Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-14

FYeSenas
From the American.
Previous to the American revolution, the aris-
tocratic class in Maryland claimed privileges
and was accorded immunities which would not
now be tolerated. But, even at the present
day, in the midst of the democratic spirit of the
age there is observable in some circles Of society
polished hauteur and polite reserve-a sort of
''Noh me tan9ere!" manner, which discovers
familiarity, and seems to say: "Thus far thou
shalt go, but no further" Men meet down
town ,on equal terms, in business and profess
sionar life. They buy and sell stocks. make
grain contracts, try causes, sell property.
ETC.. but their acquaintance ends in the
connting-roOm, on change, at the stOck-bOard,
in court, or on the wharf. They meet not at
the social board, at parties, or in society. Why?
because they are not in the same ''set;" their
wives and daughters don't know one another,
In some instances, clerks go in better society
than the employers; because the one belong to
"old families" while the other are "new peo-
pie: The old prejudice against TRADERS"
which once existed on the part Of the proprie-
tors OF the soil. has long since disappeared, and
the descendants of the Towards and the Gilmors,
the CAROLS and the O'Donnells. the Lees and
the wilson's, have happily married.
The Maryland gentleman of the olden time
was genial, jovial, hearty, hospitable fellow.
His house was large, his cellar well stocked his
table abundantly supplied with wild fowl fish
and venlson, and he never was so happy as
when his house was filed with guests when
wine was flowing, and good cheer abounded
Genuine epicures as the old Marylanders were
it is rather surprising that the delicious di a.
mond-back terrapin, which has attained a ma
tiOnal and international reputation, was I'M
known as an article of food until the present
century. The equally famous canvas-back duck
was known and appreciated at a much earlier
period. On the sideboard of every we'll an
nOinfQ0 hOnaQ m or bo Of
canters OF brandy, wine, gin, and TASKS Of cor
dlals. Every morning the guest was served
with julep on awakening, and every night a
nip of brandy and water was brought by the
negro servant. The liquors consumed by these
iordy Marylanders may be judged by the fact
that they were accustomed to order champagne
by the cask, madeira by the pipe, and burg indy
by the dozens.
The wealthy planters of st. Marys, Calvert,
and other tobacco growing counties had their
town residence at Annapolis, the courtly capital
OF the province. where they We'd in prodigal ex-
pendlture with the rich lawyers and kings Off
GERS. Gaming was almost universal hogs
mead OF tobacco or negro slave was often
staked upon the turn of the dice. Horse-racing,
fox-hunting, and cOck-fghting were favOrite
sports; but they were conducted in decorous
manner. The assembly balls were held. every
fortnight, at Annapolis; and they were very
well attended, General and Mrs. Washington
being frequently present and taking part in the
The manners were stately and somewhat cere-
moniOus, and the dress Of both ladies and gen.
tlemen rich and elegant. Annapolis, at that
time. was inhabited by polished and refined
people, who lived in splendor. They were
wealthy, well-bred and luxurious The chief
reading of these old Marylanders was the Specta-
tor and the Ge'atle'nan's Magazine Literature
was not very much appreciated, and literary
men were unknown. The wits of the town in
dulged in poeAcal addresses to favorite actresses
far hx,o1 ioo uaro ico
ssAround her, see the Graces play,
See Venuss wanton doves,
And In her eyes pellucid ray
See little laughing loves.
Ye godsl tits Cytherea's face"
Annapolis had its social clubs long before
clubs were known in Philadelphia and New
York. The society of the ancient city was very
modish, and foreign fashions We're regularly
imported. An English traveller who visited
Maryland in the middle of the last century.
related his experience in The London Magazine:
"Au over the colony, an universal hospitality
reigns-full tables and open doors, the kind
salute and generous welcome"
After the American Revolution, Annapolis lost
Its ancient prestige, and the growing Importance
OF baltimore as the commercial capital Of Mary
iand Drew to the young city on the Patapsco the
wealth, refinement and elegance which had
formerly made Annapolis the most luxurious
town in America. Baltimore soon became famous
Tor It's fast clipper ships and carried the products
Va M0Iy louU W tile IuD6I distant lands and
brought back rich snks from the east. wine from
France, and pictures from Italy. The homes Of
some OF these merchant princes were adorned
by masterpieces of art. rAll the early American
painters were represented in these old mansions
and they have come down as heirlooms to their
descendants. cet
During the first quarter of the present CEN
tury, Baltimore possessed social attractions
more enjoyable, perhaps, than those of the pre-
sent day. Everybody knew everybody else:
every gentleman'ss carriage was known; the
cotton cambria" parties, where all extraya-
gance Of the toilet was dispensed with, and
which began early and broke up early, were if
we can believe the few venerable survivors
more delightful than the splendid parties of the
present day, where all the extrayagancies of the
toilet are INDUCED in, and which began near
midnight and ended near morning. With the stin
and heavy toilets, the manners have also
changed. The remOnious formality of the last
century has given place to a graceful ease The
stately and solemn minuet passed away with the
ruffs and br0cades;the lively and dashing racket