Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1913-11-21
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Gradually, as the free air and broadmnded-
ness of this cline began to leayen the witch
burning doganas Of the Pilgrims. the Wasting of
the day was tempered by moderate feasting.
People ceased partaking in solemn silence OF
meal just about the same as that served on 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 elaborate preparations
and what the collegebred young man OF the
household today would term "a bigger feed
1t would not be correct to dine In everyday
clothes when guests were present, elaborate
costuming came into vogue for the occasion.
Many guests came from a long distance-madens
sitting demurely behind men riders on horse
back, or else in clumsy old road-coaches 1t was
not hospitable to suggest that these return the
same day So started the country house party
which still hourshes wherever there is hos
tess, house in the country and a fireplace.
For weeks beforehand preparations for the
great day went on Especially at a place like
Mount Vernon did Thanksgiving almost outweigh
Christmas in culinary importance-whch was as
1t should be since the host of Mount Vernon
signed the first official proclamation making
Thanksgiving a holiday. And always the turkey
has been its emblem-just as the eagle is of
freedom. Like the Indian it is typically Ameri-
can
OF course with such tempting turkey,
roast pig. home-cured hams and mince and
pumpkin pies-to say nothing of imported plum
notwithstanding rapidly took the place of absti-
hence. And 1t Is remarkable that amid all the
changes of this vast country during the past
123 years that menu has remained practically
changed. Everywhere in America on this
Thanksgiving day-save In the homes of the
poor and the timionaire--turkey ard cram
berry sauce will have places of Importance and
be served from the table. The high cost of iv-
ing debars the city poor from much turkey and
the ultra-rich have long since determined that a
few thin ungravied slices of white meat are suffi-
cient to introduce amid the various cosmopolitan
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, or
the chatelaine of Virginia estate There was
only one proper place for the huge golden
brown, savory and beautiful turkey-and that
the exact middle of whatever end of the
table was designated head" No courses an.
noyed the guests and irritated eager juveniles
The dinner services had to be extensive and
complete Dinner was served at midday and
began with SOUP taken from an immense
toureen placed before ths hostess She ladled
1t out into soup plates whose depth would
astound 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 were these of thickness meant to en-.
cure rather than charm the eye. Gazing upon a
collection of them now at the National Museum
at Washington one marves 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 long gone period, bringing very
near to the visitor the era of genuine hospi.
tally.
In those revolutionary Thanksgiyings there
was no time to hastily wash certain dishes and
use them over again. Everything had TO be
where it was in evidence all the time And one