Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-07-02

the close of the congress is certainly
very amusing. In those days men were
much more formal with other men than
are we of today. To attend such a
meeting as was the American congress
the gentleman's valet conbed and drew
back the long hair, tied it with a bow of
ribbon to match the coat to be worn,
and covered it thickly with perfumed
powder; then helped to put on his masters
coat of silk or satin, often of brilliant
hue, and nearly always more or less en-
broidered, buckled on the always worn
rapier, handed him his laced hat and
called his coach. The low shoes orna-
mented with buckles, the silken hose,
the satin breeches fastened at the knee
with ornaments, generally like those
upon the shoes, of gold; the shirt and
neckcloth Of lawn profusely decorated
with costly laces, and the long satin
waistcoat cleaning with gold had been
donned before, and the gentleman Of
those "rude and simple" days was ready
to take his seat.
With all their fine garments and all
their fine manners even that band Of
heroes was composed of men. They
were willing to give their lives for their
country, but the livery stable flies were
too much for them They waved their
embroidered handkerchiefs, they stamp
ed, some even going so far as to assert
they swore: s'Slifel This is not to be
borner'' The powder flew, the kerchiefs
waved, the flies buzzed like bees in
swarming time. Jefferson lost his tenn
per over the prolonged debate and the
striking out of some Of his most cher
ished periods. Franklin alone remained
calm, and when the author of the Dec
laration would have interfered, brought
him to a laughing mood by his story Of
John Thompson, halter.
Thompson, said Franklin, being about
to move into much larger and finer
shop, had a new sign painted that glowed
with gold, brilliant pigments and lus-
trous varnish. Upon this sign there ap-
peared, besides the picture Of hat, the
inscription, ''John Thompson makes and
sells hats and caps for cash. So proud
was Thompson Of his sign that he asked
in the neighbors to view his new glories.
Every pretty" said one, ebut you don't
make hats for cash." ssWhat do your
customers care whether you make them
or not, so long as the goods suit their
tastel" "Get your people in first and
tempt them; don't drive them off with a
notice Of paying cash down." said a
third. So it went on, and as Thompson
agreed with the critics. all that was left
on the sign when it at length was placed
above the door was Thompson" and
the picture of the hat.
\ The changes in both costume and man
ners that took place during the next
quarter of a century-that is between
1776 and 1601-were remarkable, espec-
tally in America, but although Jefferson
was Of more democratic temper than
his predecessors in the Office of chief
magistrate, a somewhat absurd impress
sion has gotten abroad as to the simplic-
ity of his manners. Certainly such an
incident as the distinguished Governor
Morris, an intimate and highly esteemed
friend Of the president, winning a wine
supper by daring to say to Washington,
@My dear general, am glad to see you
looking SO well, and afterward declar-
ing that the look Washington had given
him was such that no human induce
ment could tempt him to take like
liberty again, could not have happened
under Jefferson; but Jefferson's cele-
brated ride ON horseback to his inaugura-
ton was the result Of an accident. He
had purchased coach and four for the
ceremony, but it did not arrive in time;
besides this, what man might do in
the capital as it was in that day-a raw,
struggling, unpaved village, resembling
backwoods clearing very differ
ent from what the same man would do
in Philadelphia, New York or Williams
burg.-E. J. Biddle in st. Louis Re
ptlblic.