The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-12-24
CUSTOMS OF THE C0LONISIS
PECULI1R MANNERS AND TAYS OF THE SEVENTH ENTH CENTURY.


 Chapter, ID. A. R., by Miss Mary Goodsen The Early Southern Planter-Dutch Games and Puritan Primness-Snatchcs
 ofAncient Poems,
 The following excellent paper was read before a meeting of the local chap ter of the D. A. R. in the Historical so- ciety rooms, Barnum Institute, Bridge port, on Monday, December 13, by Miss Mary Goodsell:
 The colonies along the Atlantic coast were classified in the following three groups: Southern, Middle and New England colonies; and the states of to- day still retain this classification. These three divisions, differing in eli mate, in soil, in the productions of the country-in fact, in almost every phy- sical condition differing in the charac- ter of the people that settled and built them up, would, as a natural conse- quence, differ in their manners and GUS toms after fifty or seventy-five years habftation here.
 Tn the south, therefore, there were few villages. "The plantations were strung along the streams, often miles apart, and separated by dense for ests." These latter were like little will Iages in themselves, for the planter had among his servants carpenters, plumbers and other tradesmen neces- sary to keep the plantation in good condition. Then he traded directly with England and the other foreign countries; for this reason 1t was that the plantations were nearly all situat- ed on the large streams so as to admit the trading vessels. These southern planters, resembling in dress, man. ners and political thought the English country gentlemen of their time, have been styled the Colonial Cavaliers" But the life of both men and women was exceedingly monotonous; the chief charge of the former being his planta tion and negroes and that of the latter the superintendence of her domestic affairs. There was keen sense Of hon. or among them and great pride Of an- cestry. Some glowing accounts Of life in these "baronial halls" with their great open firepIaces, rich furnishings imported from England, crowds of ne- gro lackeys, bounteous larders and a general air of crude splendor have come down to us in the journals Of re-Revolutionary trayelers. But the wealth of the large planters was more apparent than real. Their wasteful ag- ricultural and business methods fos- tered a speculative spirit; their habits were reckless, their tastes expensive and their hospitality ruinous; they were greatly steeped in debt and bank ruptcy was frequent.
 The middle colonies, which come next in order, include, besides Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, the one which has since become the most inn portant state in the Union-NeW York. New Netherland it was called during the years that the Dutch held posses sion. but when in 1864 it fell into the hands of the English the name was changed to the one it now bears.
 But even in 1700 the Dutch were stlll the largest land owners; they adhered to the old dress and customs with re- markable tenacity Their houses were usually of wood, with the second story oyerhanging; the great rafters showed in the ceiling; the windows were mere Ioonholes: the front door was divided into upper and lower half and over it. like transom, were set two round bulrs eyes of heavy greenish glass; often there was a knocker of brass or iron and as rule these doors opened with latch; the fireplaces were or namented with pictures tiles and above were rows of wooden and pew ter plates, Delft dishes, and even red earthen Portuguese ware' and racks of long tobacco pipes; the floors were daily scrubbed and sanded; and evil dences of neatness and thrift were dis tinguishing features. Among the fur nishings of these Dutch homes was a most peculiar bedstead. Built into the wall. it was scarcely more than a bench to hold the bedding. In appear ance it was like a cupboard, had doors which closed over 1t when unoccuDied and shut it from view. "Jan Peek. the founder of Peekskill, had four of these 'betstes' in his country home, as certainly were needed by g. man who had-so he said-'a house full of chil- dren and more besides.
 A curious holiday custom and cruel was that practiced by the Dutch on Shrove Tuesday-pulling the goose, it was called 'The thoroughly greased goose was hung between two poles, and the effort Of the sport was to catch. snatch away and hold fast the poor creature while passing at great speed" But this was prohibited in AL bany in 1677 under fine Of twenty five guilders.
 There was a most extraordinary ob servance Of St. Valentines day, or as among the Dutch it was called Vrou- wen dagh. Every young girl sallied forth in the morning armed with heavy cord with knotted end. She gave to every young man she met several smart lashes with the knotted cord. Perhaps these were 'love-taps, and given with no intent of stinging. This custom. as Sir Thomas Brown thinks, may be a commemorative survival of an event in the life of St. Valentine, that about the year 270 he was first beaten with heavy clubs and then be- headed"
 One more holiday custom deserves to be mentioned, as it was distinctively American custom, that of Pinkster day. PinIzster is derived from the Dutch word for Pentecost. Munsell gives the