The sun., 1890-09-14
".

This was tho period when the so-called
blue laws" were most vigorously enforced.
not only in Connecticut, with which tradition
associates them. but In Massachusetts,. In the
former colony no food or lodging could be
given to o Quaker, Adamite, or other heretic.
No one could run on the Sabbath day or walk
In his garden or elsewhere. except reverently
to and from meeting. No one could travel.
cook victusls make beds, sweep house. cut
hair or shave on the Sabbath day. No woman
could kiss her child on Sabbath or fasting day.
Whoever brought cards into the colony paid
fine OF f5 No one could read the Book OF Com
mon Prayer. keen Christmas or Saints days,
make minced pies. dance play cards. or play
on any instrument OF music. except the trum-
pet. drum, and jewsharp. Liquor drinking was
regulated, and the use OF tobacco was tinkered
necessarily. No one under 81 years nor any one
not previously accustomed to 1t could take to-
bacco without q physician's certificate. No
one could take It publicly in the street or
in the fields or woods, except on journey Of
at least ten miles. Nor could any one take 1t
in any house In his own town with moro than
one other person taking 1t at the same time.
This last Injunction was levelled at the
so-caled tobacco parliamentary About
1645 the Massachusetts, magistrates were
greatly troubled that the people would tell
lies. The General Court had already pro-
hlbited gaming. and now added bowling and
the Switchboard to other prohibited amuse-
ments. Plymouth Colony prosecuted for mix
ed dancing. and Massachusetts forbade 1t in
ordinsries at weddings. In 1850 domestic
manners needed refining In the colonies as
we'll as In the mother country. The Massa-
chusetts General Court forbade husbands to
strike wives: neither was the helpmste to lift
her hand against the would-be master OF her
person. Still more anxious and assiduous
were the efforts to regulate dress. which In the
view Of colonial magistrates was meant not
only to cover and protect people. but to classify
them. But the sober costume In which New
England men and women were ordered
to appear constantly tended to break out In
extravaganza OF texture. form. or color. The
doublet was common to both sexes. Gentle
men wore 1t over Q sleeved waistcoat, some
thing like our JACKIE. Tho sleeves were often
Blsshed and embroidered. though such orna-
mentston was forbidden By statute. Falling
bands at the neck were very common, and
sometimes they were embroidered. A deep
linen collar sometimes served In place Of the
bands Trunk hose were worn and long stock
inRs, with shoes tied or ornamented with
rosettes. A beaver or felt hat covered the
head. Embroidered gloves were almost essen
tial to handsome dress: gentlemen wore
Heunuo'o' tno "LisL hSps HcnIy HBureo VI
frinEed. Swords were often suspended from
elaborate shoulder belts. In spite OF reiterated
legal prohibitions, gold and silver lace was
often seen. But the great majority dressed
plainly. Any ono Of less estate than two hun
dred pounds was held to o strict account In the
matter of clothes The women under this
rank offended especially by wearing silk and
tiffany hoods: they also wore broad -brimmed
hats. Under the pointed stomacher and
gown the women wore petticoat either OF
woollen stun or OF rich SILK or brocade. accord
Ing to their station. The run had lately given
place to broad collar, plain or embroidered.
falling over the shoulders. Leather clothing
was much worn. by laborsrs especially. The
tanned deerskin which the Indians taught the
colonists to prepare served well for garments.
Hampshire kerseys were used for common
wear. Monmouth CAPS and red Kent caps are
mentioned among the articles used by the
lower classes. A mandilion. or overjacket.
was fastened with hooks and eyes. Their shoes.
had wooden heels. The so-called Irish stock
ings OF the period were. apparently. not knit,
but made OF cloth. Bright hueS were not ap-
proved oil In any social class When merchants
ordered cloth from their London correspond
ents they we're careful TO specify "sad-colored
stufis'"
Peccadilloes occupied q large part OF the
time OF selectmen and County Courts. In l649
Reading fined three married women five shil-
linGs each for scoldinG. This was common
offence according to judicial records. One
Matthew Stanley was fined Go for winning the
affections OF John Tarboxs daughter without
her parents consent Connecticut. In 1886.
would not allow any young unmarried man to
keep house but Windsor In 1851 permitted