The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-26
Maryland in Recent Literature.
For The WIFI

!
1t is always gratifying to II Marylander, and
more especially. perhaps, if he be non-resi-
dent, to observe the treatment of his native
state in current literature.
My eye has fallen quite recently upon two
instances of this kind, to which, if they have
not already noticed them, wish to direct the
attention of your readers. | cannot, of course,
in the space allotted to me. make al extended
reference
| The first article to which have referred is
to be found in the December number of the
Century Magazine. and is entitled .'Old Mary
land Homes and Ways" II has number of
fine Illustrations showing the manners, cos
toms, costumes, amusements and people of
the earlier times. Starting from the begin
ming OF the settlement, it runs in IL light and
sketchy way through the Colonial period to
the close of the revolutionary war. Not few
of the most notable estates and ilustrous
families are passed in review, and such names
as Lloyd, Calvert, Bordlcy. GoIdsborough,
Duany Ridgely, Carroll and others. who
have figured prominently in the annals of
Maryland, adorn the pages of the magazine
Interesting descriptions are presented Of
the famous immortal mansions peculiar to
the State which have become historical
among them the "Wye House." which invites
the wayiarer to-day in the name of eight
generations of Maryland worthless who have
kept house there since Edward Lloyd. the
Puritan, in 1868 seS up his son Philemon to
be lord of the manor of WE"
These spacious and elegant homes were
the scenes of luxurious entertainment. and
the gay interchange of civilitics and courtes-
les, while dinners and dances, fox hunting
and horse racing Were the order Of the day
Some of these ancient domicilcs were the
centres of romantic and gallant adventures,
which would make fine material for the
pages of fiction.
"Comcly danes dozed in their rocking
chairs, and young lovers cooed in the shade
of the vine, while the tall clock in the hall
licked with the conscious dignity of leisure.
and the sideboard in the dining room winkcd
and blinked with all its cut glass decanters"
Ii is Interesting to Obs, rye that the inter
course between these homes was so largely
carried on by means of the waterways, bays
and rivers being utilized by boats of various
description. Ruadways We're in bad condi-
tou and were much used for riding on horse
back a good PAGER being favoritc method
of personal transportation. Coaches tor the
richer gentry were not, of course. unknown
in the period covered by the chroniclcr and
mention is made Of the long Journey made
in that way hy Gen. Washington when he
came from New York to Annapolis to attend
the grand ball at the close of the war. 1t
required thirteen days to accomplish what in
the present time can be done in as many
hours, with time to spare.
Famous horses victors of the turf. and
now long since under the turf-arc trotted
out as spectre steeds. which might almost
stir again the blood of DIR. Holmes to the
rhythm o! ''llow the Old Horse Won the
Bet" The modes and manners of the days
of slavery are recalled, strange funeral GUS
toms revived, with bill OF expense in one
instance, ending with liberal provision for
wine and rum, thus mingling the spirits
below and the spirits above. unless thcolog
cally both classes might be reckoned in the
same category; the status Of the Colonial
clergy is set forth in Il manner not wholly
crcdtable TO the cloth, who did not scruple
to keep a baptism waiting for a run with the
hounds or a dcath-bcd for II cockpit. We
hope. however. this s the exception and not
the rule. Cards and clubs music and literary
periodicals mingled with the social and intel
le"tual life Of tho times.
The Eastern Shore is not Jeff without its
tribute. The Ringgolds. of Kent. for more
for more than two hundred years conspicuous
among the county families of Maryland, dis
tnguished in roloniol history. and active in
the early commerce on the Chester. patriots
soldiers and councils. maintained with signal
pride and prodigality the social traditions of
the Eastern Shore
Maryland is given an honorable record as
to invention and progress. TO her credit is
placed the first naturalization laws, the first
American colonization society, the first pub
lie free schools, the first formidable system of
privateers, the first clipper ship, the first iron
steamship, the first regular line Of trans
atlantic steam service the first great railroad,
the first theater, the first Roman Catholic
with gas the first water company the first
college of dentristy,thc first daily newspaper,
the first use Of the telegraph by the press for
the transmission Of Il Presidents message,
the first manufacture of ribbons from Ameri-
can silk. the first monument to Washington,
and the first to Columbus the national an
them, and the first negro minstrel dan Rice)
But if we keep on in this way Maryland will
set up "A claim to be first in war, first in peace
and first in the hearts of her countrymen,
and so rob the immortal George of his proud
distinction.
The other article named at the beginning is
in the New York Independent, and reviews
a recent book on the Convent of the Vista
tion Of the Blessed Virgin by the daughter
Of Nathaniel Hawthorne and her husband.
The Convent is an ancient and famous one
located in Georgetown, which was formerly
a part of Maryland. The review discusses
several points raised in the book as to reliS-
ious liberty and early prosecutions in the
State. Here is sentence from tho reviewer
evidently in correction of Il statement in the
book, that will have familiar sound to Cecil