The times., 1897-09-05

ing the day were all urged to partake.
Her dinners were usually given at O'Clock
in the afternoon, unless the occasion w as
specially formal, when the hour or was
chosen. Suppers, however, were as FREE
quenuy given as dinners, and the hour
for these was to O'Clock. These were
preferred by man Y, because they afforded
pleasant evening afterward. III the even
Ing Mistress Hancock SO far forgot her
Puritan training as To indulge in cards. and
as dancing was not considered criminal,
that, too, was enjoyed. The linel how
ever, was drawn at thearter-going. and
neither Dorothy Hancock nor the Hon
orafile John, Esq, ever crossed the thresh-
old OF the playhouse. As her husband
was very punciilious and insistent upon
all the details OF dress and the formaii-
ties OF the times, Dorothy Hancock was
compelled to give much attention TO her
personal appearance. though as she was
commonly known az d splendid BELLE"
perhaps this was no trial To her.
We have some graphic descriptions OF
the garbs OF the companies at her table,
the gorgeous and varied colored coats of
the Inen, the brilliant dresses of tAe la
dies, and above all of these, marvellous
dressings or the hair The Wings were
not 50 pronounced in this last particular
as the Tories, for the latter sometimes
wore them lone third higher than their
bodies
In spite OF his fine physique and courtly
bearing. John Hancock W as avery nervous,
overstrained, and irritable man. His great
ness none denied. his ability 10 please when
he exerted himself was well known, but he
was quick-spoken, decided and very tena-
cious OF his opinion. His bitter quarrel
with Samuel Adams well illustrates this.
| But his Wife soon learned just how to
| deal with HIM She was gentle, but won her
way by her very gentleness, and perhaps
| it was from her that many u modern
woman las learned no W 70 gain her own
| way, while apparently leading her hus-
| band al the time TO think that she is yield
| ing II every particular TO his wishes So il
| came to pass that men who wished TO gain
/ the favor of the President or Congress
| found ofteHtimes the best route was via
| Mistress Hancock, and many point was
gained ny the wife whom John Hancock
! loved with passionate devotion, and OF
| whom he was extremely proud, which the
| husband would never have granted OF his
| own free will.
In October, 17T7, John Hancock resigned
his position in Congress. Worn by anxiety.
| tie constant strain proved too heavy and
he iaid the burden down. His wife, how
ever, was delighted to be again IN the B0s-
ton home he house was on Beacon Hill,
Boston, and considered marvellous resi-
dence in its day. But King" Hancock was
| not permitted TO rest The -insufferable
piece OF bravery as on OF his compa triots
half ansrily dubbed him. wa elected to the
| Convention OF Massachusetts to aid in
forming constitution OF Massachusetts,
for it's government, and in 1880 he was
chosen the first governor. TWO years
later lie was re elected, and served, with
the exception OF one year, till his death
ON October s, 1893. So during ali these
years Mistress Hancock was compelled TO
be society leader, and we are told that
there were many stories current OF her
'uprightaess, good sense ana benevoIence.' -
John Hancogks death freed his wife
from the strain OF a public life, and il
her freedom the widow Hancock chose
to become the vile OF Capt Scott i
changed husband brought changed Ife
The formal dinners, the grand balls. tn,
public duties were largely gone and DorU
tiny Quincy Hancock-Soott seldom ventint,
| society Perhaps the seclusion was tieal
to her, although we read that whenevel
she die consent 70 grace the formal dinner
or grand receptions with her presence
she was received with great attention.
Her first husband was great, wealthy
strong and 4 public man. Her second hus
band was qaiet. domestic and had no great
name. Each loved Dorothy and was prout
| Of her fsRaufV and f,p-arfrtuy KFhs,l, AZ
she prefer She lived until she W as seventy
eight years old; her history does not recorC
that word ever passed her lips indicative
Of her preference. IL may be her answer
would have been both At any rate
her secret hes buried with her body, anc
none viii ever know