The times., 1899-10-15
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huge central chimney Of New England houses,
there usually two broad and stately Chin
ncys, Ak each gable end. The Dutch front
door was almost always divided into an upper
and lower half, that when the lower half was
shut the upper half served the purposes Of an open
window. The upper half when shut, was usually
lighted with a large pair Of glass bulls eyes
Quaint knockers and spoon-shaped latches Of iron
or polished brass the outfit OF the door. The
spacious 'sioop lstoep or step) outside, with its
long SEATS e0zily facing each other, very
important adjunct TO the house. In summer time
i IN hlled the functions Of family sltting-room
and Tccepiion-room; neighborS gathered there and
talked politics and gossip amid the fragrance OF
In the intcricrs cf these Dutch houses the heavy
oak beams which supported the upper aoor often
projected below the ceiling Of the room under
meath, pleasing architectural feature In the
humber houses plain protecting board, known as
''chair rail. ran around the plaster walls about
three ieet above the floor but paneled wainscots
were not very uncommon and sometimes
wainsc0ting q tiles might be seen The Jamh OF
the enormous fireplace usually faced with
blue or pink tiles. upon which were often repre-
sented scenes from the Bible. In winter time
the freside played part similar TO that OF the
stoop in warm weather. The one in the dining
room was likely 10 be the place OF chief resort.
It's dancing flames lighted up the china and silver
IN the cupboard opposite. or the moons face on
the tall clock in the corner, and afforded enough
illumination for a game OF backgammon or
dominoes On the cherry dining table. though
many worthy Dutch families esteemed such divers
ions, even the noble chess, as fit only for ale
house parors. In general, as far as
concerned the homestead and its equipments, the
sisle OF living in Colonial New York was one OF
much comfort with little display.
The same could not be said, however, of
the manner in which the citizens dressed
Everyone knows the picturesque costumes
in which the burghers and their danes
were attired, and the dress stuffs of the
time betray in their curious names the
fact that New York was beginning to be
very near TO India. There were "chilloes,
beteiees, deribands, tapsiels, surbettees,
sannoes gilongs, mulmuls, and cushlash-
es,'' and heaven knows what they all
were, though the pretty maidens and wise
matrOns of cid New York could doubtless
select wisely from their gorgeous webs.
Less spaee-is devoted TO the Quaker colo
nies and the settlement of Pennsylvania,
though Mr.. Fiske makes one point which is
worth remembering in connection with the
relations OF these colonies with the Indians.
he states that the peaceful condition of
Penn's settlement for some fifty years after
its founding was due not altogether TO the
wisdom of its founder or to the mildness OF
Quaker rule over the Indians, although
both OF these had something TO do with IT.
But another factor in the situation had
more influence than either, and that was
the condition of Indian politics. The Len
ni-Lenape were not. like the Narragansetts
and Pequots, two powerful factions warning
with each other. and ready to persecute
anyone who sided with either faction. 1t
may also be added that they we're not set
on 10 make trouble by the Canadian
French, thing which undoubtedly hap
pened in the early history of New Eng
land more than once.
Mr.. Fiske deals az some length with the
various types of refugees who helped TO
make up the American people-the
Quakers, the Waldenses, the Hugue-
nots. the Pilgrims the Mennonites.
and other "eome-outers from every
part OF Europe. driven abroad by
the fanaticism of home governments.
The conclusion of the whole matter is that
IL is largely due to this type of immigrant
that this country has attained her present
position, and that the easy going tolerance
of the Dutch, and OF William Penn, who
was himself half a Dutchman, helped 70
encourage this influx of honest, independ-
ent, conscientious and fearless workers.
Boston: Houghton, Mifiin & Co. $4,000