The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6: Literary Curiosities | Page 9

winter, and as the
season grows warmer I gradually conform my Covering to it. As to the
Passions, Sir, I need not tell you that when indulged, they injure the
Health; that a calm, quiet self-possession, and a moderation in our
Expectations and Pursuits, contribute much to our Health, as well as
our happiness, and that Anxiety is injurious to both.
I had a good Set of Teeth, but they failed me gradually, without Pain,
so that by 80 I lost them all.
Thus, Sir, you have, blundering and imperfect as it is, an answer to
your Requests, with my best wishes that it may be of any service to the
Purpose for which it was made--But must rely upon it that Nothing I
have written be made public in my Name.[B] Wishing you long Life
and many happy Days,
I am Yours, &c. E.A. HOLYOKE.
P.S. I forgot to speak of my repose. When I began the practice of
Physick, I was so often call'd up soon after retiring to Rest, that I found
it most convenient to sit to a late Hour, and thus acquired a Habit of
sitting up late, which necessarily occasioned my lying in bed to a late
Hour in the Morning--till 7 o'cl'k in Summer and 8 in Winter. My
Business was fatiguing and called for ample repose, and I have always
taken care to have a full proportion of Sleep, which I suppose has
contributed to my longevity.
Recollections & Memorandums of Past Events.
The first thing that I entirely remember was the funeral of Aunt Oulton,
which was on July 18, 1732.
The first Aurora Borealis I ever saw, the Northern or rather Northeast
Sky appeared suffused by a dark blood-red colored vapour, without any
variety of different colored rays. I have never since seen the like. This
was about the year 1734. Northern lights were then a novelty, and
excited great wonder and terror among the vulgar.

In 1737, Square Toed Shoes were going out of fashion; I believe few or
none were worn after 1737. Buckles instead of Shoe Strings began to
be used about the same time, but were not universal in the country
towns till 1740 or 1742. Very broad brim'd Hats were worn as early as I
remember. My father had a beaver whose Brims were at least 7 inches;
which when he left off, I remember I used to wear in the Garden, or in
a shower, by way of Umbrella. They were all cock'd triangularly. And
pulling them off by way of salutation was invariably the Fashion by all
who had any Breeding.
Boots were never worn except on horseback, or snowy or rainy weather.
They frequently had large broad Tops that reach'd full half way up the
Thigh. But Boots did not come into general use till the close of the
revolutionary war.
Funerals were extravagantly expensive. Gold Rings to each of the
Bearers, the Minister, the Physician, &c., were frequently given when
the family could but ill afford it. White gloves in abundance, burnt
wine to the company, &c., &c. This extravagance occasioned the
enacting sumptuary laws, which though they check'd did not entirely
suppress the complaints till the commencement of the revolutionary
war.
In 1749, it was reported the train band list of the town of Marblehead
was equal to that of the town of Salem. The difference is now very
great. I suppose Salem has at least twice the number of Marblehead.
[1749.][C] The Houses (in Salem) were generally very ordinary. The
first handsome house was built by Mr. Jno. Turner, then Col. Pickman,
then Mr. J. Cabot, &c.
There was but one ropewalk, and that was on the neck, inside the gate.
But one tavern of any note, and that was an old house at the corner now
occupied by Stearns' brick store. The Houses for public worship were
only the old (first) church--the eastern parish--the secession from the
first church--the Friends' meeting house, and the Episcopal church.
The number of Inhabitants was estimated at between 5 and 6000.

The Commerce of this town was chiefly with Spain and Portugal and
the West Indies, especially with St. Eustatia. The Cod fishery was
carried on with success and advantage. The Schooners were employed
on the fishing banks in the summer, and in the autumn were laden with
Fish, Rum, Molasses, and the produce of the country, and sent to
Virginia and Maryland, and there spent the winter retailing their
cargoes, and in return brought Corn and Wheat and Tobacco. This
Virginia voyage was seldom very profitable, but as it served to keep the
crews together, it was continued till more advantageous employment
offered.
There were a few Chaises kept by gentlemen for their own use, but it
was no easy matter to hire