New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-11
MARYLAND MANNERS, PAST AND PREsEy1
From The American

From The American.
Previous to the American Revolution, the aris-
tocratIc class In Maryland claimed privileges and
was accorded mmunit.es which wonld not now he
tolerated. But al the present day In the midst
OF the democratic spirit OF the age, there is Observ-
able In some circles OF society polished hauteur
and polite Tcserve-a sort OF 4" AON me tdpgere ~
manner, which discovers familiarity and seems 10
| say Thus far thou shall go, but no further"
Men meet downtown on equal terms. In business
and professional 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 nj the social board at par.
ties or in society. Whyf Because they are not IN the
same set :" their wives and daughters don't know
another. In some instances. clerks 90 IN better
society than the employers; because the one belong
10 Old families" while the other new peopeD
he old prejudice against " traders" which once
existed on the part of the propnetors Of the SOIL
has long since disappeared and the descendants u
the Towards and the GilmOrs, the CAROLS and the
ODonnells, the Lees and the Wilson's. have happily
married
The Maryland gentleman of the olden time was q
genial, jOyJa hearty, hOspltable feil"S His house
aIge, his cellar well stocked, his table abund-
antiy supplied with wiz fowl, fish and YenslOn
and he never WAS 80 happy az when his house
filled with guests, when wine was flowing. and good
cheer abOunded Genuine eplcures as the old Mary
auders were, II Is rather surprising That the delc
iOus diamOnd-back terrapln. which has attained q
ma iOnal anu International reputation, was unknown
as an article OF TODD unri the present century. The
equally famous canvas-Oa back duck was known and
appreciated at much earlier period On the side
board of every well appointed house might be
found, ut all times, decantcrs Of brandy, wine, gn,
and TASKS of cOrdials. Every morning the gncs5
served with "A Julep on awaklng, and every
night a " nip" of brandy and water was brought by
The negro servant. Inc liquors consumed by these
lOrdy Mary landers may be judged by the fact that
they were accustomed to order champagne Dy tho
oask, madeira by the pipe, and burgundy by the
dozens.
Ihe wealthy planters OF st. Mary's, Calvert, and
other tobacco growing counties, had their town
residence at Annapolis, the couruy capital OF the
province where they Wed III prOdlga eXpendl-
with the rich lawyers and Kings officers. Gam
Ing was almost universal a hOgsnead OF tobacco
d negro slave was often staked upon the turn OF
the Dice. horse-racng, fOX-huntlng and cock
lighting favOre sports out they were con-
Quoted III decoIous manner. The assembly balls
held, every fortnight, at Annapolis; aud they
very Wen attended. General ana Mrs. W ashiig-
ton being frequently present and taking part IN
the gayeIy. Inese assemblies were very exclusive.
Inc manners were stately and somewhat ceremon-
ious ana dress OF both ladies ana gentleman
rich and elegant Annapolis, 81 that lime, was IN
nabIted by a polIsheu ana renned people, who hyed
IN spendor. They were wealthy, weI-Dred ana
luXurOus. lie chief reading OF these old maryland
ers Ihe Spectator and Inc Cent? mans Magazine.
Literature not very much appreciated, and
literary men were unknown. The WIS OF the town
Inuulged III pOeJCal addresses TO faVOrte actresses
aud famous beauties. here Is a specimen:
Around her, the Graces play,
see Venus's wanton doves,
And IN her eyes peluold ray
Bee little laughing loves
Ye gods It's Cytherea's lace"
AnnapOg had It's social clubs long before Clubs
were known III Philadelphia and New-fOrk. The
society of the ancient city was very modIsh, and
foreign fashions regularly imported. An Eng
lIsh ira Weller who visited Maryland IN the middle
Of the last century, related his experience IN Inc
London Mdgd-iHe. " All over the colony an uni
versal hospitality reIgns-fuu tables and open
doors, the KIND salute and generous welcome
Alter the American Revolution, Annapolis lcst
It's ancient prestige, aud the growing Importance II
Baltimore as the commercial capital OF Mary land
drew to the young city on the PatapscO the wealth,
refinement aud elegance which had formerly made
Anna pOlIs the tluXur1Ous town IN America. Bal
Imore soon became famous IFS fast clipper ships
and carried the products OF Maryland To the most
distant lands, brought back rich silks from the
East wine from France, and pictures nom Italy.
he homes OF some of these merchant princes we're
adorned by master pieces OF art. All the early
mansions and they have come down rs herioons 20
their descend nts.
During the first quarter of the present century,
Baltimore possessed social attractions more ENJOY
abe perhaps, than those oil the present day.
Everybody knew every BODY else every gentle,
mem carriage was known the " cotton caIDDrlC
u. rites where all eXtraVagauce OF the toilet was
dispensed with, and which began early anu broke
no eaIiy, were ii we can believe the rev yencraDlo
Survivors, more uellgntiu than tie spleDdld parties
o, the present day, al the eXtfv aganccs VI
the toilet are INDUCED ill., ana winch began near
midnight aud end morning. nth the sun
and heavy toilets. the manners have also cbahSe1
he ceremOnIous fOrmalIty OF the last century nAs
lIyen place to a graceful ease. The stately dha
solemn mInuet passed away with the rLifs and OIo
cades; the lively and dashlng Racket 10 better
suited to the light aud lovely toilets ot the present
day.