Just as our ancestors did, as Macaulay says, in the days of Charles the First; they thought they were not as good as their ancestors had been. This habit of looking back to a time so remote that "distance lends enchantment to the view," seems to be almost universal. It is this feeling of reverence for the old that makes it so interesting to us, and leads us to look at things of the past poetically rather than practically; although it is true that sometimes the interest taken in inconvenient and uncomfortable articles arises rather from their age than from anything else. But oftentimes the very simplicity, solidity, and strength of old furniture, for instance, is charming, in contrast with the elaborate, unmeaning carvings and flimsy character of more modern productions. We are beginning to see how much more sensible the Chippendale and other styles commended by Eastlake and some other writers on household art are to much that has been produced in later times. Yet we must allow that prejudice and fashion go a great way in determining our likes and dislikes, in furniture as well as in dress and other things. Very likely in a few years we shall tire of the Queen Anne houses and furniture, and hard floors, and have a surfeit of Anglomania, especially if we carry the taste too far. In this country, as Emerson says, "Every rider drives too fast." It is hard to be simple and slow. We must build fast, eat fast, and live fast. But Emerson says again, "Nature has no respect for haste." Herbert Spencer has given us in a kindly spirit some hints on this score which it would be well to heed. But we are wandering from our immediate subject. Our desire is to illustrate, in the very words of the people of the period we refer to, the views they entertained of economy and industry, and how they carried them out. We will begin, then, in the year 1759, with a curious letter to the "Boston Gazette" of June 11 of that year, in which the writer gives some account of the cost of provisions at that period.
To the Trading and Farming People of New England.
Gentlemen.
I Have been coming and going among you ſince the Year 1745. I am now once more on Service in this Part of the World, and not a little ſurprized at the Alteration in the Value of your Proviſions, ſince my Knowledge of your Country. When I firſt came among you, I could have bought a Pound of Beef for a Penny, a Gooſe for a Shilling, a Fowl for three Pence, and ſo in Proportion. It now is, I think, four Pence Sterling for a Pound of Beef, eighteen Pence Sterling for a Fowl, and three Shillings for a Gooſe. Pray Gentlemen, when that is the Price at Boſton, what muſt we pay for it at Louisbourg, after it has gone thro' the Hands of many different People that are to live out of it. Our Pay is not increaſed.
I would ſay nothing to influence you to ſell cheaper, from Motives diſintereſted or publick ſpirited, as that weighs but little with the Generality of Mankind. But conſider your own Intereſt, the War can laſt but little longer: This Campaign, in all Probability, will put an End to it, then where will you find a Market for your Stock you raiſe. Conſider with the Fall of this preſent Summer, its pretty certain the Soldiers and Seamen at preſent employed for your Defence, will be called to Britain: Take the Market while it holds Gentlemen. We have Beef found us, that is to ſay, the Publick purchaſes it; let us now and then taſte of your Veal, Mutton and Fowls for our Money, and we will ſpend all among you; and we expect both Intereſt and Inclination will prompt you to give us an ample Supply.
I am your Friend, An ANTI-CANADIAN.
In the same paper is an auction advertisement, showing how they mixed the different kinds of property.
To be Sold by publick Vendue on Scarlet's Wharff, at the North End of Boſton, THIS AFTERNOON, at IV o'Clock, Sundry Hogſheads of Sugar, four likely Negro Men, and a Parcel of old Copper; Prize Goods lately brought into this Port.