Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-05
KNIcKsRBocKER DAYS.
The Good Old Times Of the Knickerbock

parsimony, but their sympathies and their |
pleasures clustered around the family |
hearth in winter and the family porch in |
summer. Home was the family castle it |
was the stronghold to which even the off. |
shoots chung, and in time of trouble it at. |
forded a sure refuge for all the worthy
ones who raised the brass knocker. 1t was
reared upon sure foundation, and frugal
forethought was the bolt employed to bar
the entrance against harassing and wasting
cares. Order, punctuality and cleanliness
were its chief ornaments, and it
was ever ruled by parental
authority strictly enforced. There was no
lack of social enjoyment within its in
closure, but even that was tempered by
a moderation which precluded the idea of
safety. The tables of our forefathers
were simple in appointments, yet they
were bountifully provided when the
limited variety which the markets at.
forded was considered. The meal con-
sisted of one course, or rather the repast.
comprising meats, poultry, vegetables,
pies. buildings, sweetmeats and fruits wiz,
Newtown pippins, almonds and raisins),
was crowded upon the board with such
artistic arrangement as circumstances
would permit. As extension tables had
not been introduced, considerable figuring
had to be INDUCED in before the blue china
platters could be placed go as to allow suf.
ficient space for the full display of the
French gilt-edged tea set which was the
matrons pride. The yiands on these
grand occasions, when perehance the
dominic, doctor or some other dignitary
was to honor the house with his company,
were prepared or directly superintended by
the dame in person, as those duties were
deemed too important to be performed by
deputy, and far too delicate to be exc.
cuted by mental. In this connection
there comes up "a vivid recollection-grand-
mothers pantry. To US youngsters it ap-
peared the storehouse of everything that
mortal man could either desire or hope for
to make life perfect Elysian. That pan.
try mas its charms even now in fancy as its
many dainties are recalled. Notwithstand-
ing some sage modern philosopher has dis.
covered the astounding fact that the man
who signs to taste once more such pies as
his mother made would be sadly disap.
pointed, were his wish gratifed, to find
he was sadly mistaken, as he had lest his
youthful appetite. The idea is only ga
weak invention of the enemy" In any
cNcut pdAtEI WO0t0 Dt u
curiosity to our city ladies who are accus.
toned to the convenient market and gro
Gerry, restaurant or confectioner' shop, from
which at a moments notice any needed
article of necessity or luxury can be OBJ
| tanned. Grandmother had no such reserve
from which to draw her supplies in case of
emergency, but was compelled to rely upon
those famous pantry shelves to furnish the
f,,l ~, g. i.
deemed essential to the proper entertain.
ment of guests. Groceries, in the old
! fashioned meaning of the word, constituted
the bulk Of the treasures boarded within
| the tabooed Enclosure of that mysterious
receptacle. The door was carefully locked
as sure precaution against the inquisitive
eyes and quick fingers of the household
hopefuls, who were ever on the alert for a
sly peep and grab should the cautious
| guardian chance for moment to leave
the door ajar. Flour, sugar, coffee, tea,
with boxes of soap and starch, formed
the grand staple of the semi. annual
supply, and were ranged on the
ample floor with mathematical precision.
| The first wide shelf above these prominent
essentials was devoted to the tin spice
boxes duly labeled as to their several con-
tents, with sundry large earthen jars which
were well known to contain the plain cake
for daily use, while carefully behind them
were stored, as precautionary measure, a
couple of similar receptacles, which we're
special objects of interest, as they hid from
view the best pound and plum cake, bit
OF which was now and then awarded as the
reward OF extraordinary virtue, but was
especially dedicated to such occasions when
it was deemed absolutely indispensable to
parade "the company tea set, the silver
teapot, sugar.bowl, milk jug, and the
little cut. glass preserve plates which stood
up in corner, with tissue paper between
each, lest they should by accident be
scratched by friction. The second shelf
was reserved for the sweetmeats, which
though not 80 varied N kind, are in MEM
ory far more luscious than the pretentious
compounds now purchased In their stead
by grandmothers aristocratic descendants.
Peach, plum, ounce, about complete the
list, but the fruits were carefully selected,
and loaf sugar unadulterated by chemical
science was the only agent employed in
their preparation by the skilled housewife
In person. Her whole soul was, however,
engaged In the work, and her syrup was
not to be surpassed IN richness or clearness
If care and assiduity could prevent. DUAL.
ity was her aim IN sweetmeats as well as
her standard IN more important matters
than those pertaining to mere articles for
consumption, though excellence In these
was sine qua non to her con-
ception OF good breeding. No bask-
cts OF champagne or cases OF
Rhine wine ; no imported sauces, marina.
ladies', pickles or appetizers were displayed
on the shelves, Dut moderate supply OF
Jamaica rum, pure Madeira and French
brandy, with flask OF peppermint cor
dial, were then ever at hand to welcome
the coming or speed the parting guest.
In the winter Newtown pippins mingled
their aroma with the other good things
stored in this house OF plenty. One OF
these good things must especially not be
overlooked, for 1T is not seen to-day, save
In the window OF some confectioner, where
it Is barely recognizable, though 1t bears
the name still OF peanut candy. The thin,
| attenuated paste has but slight resem-
blance IN appearance and does not
approach in taste the massive blocks
of the spiced delicacy which rose like
monument to bid defiance to the most Wig
orous attacks OF man and boy; but, as
plate after plate was hammered off to meet
the demand created by the bright circle
congregated around the cheerful hickory
blaze, it disappeared ere the long winter
nrominent points on the shelves were
disnlaved ancient family heirlooms in
the crockerv line. preserved az me.
mentoes TO recall some fayorite set
which had .uccumbed to the rayaoes
If time GRANDMOTHER took great nride
in RECALLING our Young ewes with an