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WILLIAM SCOTT,
At the Sign of the SPINNING
WHEEL,
In MARLBOROUGH·STREET,
(_Resolving to quit Trade in the Fall_)
WILL sell all his
GOODS on hand at
the STERLING COST and
CHARGES. Among which are,
Some elegant _Mersailles_ Bed-Quilts, _Mersailles_
Quilting in pieces, Irish Linens, Gauzes,
Shawls and Lustrings of a superiour quality, &c, &c.
A large quantity of silk Gloves, Mitts and Fans
--> _CASH for POT-ASHES._
* * * * *
THE following very curious notice in the "Massachusetts Centinel" in
reference to funerals shows what had been customary upon such occasions;
the object of these "wholesome regulations" seemed to be to induce
economy. Gloves and rings were given to mourners in Salem to within the
last fifty or sixty years, and wines or liquors were also furnished.
_TAKE NOTICE._
AN economical plan of mourning was adopted, before the
Revolution, and its salutary effects have been experienced
by almost every family in this town; since which those
wholesome regulations have been passed into a law:
Notwithstanding which, it has lately been broken in upon in
several instances.--The _Inspectors of the Police_--that no
one may hereafter plead ignorance, have caused the law
respecting the same to be published, and give notice, that
any future breach of it, will be prosecuted without any
favour or affection. _Boston, April 30, 1788._
* * * * *
_To prevent excess and vain expense, in Mourning, &c._
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, That in future no scarfs, gloves or
rings shall be given at any funeral in this town, nor shall
any wine, rum, or other spirituous liquor, be allowed or
given at, or immediately before or after, any funeral in
this town, under pain that the person or persons giving,
allowing or ordering the same shall respectively forfeit and
pay the sum of _twenty shillings_ for each offence.
_And it is further ordered_, That whatever male person shall
appear or walk in the procession of any funeral in this town
with any new mourning or new black or other new mourning
coat or waistcoat, or with any other new black apparel, save
and except a black crape around one arm, or shall afterwards
on account of the decease of any relation, or other person
or persons, put on and wear any other mourning than such
piece of black crape around one arm, shall forfeit and pay
the sum of _twenty shillings_ for every day he shall put on
and wear or appear in the same.
AND no female, of whatsoever degree, shall put on, wear or
appear at any funeral in this town, in any other mourning or
new black clothes whatever, other than a black hat or
bonnet, black gloves, black ribbons and a black fan, on pain
to forfeit and pay the sum of _twenty shillings_; and also
forfeit and pay a like sum of _twenty shillings_ for every
day she shall at any time at, or after such funeral, put on
wear or appear in such new black clothes, as or for
mourning, other than black hat, bonnet, black gloves, black
ribbons, and a black fan as aforesaid.
* * * * *
In 1790 the town of Salem published in the papers some regulations about
funerals; among the fees fixed were these:--
"For each Tolling of the Bell 8d."
"The sextons are desired to toll the Bells only four strokes
in a minute."
"The undertakers service in borrowing chairs, waiting upon
the Pall-holders and warning the Relations &c. to attend
8/."
"B. Daland and B. Brown are appointed by the Selectmen to
see that Free Passages in the streets are kept open." (This
was before carriages were used at funerals.)
* * * * *
Extracts from Mr. Colman's Agricultural Address.
MANUFACTORIES AND THE SPINNING
WHEEL.
"The establishment of extensive manufactories, and the
introduction of power-looms and spinning-jennies, has nearly
destroyed the usual household manufactures, and put our
other Jennies out of employment. Our ears are seldom greeted
now a days in the farmer's cottage with the flying of the
shuttle, or the deep base of the spinning wheel. We confess
that we have looked upon their departure with a strong
feeling of regret; and deem it no small abatement of the
advantages, which the establishment of extensive
manufactures has obviously yielded to the country, that it
removes the daughter from the shelter and security of the
paternal roof, and places her in a situation, which
certainly furnishes no means of qualifying her for the
proper department of woman; to preside over our domestic
establishments; to perform her part in the joint labors of
the household; and to know how and when and where to use,
prepare, and to apply to the best advantage within doors,
the products of man's labor without doors. Many occupations
of female industry, strictly domestic however, of a healthy
and agreeable nature, are constantly presenting themselves,
so that there is little danger that the race of industrious
women, and accomplished wives, at least among the country
girls, will soon be extinct; and the silk culture, fast
gaining ground among us, promises to furnish an unexhausted
resource and a profitable employment of female labor."
_Salem Observer_, 1834.
* * * * *
In one of the numbers of the London "Spectator" for 1884 is an
interesting account of an attempt to revive the spinning-wheel industry
in England, through the kind offices of Mr. Albert Flemming, for the
purpose of helping poor women too old or blind to leave their homes for
other work. After considerable difficulty, a wheel was discovered among
a store of ancient articles; but no one at first knew how to use it.
Spinning was one of the lost arts, apparently. At length, however, an
old woman of eighty-four was found who understood the use of the wheel.
She taught Mr. Flemming how to spin. A few more old wheels were found,
and some new ones constructed. Then it was some time before a loom could
be discovered. Eventually this was accomplished, and the art of weaving
taught. The account says that twenty women who were unable otherwise to
obtain a living, are now busily at work, happy in being able to provide
for their families. They make, it may be added, a good strong, honest
linen, specimens of which have been presented to Mr. Ruskin. This
account is substantially from the "Living Age," Nov. 1, 1884.
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University Press: John Wilson & Son, Cambridge.
Transcriber's notes:
These are mainly excerpts from Newspapers. Original spelling was
not corrected.
Text version
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