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.
I am, Sir, your humble ſervant,