The Olden Time Series Volume II Part 9

We do not see much in the papers about spinning-wheels until after the War of the Revolution; then there seemed to be what may be called a revival of domestic industry. In 1786 the ladies of Hartford, Conn., formed an Economical a.s.sociation. They say that they are "fully sensible that our calamities are in a great measure occasioned by the luxury and extravagance of individuals, and are of opinion that it is a duty they owe their country as well as their families to retrench as far as possible all unnecessary expenses." Their articles of agreement were signed, on the 6th of November, 1786, by more than a hundred ladies belonging to the first families in the city. By these articles they engage "not to purchase for next six months any Gauze, Ribbons, Lace, Feathers, Beaver-Hats, Silks, Muslins, and Chintzes, except only for weddings and mourning;" also to "dress their persons in the plainest manner and encourage industry, frugality, and neatness, giving all due preference to the manufactures of their own country." To this they add that "when they receive visits and make entertainments, it will be their study to avoid unnecessary expense, especially on foreign articles." On June 17 of that year the President of Harvard College addressed a letter to the "Ma.s.sachusetts Gazette" which is interesting in this connection. This letter we copy to show how economy entered into everything, even a "liberal education." It will moreover be of interest because of the attempt made to regulate the students' dress.

UNIVERSITY IN CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 17, 1786.

_To the Publisher of the Ma.s.sachusetts_ Gazette.

EVERY proper attempt of the Governours of the University to lessen the expense of a liberal education must be grateful to the Publick, and meet with their hearty concurrence; the Members of the Community, therefore, in general, and the Parents and Guardians of the Students in particular, it is not doubted, will be well pleased with some late regulations, made by the Corporation and Overseers, to introduce economy in dress, and will readily perform their part, in carrying them into effect.

By ordering an uniform, the Governours of the Society have removed the temptation to that frequent change of apparel, which may have arisen from the liberty the Students have had, of chusing different colours, from time to time: And by entirely prohibiting silk (an unnecessary article in their clothing) a very considerable expense is prevented.

That the dress of the Students be neat and decent is highly proper; but that it should be very ornamental and expensive is ever needless, and oftentimes pernicious: Nor will any Student, who is solicitous to acquire knowledge, and sincerely disposed to improve his time to the best advantage, in obtaining such degrees of it, as may enable him to be extensively useful to the Community, feel a reluctance to economical inst.i.tutions respecting dress. He will not only esteem the ornaments of the mind of vastly higher importance than those of the body, but the general good will also constantly influence his conduct; and he will chearfully encourage every regulation, which tends to promote frugality.

The regulations referred to, I now transmit to you, which the Corporation and Overseers of the University request you to publish, for the information of all concerned.

I am, Sir, your humble servant,

JOSEPH WILLARD.

_At a Meeting of the_ CORPORATION, _&c._ JUNE 13, 1786.

WHEREAS the enjoining of an uniform colour, in the clothing of the Undergraduates, and prohibiting a certain species of materials, in their apparel, will have a great tendency to lessen the expense of dress (which, at present, const.i.tutes too large a proportion of the Collegiate charges) while, at the same time, the appearance will be more academical:

_Voted_, That it be recommended, that the Freshmen, who shall be admitted into the University the present year, before the end of the Summer Vacation, be provided with coats of blue-gray, being a mixture of deep blue and white wool, as nearly as may be, seven eighths of the blue, and one eighth of the white, or, if that cannot conveniently be obtained, of a dark blue colour,--and with waistcoats and breeches of the same colour, or of a straw colour.

That, when they shall procure clothes, afterwards, and while Undergraduates, their coats shall be of the colour first mentioned, and their waistcoats and breeches of the same colour, or of a straw colour.

That the Freshmen, who shall be admitted into the University in the year 1787, and afterwards, shall be provided with coats of the colour first mentioned, and with waistcoats and breeches as last mentioned, and shall continue provided with clothes of these specified colours while they remain Undergraduates.

That all, who shall hereafter be admitted, when they commence Sophimores, shall have the addition of frogs to the b.u.t.ton holes of their coats, the cuff of the sleeve to be plain.

That when they commence Junior Sophisters, their coats shall have the further addition of frogs on the b.u.t.ton-side,--continuing the plain cuff; and they shall also provide themselves with black gowns, having a close sleeve and slit cuff, to be made according to the direction of the Corporation.

That, when they commence Senior Sophisters, they shall have the further addition of b.u.t.tons and frogs to the cuff of their coat, and shall also have black gowns, with a wide sleeve,--the mode to be determined by the Corporation.

That when they are admitted to the Bachelor's degree, they shall appear in like gowns and clothes as are prescribed for the Senior Sophisters.

That the Seniors and Juniors shall wear their black gowns, on all publick occasions, and whenever they shall publickly declaim in the Chapel.

That no Undergraduate, to whom these injunctions may extend, be permitted to appear within the limits of the College, or town of Cambridge, in any other dress than is before described, unless he has on a night gown, or an outside garment be necessary over his coat.

That no part of the dress of the Undergraduates be made of silk;--and that it be recommended to them, to clothe themselves in home manufactures, as far as may be.

That these regulations be extended to all who shall hereafter be admitted into the University;--and that it be recommended to such as are already Members, to conform thereto, upon principles of economy, as far as may consist with their present supply of clothing.

UNIVERSITY _in Cambridge, June 12, 1786_.

CANDIDATES for their second degree, at the next Commencement, are notified, that it is expected that they give their attendance at the University by the 12th day of July; and if any should not attend by that time, they will not receive their degree this year, unless they give sufficient reasons for their absence.

They who desire admission into the University this year, are also notified, that the President and Tutors will attend the business of examination on Friday and Sat.u.r.day, the 21st and 22d of July.

JOSEPH WILLARD, President.

In 1788 the industry of the people of Providence, R.I., is set forth in the following notice, from the "Salem Mercury" of November 25:

AMERICAN MANUFACTURES.

A Providence paper informs, that the Carding and Spinning Machines used in England in manufacturing cotton stuffs, are introducing into that town by some publick spirited gentlemen--and that there are few families in that town which are not manufacturing some kind of cloth.

It appears from the "Columbian Centinel," July 14, 1790, that the wealthy of that day had a fondness for foreign articles.

Complaint is very prolifick in all countries. In the United States we complain, that,

_Tho' rich at home, to foreign lands we stray, And trade for trinkets our best wealth away._

The following advertis.e.m.e.nt from the "Ma.s.sachusetts Centinel" recalls the time when cows were pastured on Boston Common.

STRAYED, on Sat.u.r.day last, from Boston Common, and belonging to JONATHAN AMORY, a young red COW, with some white on the back and belly, forehead white, small horns, with the tips off. Whoever will bring her to the owner will be rewarded.

_Boston, May 24, 1788._

People were expected to have long memories in old times, judging from the following notification in the "Boston Gazette" of 1760:--

WHEREAS on the 17th of January 1740-1, twenty-seven yards and an half of yard-wide sheeting linnen, and some smaller articles, was sold at Mr. _James Gordon's_ shop in _Boston_, and deliver'd to one capt. _Stevens_, as appears by said _Gordon's_ book; and thro' some mistake in keeping his books, said articles are charg'd to another of the same name. If therefore the said capt. _Stevens_, that really had said goods, or any of his family, or others, can give any light into the matter, it is desired they would acquaint the printers hereof, and they shall be generously recompenced for their trouble.

The "small pox" was very troublesome in Colonial times, as this announcement from the "Boston Gazette," Feb. 2, 1761, shows:--

Samuel Parkman hereby informs his Customers and others, That immediately on the breaking out of the Small-Pox in the back Part of his House in Union Street, he removed his Shop Goods to a Store on a Wharf that they may be safe from any Infection, and himself to the House of Mr. Joshua Winter Stationer--The Person who had the Distemper is perfectly recovered, and departed the House some Days ago, and the House thoroughly cleansed.

The following notice from the "Ma.s.sachusetts Gazette" reminds us of the time of open fire-places and blazing, cheerful wood-fires:

THE SELECTMEN would inform the Town, that they have _approbated_ a number of _Chimney-Sweepers_, who are furnished with badges agreeable to the By-Laws, and have stipulated to execute their business _faithfully_, at the following rates, viz.--For lower-room chimnies, _fourteen pence two fifths_, or _one pistareen_; and for _all_ chamber chimnies, _one s.h.i.+lling_ each--that all concerned may govern themselves accordingly.