_To be LET, and entered on immediately,_
THAT elegant, convenient, and most pleasantly situated
DWELLING-HOUSE, with a large Garden, and other Land about
it, (near his Excellency the Governour's) belonging to Mr.
COPLEY; well known to be completely accommodated for a
genteel family. Inquire of CHARLES PELHAM, (at the late
Dwelling-House of Mrs. PELHAM, at New-Boston) he being
impowered to let it.
_May 16, 1789._
_Massachusetts Centinel._
* * * * *
Antique luxuries.
WANTED, the following, viz. Fifteen Pair of WOOD DUCKS, Four
Pair of WILD GEESE, Three Pair of FLYING SQUIRRELS, Three
Dozen of the smallest Size Terrapeins or fresh Water
TURTLES, for which a good PRICE will be given, or for any
Part of them.----Enquire of the Printer.
_Essex Gazette_, Feb. 21, 1771.
* * * * *
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 Association. 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 "Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts_ 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 institutions 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.