Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-11-20
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Gradually, the free air and broadminded-
ness of this cline began to leaven the witch
burning dOgmas of the Pilgrims the fasting of
the day was tempered by moderate feasting.
People ceased partaking in solemn silence of
meal just about the that served Sun
day-on which day of the week all early Thanks
giving used to be observed-and had a few
friends or relations in to help give proper thanks
This necessitated more elaborate preparations
and what the coegebred young OF the
household today would term "a bigger feed
1t would not be correct to dine in everyday
clothes when guests were present so elaborate
Costuming came into vogue for the occasion.
Many guests came from a long distance maidens
sitting demurely behind men riders on horse
back, or else in clumsy old rOad-coaChes. 1t was
not hospitabe to suggest that these return the
same day. So started the country house party
which still fourishes wherever there is hos
tess, house in the country and fireplace.
For weeks beforehand preparations for the
great day went Especially at a place like
Mount Vernon did Thanksgiving almost outweigh
Christmas in culinary mportance-whicn
it should be since the host Of Mount Vernon
signed the fist official proclamation making
Thanksgiving holiday And always the turkey
has been its emblem-just the eagle is of
freedom. Like the Indian it is typically Ameri-
OF course with such tempting menus as turkey.
roast pig. home-cured hams and mince and
pumpkin pies-to say nothing of imported plum
puUulnS-l6dStl0S rapidly TOOK the place OF dDSIl-
nence. And it is remarkable that amid all the
changes of this vast country during the past
l23 years that menu has remained practically
changed Everywhere in America on this
Thanksgiving day-save in the homes of the
poor and the Observation-Disclosures and
berry will have places of Importance and
be served from the, table. The high cost of liv
ing debars the city poor from much turkey and
the ultra-rich have long since determined that
few thin un-gravied slices of white meat sufi-
o}o jrtr amid
dishes of the meal
Back in revolutionary days no such thought
troubled the mistress of the governors mansion
at Albany, the exclusive hostess of Boston,
the chateleine Of Virginia estate. There was
only one proper place for the huge golden
brown. savory and beautiful turkey-and that
was the exact middle of whatever end of the
table was designated head" No courses an
noyed the guests and rritated eager juveniles.
The dinner services had to be extensive and
complete. Dinner served at midday and
began with a soup, taken from an immense
toureen placed before the hostess. She ladled
it out into soup plates, whose depth would
astound a fastidious diner of today. All over the
broad expanse of white cloth were various dishes
and plates and cruets and receptacles for needed
seasonings
Nor these OF thickness meant to en-
dure rather than charm the eye. Gazing upon a
collection Of them now at the National Museum
at Washington one marvels what magic of house
wifery skill ever prevented their breakage.
Where is the bride of yesterday who can point
today to an intact after-dinner coffee set-much
less that sufficient for dinner party? Yet these
are displayed in all the purity of outline and
quaintness of a long gone period, bringing very
near to the visitor the of genuine hospi-
taty.
In those revolutionary Thanksgivings there
was no time to hastily wash certain dishes and
them again. Everything had to be
where 1t was in evidence all the time. And