The sun., 1890-09-14

Two generations later. in the early years Of
the eighteenth century. Mr.. wseden gets much
light upon New England manners from the Jour
nal Of Madam Knight and the diary OF Chief
Justice Samuel SewalL There are manV indi-
cations OF social advance from the state OF
things above described; there are moro OF the
conveniences and refnements OF life. But on
the whole tho conditions Of existence depicted
In those records are dull and primitive enough.
In 1704. whom Madam Sarah Knight made the
journey from Boston to New York, partly In
company with the post rider and partly under
conduct OF q private guide. she still had to
make her way along the old "Peduot path"
later the Kings highway or post road, through
Providence and the NarraRansett country by
the south shore. She was q keen observer, and
II is worth remembering that after her return
she opened school In Boston. whore among
other boys she taught Ben Franklin. On the
window pane OF her schoohouse. scratched
with diamond. oould be read for half o cens
tury the following lines:
Through many tolls and many friEh1
IhAvs returned, poor Sarah KniEhtA
over great rocks and many stones
God has preserved from fractured bonel
Madam Knight has recorded that In remote
districts and byways rude customs and inele-
giant speech prevailed. She was much offended
by the pertness OF the daughter OF her host at
the tavern whore she spent the first night on
the road. Law for mee." cried the country
lass. what in the world brings you here at
this time night2 ! never see woman on the
Rode 80 dreadful late in all tho days OF my
versall life. Who are You? Whore are You
GoinG2" 6c. The lady rebuked the girl for
her impudence, and at last was placed on o
chair, whereupon the young woman ran up
stairs and adorned herself with two or three
rings. the common ornament Madam Knight
also notes the ways Of people trading In
rural Connecticut As they were generally
indebted to the country traders. they
generally deferred much to them often stand
ing speechess in tho store until asked what
they wanted. An awkward fellow was shown
some ribbon for hat bands. "Bumpkin SIM
pers, cryes its conJounded Gay, Ipoto. and book
oning to the door. in comes Jano Tawdry. drop
ping about so curtsees, and stands by him:
hee shows her the Ribin. Lao vou. sails shee,
les right. Cent, do You take Il. Ills dreadful
pretty. Then she enquiries. have vou anv hood
silk, Iprdv? which, being brought and bought
Have you any TIRED silk to Il toithP sails shee.
which. being accommodated with. they de-
part" The traveller noticed that in Connectt-
cut people married very young. even the
males oftener under twenty than above"
singular custom was observed in this colony
by Madam Knight-the reverse Of stealing the
bride. Just before the pair Joined hands the
bridegroom would start away. whereupon the
"Bridosmen" would follow, seize him. and
drag him back to his post Of duty.
A much more detailed picture OF the man.
ners Of the time than is derivable from Madam
Knights ournal is furnished by Judge Sew
sll's diar!. but We will not reproduce any Of
the extracts made by Weeden. for the reason
that this invaluable record was reviewed at
some length In these columns whom 1t was first
published from the original manuscript some
years ago. NJ W. II.