothing to the
success Of forwardness or faYoritism.
Gentlemen always drank tea with the pa
rents of the ladies who were their partners
the day after the assemblage." Invitations
were printed on playing cards: "The
honor of Miss IS company at ball to
be held at six O'Clock p. m.," indorses the
queen Of hearts, and is one Of the many
such trophies still preserved.
Frank Meyer, en- Harper's Mag. for jan