The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-07

out by lottery systems. 'hu''".9 ""U
heen huilt. canals constructed, ana even
colonies established by legnllzed GOT
teries These had been considered ne
cossities in their times. No WONDER
,hcn that our ancestors had not been en-
tirely weaned from the examples set by
their most worthy progeniiors ana
here we take leave - say That the
standard OF morality and personal honor
at that day in the face Of the facts Just
recounied IL not quite 20 phlrisalcai,
was very far above that OF the present
time The word Of p gentleman WAS a.
Good As his bond, and his iire-ide was
shrine at which the yestals themselves
nirht hnd cOngcnial spirits.
The most cxacting ceremonial o. NE
household was At the dinner taole'
Everybody was expected 10 dress IN
some sort foe the occasion The faces OF
the children we're washed, their hair
reached up, while the old people pre-
nared 10 look their best. Eos the time
line cares of the day were thrown OH
and the latest gossip became as accept
able TO the ear ~ the sauces were 10 ,"V
palate. The strictest decorum pieNaiiei
during the progress of the chief meal OF
Inc day. The Old English custom oil put
ting everything on the table that was I'D
he served was then in vogue. Inc more
eleoant French STYLE of a succession O.
course, had not ben introduced lie
.oup wa. iirsi served, and then the other
dishes as taste might direct In me
meantime the children who were "lu
enough TO be at the table were ilu-h
table manners They had 10 sit bolt ui
"a as not 10 touch the back OF the enaii'
were told how 10 hold their knife ana
fork. and how 10 place them when they
had finished their dinner. They Wer'
TAUGHT never 10 ask twice Tor some ol
The same dish. or to eXpccta taste OF any
luxury until the Oluer people had been
helped Il was therefore a ralc thins
fhgt they got chance az ihe first green
meas or fried chicken of the season. oi
the first strawberries presented by Oh,
early spring. " these restrictions seem
harsh 10 Us, they AZ least brought ahou.
habits of decornm, self-deuia. and re-
spect for Others which are not hy any
means TOO common no the present day
Homemade beer and ale were quite
commonly used az dinner, but with those
who could afford IL. the best Madeira
wine was the most acceptable drink to
The gentlemen, and some variety of ma M
sey for the ladies. Ice was never put
into wine, nor was wine put into IL. II
was considered bad taste 10 make the
wine too cold, as il injured rs flavor
Hence the dccanters We're set In tlu
receptacle painted red inside ant green
outside and filed with water fresh from
the well or spiiug, and placed on The
door near the right side of the gentle
man 40 the foot of the table Al the
proper time he decauteI the Wine.
W. cannot stop To recount all the de-
tails OF visiting and returning visits,
the dressing on such occasions and The
lorna itios observed IL was a rare
thing for ladies TO nave more than one
silk dress. which also lasted long time
Nhcn evening parties were 10 be held
invitations by card enclosed in the small.
rst possible envelopes were used. These
we're often not more than TWO and a-hali
inches long and propOriionately narrow
and were sent out long enough before
The event TO enable the hostess 90 make
due preparation. There were no Pizzinis
in those days. Every pound of cake.
and almost every other delicacy served
on those occasions were made at home.
SO long tables were set Small cOruc
tables in the dining room held all the
necessary refreshments. except the ten,
coffee aud chocolate, which were handed
round 90 inc company.
People went early 90 these entertain
menls, and retired al a reasonable hour
and the OLD and young attended them
together Dancing parties were frequent .
the quadrilioand the reel being generally .
la use The waltz i'm ia varieties Was /
rarely INDUCED in, unless between +
brother aud sister, or some intimate /
friend of tho ladys; and even then was /
much less pronounced in its character /
istics than is modern type. Wedding T
parties were conducted very much In the I
same way, except that the s0lemnliy as .
we'll as the Joys OF the occasion had their .
effects upon the manners and demeanor +
or .he guests lhoy never took place IN +
church, being considered too sacred 90
Be made public spectacle. The maj
ried couple quietly remained al
home, the occasion being celebrated 10y /
round OF dinner parties ana evening en-
teriainments PRESENTS were never re-
ceiycd by the bride from any other than F.
the groom, the parents, or from some /
very near relative The drawing room .
on these occasions was lit by multltud- +
of WAX and spormiceti candles. nXed in /
frames over tue dOOls, and adorned with I
flowers During the ceremony The mem
beers Of the family were appropriately ar
ranged ON either side Of the happy pair,
wnilo ia the background were grouped
the older and more privileged OF the
servants; aud it was not an uncommon
thing 10 see the aged nurse OF the bride
I'm close attendance upon her, whose
mother she had also nursed In her
younger days.
Later in the evening after the sup
per was over and the dance had \
declined, came the time for cutting the
brides cake, tho hndiug of the ring, and
the parcoling out OF pieces 10 the
groOmsmen Dy their bridesmaids 10
dream upon In the meantime tOasts
had been drunk. amid compliments and
congratulations the older people be-
coming weary Of wine and talk mad re-
tired, aud soon tie doors of the hosp-
table mansion were closed upon the last
OF the departing guests
Funsral services were never held al
churches When person in good
society died, printed invitations, tn
closed In large envelopes, deeply Dor
desed with black, were sent round 10 the
families and acquainiances 10 attend the
funeral at the late home of the deceased
Al tho appointed hour The burial rarely
took place in a less time than tho third
day. In the meantime the corpse re-
NAMED In the death chamber ucul the
time came for removing Ii to the draw
ing room. The friends took
leave Of il before this was done. and
in no case were the features ex
pos d to public gaze after that painful
Trial had been endured Collins werr
e.. 4