USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania in the olden time; being a collection of the memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 67
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FINAL APPENDIX OF THE YEAR 1856.
NOTES AND REFLECTIONS ON SOCIAL CHANGES AND PROGRESS IN GENERAL-
" Now other men and other manners reign.'
Since the publication of the preceding pages, fourteen years ago, (In 1842,) showing the State of Society in Olden time,-and consider- ing now, the wonderful changes continually passing upon men, and things in the course of " Progress," it seems to become a needful comment on the past, to bring up to the notice of the present entering generation, some of the leading changeful features of the present day,-i e " the Progress of Social life"-as said Daniel Webster, -" a history of our Firesides and the changes-from age to age of our homes."
We shall therefore aim to present to our readers-by way of contrast, such comparisons of the present and the past, as shall best exhibit the points, in which the measures of change and progress, have been most conspicuously manifested ;- and which are indeed, so strikingly wonderful, when told, as should,-if duly considered,- make us a wonder unto ourselves.
Without such an Expose, we cannot but believe, that, the mass of the people,-so familiar and cognisant in every-day things now,- could not realise the position from which they have been taken. They are but too prone to think, that the life that now is, is the life that has always been. In these matters, we might say with Sidney Smith, on a like occasion, -- " It is some importance at what period a man is born. A young man alive at this period, hardly knows to- what changes, and improvements of human life he has been intro- duced ;"-And with Macauley's recent history say, "We are to consider that the history of such a given past epoch, is no longer the history of the country, as we now see it."
Let as therefore to facts : Such as will be shown under the following heads to wit .
General remarks on our changes.
It is pleasing to see,-amidst such passing events, that there is a growing interest in preserving the Annals and Reminiscences of the past. The great changes of the present, compared with the past, adds to their picturesqueness ; and from this cause it is, that those who discard the use of all past modes and forms,-and who habitually supercede them by new things,-are nevertheless gratified in reading the record of their preservation in books. We have received many written notices of these facts from various correspondents,-and as
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a proof in point, we here extract from one such letter, received from the author of the History of Norwich, Connecticut ; - saying, " A new and fascinating department of literature is growing up amongst us, having for its basis, not merely bare facts and dates of our domestic history, genealogy and biography, but also, all that is instructive, beautiful and shadowy of the past ;- for 'posterity (as said John Q. Adams) delights in details ;'-such as your Annals have so vividly displayed-Truly, I sympathise with you, and every one, who like you, is engaged in reviving and keeping fresh the deeds and memorials of our forefathers."
What wonderful things do we now behold, " not before dreamt 01 in our philosophy !" Rail Roads and Cars-annihilating space -Telegraphic wires, conversing at unlimited distances-Steamers traversing every Sea-Steam-Engines and power adapted to all kinds of manufactures-Inventions of machinery (in the Patent office) to supercede almost every kind of former labor-Stereotyping everything on paper-Daguerreotypes cheapening the Iikenesses of every body. Chemical developments, for the supply of every thing required in the arts, and opening the arcana of nature to the use of all-ascertaining the elements of combinations in nature- and so seperating the parts, as to show new sources of power and profit-forecasting the fact, that in time, Water may be used as a Fire! In the mean time, the ingenuity and devices of Crime, be- coming more and more apparent-and compeling new efforts of counteraction from all those who regard the progress of Religion and Virtue, in the world. We see too, the great exaltation of the Anglo Saxon race, as a species destined to carry out civilization and christianity, to all the dark corners of the globe-The conquest of Mexico, by us-the opening trade of California and Oregon-the discovery of gold and quick Silver-the Commerce of the Pacific and the access there to China-the opening of a Rail Road across the Isthmus, and a great Rail Road across our Continent, all tend to open some grand developments of Providence, in the coming half Century-they who shall succeed us, shall behold still greater wonders !
The parade and success of Foreign Artistes, become more and more astounding-So much of our money contributed to their reward ! All kinds of new devices for making money-It is new to make public readings of Shakespeare, as introduced by Mrs. Fanny Kemble -Operas are now fostered-supplanting natural music-Immodest exposure of female limbs in dancing Polkas, and the like-our moth- ers and grand mothers, were too modest to behold such things-' Circuses, Menageries, and human Models (libidinous) find favour -- Riders and Beasts, multiply in all our cities &c.,
Our People are fast changing.
From being once a domestic, quiet people, content to rest in their fire- side comforts, and indoor society,-they are being all drawn abroad
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to seek for spectacles and public wonders ! Now there are puffing advertisements to draw them abroad every night and day in the week-and this is not all-the whole must be indulged at so much expense ;- One sees that it is working a serious evil ;- but who knows how to stay it! It is changing and corrupting society here, and is alluring from abroad all manner of foreign artistes-to batten on, and impose themselves upon our credulity, prodigality and habits of . display. The temptations to employ means for such occasions, is what must demoralize the mass. The aged among us, perceive and deplore these things,-but the young, who never saw our former golden age of moderation and virtue, feel that we are in their way- as a grave incumbrance, and earnestly wish us off the Stage! Posterity shall see and consider !
To all this add, the rivalship of grandeur in houses-expensive furniture-immense and luxurious hotels-elegance and costs of Passenger vessels-and Passenger Cars-costly carriages-costly dresses for ladies and jewelry .- Pride and not comfort give favour o immense hotels, as some think.
I should also say as evidences of our fast changing character- That the whole aspect of society as I now see it, is different from what I saw it everywhere in my earlier life. All is now self-exalted and going upon stilts. It all comes from foreign influence-our addictedness to imitate what is foreign and modish. The big Cities on the Sea board, set the pattern and example-and the inland Towns follow. No wonder we are thus enslaved to foreign views, when we consider, the propensity of our big Cities to arrogate to themselves, the right to dictate and controul,-Take for instance the practice of New York, as " The Empire City and State"-and consider now the appalling fact that the late City census there, gives nearly the half of the whole City population, as foreigners !- How can such a state of Society claim to be an American City !- Say 237,000 foreigners-against 278,000 Americans !--
There is another remark on this subject-Every one as old as my- self, sees and notices, the general clatter from crowds of people and confusion now along the streets-no room now to turn or look about -once it was peaceful-pleasant and safe to walk the streets,- now tall houses, are crowded with numerous working tenants-for- merly, they were in smaller houses and in bye places .- 'Tis terrible now to sicken and die at crowded streets, where the rattle of omnibuses is unceasing.
We have become an excitable people.
One cannot but notice the great change in this matter, that has come over us as a people-we are wholly different now, from what we were half a century ago. The noticed changes have been grow- ing upon us ever since the introduction by the Press of " every day's report of wrongs and outrage"-The readers of the daily Press
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usually look first to Police reports, at home and abroad, for something strange, revolting or wonderful-Even quite aged persons, so seek for something new, or exciting-and if nothing, or nearly so, is pre- sented in that department, they regard the papers as " dull or uninteresting." It is not a healthy condition of the mind, we are sure :- And much it needs some remedy .- At present it manifestly "grows on what it feeds-"It is a failing which is perpetually stimulated, by individuals, and by cliques, and parties, for selfish aims and purposes-Advertisers, and sundry Monopolists, work the machinery with striking effect. Americans are being " puffed" out of their common sense. One feels vexed and jaded to see how the people are managed and jilted out of their money, " at auction prices," for Jenny Lind, and her vocal wonders ! To sell choice seats, (if such there are,) at auction, might pass, but to sell "Prome nade tickets," where all must stand, and all on common ground, has no reason for an advanced price ; and especially to sell all such tickets, to one or two Speculators, who may again raise them at their pleasure, on the people ! If the people would only combine, by Town meeting, and buy no such tickets, it would be but a just rebuke. But where is the Press, that would allow such a suggestion to appear in their columns, while the advertisers pay so well for " puffs" of a counter character-and having at one concert, " seventy free seats, for the gentlemen of the Press." The Press is, indeed, a mighty engine for Weal or Woe!
Our anti-social character.
We can perceive that we are fast growing into this characteristic. -There is scarcely any thing now, as it once was-It is mainly produced by the vanity of doing all things upon a great and grand scale. If it is by travelling vehicles, the people must go by hundreds where they can only stare at, and scan each other without speaking -When located at places, it must be in big Hotels and Palaces,- where all must keep aloof, and look askance at each other. Look at houses like Astor's Girard's, Tremont's-They only serve til. they can be surpassed by others, still greater. Think of the Cape May Mansion house, the Mount Vernon-There people were expected to give up all things like home and quiet, and to congregate into masses of three thousand at a house-wheu ! People going under pretence of seeking health and the free breath of Heaven and its glorious sea air, to breathe in the surroundings of perpetual cookings -and the discharged atmosphere of three thousand lungs, in little bed-chambers.
One house presents at Table, one Salmon from Boston, at a cost of 41 dollars and puts it in the paper ! My countrymen pay for all this unblessed extravagance. Are we not scandalized by all such apings of Royal magnificence, and prodigality, as avowed equalizers-of Republicanism ? Would the vain of expensive
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renown, instead of congregating in Palace Hotels, think of the numerous boarding houses, of many suffering widows,as in former times, how different would be their reward ?
Changes of houses.
At this time, I am called to the consideration of the fact, that Philadelphia, (like New York,) is now taking quite a changed aspect in its buildings .- The former good houses, are so fast, passing away, along the several principal streets, and are so numerously supplied by new, and taller structures, of another style ; as to very visibly efface the appearance of what before was .- To my eye, the whole aspect is changing .- It is indeed, already, another City -. 1 city building on the top of the former ! All the houses now, above three stories-present an elevation so manifest, as to displease the eye ;- and particularly, where several, go up so exalted, as to break the former line of equality, and beauty .- Even such edifices, lately constructed, asthe Banks of North America, Philadelphia and Western Bank, are struck down by the still later, towering business houses and hotels, &c., near them .- The next generation, will see nothing of Philadelphia as I saw it, generally, in the year 1800, and subse- quently. Another remark, belonging to this subject is,-that young married people, and without family, must have their houses as large, or even larger, than their parents had, when full of children ! All go now on stilts !
Nothing so much attracts the notice of Europeans, visiting our country, as the general newness and freshness of the architecture of all our cities, and towns .- All seem to them new in aspect, and bright and gleaming. Indeed our own passion for change-" to pull down and build greater"-seems likely to preserve nothing which now might be called, old and venerable ;- The rust of antiquity, so much embodied in foreign literature, is not a thing that is, with us. We must add years to our progress, before we begin to environ our localities with poetry and tale. Improvement is our motto now !
Our great cities.
Our great cities, are fast realising the characteristics of " great deserts." This fact is imposed upon our notice continually,-For- merly, the greatest houses among us, intimated families of superior grade ; and all who dwelt in such, were deemed as exempt from the care and bustling strife of business .- They were, essentially genteel, by education, affluence, and long-standing family consideration ;- Now we see far more expensive and showy edifices, the result of fortunate persuits-The inmates aim at more show and grandeur. One sees readily, how they aim to surpass and eclipse each other .- In the meantime, store-keepers are everywhere, buying up and driving out the long planted respectable residences-leaving no
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place for retired, quiet grandeur :-- but turning the whole city into a great city mart of trade,-bustle, display and rivalship .- They seem to push out and exclude from cities, any really dignified residences, for really dignified aristocracy-These in time, will have to contrive country homes, of centralized localities, where trade and its sequences may not annoy them, or invade their own desired exclusiveness,-Who shall see this ?
Change of market supplies &c
Philadelphia-once so famous for its abundance. cneapness and excellence of marketing, is wonderfully changed,-Formerly, every one going to market, could have his choice of all manner of poultry -country meats and butter &c., not so now-The hucksters now, go far into the country and buy up all manner of supplies. Country men are agreed to this trafic-at less prices, because of the increased difficulty of getting their wagons and horses, in proper places for safety, and care in the city. The success of great hotels and eating houses now ingross the first and best supplies in market-and speculators go there and buy largely for New York markets, to send on by railroads &c.,-Formerly, none but real country farmers sold their productions in our markets,-now the stalls are very much held by hucksters. Many now go into the country, and buy up the whole productions of farms-others buy up by contract, all their butter, milk, potatoes-poultry, calves, &c.,-House-keepers feel perniciously this great change for worse !
Extravagance of living and prices.
There is much to interest the philosophic mind-fond of unriddling the characteristics of our nature,-in looking into the actions of men-To consider the why and wherefore, of so many becoming the willing victims of imposition, practised upon vanity. See how readily, men go to highest charges-for table-diet-for board-for carriages-display for clothing-for show and display in everything.
See at watering places, how readily they submit to be spunged in everything-how reckless they affect to be to cost .- Think how readily they submit to exalted prices for alleged Champaigne, made of Cider of Wines adorned with blue strings, and gilded labels,- and sold at four prices as forty years old-So too of Brandies, made of our whiskey, and marked Bordeaux Vintage of 1830-And finally of Alleghany whiskey, selling by wholesale, at thirty-five to forty cents-marked very old and very good, at two to three dollars a gallon-How those who profit by the imposition, must laugh in their sleeve, to see the success of their craft upon the credulity and vanity, of those who live for show. Some lookers on, see and know these things. While such submissives to practised frauds, spoil and enhance the price of everything " to everybody !" As some confirm-
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ation to the preceding, we here annex an article from the " Pennsylvania Inquirer," of the thirtieth of June, 1855.
" There is another form of extravagance to which public attention ought to be directed, for which the ladies are not so much responsible. It is seen in the present style of our public steamboats and hotels. It is neither necessary nor expedient for any of the substantial pur- poses of the travelling community, that our steamboats should be floating palaces, and that every person who dines at a hotel, should be made to pay for a sumptuous feast, involving all attainable luxuries, whether he wishes them or not. It would be of great public advantage, if our hotels should adopt the European plan of furnishing only what should be specially ordered. There is a mani- fest absurdity, as all will grant, in making every person who dines at a public table pay for wine which he does not use ; but no greater than in making every guest pay the cost of a sumptuous meal, while he partakes only of the plainest dishes, and desires no other,
"Another evil of this system is, that at these public tables, the example of luxury and extravagance, is set which promotes the same in private life. This is one of the many forms in which habits of luxury are gaining upon our people, and from which we must be reformed, or be ruined. The innocent in such a case suffer with the guilty. If the extravagant only beggared themselves, the evil were less to be deplored. But their habits are the source of those great commercial disasters which press most heavily upon the poor, who are thus thrown out of employment, and cut off from the means of earning their bread. Such extravagance is one of the forms of public wrong, of injury to the Commonwealth, of violence to the general humanity : and every sentiment and precept of Christianity is against it."
Travelling now-a-day.
The mass of the travelling public now, have no conception of the things they have lost, by the modern means of going by Railways. They go too rapidly for country observation, and pass too, through low grounds, and avoid going through towns, &c.,-whereas, formerly going by Stage they saw all of the best Villages, Inns &c.,-The passengers too, not exceeding a dozen at a time, became sociable in the route-were feasted and lodged at Inns, by the way-There was 'nen much to interest, by sight-seeing ; but now, they go to Boston, or to Niagara &c., and find all between places an entire blank.
Changes on Ocean voyages-now present a new era.
Now we build vessels of 3,000 tons, (and even of 5,000 !) to traverse between our coasts and Europe-as Packets &c.,-In 1818, Jeremiah Thompson of New York, built Packets of 300 tons-and in 1821 he added one of 500 tons, which was disused, as too large
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for the then trade ! In former years, when the influence of the Gulph Stream, as a warmer of the atmosphere was less known and under- stood, vessels leaving England were used to go South to the coast of Africa, to take trade winds and make across to Charleston, South Carolina-making it a necessary intermediate place-Vessels too, arriving off the coast of New York in winter, if the ice and frost were severe, used to put back to Charleston or the West Indies, there to thaw, and to stand out till Spring .- But now Vessels only put off to the Gulph Stream and there loosen their icy fetters, and return back to New York &c.,-Log books of 100 years ago, show that the average rate of sailing, (so says Lieut : Maury.) between New York and the West Indies, did not exceed one mile per hour, -- because the action of the Stream Currents, were so powerful and little known-Doctor Franklin, is said to have first suggested the idea of avoiding the action of that stream against vessels-in 1748, when Kalm, the Sweedish naturalist, visited our country, he came from Gravesend, August 15, and arrived in 41 days, and called that, " the shortest passage ever known !"
Steamers now, are in full operation every where ! What changes in thirty years of time !- Even I have seen two ages, with more of strange passes, than has been before witnessed !
Wonderful is the progress of Steam Vessels-only take a few facts of the past, to compare with things now and progressing !-
Previous to the year 1800, some eight or ten keel boats, of 20 to 25 tons, performed the carrying trade between Cincinnati and Pittsburg. -In 1802 the first government vessel appeared on Lake Erie,-Ir, 1811 the first Steam boat, (the Orleans) was launched at Pittsburg -. Previous to 1817, about twenty barges of about 100 tons, constituted the force of transport-from Orleans, along the River up to Louisville and Cincinnati -- They made but one trip a year-From the Falls (Louisville,) up to Pittsburg, about 150 keel boats of about thirty tons, did the carriage of freight &c., about 1815-17 .- They used six or seven weeks in making the passage to and fro. In 1818 the first Steam boat (" Walk in the water,") was built on Lake Erie- In 1826, the water of Michigan was first ploughed by a Steam boat visit .- Now what are Steam vessels doing ?
A wonderful change is latterly effected of having ships as Packets and Steamers, to sail certainly on a given day-Such accuracy was never before aimed at, or expected-Another great change is, that ships come and go from wharves, without noise, oaths and curses -- Formerly, Captains had to be full of passion, and bustle-And very often when they came up to the wharf, there was to be a crush, of something-to be afterwards repaired.
Lately too, it is found out, that Seamen can sail without grog and drunkeness-and that it is not indispensable to their usefulness and service, that they should be ignominiously flogged ' Too long they have been treated as dogs-henceforth as men !
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Change of Postal concerns.
This is a great affair for all the people ;- Mails passing with such celerity and at so little of charge. This is something that every- body feels, and rejoices in. A letter, big enough for two of former letters, (half an oz.) going all the way to California and Oregon, for only ten cents ! No one now-a-days, has occasion to encumber a private conveyance anywhere .- To contrast these easy means of intercourse, with what the men of the Revolutionary period experi- anced, is indeed a wonderful change. Then the conveyances by mail, was hazardous-infrequent and expensive. Families then, seperated by the War, and living in the country, reserved themselves, almost exclusively to private chances-and scarcely aimed to exchange letters, but about once in a year-Nothing was more common, than for men in the public service to write some two or three times, before even one would be received. Not long since, when postage was twenty-five cents, per letter to towns in the West, or to New Orleans-the last occupying a month in transit, the tax of postage was a heavy item,-when all outside of one sheet, was taxed double -Now double letters can pass as single, to those who will write without useless Envelopes. Formerly it was deemed of real impor- tance, in case of needed proof of identity, to secure to each letter, the Post mark of date and place .* A time may be expected to occur when the absence of such Post marks, may be found of much moment in some court trial. I have never yet used an Envelope .- News Papers, now so universally scattered every where, and so grateful in remote places, was in the past times, almost wholly unknown- They went out to Publishers, for their use, in republications of Local Journals. There are no people on the earth, who have such chances of general knowledge-To this we may add, that the editorials and communications are generally of superior composition and style. A man who reads much, is necessarily inducted into an improved style of writing, by what he reads.
The Progress of the Daily Press.
In April 1775, there were thirty-seven news-papers in the colonies. Of this number, only eight of them were devoted to the home government .- Of those which did not take sides, five of them went over to the Tory party during the war. The five States of Mary- land, Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia, taken together, nad but one more news-paper than Pennsylvania, and only three more than Massachusetts.
In the year 1798, there were two hundred news-papers in all the United States-Of these 178 or 180 supported the Washington and Adams' administrations-The twenty others, were mostly under the controul or influence of aliens, and opposed to the leading measures * Mrs. Barker, of Philadelphia saved 80.000 Dollars in Court, by such mark !
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