Chapter 5

I. Southern Isolation and Hospitality--Progress through Wealth--Care-free Life of the South--Social Effect of Tobacco Raising--Historians' Opinions of the Social Life--Early Growth of Virginia Hospitality--John Hammond's Description in 1656--Effect of Cavalier Blood--Beverly's Description of Virginia Social Life--Foreign Opinions of Virginia Luxury and Culture.

II. Splendor in the Home--Pitman's Description of a Southern Mansion--Elegant Furnishings of the Time.

III. Social Activities--Evidence in Invitations--Eliza Pinckney's Opinion of Carolinians--Open-House--Washington's Hospitable Record--Art and Music in the South--A Reception to a Bride--Old-Time Refreshments--Informal Visiting--A Letter by Mrs. Washington--Social Effects of Slow Travel.

IV. New England Social Life--Social Influence of Public Opinion--Cautious Attitude Toward Pleasure--Social Origin of Yankee Inquisitiveness--Sewall's Records of Social Affairs--Pynchon's Records of a Century Later.

V. Funerals as Recreations--Grim Pleasure in Attending--Funeral Cards--Gifts of Gloves, Rings, and Scarfs--Absence of Depression--Records of Sewall's Attendance--Wane of Gift-Giving--A New Amsterdam Funeral.

VI. Trials and Executions--Puritan Itching for Morbid and Sensational--Frankness of Descriptions--Treatment of Condemned Criminals--The Public at Executions--Sewall's Description of an Execution--Coming of More Normal Entertainments--The Dancing Master Arrives.

VII. Special Social Days--Lecture Day--Prayers for the Afflicted--Fast Days--Scant Attention to Thanksgiving and Christmas--How Bradford Stopped Christmas Observation--Sewall's Records of Christmas--A Century Later.

VIII. Social Restrictions--Josselyn's Account of New England Restraints--Growing Laxity--Sarah Knight's Description--Severity in 1780--Laws Against Lodging Relatives of the Opposite Sex--What Could not be Done in 1650--Husking Parties and Other Community Efforts.

IX. Dutch Social Life--Its Pleasant Familiarity--Mrs. Grant's Description of Early New York--Normal Pleasures--Love of Flowers and Children--Love of Eating--Mrs. Grant's Record--Disregard for Religion--Mating the Children--Picnicking--Peculiar Customs at Dutch Funerals.

X. British Social Influences--Increase of Wealth--The Schuyler Home--Mingling of Gaiety and Economy--A Description in 1757--Foreign Astonishment at New York Display--Richness of Woman's Adornment--Card-Playing and Dancing--Gambling in Society.

XI. Causes of Display and Frivolity--Washington's Punctiliousness--Mrs. Washington's Dislike of Stateliness--Disgust of the Democratic--Senator Maclay's Description of a Dinner by Washington--Permanent Benefit of Washington's Formality--Elizabeth Southgate's Record of New York Pastimes.

XII. Society in Philadelphia--Social Welcome for the British--Early Instruction in Dancing--Formal Dancing Assemblies.

XIII. The Beauty of Philadelphia Women--Abigail Adams' Description--The Accomplished Mrs. Bingham--Introduction of Social Fads--Contrasts with New York Belles.

XIV. Social Functions--Lavish Use of Wealth at Philadelphia--Washington's Birthday--Martha Washington in Philadelphia--Domestic Ability of the Belles--Franklin and his Daughter--General Wayne's Statement about Philadelphia Gaiety.

XV. Theatrical Performances--Their Growth in Popularity--Washington's Liking for Them--Mrs. Adams' Description--First Performance in New York, Charleston, Williamsburg, Baltimore--Invading the Stage--Throwing Missiles.

XVI. Strange Customs in Louisiana--Passion for Pleasure--Influence of Creoles and Negroes--Habitat for Sailors and West Indian Ruffians--Reasons for Vice--Accounts by Berquin-Duvallon--Commonness of Concubinage--Alliott's Description--Reasons for Aversion to Marriage--Corruptness of Fathers and Sons--Drawing the Color Line--Race Prejudice at Balls--Fine Qualities of Louisiana White Women--Excess in Dress--Lack of Education--Berquin-Duvallon's Disgust--The Murder of Babes--General Conclusions.