The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-11-20
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Gradually, as the free air and broadminded-
ness of this cline began to leayen 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 same as that served on Sun
day-on which day of the week all early Thanks
giving used to be observed-and had few
friends or relations in to help give proper thanks
This necessitated more elaborate preparations
and what the college-bred 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, so elaborate
costuming came into vogue for the occasion
Many guests came from long distance-madens
sitting demurely behind men riders on horse
back or else in clumsy old rOad-ccaches Il was
not hospitable to suggest that these return the
same day. So started the country house party
which still fourishes wherever there is hos
tess a house in the country and fireplace
For weeks beforehand preparations fer the
great day went on. Especially at a place like
Mount Vernon did Thanksgiving almost outweigh
Christmas in culinary importance-whch was as,
it should be since the host of Mount Vernon
Thanksgiving a holiday. And always the turkey
has been its emblem-just the eagle is of
freedom. Like the Indian it is typcally Ameri-
Of course with such tempting menus as turkey,
roast pig. home-cured hams and mince and
Misunderstanding rapidly took the place of absti-
nence. And it Is remarkable that amid all the
changes Of this vast country during the past
1913 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 sauce 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-graved slices of white meat sui-
cient to introduce amid the various cosmopolitan
dishes of the meal
Back in revolutionary days no such thought
troubled the mistress CT the governors mansion
at Albany, TIE exclusive hostess of Boston
the chatelaine Of a Virginia estate. There
only one proper place for the huge golden
brown savcry and beautiful turkey-and that
the exact middle of whatever end of the
table designated head" No
noyed the guests and irritated 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 laded
1t out into soup plates, whose depth would
astound fastidious diner of today. All over the
broad eXpanse of white clCth were various dishes
and plates and cruets and receptacles for needed
seascnings
Nor were 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 marvels what magic of house
wifery skill ever prevented their breakage
Where is the bride Of yesterday who can point
today to an intact afterdinner coffee set-much
less that sufficient for a 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 of genuine hospi-
tally.
In those revolutionary THANKSGIVING there
was 10 time to hastily wash certain dishes and
use them again Everything had to be
where IT in evidence all the time. And one