CHARLESTON
MERCURY
July 1860 – December 1862
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 2, 1860, p. 3, c. 3
Fresh
Arrival of European Seeds.
We are in receipt (per steamer Hammonia) of our European Turnip Seeds,
etc., viz: Yellow, Red, and
Purple Top Rutabaga Turnip, White Hanover Turnip, Large White Norfolk, Large
White Globe, Large Red Top, and Dale's Hybrid Field Turnips.
Yellow Aberdeen, Yellow Maltese, Early White Flat and Red Top Flat
Turnips. Asiatic and Walcherene Cauliflower, Early White and Purple
Broccoli, Kohl Rabbi or Turnip-rooted Cabbage.
Green and Brown Curled Kale, Green Curled and Drumhead Savoy Cabbages,
Brussel [sic] Sprouts. Large Late
Drumhead, Large Late Flat Dutch and Green Glaze Cabbages, etc.
also,
A superior assortment of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements,
Housekeeping Articles, etc., at
John Thomson & Co.'s
No. 262 King-street.
Eastern
Hay.
350 Bales Superior
Eastern Hay.
North
River Hay.
400 bales selected
North River Hay.
Mixed
Corn.
4000 bushels Mixed
Western Corn, 56 lbs., bags included.
White
Provision Corn.
5000 bushels prime
White Provision Corn.
Peas.
200 bushels Shinney
Seed Peas.
Rice
Flour.
250 bushels Fresh Rice
Flour.
Bran.
4000 bushels Fresh
Wheat Bran.
All in store and for sale low by Thomas E. Ryan, no. 81 East Bay.
Eastern
Hay Afloat.
150 Bales Superior
Eastern Hay, per Schr. Gilliland, at Boyce's Wharf. For sale at a reduced price from the vessel, by Robert A.
Young, No. 161 East Bay.
In
Store:
300 Bales North River
Hay
5000 bushels prime White Provision Corn
4000 bushels Sound Yellow Feeding Corn
6000 bushels Heavy Feeding Oats
3000 bushels Fresh Wheat Bran
200 bags Georgia Shorts
Cracked Corn, Cow Peas, &c.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 2, 1860, p. 3, c. 4
Cheap!
Cheap!! Cheap!!!
Selling off at reduced
prices, to close to-day Summer Stock of Millinery, Ladies' and Misses' Bonnets,
cheap Caps, from 37 1/2 cents and upwards.
Also A variety of Dress Trimmings, at low prices.
Ladies will not forget that Dress-Making is done as usual at Mrs. S.
Brooks', No. 147 King Street.
China,
Glass, and Earthenware.
The Subscribers have in store, and are receiving a full and complete
assortment of the latest and most approved patterns of the above Goods, Direct
from the European manufactories, consisting, in part, of Plain, White, Colored
and Decorated Dinner, Tea and Toilet Sets, together with a great variety of
Glassware, &c.
We would invite an examination of our Stock by all who may desire to
purchase, as we are satisfied that we offer the best qualities, at the lowest
prices they can be sold for.
Families of our country, as well as of our city friends, are advised that
they can procure of us anything in our line they may require, either in complete
sets, or to match broken sets.
Webb & Sage, 145 Meeting-Street, Opposite the Charleston Hotel.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 2, 1860, p. 3, c. 1
The
Artesian Baths
Having been overhauled
and [?], are now open for the reception of visitors. There are accommodations for twenty-one persons at one time,
so every one can receive due attention without any delay.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 3, 1860, p. 4, c. 2
Ladies' Dress.--The saying is proverbial that when two ladies pass on the
street, they are sure to turn their heads to see how each other are dressed.
We were witnesses a short time since to a scene of this kind, which was
decidedly amusing. We were sitting
in our office, gazing out at the window, when we espied, on the opposite side of
the street, two ladies, dressed in the extreme of the fashion, approaching each
other with heads thrown back, and a dignified scornful look, which was meant, we
suppose, to convey the idea that they were totally unaware and careless of each
other's presence. They passed, and
before twenty feet had separated them, they both turned at the same moment, to
see how each other was dressed. They
were caught. There was confusion.
One of them, with lowered crest and quickened pace, passed on.
The other, under the impression, no doubt, that she was still gazed at by
the lady who had just passed, resorted to a subterfuge.
Her bonnet--poor thing--was just at that moment found to be terribly out
of order, and the way she twisted her neck and tugged at the bonnet, was painful
to the neck and death to lace and artificial flowers.
We guess the curiosity of these two ladies was satisfied, and no more
observations were made that day, at least.--Macon Telegraph.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 7, 1860, p. 4, c. 1
From
the Journal of Commerce.
Sewing Machines.--Women are not yet wholly superseded, being useful in
their appropriate place--in fact absolutely indispensable.
Yet the improvement attempted in the Sewing Machine has exerted an
important influence upon her social state.
Besides, this machine, though of but five years' existence, has effected
great mechanical results. As an
invention, it has arrived at a rare degree of success.
Not a few, either from want of tact or energy, or on account of the
worthlessness of their inventions, have entirely disappeared from the arena of
trade, "leaving no trace behind" save the wreck of fortune.
The Sewing Machine is being introduced into general use, with a rapidity
of which few have any conception. Hardship
may result in some instances from the substitution of this instrument for hand
labor, but is, no doubt, destined to confer a lasting benefit; its advantages
are circumscribed to no particular class, and are unlimited in their
application. With occasional slight
modifications, with a view to more complete adaptation, the machine works its
way among different classes of tradesmen. It
promises permanent relief to the wearisome bondage of the sewing woman.
Its celerity is incredible. Each
one of Wheeler & Wilson's is calculated to do the work of ten ordinary
sewers. Women's powers, whatever
their cultivation, are unable to compete, either in rapidity, precision, or
finish; from one to two thousand stitches per minute is not unusual.
On shirt bosoms, the number per minute is about fifteen hundred; in
cording and binding umbrellas, two thousand.
Thousands of machines are sold for family sewing, several families often
uniting in the purchase of a machine, and passing it around as needed; and among
them are those of affluence and the highest respectability.
Sometimes a woman buys a machine for gaiter-work, for instance; hires
female fitters in sufficient number to keep her constantly employed, and pays
them $4 or $5 per week, often leaving a handsome profit.
A woman has been known to make as high as $60 per week, with two fitters.
Sewing Machines are getting to be extensively employed in making
mantillas, hat and cap making, etc. Machinery
has already done much to emancipate men from exhausting toil--has developed the
industrial arts, and quickened the wheels of commerce--so that, instead of
depriving the laborer of his means of support, he is only enabled to apply his
powers to the greatest advantage.
Another subject worthy of notice is the great improvement which has taken
place in the quality of sewing silk, twist, thread, &c., made necessary by
the rapid and accurate movement of the Sewing Machine.
We now produce thread in this country, which far exceeds any of foreign
importation, in strength and evenness of texture.
If the foreign and domestic are looped together and jerked asunder, the
former, even of the best descriptions has been found to yield in the greatest
number of instances.
The Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine has prepared tables, showing by
actual experiment of four different workers, the time required to stitch each
part of a garment by hand and with their Sewing Machine.
The superiority of the work done by the Machine, and the healthfulness of
the employment, are advantages quite as great as the saving of time.
Subjoined is a summary of the several of the tables:
By Machine
By Hand.
Hours
Min.
Hours.
Min.
Gentlemen's Shirts
1
16
14
26
Frock Coats
2
33
16
35
Satin Vests
1
14
7
19
Linen Vests
0
48
5
14
Cloth Pants
0
51
5
10
Summer Pants
0
33
2
50
Silk dress
1
18
10
22
Merino Dress
1
4
8
27
Calico Dress
0
57
6
37
Chemise
1
1
10
34
Moreen Skirt
0
35
7
28
Muslin Skirt
0
30
6
1
Drawers
0
28
4
1
Night Dress
1
7
10
2
Silk Apron
0
15
4
16
Plain Apron
0
9
1
26
Seams of considerable length are ordinarily sewed at the rate of a yard a
minute.
The Lock Stitch made by this machine is the only stitch that cannot be
raveled, and that presents the same appearance upon each side of the seam.
It is made with two threads, one upon each side of the fabric, and
interlocked in the centre of it.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 10, 1860, p. 1, c. 3-4
Correspondence
of the Mercury.
Fashion Letter.
New York, July 1.--There is positive danger of New York's forgetting its
morality (which we all know is unquestionable) and becoming dissipated, for our
generally "stale, flat and unprofitable days" at this period are
filled with furious excitement. The
Great Easterners' star waned, and was merged into, and out-dazzled by the Great
Eastern's arrival the day previous.
It was privately reported that a troop of Amazonians, whose names and
blushes I will charitably spare, disdaining "to pine in thought,"
intended to decoy the immortal TOMMY in certain quarters, and hide the darling
monster until after the departure of the Niagara. But the
wariness of the Ambassadors, the arrival of the Great
Eastern, and the fear of TOMMY's self-immolation, frustrated these charming
plans, and the little tawny, shaven-headed Oriental was suffered to depart
rejoicing.
To a sagacious, profound, inquiring mind (like your correspondent's, par
example), a problem remains to be solved, which ne'er Alchymist, in
searching for the philosopher's stone, or poring at midnight over crucibles
destined to reveal untold gold, was more anxious for light than I.
My mystery relates to the TOMMY infatuation among the women of Gotham.
In vain I gazed into TOMMY'S long black eyes; in vain I watched his
waddling gait, seeking for grace; I explored his shaven crown, and imagined
fascination in the stick of black sealing wax on the apex; my inquiring nose but
inhaled the essence of Obe oil; I pondered over the broad yellow cheeks; I
surveyed the fearfully mobile mouth. Alas!
I could only arrive at the conclusion that
"Shrewd and knavish sprite called Robin Goodfellow,"
had been casting glamor
[sic?] over the eyes of our modern Titanias, only ceasing his pranks upon the
departure of the object. I shall
not recapitulate any items of that never-to-be-forgotten ball, with the
proceedings of which you are already familiar--exquisitely beautiful as were the
gardens, gorgeous and brilliant the gay phantasmagoria--yet those "who hung
out their banners on the outer wall," consisting of lace and tulle
fragments, and segments of flounces, will remember that scene as a fearful
dream. Then, too, to be elbowed by
one's laundress at an "invitation ball;" crushed by aldermen and
bar-keepers, pummeled by stablemen, and wedged into a moist mass of human beings
of all nations, creeds, and positions; while gazing down upon this crush were
three or four "What Is It's," clad in white vestments, passively
receiving the worship of Christians. But
hung be the heavens in black, for the Japanese have departed! We have see the last of their broad, good-natured faces; the
paper lanterns have vanished; blue trowsers [sic] cease to win fair ladies'
eyes; "pig tails" are no more; with the presto of a wizard, itzebues
are changed into shillings, and the metropolis, cleansed and purified, is itself
again. Yet women refuse to be
comforted, for TOMMY is not.
These, the most uneventful days for recording toilette matters, bring to
light very few changes for summer. All
the fashionable world are travelling, or intend to travel, or have a strong
desire to do so, which amounts to the same thing, philosophically rendered;
therefore, since en voyage is the motto of the times, necessarily the costume is to
be considered. Colors of neutral
tints being long since pronounced comme il
faut, yet to relieve the inevitable grayness generally so unbecoming, these
dresses and cloaks or basquines are relieved by the introduction of a bright
tint, to bind the mantle, ornament the pockets and hood, or where the bottom of
the skirt is trimmed with a broad box plaiting of the same material, to have
each edge bound with a narrow ribbon.
Casaques are more used for travelling than cloaks or mantles, for the
convenience of extra pockets; and in exceedingly warm weather the waist of the
dress can be packed in the bag or basket, the nicely-fitted basquine being all
that is necessary.
I hinted in my last of a change in bonnets.
Modistes generally confirm all these rumors, and their size is already
being reduced. August will
inaugurate an entire change. "Pile net" is usurping the place of lace over
bonnets. At the atelier of Mrs.
Cripps are several exquisite hats of delicate crepe
covered with this very pretty net, which is imported in all colors.
The fashion of mingling black with bonnet trimmings still exists.
Lilac is the color par excellence,
though many disfigure themselves in Magenta and Solferino gory ribbons and
flowers, merely because the color is called fashionable; thus, we meet gamboge
checks, drab hair and saffron chins amicably beaming from Magenta roses and
poppies, comfortably rejoicing in the reflection of a fashionable color.
At Mrs. Cripps' are some lovely ashes-of-roses crape bonnets, daintily
trimmed with misty illusion and careless droppings of white cape jessamine; one
sometimes wonders if human fingers and substantial pins and needles are actually
used in the creation of these fairy-like gossamer chapeaux;
if one woman could but wear them all! Helas!
Neglige bonnets for good taste,
while perfectly plain, yet can be adorned with a small bouquet of corn flowers
in blue, scarlet and black, or drab and brown.
Leghorns still keep their position among the aristocrats (I mean of
bonnets) and in elegance are certainly unsurpassed, simply trimmed with drooping
ostrich feathers.
Flowers manifest the very perfection of art.
One dreamily bends over the creamy petals of the queenly cool water lily,
reposing amid dark green leaves, unconsciously seeking for perfume.
Ferns, suggestive of woody dells, regal moss roses and sweet violets; in
fact, one lingers distractedly among these beautiful step-children of Nature,
each new flower creating new fancies.
I have alluded already to the Bedouin cloaks, or Arabian mantles.
Outré and ugly as they are, they are fashionable; still the quality
of material must prevent them from becoming popular. They are very much worn now made of black silk.
Casaques, very long and voluminous, divide the palm with the Arabian.
From seven to eight yards of silk, according to the height of the person,
are used in their manufacture; the sleeves are not remarkable for width; a small
pelerine of lace relieves the plain back.
Manteaux are very ample, made of black silk, and in every variety of shape,
always, however, fancied with a quantity of plaits, which enables the mantle to
fall with exceeding grace over the arm. Mantelets
of black silk are trimmed with box-plaited or flounced silk in colors, such as
lilac, green, groseille, or delicate rose.
Muslin berege and grenadine mantelets and shawls are fashionable; some
plain, simply trimmed with puffings others ornamented with a deep flounce and a
narrow bouillon heading, through which is run a ribbon.
A barege "Clotilde," at Brodie's attracted my attention from
its exceeding airiness. I also saw
at the same place a very elegant Arabian cloak in white barege, faced with
rose-colored silk and ornamented with large silky chenile [sic] rose and white
tassels. Black barege mantelets are
worn trimmed with red or purple; they are both every ugly and in bad taste.
Embroidery is again revived, on mantles, robes, flounces, &c., and
very elaborate for lingerie.
Dress goods this season are very beautiful, not only because they are
dresses, and calculated to adorn graceful forms, but the finish of the flowery
patterns, the elegance of the arabesque designs are in themselves sufficient to
arrest attention and elicit admiration.
The tastes of our fore-mothers are being resuscitated in some patterns
recently imported. Organdy de
Pompadour has been exhibited in striking contrast to the quiet grays and
drabs, for which there has been so great a furore.
The white ground is brilliantly laid out, if I may use the term, with
gorgeous large bouquets, resembling tropical butterflies--these are sometimes
separated by broad stripes of horizontal bright pink, brilliant blue or purple.
Barege Anglaise is rapidly becoming more and more favored; it is
extremely serviceable, and is invariably in excellent taste.
There are some robes of five flounces; the ground white with a short
broken black thread; the ensemble a
close imitation of chene. The
flounces are relieved by tiny bright bouquets, or single little
brilliantly-tinted flowers. Mantles
or shawls accompany these robes generally, with one deep flounce to correspond. The making up of these dresses is very simple; without lining
to the corsage the material is gathered full into the belt, sleeves puffed at
the shoulder, and a flounce sometimes trimmed with a puff of the same.
Evening dresses of pure white grenadine, without colored trimming of any
kind, in five and nine flounces, are exquisitely beautiful; also white crepe
lisse, made with low surplice corsage, sleeves short and plain, trimmed with
narrow volants of lace; three skirts
each trimmed as the sleeves, a puffing surmounting each, through which is passed
a ribbon, an opening on one side permitting the ribbon to pass out and
gracefully loop up each skirt fastened with a knot and long floating ends.
For coiffures, there is scarcely any variety since my last notes.
We have had Japanese nets, ad
infinitum, of gay chenille, or black braided ribbon and golden cable cord.
We may now anticipate Great Eastern
head-dresses, until the advent of the Prince of Wales shall plunge our modistes
into a maze; for, alas! no matter how exquisite may be the wreaths and garlands
of clematis and jasmine, I do not think Prince of Wales coiffures would be at
all appropriate. What a pity His
Royal Highness is not a woman! Among
the odd new things are bunches of snow drops, Indian corn and roses, worn upon
the side of the head. Wreaths are
much the same, with long trailing pendants.
Perhaps, mes amis, you will be
glad to learn that aprons are really revived from too long oblivion, and are to
be fashionable. Really elegant ones
have made their appearance. I have
seen one of dark blue silk, with two deep lace flounces and tiny black lace
pockets, barred with narrow black velvet ribbon.
Another was of heavy black silk, trimmed with lilac velvet ribbon in
three rows, the outer edge having a fulling of black lace.
Medallion buttons of lilac velvet, in one row on each side, and a heavy
cord and tassel to confine the apron at the waist.
Still another variety was gored and trimmed with bias box-plaiting; this
was fastened at the waist by a belt, and a long floating bias silk sash trimmed
the same. Another was of lilac
silk, trimmed with a quantity of pinked ruffles, the little pockets
crescent-shaped and trimmed with black lace and medallions.
For little children, walking dresses made of white and buff Marseilles,
with deep cape to match; are much worn, generally embroidered or braided.
Little girls emulate their mammas in dove colored or steel gray dresses
and mantles; it is to be hoped this fashion will exist long enough to lay a
foundation for good taste in these little heads, too apt to resemble the
wonderful cat of good old Dame Trot, in hat, feathers, and astonishing attire.
Gotham is full of the Great Eastern and the "Glorious Fourth," as well as
strangers pouring in from every part of the United Creation--people of all
sorts, kinds and conditions; but "comparisons are odorous," so says
Mrs. Partington; so adieu until the reign of the dog star.
Votre Amie.
G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 14, 1860, p. 2, c. 7
Plantation
Toddy,
or,
Old Homestead Tonic
A delicious Morning Beverage and Tonic, used by almost every Planter,
Homestead and Ranch in the Tropics. It
is especially adapted to the climate of this country and conceded to be the most
effectual, wholesome and delicious Tonic in the world.
Free from intoxicating qualities, it is harmless in its adoption and
should be found on the Sideboard of every family as well as at the Bar of every
well regulated Hotel.
Drake & Co. Propr's.
For
Sale by
Claucius & White,
Sole Agents.
No. 114 East Bay.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 23, 1860, p. 3, c. 5
On Marriage.--I suppose there is a modicum of romance in most natures,
and that if it gather about any event it is that of marriage.
Most people marry their ideals. There
is more or less fictitious and fallacious glory resting upon the head of every
bride, which the inchoate husband believes in.
Most men and women manufacture perfection in their mates by a happy
process of their imaginations, and then marry them.
This, of course, wears away. By
the time the husband has seen his wife eat heartily of pork and beans, and, with
her hair frizzled, and her oldest dress on, full of the enterprize [sic] of
overhauling things, he sees that she belongs to the same race as himself.
And she, when her husband gets up cross in the morning, and undertakes to
shave himself with cold water and a dull razor, while his suspenders dangle at
his heels, begins to see that man is a very prosaic animal.
In other words, there is such a thing as a honeymoon, of longer or
shorter duration; and while the moonshine lasts, the radiance of the seventh
heaven cannot compare with it. It
is a very delicious little delirium--a febrile mental disease--which, like
measles, never comes again.
When the honeymoon passes away, setting behind dull mountains, or dipping
silently into the stormy sea of life, the trying hour of marriage life has come.
Between the parties, there are no more illusions.
The feverish desire of possession is gone--vanished into
gratification--and all excitement has receded.
Then begins, or should begin, the business of adaptation.
If they find that they do not love one another as they thought they did,
they should double their assiduous attentions to one another, and be jealous of
everything which tends in the slightest degree to separate them.
Life is too precious to be thrown away in secret regrets, or open
differences. And let me say to
every one to whom the romance of life has fled, and who are discontented in the
lightest degree with their condition and relations, begin the work of
reconciliation before you are a day older.
Renew the attentions of earlier days.
Draw your hearts close together. Talk
the thing all over. Acknowledge
your faults to one another, and determine that henceforth you will be all in all
to each other; and my word for it, you shall find in your relation the sweetest
joy earth has for you. There is no
other way for you to do. If you are
happy at home you must be happy abroad; the man or woman who has settled down
upon the conviction that he or she is attached for life to an uncongenial yoke
fellow, and that there is no way of escape, has lost life; there is no effort
too costly to make which can restore to its setting upon the bosoms, the missing
pearl.--Timothy Titcomb.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 28, 1860, p. 4, c. 4
The Fashions.--The Philadelphia Bulletin is highly pleased with the
present fashions for ladies' dresses. We
must not (it says) abuse Fashion indiscriminately.
When she takes counsel of taste we should commend.
There are so many ugly and inconvenient freaks of the fickle goddess, and
we are so much in the habit of laughing at her and her votaries--by whom we
mean, of course, every woman in America--that we really ought to spare an
article, now and then, to praise her when she gratifies the taste of the whole
country.
First, then, the hat and feather is decidedly pretty.
For young girls--not married women and middle-aged ladies--it is the
prettiest and most tasteful thing we have ever seen on their pretty heads.
For all girls with passably regular features and tolerable complexions it
is the very thing. It ought not,
however, to be worn too much off the face, which gives the wearer a bold look.
The idea is to droop the hat and feather a little, so as not to lose
sight of that modesty without which a woman, young or old, is leather and
prunella.
The nets for the hair, with the little tassels at the side, are very
graceful and becoming for the same class of girls.
To those just coming out, and indeed to all who have a youthful look,
they add a charm of lightness and airiness such as we have seldom seen given by
any head dress. Grace, with the hat
and feather and net, may be the rule and not the exception.
The mantillas are very becoming, and the subdued tone of the colors, the
absence of all glare and flaunting, the different shades of gray, the coolness
and grace of the whole style, enable us to congratulate the ladies. They
have done that important thing this summer--they have made a hit.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 30, 1860, p. 1, c. 4
New York, July 27
.... The town is completely running over with country people.
In the stages, cars, and on the fashionable sidewalk of Broadway, one
encounters nothing but black hats, satin vests, linen overcoats and sunburnt
[sic] faces--the four characteristics which mark people from the rural
districts. All the hotels are full,
and every place of amusement is crammed nightly.
It reminds me of Anniversary Week, without the white cravats, black
thread gloves and cotton umbrellas. The
principal object of this inroad from the interior is to see the Great
Eastern which, for several days, has been as thickly crowded with
inquisitive people as a sugar hogshead with flies. . . NOX.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, July 30, 1860, p. 4, c. 1
How Ladies Should Dress.--We find in All
the Year Round the following view in regard to ladies' dress, which we would
recommend to the attention of our readers:
As you look from your windows in Paris, observe the first fifty women who
pass; forty have noses depressed in the middle, a small quantity of dark hair,
and a swarthy complexion; but, then, what a toilet!
Not only suitable for the season, but the age and complexion of the
wearer. How neat the feet and
hands! How well the clothes are put
on, and more than all, how well they suit each other!
Before English women can dress perfectly, they must have the taste of the
French, especially in color. One reason why we see colors ill-arranged in England is, that
the different articles are purchased each for its own imagined virtues, and
without any thought of what is to be worn with it.
Women, while shopping, buy what pleases the eye on the counter,
forgetting what they have got at home. That
parasol is pretty, but it will kill, by its color, one dress in the buyer's
wardrobe, and be unsuitable for the others.
To be magnificently dressed costs money; but to be dressed with taste, is
not expensive. It requires good
taste, knowledge, and refinement. Never
buy an article unless it is suitable to your age, habits, style, and to the rest
of your wardrobe. Nothing is more
vulgar than to wear costly dresses with a common delaine, or cheap laces with
expensive brocades.
What colors, we may be asked, go best together?
Green with violet; cold [gold?] with dark crimson or lilac; pale blue
with scarlet; pink with black or white; and gray with scarlet or pink.
A cold color generally requires a warm tint to give life to it. Gray and pale blue, for instance, do not combine well, both
being cold colors. White and black
are safe wear, but the latter is not favorable to dark or pale complexions.
Pink is, to some skins, the most becoming; not, however, if there is much
color in the cheeks and lips, and if there be even a suspicion of red in either
hair or complexion. Peach color is perhaps one of the most elegant colors worn.
Maize is very becoming, particularly to persons with dark hair and eyes.
But whatever the colors or materials of the entire dress, the details are
all in all; the lace round the bosom and sleeves, the flowers--in fact, all that
furnishes the dress. The ornaments
in [on?] the head must be harmonize with the dress. If trimmed with black lace, some of the same should be worn
in the head, and the flowers that are worn in the hair should decorate the
dress.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 2, 1860, p. 3, c. 4
A Chance for the Girls.--Jane Swisshelm advertises, editorially, in her
last issue, as follows:
"Wanted in St. Cloud, a large supply of raw material, for the
manufacture of brides. None in the
market, and a pressing demand. Those having surplus to dispose of would do well to put up
small packages, carefully in straw bonnets, barege veils, crinoline and silk
flounces, and consign them to the care of any of our commission merchants, or
any of our business men will gladly receive consignments.
Evans, Postmaster, requires one super-extra package of his own use.
McKelvey, County Attorney, is in like condition.
Our place is perfectly infested with widowers and old and young
bachelors, kept so from the necessities of the case. Widows and maiden ladies, none on hand, and none likely to
be."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 3, 1860, p. 2, c. 7
Artesian
Baths.
The Artesian Baths are
open daily from 5 o'clock a.m., to 10 o'clock, p. m.--Those who have not tried
these Baths should do so at once. Plenty
of hot and cold water.
Rates.
Five Tickets for
$1.00
Thirty Tickets for
5.00
Daily Bathing per month
3.00
Single Bath
cts. 25
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 9, 1860, p. 1, c. 3
Where Our Bonnets Come From.--There are six or seven millions of women in
the United States, and each woman considers herself an injured individual if she
don't [sic] have at least four bonnets a year.
Now, did all these followers of fashion ever stop to reflect where the
multitudinous chapeaus [sic] come from? We
think we can enlighten them. Foxboro,
in Massachusetts, is, probably, the largest place of straw manufacture in the
world. At one factory, three hundred girls and two hundred and
seventy men are employed outside of the factory, and fifteen thousand hats and
bonnets are manufactured per day. Very
little of the straw goods used are plated in this country, the wages being too
high here to afford it at the importing rates.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 10, 1860, p. 1, c. 3-4
Fashion
Letter.
Correspondence of the Mercury.
New York, August 7.
Great
Eastern Experience--Particulars of the Voyage--
Fall Bonnets--The Solferino Hat--"Opening Day"--
Shawls, Skirts, et omne id genus.
Are you bored, ad nauseum,
about the Great Eastern?
Nevertheless, I insist upon condensing my
experience, which, moreover, I shall insist upon your reading, through my
spectacles, coleur de rose, without grimace, for remember--
"If she will, she will, you may depend on't."
After having been regaled with the fearful afflictions borne by crabbed
grumblers of genus homo, it remains
for my wee diamond-tipped pen to cast the glamour from the heavenly RHETORIC of
the MERCURY's eyes!
You will have understood by this time, Messieurs,
that your correspondent was one among the two thousand passengers to Cape May. I was not a "dead head," nor a John Bull; on the
contrary, my tickets for passage and state room were duly paid for, and I am
quite too patriotic to care a sous for
the little isle across the water, therefore I was perfectly disinterested in my
anticipations of pleasure, which I am glad to say were realized, all of the
newspapers of Gotham to the contrary notwithstanding.
I do not pretend to ask equal credit for brains with all of those sapient
and much-abused individuals. Imagine I have a heart, which, now-a-day, will answer as
well. One never can tell what
"Difference there can be
'Twixt tweedledum and tweedle dee,"
considering how well both commodities are imitated.
You have heard all about the cries of the wounded--the victimized
sufferers deprived of pate de fois gras, iced champagne and rare tit-bits of choicest
green turtle fat. That these gourmands
were sorely disappointed I do not deny; if fact, the diet was not so paradisical
as to make a VERY of the cuisinier;
like the miserable Mr. Guppy, in a general way, my "soul recoiled from
food," albeit it was exceedingly refreshing to be brought back to juvenile
bread and butter days. "N'importe! as if one
could eat amid the romance of moonlight on the ocean wave. The state-room in which I was delightfully lulled to sleep--
"Rocked like a sea gull on the waves.--"
contained four ample berths, occupied by myself and three more (?) charming
companions of the "soft
sex," as we are irreverently termed by yours.
There were two windows or port-holes, making shawls and cloaks decidedly
necessary. Mirrors, toilette table,
sofa, abundance of fresh clean water and a peerless stewardess, to say nothing
of "Old Brown Windsor Soap," and fine damask towels, which being
already provided, did not occasion any extra cash.
I must not omit to add that our table, upon retiring, was graced by a
large pitcher of ice water; whether sent by the gods, I know not; I merely wish
to chronicle the fact that, during the time I was on board, ice water was
furnished me whenever I asked for it, without charge; the waiters were attentive
and polite, the ice cream was excellent, and cheaper than in a Broadway salon. Certainly we all
had to bide our time about being waited upon, but there was enough of the comic
around us to cause the little fountain of merriment in our hearts to gush up and
fairly run over. It was, moreover,
proved, that fasting is not always the way to mortify the flesh, but one
need not starve with plenty of bread, and good nature to sweeten the tea when
the coffee "gave out." At
the different tables, the conduct of the gentlemen was certainly sans
reproche--we discovered naught that the most fastidious could cavil at.
Mr. A's bread, Mr. B's butter, Mr. C.'s spoon, or Mr. D's sugar, were all
placed at our disposal. I merely
note down these little items of truth, to show you the silver lining to the dark
cloud raised by some dissatisfied grumblers among our two thousand compagnons du voyage. Two
adventures befell us: one was the
intrusion into our badly fastened state-room of a masculine pick-pocket, or oblivious
adventurer, during the "wee sma' hours ayant the twal," whom,
notwithstanding terrific palpitations on the four left sides, our four voices
and eight threatening fists succeeded in routing.
A council of war was held, the door safely barricaded by carpet bags and
satchels, and I was unanimously chosen "watch" for the remainder of
the night. How I fulfilled my trust
I have not the slightest recollection. The
second was the despoiling of one of our party of his Panama while dreaming on
his mattress beneath the stars. He
was aroused in time to pursue the delinquent, but had the fearful alternative of
losing his bed. You can imagine
which a sleepy man would prefer. The
beauty of the scene at night I have not time to dwell upon.
The six tall, stately masts, so exquisite in their symmetry; the regular
tracing of the rattlings against the clear, dark sky; the measured rise and fall
of our immense ship over the silver-crested, leaping ripples; the delicious
mellow moonbeams; the fresh, sweet breeze; while near us
"Music arose with its voluptuous swell;"
and at the extreme end of the deck, beyond the sound of Dodworth's, some few
sweet, plaintive voices sang dear old melodies, finding sad echoes in the heart
and whispering of "auld lang syne."
Mes amies, are you impatient to
hear about the fall bonnets? For your dear sakes, I have penetrated into an inner sanctum,
from which all but "envoys
extraordinaire" are excluded, and have seen the new just
arrived Paris bonnets rigorously hidden from the public eye--and over which,
were it not for the heat of the weather, I should have been extraordinarily
enthusiastic; as it was, the "flesh was weak," owing to the vast
amount of exercise taken on board the Great
Eastern, for one who loves the dolce
far niente--thus falling heir to ills undreamed of in my philosophy.
I do not know of any thing more inspiring than a new bonnet, excepting a
particularly becoming one. A brain
as dull as
"The fat weed that rots on Lethe's shore,"
or stale as that last loaf I wot of, on the big ship, cannot but be enlivened at
the prospect of fresh traps and snares combined in a distracting new bonnet.
At Mr. R. T. Wilde's I was especially overcome by the specimens, of what
is to be, the coming winter. The
shapes are smaller, open at the sides and rather elevated in the brim; the
curtains are narrow, but covered by a rather wide fall of lace.
Crowns are no longer soft, but in some hats are covered with a velvet
plaiting. I will particularize the
very few it was my good fortune to examine, asking your patience until September
openings are fully inaugurated. One
hat of dark rich green velvet, was trimmed with two black feathers directly on
the top, reaching right and left, confined in the centre by a plaited band of
velvet; the brim was covered by velvet in folds, plaited velvet curtain edged
with white tulle was covered by a fall
of rich black lace.
Another was rich mazarine blue velvet, plaited velvet around the brim,
trimmed with blue flowers and bright golden petals--not golden in color merely,
but a close imitation of the real glittering metal.
A gold passion follower inside shone resplendent amid dark blue velvet
leaves. I must add, en
passant, that this mingling of golden ornaments and flowers will be a
striking feature in the autumn fashions.
Solferino pink, I regret to say, as well as the Magenta, are to be the
colors par excellence. Pretty to look at, at a respectful distance, the two colors
are excessively unbecoming to almost every complexion, besides impossible to
dress with good taste with such colors. The
fairest face becomes sallow under its influence, lovely cheeks lose their roses,
while brunettes fairly lose their identity. Still, as they are fashionable, they will find votaries
enough; aye, with blue dresses, green shawls and lilac ribbons to match.
The Solferino hat, I admired poised on my hand, was very gay, decorated
with a bunch of bright gold strawberries and a lovely ostrich feather, tipped
with marabout. Cherry and Solferino
velvet, mingled with black lace, formed the bandeau, among which was twisted
more of the golden berries. Another
was of chocolate brown uncut velvet, bound with satin; a rich thread lace barbe,
gathered full on top, was confined by a knot or fold of velvet--inside,
Solferino velvet flowers with gold petals.
Another was very peculiar in its trimming, made of green velvet, the
foundation front covered with black pile net, over which, laid on exquisitely,
beautiful net work, formed entirely of marabout feathers; the brim was bound
with green velvet, on which was studded tiny stars of marabout; while around the
crown and back of the hat fluttered and waved like sea foam, a perfect cloud of
the same showy feathers. This hat was really beautiful, and cheap for $10.
The inside was white and scarlet velvet, with green velvet leaves and
golden petals.
One more--of black velvet front and Solferino plaited velvet crown; on
top, a superb black ostrich feather, mingled with velvet Solferino flowers and
lace. Bonnets are trimmed across
the front as before, with side ruche, and outside on the top near the brim.
Gold is the rage; heavy ribbons are brocaded in gold color, to correspond
with the gold flowers and gimp. Brocade
ribbons are to be very fashionable.
It is pretended that the Clotilde hat--the little straw jockey, rolled at
the sides and trimmed with the plume de coque is to be worn indiscriminately.
I dare venture to dispute it. I
do not think New York ladies will ever promenade Broadway in anything so
decidedly coquettish, juvenile or striking; yet, nothing is so charming for a
fresh, round, youthful face, when shaded by its fall of lace.
For the seashore, and country ramblings, or drives out of town, they are
perfect; but I have lately looked, in sorrow, at thin hollow cheeks, pale thin
mouths, lean jaws, scanty hair and lank visages, generally, over-topped by those
youthful hats. Alas! when will women learn discretion, and how to grow old
gracefully! With a keen eye for the
beautiful, there is nothing I love to gaze upon so much as a lovely, fresh young
face, rendered all the more piquant and bewitching, peeping out from one of
those coquettish hats. A Clotilde
attracts my fancy; I seek for a glimpse of the face; the little hat, the
graceful feathers, the fall of lace, the ensemble
is perfect; she turns--"angels and ministers of grace defend us"!--in
the dull eye, the wrinkles, the lantern jaws, I behold some one's grandmother.
Mes amies, did you ever taste a green persimmon?
I can venture to aver that the fashion will be confined to the rural
districts, whose population pour in upon us always, during the dog days, and are
persuaded by naughty modistes into wearing anything, however unsuitable and outre.
I must not forget the rare and beautiful flowers, long green leaves and
sprigs of bilberries, barely tinged with the purple bloom, each with its tiny
golden eye--the Solferino velvet leaves, intermixed with black roses and black
grapes, with gold tendrils--gorgeous and queenly crimson roses, with gold petals
and black leaves, streaked with gold. I
cannot fancy any more beautiful evening head-dress than a cluster of these
roses. Also, black velvet roses and
leaves, frosted with gold. A
cluster of purple velvet pansies arrested my attention, with leaves and eyes of
bright gold. Who does not love the graceful, poetical Morning Glory, so
suggestive of love in a cottage?--here they may be seen faintly breathing
perfume from beneath sheets of nicely oiled tissue paper, contented as their
neighbors, the "lilies of the field," who "take no thought for
the morrow."
But as the "opening day" has not yet arrived, the magic
"open sesame" has not yet
been pronounced, I leave the specialities
for the present with a "lastly" composed of a few on
dits, scraps of information charily dealt out, just sufficient to create the
most intense curiosity, and keep us all on the qui
vive.
I have been informed by a well-known establishment that the Arab mantles
are not purchased by the cream of their customers, and when I reflect upon the
odd-looking people one meets arrayed in this ugly cloak, I am not inclined to
doubt the truth of the assertion.
Shawls are to be exceedingly fashionable.
French camel's hair will be extensively used in the manufacture of
elegant shawlettes, some of which are embroidered.
I have seen some very elegant black silks, wide and heavy, costing $2.75
per yard, called the cable cord, the stripes nearly a nail's width, forming a
right angle in the centre of each breadth.
When made up, the skirt presents a curious zig-zag appearance.
Thirteen yards is sufficient for a full dress.
Skirts are to be set on the waist in double and treble box plaits.
Corsage generally high and plain, trimmed with macaroni or medallion
buttons, of which a beautiful variety are being imported.
I am told by importers that robes are passe.
Plain skirts are to be the mode, still they will be much worn, and two
flounces are coming in again; also, five and seven flounces.
Gored skirts are to be the mode, and the new skeletons are frightfully
ugly to accommodate the gores. They
are slim around the body, very much the shape of a bell, with the exception of a
little tournure, which barely saves the flatness of the back.
Sleeves are very wide and flowing; but more anon.
In haste, adieu au revoir. G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 24, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
Greer's
Book Store
The Ebony Idol.
Nemesis. By Harland.
The Queen of Society.
Jack Hopeton's Adventures.
Rutledge.
Semi-Detached House.
Castle Richmond. By Trollope.
Hawksvies. By Holme Lee.
Sand Hill of Jutland.
Right at Last. Mrs. Gaskell.
Mill on the Floss. By G. Elliot.
Fresh supplies received and for sale at the Corner of King and Market Streets.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 27, 1860, p. 2, c. 6
Important
to the Ladies!
Fresh Stock of
Lubin's Perfumeries!
And Choice Imported
Toilet Articles, comprising
Highly Scented Soaps
Perfumery for the Handkerchief--every variety
Lavender Water, Cold Cream, Pomatums
Scented Hair Oils
Bandoline
Toilet Powder
Shaving Creams
Satchels, also
English and French Hair, Tooth, Nail, and Cloth Brushes of Ivory, Bone and Wood.
All of which having been purchased for Cash will be sold at reasonable prices by
Van. Schaack & Grierson, Chemists and Druggists, and Importers of Perfumery,
Toilet Articles, &c.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 28, 1860, p. 2, c. 8
Maillard's
French
Confectionery!
Cordial Butter Pears
and Apples
Superfine Sugared Almonds
Cordial Almonds
Cordial Lima Beans
Cream Chocolate Drops
Lady Beans
Cocoanut Beans.
Also, a Large Variety of
Cream Bon Bons.
For sale at Reduced Prices by Kinsman & Bro., No. 247 King-Street.
French
Confectionery!
Extra Fine Sugared
Almonds,
Sugared Barberries,
Sugared Filberts,
Sugared Pistachoes,
Sugared Pastellage,
Cordial Almonds,
Chocolate Almonds,
Chocolate Carmilu,
Crystallized Fruits.
For sale by Kinsman & Bro., No. 247 King-Street.
Gum
Drops!
2000 pounds fresh gum drops, for sale by the box.
Kinsman & Bro., No. 247 King-Street.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 14, 1860, p. 4, c. 1
Our
New York Correspondence.
Fashion Letter.
New York, September 8.
With a delicious sense of present rest after the din, confusion and whirl
of travel, I find dear old Gotham just awakening from her Rip Van Winkle sleep,
lazily arousing herself for one of the most brilliant of coming seasons.
I shall not bore you with a recapitulation of my wanderings; floating in
the gay tide of Saratoga; worshipping with never-wearying eyes and heart at the
sublime Falls of Niagara; romancing at Sweet Springs of Avon; sentimentalizing
among the magnificent hills among which flows the beautiful Chemung in Elmira;
of moonlight sailings on the emerald Niagara; or floating on the calm waters of
Lake Ontario. These memories are
niched in the happy past. Thanks to
the generous bills of fare of mine hosts at Niagara's International, the
Brainard at Elmira, at the hospitable table at Avon, I find I can greet you with
renewed physical vigor; at Saratoga's Union Hall I find it is only necessary to
dress and play Lydia Languish, all bodily considerations giving way gracefully
to the absorbing excitement of forming one of the gay pageantry of butterflies.
I admit the excessive bad taste of possessing an appetite:
in fact, I quite sympathise [sic] with the unfortunate Mr. Guppy,
"whose soul recoiled from food."
It is, nevertheless, a fact, that we are not consulted in regard to our
creation, and moreover are told to pray for our "daily bread;"
therefore, with the anti-sentimental properties, upon the proper indulgence of
which, alas! rest our claims to beauty, in natural roses and diamond eyes, one
must fain, at Saratoga, be content with the Paradisical diet of a houri, or
perform constant miracles, whereby the deaf are made to hear through the clink
of "filthy lucre." Do no
dub me a gourmand, for really I care nothing for eating, excepting that once in
a while it seems rather necessary--and I like Saratoga.
I dote on its scandal; I adore its amiable platitudes; its reunions in the grand salons, where we fairly gloat over Mrs. _____'s crow's foot, which
no possible art can conceal; and where every one is so y young, so fresh, so
blooming, of whose age and seasons Miss Prim knows every item; where y our dear
friends teach you to quiz the unsophisticated, ridicule the parvenues,
laugh at the simple out-manouevre the manoeuvering, watch toadyism--in fact, one
feels excessively charitable at Saratoga, among all this gentle persiflage and good-natured malice; but the world is woman's book,
and where can one turn its leaves to learn a better experience than in a sojourn
at Saratoga?
There are people who cannot yet mentally digest the lamentable fact of
being ignored by young Albert Edward, as far as private hospitality goes; whose
extensive mental heaviness cannot comprehend the young Prince refusing the
metropolitan marble front, gorgeous plate, "the purple and fine linen"
of Japonicadom, for a hotel; and thus ambitious mamas are made miserable for
ever, for they can never tell the grateful mama across the water how they dined,
and wined, and feted the young heir.
At the grand ball, however, each has hopes for "our eldest,"
and papa waxes generous over his claret, at the significant "who knows, my
dear?"
Thus it comes to pass that feminized human nature is in a great state of
excitement at the approach of "opening day," always under all
circumstances set down for the last Thursday in September.
Piety, per se, is omnipotent,
or would be if it could thus exist; but, while Fashion holds the sceptre, Piety
must perforce succumb. Who
would go to church en dishabille? Where would be the profit of a new fall hat if not to swell
with envy rivals in church?
Shakespeare says, "'Tis not for gravity to play at cherry pits with
Satan." His Satanic majesty
teaches us Le Follet for amusement,
during the sermon, and as the fashionable churches open simultaneously with the
opera season, we may expect some examples.
As I said before, "opening day," as yet, is not.
Still, we are kept on the qui vive by hints of what those darling
Parisian originators of charming specialites
have been about for the success of our autumn and winter toilettes.
That there is a change in style is already perceptible; dark, rich colors
are beginning to make their appearance on the fashionable pave,
while all summer costumes look decidedly passe.
Our yearnings for
That gem of the very rarest kind,
That thing most difficult to find,
That pet for which we all have pined--
A perfect "love of a bonnet"--
seems in a fair way to be realized during this season.
Artistic skill has exhausted itself in producing perfection, and if every
woman is not henceforth beautiful, it is altogether her own fault.
As I before hinted in my last, bonnets are returning to moderation in
size, trimmed with the most exquisite Birds of Paradise, marabouts, and velvet
flowers, each and all sprinkled or ornamented with gold.
At the newly fitted up atelier
of Mrs. Cripps, in Canal-street, I had a peep at the very elegant hats about to
be sent away to add newer charms to the dark-eyed daughters of the Sunny South.
The silk quilting of which many of these most expensive hats are made, is
rather new, resembling the old-fashioned stitched quilting, excepting that this
is woven in the material. One of
these hats, in Magenta quilting front, with plain black on top, also the crown,
was trimmed with rich black lace and bright golden wheat, which, being imported,
never tarnishes. Another was of the
rarest purple silk, with an exquisite little golden-plumed Bird of Paradise
lightly poised over the side--the bandeau of purple velvet fastened with a
golden buckle set in pearls, small purple berries and pure white blossoms.
Some hats are exceedingly gorgeous, with their crimson velvet flowers and
glittering petals; but all tastes must be suited, and when the "day of
days" arrives, why, I dare aver that "all that's bright" will be
most affected, and our optics will again be offended by the trying ordeal so
many complexions are subjected to. Among
these beautiful delicate colors, which seem to suit so few faces, is the Marguerite,
a tint seeming to unite the variations of light crimson, blending into a soft
Tyrian purple or pink lilac. The
polka spot straw bonnet is very much sought for this season. A fine black straw, dotted with white--some of these are
trimmed with vivid scarlet velvet and black feathers.
The capes are always bias, sometimes of black silk, bound with the
pervading colors. There is a rage
for black in bonnets, in silk, straw, or Neapolitan. I saw one of the latter, trimmed with black bitter-sweet
berries, with golden eyes, pendant from broad Magenta velvet leaves; the cape
was of black velvet, bound with Magenta; one string of the same color, the other
of black; the ruche of black Malihes lace, contrasted with rich Magenta velvet
flowers, tipped with marabout feathers. I
understand that white straw bonnets have to beat a retreat before their colored
rivals, or dye!
Fashion has naught to do with politics, however, and if your
correspondent dons a black chapeau, be
assured it will not cover a Republican
head.
Flowers are next akin to bonnets; flowers and feathers, of which the most
exquisitely beautiful specimens are to be seen at the sales rooms of R. T. Wilde
& Co., where we can linger, reveling in beauty, for hours.
Strawberries and blackberries in bright gold, as well as wheat half
buried in golden bronzed leaves, are a specialite
here; also, large all-hued velvet buttons, covered with sparkling jet, or
knotted with strings of jet or wax beads for trimming.
There were some exquisite Marguerite
velvet dahlias, surrounded by bronzed leaves, the whole bunch covered with gold
dust. A cluster of Rose of Sharon,
the dainty heads seemingly bending with its weight of dew droppings in the shape
of tiny wax beads, attracted my admiration.
The French chapeaus [sic]
imported by Mr. Wilde forced attention; but I think the American copies,
manufactured by the tasty fingers belonging to his establishment, far more
suitable for the American face. It
is an indisputable fact that nothing really intended for a French complexion and
contour of face, exactly suits the peculiar beauty of la
belle Americaine! As far as
delicacy and beauty of finish goes, it is impossible to tell, here,
the Parisian from the New York creator.
For dress goods there is little variety; one style seems pre-eminent,
called the brocade, or as a change, the "illuminated."
A changeable ground (only in the same color) brocaded, or illumined with
tiny bouquets; the grounds are black or dark, the figures very bright and
designs new. For example--a tiny
sheaf of golden wheat; a group of little crimson fuschias; golden drops like
earrings seemingly set with pears; another bright with emeralds; again,
true-lover's-knots of corn colored silk, with pretty flossy tassels, are very
effective upon a rich reps black silk ground.
The cable cord is very distingue. As I predicted, the reign of narrow flounces is over; they
have entirely disappeared from among the new goods.
As a matter of course, many cannot afford to throw their costly ruffled
beauties aside. I can only
sympathise [sic] with them, and say wear them out as fast as possible and
purchase plain solid colors. The broche style above mentioned watered silks, which are being
resuscitated, or the new brocaded bias stripe meeting in the centre of each
breadth, called the cable cord; plain, full skirts are to be only really
fashionable. Bayadere stripes are
utterly passe. I am glad to
chronicle the fact they are among the styles of the "dead past;" peace
go with them! Some lengthwise
stripes have been imported, and probably will find their admirers.
Plain Irish poplins are resuming a position in the popular taste; always
quiet and in good taste, I anticipate quite a demand for them.
Moire Antiques have also had
their day, having been fairly deposed. In their lieu we have Moire
Francaise, or French watered silks, very rich and very beautiful, in
"marguerite," "Magenta," or "Napoleon blue."
For street costume, nothing will be more appropriate or fashionable than
the Velour Armure, or Ottoman Velour,
which is a species of heavy corded or ribbed cloth; some of the most expensive
resembles uncut velvet. One
variety, which is costly, is "illuminated" with a little bright
flower; another, perfectly plain and heavy, seems precisely the comfortable
dress needed for cold and dreary days.
Double skirts have been imported, and will still be worn, if I may judge
of some magnificent robes of this kind just received, where the upper skirt is
made to represent the richest black lace in graceful arabesque designs over a
Marguerite ground.
The corsage, so far, is still worn with round belt, sometimes coat
sleeves, but never the latter for rich or full dress.
But opening day will decide all that.
The rage for gold seems to increase; belts of gold and bright
buckles--ribbons have a golden edge--golden nets to confine the hair, fastened
with golden pins;--in fact, women are all Danus, bending meekly beneath their
glittering showers of gold. Cupid's
darts would be aimless unless pointed with gold; and Ovid, now-a-days, would
read his Art of Love to deaf ears unless the book was gilt edged and clasped
with gold. For heretically closed
hearts, a black and yellow dress, with golden ornaments to match au
present, is the only magical open
sesame!
I do not expect everyone to
sympathize with my satisfaction at the continuance of hoops, proudly proving the
strength and durability of feminine persistence. Every woman will agree with me in pronouncing
"A hoop
An eternal round of pleasure,"
at which men may cavil and sneer, but unhappily for them, can never,
never comprehend.
The bell-shaped skeleton has been improved by the addition of a light
tournure, which relieves the flatness at the belt.
It is rather early to speak decidedly about outside gear.
The Arab cloak is being extensively manufactured; also the casaque, in
heavy material, made very deep. Dresses,
much to the disgust of gentlemen, will be worn en
train--in fact, much longer than heretofore.
Adieu.
Yours,
G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 17, 1860, p. 4, c. 1
Our
Bailey Springs Correspondence.
Bailey Springs, near Florence, Ala., }
September 9, 1860.
}
How
to go to Bailey Springs--The Town of Florence--
Description of the Springs--Wonderful Medicinal
Qualities of the Waters--Remarkable Cures--A
Sketch of the Surroundings--Romantic Walks--Trout
Fishing and Sailing on Shoal Creek--Delightful
Drives--Muscle Shoals of Tennessee River--Cotton
and Wool Factories--Old Lauderdale the Lowell of
the South, &c.
To visit this charming and delightful watering place, you take the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad to Tuscumbia, Ala., at which point you take a
small branch road to Florence, distance five miles.
This branch road crosses the Tennessee river within a mile of the town
just below the Muscle Shoals, and over a roofed bridge, the cars passing on top,
with a fine carriage way and foot path beneath.
Florence is a most rural looking little town, of about 1500 inhabitants.
The Wesleyan University is located there, a most flourishing institution,
which has nearly 200 students, and also the Female Synodical College, with about
the same number of pupils. It
contains also a Masonic Hall, several churches, and a good hotel.
Within a mile of Florence are three large cotton factories, all in
successful operation, belonging to Messrs. Martin, Weakly & co., which
employ over three hundred operatives, and consume annually nearly seven thousand
bales of cotton.
From Florence you take the stage to Bailey Springs, distance nine miles,
over a beautiful rolling country, and after passing highly cultivated farms, you
arrive at the fine hotel of Messrs. A. G. Ellis & Co., the proprietors of
the Springs. The hotel is very
pleasantly situated on an eminence, the grounds being highly improved with
beautiful shady groves, walks and paths, leading to the Springs, which are
located in a hollow about a hundred yards in the rear of the hotel.
The Springs are covered over by a shed one hundred and fifty feet long by
sixty feet wide, and are five in number.
The Rock Spring, so called from the waters forcing themselves up through
a bed of black cherty rocks, is the most noted here, and contains carbonic soda;
carbonic magnesia; oxyde [sic] iron; chloride sodium; carbonic acid gas;
sulphurated hydrogen gas; carbonic potassa, and traces of iodine.
The water is cool, transparent, and almost tasteless.
This Spring is celebrated for its wonderful cures of cases of scrofula,
dropsy, dyspepsia, affections of the skin, female complaints, liver complaint,
and diseased kidneys. It is a
strong tonic, acts powerfully as a diuretic, and its stringent qualities are
highly beneficial in diarrhoea. The
number of remarkable cures which this Spring has effected is truly surprising.
The most distinguished physicians have certified as to its great
efficacy.
The Brick Spring (the well being formed of brick) has fine chalybeate
qualities, is a fine tonic, and acts on the skin, liver, kidneys and bowels,
being destitute of any astringent qualities.
This is also a wonderful water, and is strongly impregnated with iron.
In cases of general debility its effects are marvelous in its
restorations. There is also the
marble or alum spring, the soda spring, and a large free-stone spring of the
most delightful water, both of the former containing likewise great medicinal
properties.
These springs are largely and fashionable attended by citizens from all
the Southern States, as well as many from the North and West, and by officers of
the army and navy, not only for their great medicinal qualities, but as a
delightful summer resort. There is
a splendid brass band here, and the balls throughout the season have been as
brilliant as even Newport can boast of; indeed Bailey Springs have become the
Saratoga of the South, while the waters are incomparably superior to any yet
discovered in the Union. A
bright-eyed young lady, with real natural rosy cheeks (the test being that she
could really blush!), made the confession that when she first came here she was
so thin and debilitated that it exhausted her to walk from the hotel to the
springs even, and now she thought nothing of a ramble of two or three miles,
while all her spare time was occupied in letting her dresses out!
About a hundred yards from the Springs, in a little valley shaded by
forest trees; on each side is a rocky branch, along which pleasantly murmurs a
pretty streamlet with little cascades falling over ledges of rock; following
which for a quarter of a mile, you come to "Cold Spring," a fine,
soft, freestone water, as cold as ice, which jets up through the layers of the
rocks on the side of the branch. A
few hundred yards further on you arrive at Shoal Creek--a long, winding stream,
which finally empties into the Tennessee river.
This walk is as charming and romantic as any lover could wish.
The Creek is celebrated for its great water power and fine trout, where
the disciples of Isaac Walton may most successfully indulge in the piscatory
sport of angling, while little coves afford fine bathing, and the canoes and
pretty sail boats entice pleasure parties to explore the windings of the Creek.
The neighboring farms and plantations supply the hotel with melons,
peaches, apples, grapes, and other fruits in season, and the surrounding country
also affords many fine rides and drives to points of great interest.
The drive to the Muscle Shoals and the falls of the Tennessee river,
about six miles distant from the hotel, is very interesting.
Above the shoals a canal was commenced a number of years ago by the State
of Alabama to facilitate navigation, but which never has been finished.
Three miles from the hotel another drive carries you to the large cotton
factory of Messrs. Baugh, Kennedy, & co., situated on Shoal Creek.
This factory consumes over sixteen bales per day, and turns out very
superior osnaburgs and cotton yarns. It
is called the Lauderdale Cotton Factory. They
employ about one hundred and fifty operatives, principally girls, and the
village, which contains a pretty little church, numbers about three hundred
persons. The factory has been in
operation for the past six years. Three
miles further on, at another point on the creek, brings you to the "Cowper
Wool Factories" of Messrs. Milner, Wood, and Wenn. They turn out coarse woollen negro clothing, linseys, and
fine cassimeres, and cannot keep up with their orders, though they have fifteen
looms constantly running. Most of
their wool is obtained from Texas, thus showing the importance of wool growing
that State, the mills of Georgia and Alabama consuming alone the most of the
wool crop of Texas. The Lauderdale
Mills are the Lowell of the South, the water power in "old
Lauderdale," being sufficient to work all the machinery in the States.
The fact is, the majority of the people of the North are not aware how
independent the South is in regard to her manufactories.
Four miles from the springs are also the large casting and machine works
of Messrs. Wright & Rice, where they manufacture steam engines, cotton gins,
sugar mills, and all manner of castings. And I will close by saying, in a word, Bailey Springs
cannot be surpassed as a watering place or summer resort.
ORA.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 24, 1860, p. 1, c. 6
The
New Nursing Bottle.
The superiority of this bottle over all others now used at once made
apparent, when it is considered that they are entirely free from all metallic
substances, and in whatever position held the end of the flexible tube will
always be at the bottom of the bottle, thereby preventing the child from drawing
air, as is too commonly the case with other kinds.
Call and see them. For sale by G. W. Aimar, Chemist and Druggist, Corner King
and Vanderhorst-streets.
[drawing] A. The Rubber
Nipple. B. The flexible part of the
Tube. C. The glass part of the tube
in the milk with the rubber on the end.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 27, 1860, p. 1, c. 3
New York, September 24.
. . .Funny contrasts are seen on Broadway.
Last Saturday, while "Der Hoogh Straat" (as the antique
Dutchmen called it) swarmed with ladies, brilliant in all the novelties of Fall
fashion, three of those scraggy females (of course scraggy), known as Bloomers,
boldly took the western pavement and marched up the street.
The amusement which they created was by no means confined to the feminine
promenaders. The boys--the small
boys, I mean--to whom a Bloomer is more attractive than two elephants and a
dromedary, were in high glee at the spectacle.
They yelled, "hi-hied," hurled juvenile jokes at the oddities,
and followed them in a grand procession through the street.
As for the Bloomers, they rather liked it.
It was a gratifying instance of martyrdom.
Your true reformer in dress covets nothing so anxiously as ridicule.
It is his or her crown of glory. Of
course, these Bloomers are rural people. A New York woman would as soon think of parading Broadway in
her robe de nuit, as in a Bloomer
costume. . . . NOX.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 28, 1860, p. 4, c. 1
Fast
Young Ladies.
Here's a stunning set
of us,
Fast young ladies;
Here's a flashy set of us,
Fast young ladies;
Nowise shy or timorous,
Up to all that men discuss,
Never mind how scandalous,
Fast young ladies.
Wide-awakes our heads
adorn,
Fast young ladies;
Feathers in our hats are worn,
Fast young ladies;
Skirts hitched up on spreading frame,
Petticoats as bright as flame,
Dandy high-heeled boots, proclaim
Fast young ladies.
Riding habits are the
go,
Fast young ladies;
When we prance in Rotten Row,
Fast young ladies,
Where we're never at a loss,
On the theme of "that 'ere 'oss,"
Which, as yet, we do not cross,
Fast young ladies.
There we scan, as bold
as brass,
Fast young ladies;
Other parties as they pass,
Fast young ladies:
Parties whom our parents slow,
Tell us we ought not to know,
Shouldn't we, indeed? Why so?
Fast young ladies.
On the turf we show our
face,
Fast young ladies;
Know the odds of every race,
Fast young ladies;
Talk, as sharp as any knife,
Betting slang--we read Bell's Life;
That's the ticket for a wife,
Fast young ladies.
We are not to be hooked
in,
Fast young ladies;
I require a chap with tin,
Fast young ladies;
Love is humbug; cash the chief
Article in my belief;
All poor matches come to grief,
Fast young ladies;
Not to marry is my
plan,
Fast young ladies;
Any but a wealthy man,
Fast young ladies;
Bother that romance and stuff;
She who likes it is a muff,
We are better up to snuff,
Fast young ladies.
Give me but my quiet
weed,
Fast young ladies;
Bitter ale and ample feed,
Fast young ladies;
Pay my bills, portmonnaie store,
Wardrobe stock--I ask no more,
Sentiment we vote a bore,
Fast young ladies.--Punch.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 6, 1860, p. 4, c. 2
How
to Enjoy the Springs and Stay at Home
Now that the tide of summer absentees is returning, the following racy
burlesque upon the leading Springs, taken from the Southern
Literary Messenger, will be keenly relished:
White Sulphur.--Tie a roll of brimstone under your nose, and drink freely
of thick warm water. Break some
doubtful eggs in your pocket, and run round till you are exhausted.
Procure a second-hand diabetes, change your linen six times a day, and
strut loftily under a tree.
Old Sweet.--Get a large tub, and put some white pebbles in the bottom.
Sit down in it and blow soap-bubbles.
Dress your best, and don't know anybody.
Red Sweet.--Obtain some iron fillings, paint 'em red, put 'em in a
tin-pan or pitcher, and look at 'em in solitary silence.
Eat much mutton, and go to bed early.
Whisky julep eight times a day.
Salt Sulphur.--Call yourself a South Carolinian, and take things easy.
Live well. Stay in one place
a long time. Tincture of brimstone
occasionally.
Montgomery White.--Wear a loose sack coat and look at mulattos
frequently. Eat a great variety of
raw meats and undone vegetables. Play
at faro and draw poker.
Yellow Sulphur.--Get good living on the top of a hill, where you can't
see anything whatever. Dominoes,
draughts and backgammon.
Alleghany.--Sit down in a hard chair in a deep, hot hole, and drink
citrate of magnesia and epsom salts. Gamble some with dyspeptics.
Coyner's.--Take the Lynchburg papers, and gaze with melancholy
pertinacity at the side of a naked hill. Whist and religious tracts.
Rockbridge Allum.--Select some cases of cancer on the face, with a few
necks scrofulously raw, and dine with them daily on indifferent victuals.
Then catch the drippings of the caves of a very old house, in a tin cup
with a long handle, thicken the drippings with powdered nutgalls, and drink
three times a day.
All Healing Springs.--Throw a green blanket in a shallow pond, and wallow
on it. Cut off a strip of blanket
and clap it to your ribs. Read old
novels and talk to pious old ladies about deaths and chronic diseases of the
digestive tube.
Warm Springs.--Diet yourself on the unadulterated juice of the
tea-kettle.
Hot Springs.--Wear a full suit of mustard plasters, and walk about in the
sunshine at noon day, swearing you have got the rheumatism.
Berkley Springs.--Keep your shin [skin?] clear, and know nothing but
Baltimore ten pins.
Peaks of Otter.--Climb a high pole on a cold day at sunrise.
Shut your eyes and whistle.
Weir's Cave.--Go into the cellar at midnight--feel the edges of things,
and skin your shins against the coal scuttle.
Sit down on a pile of anthracite, with a tallow candle, and wonder.
Old Point Comfort.--Build a hog pen in a mud-puddle; fill it with
cockle-burs and thistles, and call it surf-bathing.
Drink bad brandy. Don't sleep. Lie
down with your windows wide open, and no clothing on. Come home with a fishbone in your throat, and oyster shell in
your head, a pain in your stomach, and ten thousand mosquito bites in your body.
Cape May.--Penetrate an immense crowd of male and female rowdies, drop
some salt water in both eyes. Shoot pistols. Eat
some ice cream and claret, and send up one sky rocket every night.
Have yourself insulted often by niggers.
At mid-day smell of an oven with a dead pig in it.
Fill your pockets with cut glass broken into minute fragments.
Yankee Watering Places Generally.--Keep a stale codfish under each arm,
live on onions and pumpkins, go in strong for the Union and freesoil, and dance
the round dances in big breeches.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 11, 1860, p. 1, c. 3-4.
Fashion
in New York
Our
New York Correspondence.
New York, October 8.
The
Belles of Gotham Preparing for the Prince--What
they
are going to Wear--Matters which Stingy Men
need'nt
read about--Prevalence of Peacock Finery--
Zouave
Jackets and Japanese Sets--Opening Day and
its
Delights--Chapeaux, Plumes and Ribbon Scarfs--
The
Donna Volente, etc. etc.
The great pulses of Upper Tendom are throbbing, as never ennuied
pulses throbbed before, and from such different causes.
The favored ones who are to attend the Prince's ball, sigh with feverish
impatience and anxiety, at the same time not forgetting to murmur noli me tangere [sic?--hard to read] to the miserable [illegible]
crest-fallen herd, who can [illegible] of "when I danced with the
Prince," or "when I was the vis-a-vis
of the Prince." The proverb
says "the Queen can do no wrong."
I mean no heresy or schism, therefore I congratulate her Majesty upon her
happy ignorance of the "envy, hatred and malice, and all other
uncharitableness" she has innocently brought to a state of ferment in
Gotham.
Sackcloth and ashes, vs. [illegible] and diamonds!
Floating amid the perfumed tide of fashion, basking in a chance glance or
smile from royalty, vs. playing at snap-dragon in a dark back parlor.
But I dare not pursue the subject further.
I dread the horrible phantoms imagination has conjured up; therefore I
hasten to tell you of what some of the dear creatures,
"In all the queenliness of being fair,"
are going to wear on
that night never-to-be forgotten in the annals of japonicadom, notwithstanding
the many epidemics to which that region is subjected.
One of the prettiest dresses I have seen, which is to be worn by a lovely
girl from the sweet sunny South, a blooming germ just bursting into womanhood,
is a fine white illusion, richly embroidered with white silk, a tunic to
correspond. This is worn over white
silk. The wreath and bouquet
de corsage of violets, white and purple.
The jewels a full and chastely elegant set of pearls.
The waist is quite low, made with Grecian folds; sleeves very short, of
puffed illusion, very full over the short silk cap.
Another, for a lovely brunette, is of rich canary colored Moire
Francaise--the new style watered silk--trimmed with five skirts of illusion,
the front breadth left plain, the skirts caught down on each side by [illegible]
and yellow velvet pansies.--Low pointed corsage, the short sleeve a mixture of
black velvet, puffed illusion and silk, opened to the shoulder and slashed
across by gold cord, the coiffure and boquet [sic] to correspond.
A very elegant white silk has nine flounces, exquisitely embroidered with
rose-colored chenille, and white bugles in elaborate arabesque designs.
As a matter of course, the rare and costly point lace dresses, imported
expressly for the ball, far excel any thing else.
Some are in double skirts; others with narrow flounces of lace, worth
about fifty or sixty dollars a yard; all of the sets, however, include the berthe,
sleeve-trimmings, and handkerchief. A
magnificent mauve velvet dress for a
gorgeous matron, was made very full, en
traine, the low corsage trimmed with a fall of rich point lace, the sleeve short covered with puffed illusion and point,
fastened down by a cluster of white roses with diamond clasps; jewels for the
head, necklace, bracelets, brooch, etc., also of diamonds set in black enamel.
Pearls and jet, black lace and black velvet, or chenille, will be very
extensively used in trimming white or colored dresses; also, black roses and
other flowers, powdered with gold dust.
Among the wonderful preparations, I must not omit the superb opera
cloaks; one I have seen, composed of the softest white cashmere, and embroidered
with silver in a tiny acorn and oak leaf bordering, the hood lined with white
silk and trimmed with flossy white and silver tassels; others are of white
grenadine, through which gleams, like sunset upon snow banks, the brightest
rose, or Magenta silk. Another of
rose-colored thibet, trimmed with silver gimp and braid.
Some of these are the ordinary shape, others in the Arab style.
Lace fichus and capes are more
than ever fashionable, made up in Point d'Angleterre, Point
d'Alencon, or in less costly tulle, with puffings and elaborately ornamented
tabs. The most faultless neck
gleams all the brighter through its misty shadowing.
Certainly the suspicious shoulders need no longer offend the artistic
eye, when the defects can be so readily and tastily hidden by these charming
creations. Nothing tones down the
complexion and softens the tout ensemble more than lace, besides adding richness as well as
floating grace to the figure.
Perhaps you remember the expression of Sam Weller in regard to the famous
veal pie: "It's the seasoning
as does it." Thus the accompaniments are everything to the dress.
Want of skill in proper blending of colors has caused many an elegant
robe to look fuzzy or overloaded, while complexions for the time have been
ruined by the wretched ordeals they are forced to pass through by the caprice of
fashion or an arbitrary modiste.
While speculating upon the disbursement of pin-money, it should never be
forgotten that, to be well and elegantly dressed, does not require a stagey
[sic], fantastic loading down of costly goods and trinkets of rainbow tints.
Remember it is woman's business to be as beautiful and fascinating as
possible; to study the complexion, size, and general style, while uniting a
quiet richness of dress with a total disregard and unconsciousness of one's
self. As naturally as the rose
wears her foliage, so should woman's whole attire, whole manner, harmonize.
The green parasol with the blue dress, magenta ribbons, pink hood and
tassels to the light cloak, with straw-colored or green gloves, may each be
pretty apart, but imagine the combined effect; yet such incongruous costumes
meet the eye and offend the taste by the dozen, every fine day.
It is remarkable this love of finery, this vanity, so paramount in
woman's heart, above all other considerations.
I have yet to meet the poor sewing girl in her faded chintz or delaine
dress, the thin small shawl and bare chilled fingers, who had not cash enough to
lay out upon the tawdry bonnet flaring back from the head, with its face
trimmings of cheap lace, gaudy tumbled flowers, and soiled high-colored
ribbons--a miserable melange of
frayed, crumpled, soiled finery! Let
one venture to lose caste by
promenading below Canal street, at six in the evening, or take a ferry boat to
Brooklin [sic], and I'll wager you a lunch at Maillard's you'll not find a
clean, modest straw hat and plain clean ribbon and face trimming among the
legions who pour out from the wholesale establishments down town.
There is a sort of moral insanity in this feverish love of peacock
adornment, which also affects Biddy on Sundays, who emerges from the basement
door magnificent in her gorgeous Bowery bonnet and flounced silk robe.
What has become of our philanthropic "Hearthstone Club?"
While I pause for a reply, I must tell you about a superb peignoir, called the "Montague," which I have had the
pleasure of admiring at the establishment of Madame Demoriss Goodall, 338
Canal-street, which is the newest of the new styles of morning robes, composed
of maise [sic]-colored silk, gored skirt, the front made entirely in puffings on each
side the front breadth, a narrow double pinked ruffle in black silk, a broad
black ribbon set on plain around the hem, surmounted by one narrow ruffle, very
open and deep sleeve in a point, slashed across the fore-arm with black cable
cord, the same ruffled trimming going around the neck of the corsage, which is
closed to the throat, and buttoned with black silk buttons to the belt, where
the buttons are continued down each side of the front breadth.
I am assured that to be in the cream of fashion one must be antique--in
dress merely--it has remained for the belles of the nineteenth century to have
found and laved in the Fountain of Youth. Therefore
gored skirts, with three narrow little flounces on the bottom, bias, bound or
pinked, are a la mode. Stout
persons--and, alas! there are some of my fair readers who must, perforce, plead
guilty to charming embonpoint--can
have the gored skirt placed on to the waist with double and treble box-plaits to
conceal the manifest rotundity. The
same rule will apply to slender forms who are willing to add a little fullness.
But there are others with "grace in every step," conscious of
perfection, who can have the waist and skirt all cut in one piece; Mesdames,
you have your choice.
I have seen a white silk dress, gored around the bottom were three black
ruffles, bound with rose color. Both
unique and pretty. The waist is
made with round belt, excepting for evening dress when it is pointed.
Another very elegant dress can be made in double skirt.
On every alternate breadth are little flowers in pyramidal shape, with
three ruffles on the under skirt, half a finger in depth.
Still another is a double skirt with puffings in pyramids on both the hem
of the upper skirt edged with lace (if for evening); pagoda sleeve very open,
lined with lace; the entire dress, as are the pyramids, sleeves, corsage,
&c., to be trimmed with gold braid.
A very superb dress, [illegible] for "the
ball," is of white silk, white grenadine over-dress, with fifteen flounces
inch and a quarter depth, the waist covered with a shell trimming, with berthe
of point lace, very broad sash, fastened under the left arm, crossing from right
shoulder, with an opal and diamond clasp. Other
jewels to correspond.
Tight sleeves are to be fashionable after a long effort; the corsage
generally is to be very high, fastened at the throat by a bow of black velvet
ribbon, or any color, a small collar, or lace turned back.
Another new and pretty waist has open front, collar of the same, rolled
back, and bretelles, which are being revived, to pass over the shoulder.
Zouave jackets, pretty and fashionable as ever, are worn with vests, as
usual, of black or gray moire antique,
silk or velvet, with pretty buttons.
The deep cloth basquine will be almost universally worn this season, with
the addition of a pretty cape, falling nearly to the waist, which very much
relieves the stiffness so apparent. There
are additions, also, in the shape of epaulettes for the sleeves, a guipure or crochet
net work, very pretty, finished with tassels.
The new style "Japanese sets," of embroidery and linen for
collar and sleeves, terminate in lappets at the throat and across the back of
the wrist by a jewelled [sic] or gold button or slide to suit the fancy or
purse. Pretty sleeve buttons can
easily be detached from the links and become converted into these new style
fastenings for the cross-over sets.
The famous opening day for milliners, as usual, was born in storms and
swathed in dim clouds. Jupiter
Pluvius, the most suspicious and spiteful of myths, takes special pleasure in
spoiling pretty eyes and trying women's souls.
Taking into consideration, however, that each little head was filled with
the Prince, and how absolutely necessary a becoming hat must be at this season
above all others in the world, unless Louis Napoleon applies for a divorce and
comes over here, and "who knows?"
the old gentleman relented; he concluded to make the amende
honorable, and presto!
Broadway was filled to the utter exclusion of those great horrid awkward
creatures in broadcloth, who were perfectly dying with envy because they never
can know the paradisical happiness of being women, trying colors and matching
complexions.
The first of an advancing army has invaded the sacred precincts of Fifth
Avenue--Fifth Avenue, where the word "trade" causes ladies to faint,
and where Mr. FitzSnip challenged Mr. DeMeasure because the latter innocently
called the former a goose. The Intrepid Mme. Regnier actually took possession of No. 9
Fifth Avenue, near the aristocratic Brevoort House, sacred to exclusive diamond
weddings, and audaciously planted bonnets just from Paris, coiffures and the
most delicious things imaginable, in those plate-glass windows.
But, alas! for the
degeneracy of the times, she lives; she is patronized, and the fortress once
stormed others of that ilk will enter the breach.
O! tempora,
O! mores.
Madame Harris, also an importer only, has opened a new and beautiful atelier,
corner of Broadway and Waverley Place. Of
her chapeaux, I mention one or two
particularly "sweet." A
"real love" was the black velvet bonnet, with a lovely Bird of
Paradise peeping over the side with ruby eyes, his long violet plumes gracefully
sweeping almost to the destined shoulder.
Plumes are fully inaugurated at present--marabouts
and plumes de coque.
Ribbon scarfs [sic] are very elegant for bonnet strings; plain, very wide, and
nearly two yards long, richly brocaded at the ends in blocks or flowers.
These can also be used for sashes, if the belt is narrow and of
corresponding color.
The capes to bonnets are always silk or velvet.
As I mentioned in my last, there is a furore for gold ornaments:
stars, buckles, slides, buttons, bees and butterflies, golden wheat and
berries, gold grapes and gold pins and belts, gold tinsel, lace fringe and
braid. It is unnecessary to warn my
fair readers that the "stagey" [sic] effect of this tawdry glitter
will very soon lose caste among those of good taste.
Still, a little of this species of ornamentation, mixed judiciously in
dark face trimming, is rather becoming and pretty.
There are some new cloaks deserving attention.
The French Paletot, quite a saucy looking affair, having a collar turned
back like one of the masculine gender, buttoned and having turned back lappets
and all. The Zouave cloak is a
favorite of mine; (is it necessary to say more?) made of cloth, faced with
velvet, and opens to discover a cunning jacket belonging to it, either made of
velvet, cloth or quilted silk.
The Donna Volente is another of
my favorites.
"How happy could I be with either,
Were t'other dear charmer away?"
This is made of velvet,
descending in full heavy folds from a small square yoke in treble box plaits.
A small gore on each side, plain in front, deep sleeves, with a wide cuff
turned back; the whole garment lined with violet silk.
The Arabian cloak is being improved by losing the "slouch" and
receiving the addition of a yoke. In
any shape, to your correspondent's eyes, they are detestable.
If the poor Queen of Oude were not dead (rest her soul), I should be
tempted to say something naughty about the ugly fashion she left behind her. I understood the Bowery belles rejoice in the Arabian cloaks,
which Broadway will soon discover, and then--nous verrons!
But, more anon. Au
revoir.
G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 15, 1860, p. 4, c. 1
The Game of Euchre and Life--An Arkansas Father's Advice to his
Son.--There is a genuine humor in the idea that an Arkansas man finds the most
natural expression, even of parting advice to his son, in the language of the
card table, and the manner in which the terms of the game of "euchre"
are there fitted to the game of life is ingenious:
"Bob, you are about leaving home for strange parts.
You're going to throw me out of the game, and to it alone.
The odds is against you, Bob, but remember always that industry and
perseverance are the winning cards; they are the 'bowers.'
Book larning and all that sort of thing will do to fill up with, like
small trumps, but you must have the bowers to back 'em, else they ain't worth
shucks. If luck runs agin you
pretty strong, don't cave in and look like a sick chicken on a rainy day, but
hold your head up and make 'em believe you're flush of trumps; they won't play
so hard agin you.
"I've lived and travelled around some, Bob, and I've found out that
as soon as folks thought you held out a weak hand, they'd back agin you strong.
So, when you're sorter weak, keep on a bold front, but play cautious, be
satisfied with a p'nt. Many's the
hand I've seen euchred 'cause they played for too much.
Keep your eyes well skinned, Bob; don't let 'em 'nig' on you; recollect
the game lays as much with the head as with the hands.
Be temperate; never get drunk, for then no matter how good your hand, you
won't know how to play it; both bowers and the ace won't save you, for there's
sartin to be a 'miss deal' or something wrong.
And another thing, Bob (this was spoken in a low tone), don't go too much
on the women; queens is kinder poor cards; the more you have of them the worse
for you; you might have three and nary trump.
I don't say discard 'em all; if you get hold of one that's a trump, it's
all good, and there's sartin to be one out of four.
And above all, Bob, be honest; never take a man's trick wot don't belong
to you; nor 'slip cards,' nor 'nig,' for then you can't look your man in the
face, and when that's the case there's no fun in the game; it's a regular 'cut
throat.' So now, Bob, farewell, remember wot I tell you, and you'll be
sure to win, and if you don't, sarves you right to get skunked!"
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 19, 1860, p. 3, c, 5
The fashionable color of the season.--Red is the fashionable color now
among the ladies of Paris. We see, says a letter, black mousquetaire hats, bordered with
red and decorated with a red feather; the red flannel under skirt is displayed
by the dress being tucked up a la Pompadour, in festoons; the red stockings set
off to advantage the prettily turned ankle, and Parisian black bootine.
This costume has become the vogue from having been adopted by the Empress
in her rovings on the sea-side at Biarritz.
The brilliant color is peculiarly adapted for displaying to advantage the
beautifully fair complexion of her Majesty.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 20, 1860, p. 3, c. 5
Ball
and Opera Costume for Gentlemen.
Genio C. Scott publishes in the Home Journal, of New York, the following directions to gentlemen,
relative to the appropriate ball and opera costumes:
Habit Noire Habille--Black Dress Coat.
Waist of medium length; skirt extending to the bend of the knee, and very
narrow; sleeves very large at the scye, with very full sleeve-heads, and
tapering regularly to a modest size at the hand; rather short and cuffless;
collar with M ends, short and very light; lapels rather wide, with small holes
to correspond with the small buttons, and the breast formed to roll down to the
second button from the bottom; breast facings of silk, extending out beyond the
under lapel to near the button-holes, disclosing a very narrow lapel above the
turn.
Pantalon Noire--Black Pantaloons--Droit
et demi-large.--Straight and half large, tracing the form of the figure
above the limbs, from whence rather tapering than straight to a springless
bottom, three inches lower at the heel than on the instep.
Made up entirely plain.
Gilet Soie Noire--Transparent Blanc--Black Silk Vest--White Under
Vest.--Plain roll-collar vest of black silk, rolling very low to correspond with
the roll of the breast of the coat. Under
vest of white silk or marseilles; (pique,)
cut double breasted, with a roll collar, rolling low to conform with the outer
vest, and double breasted, to form a more tasteful fit than can be done where
two rows of buttons come in contact; but there are only three buttons and holes
on each forepart of the under vest. The
roll of the breast of the under vest discloses from a half inch to an inch of
the fold projecting beyond the crease row or fold of the breast of the outer
vest.
Gloves.--Straw color of the lightest tint, or pure white is admissible.
Shirt Collars.--The standing shirt collar is the mode.
Cravats.--It is impossible--according to the "Commission
des Modes," the highest authority on fashion
in the world--to dress en regale for a
ball without wearing a white cravat. The
cravat or white neck-tie should be very narrow, to conform with the narrow
collar, and the tie should be very small.
Boots and Shoes.--Pump-soled boots or pump-soled shoes with low quarters,
and black silk stockings, are the wear au
riguer. For an evening like that of the Prince's ball, the
first are preferable; while for a party, more quiet and select, where the utmost
refinement in dress is necessary, the latter should obtain.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 22, 1860, p. 1, c. 5
Letters
from a Tourist--No. XI.
Hot Springs, Ark., Sept. 30.
Travelling
in Arkansas--Memphis and Little Rock
Railroad--Fundamental
Principles of Stage Coach
Riding--Arkansas
Fare--Arrival at Little Rock,
etc.
etc.
There is no day or place so remarkably quiet as a Sunday afternoon in the
country--especially in the country where I am at present located--that is, in
Hot Springs Valley. It is so very, very quiet, that not a leaf is stirring amid
the dense foliage on the hill-sides, and even the whiz of the grasshopper is
still. The gay and fashionable
crowd have all dispersed, leaving only the invalids behind, and, as I find it
insufferably dull to-day, I will give you an account of my first travels in
Arkansas.
Crossing the Mississippi at Memphis in a ferry boat at daylight, you
arrive on the Arkansas shore, where, after ascending a very high bank, you
arrive at the platform of the depot of the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad.
A mule, attached to a windlass, draws a car containing the baggage up the
bank, and after the baggage is transferred to the cars, a very small locomotive
gives a pig's squeal, the conductor cries out "all aboard!" and you
are off. I must confess that this
is the most primitive railroad on which I ever traveled.
It runs through a thick cypress swamp, on an embankment, for a distance
of nearly forty miles, ending at St. Francis' River, opposite to which is the
town of Madison. It took us about
four hours to make the distance, the road being extremely rough.
I am informed by the Superintendent of this road, Mr. J. H. Berry, a very
intelligent gentleman, that preparations are being made to re-lay this part of
the track, and complete the road to Little Rock.
Crossing the St. Francis, we arrived at a log house hotel, where we had a
famous dinner of bacon and greens, with corn-bread for dessert--all for fifty
cents! Our baggage having been
transferred to the boot of a four-horse mail coach, a couple of blasts on an old
tin horn announced that the "mail" was ready to start, and the Jehu
cried out, "all aboard, gents!" Among
the "gents," however, was a very pretty young lady, who had
accompanied us from Memphis. Four
more passengers entered, the driver cracked his whip, and we were off.
The road for a few miles was rather hilly, but pretty fair; we soon,
however, entered the swamps again, and passed over a considerable portion of
what is called corduroy road, made by laying fence rails crosswise.
For variety sake, we would occasionally bounce into a rut or a mud-hole,
with a sufficient inclination of our vehicle to warrant the fears of an upset.
It was the most rickety-rockety, rumpity-bumpity ride I ever had in my
life, knocking the breath out of one nearly every five minutes.
It was my first lesson in the rudiments of stage-coach riding, and I
shall not soon forget it.
At sundown a storm threatened us, and the rain soon fell in torrents.
We soon after arrived at a log cabin ranche [sic], where we stopped to
change horses and get supper. The
stage going East had just passed on, and had consumed all the delicacies of the
"first table," so we had to wait until preparations could be made for
the second, which was on the "cheap and nasty" plan.
There being very little to eat, and that not too clean or tempting in
appearance, our meal was hastily despatched [sic]. "All aboard!" shouted the driver once more, and we
tramped back through the mud and rain to the stage. Night had now set in and darkness veiled our jolts and
miseries. At midnight we arrived at
Clarendon, forty miles from Madison, the rain still falling in torrents.
Here we had to cross White River, and it being quite stormy the driver
concluded it would be safer to wait till daylight.
So the horses were taken out, and we were left to snooze away in the
stage.
Crossing the river the next morning, we soon after entered the prairie
country, and had fine roads, stopping at a snug looking farm house to breakfast.
It had now cleared up, and we had a fine day of it.
The passengers grew communicative, and many a story was told of Arkansas
murders in "old times," among which was that of a man being flayed to
death with a hand-saw--the house being a stand where they change horses, is
called the "Hand-Saw Station" to this day. At 5 p.m. we arrived at Little Rock, beautifully situated on
the Arkansas river.
In my next I will give you some account of my first experiences of the
place.
ORA.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 20, 1860, p. 1, c. 3
Good
Example.
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
We observed, while on visit to a lady friend, a bonnet and dress of
Georgia linsey and cotton, designed for the daughter of one of our leading
Secessionists. The dress is made in
fashionable style, a la Gabrielle, and
the bonnet is composed of white and black Georgia cotton, covered with a net
work of black cotton, the streamers ornamented with Palmetto trees and Lone
Stars, embroidered in gold thread, while the feathers are formed of white and
black worsted. The entire work is
domestic, as well as the material, and exhibits considerable ingenuity.
The idea illustrates the patriotism of the ladies, and their earnest
sympathy with the great Southern movement, while its execution affords
convincing proof of how independent we can be of our Northern aggressors, when
we have the will to undertake, and the energy to achieve
HOME INDUSTRY.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 23, 1860, p. 1, c. 3
Hints
to South Carolina Women
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
A very few weeks must see South Carolina out of this Union.
We are fairly entered for the glorious struggle, and the stunning
disgrace of backing out is now, thank God, an impossibility.
Our Legislature, which assembles in a few days, will doubtless make
immediate arrangements for a thorough arming of the State, already too long
delayed. This, our Revolution of
1860, destined to be (except that of 1776) the grandest in its results which
modern history has chronicled, may
take place peaceably, and we may possibly pass without bloodshed, from our now
almost abject condition of colonial dependency, to the full possession of those
rights which, in our desire for peace and conciliation, we have so long allowed
to lie dormant. But it may be otherwise, and it is folly to shut our eyes to contingencies,
and conclude that what may be must be, because we wish it.
Our men may be called upon to show their nerve in fight, as well as in
council, and it is now the most stringent duty of our legislators to see them
fully prepared for the struggle. Prompt
enough they are, God knows, and up to mark.
Our bold boys seem only to fear that all may be too peaceable, and that
the surest of all seals, the seal of blood, may be needed to the charter of our
rights. Men and boys we have, bold spirits enough, to meet the brunt
of action. Ill armed, or well, our
men will fight. The Palmetto banner
has never waved over cowards. May
God in his mercy put it into the hearts of our legislators to prepare us for all
possible contingencies. Let us be
prepared for the worst, and hope for the best.
In the mean time our men--I have said it--are ready.
What are our women doing? Talking
of fight--giving bouquets, wreaths, and banners with mottos [sic] and good
wishes--some of us scribbling for newspapers--all of us saying, "God
speed" to the great cause! But,
sisters and daughters, is this enough? Empty
words! empty words!--can you give
no more? The heartless braggart may
talk it out as plausibly as the best; but bragging is not doing. Woman, will you send your son, your husband, and your
brother--or you, pretty maiden, your lover--to the fight, giving him a wreath,
or a mottoed flag, and then lie down to sleep?
Nay, nay, you cannot--you dare not.
When that time comes the midnight hour will find you watching--the
dawning day will wake upon your unclosed eyes.
And then, to still the anxious throbbings of a watching heart--sisters,
believe me--we will want something besides the recollections of wreaths and
bouquets, mottos [sic] and newspaper articles.
These are well enough in their way, and in their time, when backed by
earnest effort. But spare us the
mockery of them if these be all we can do.
We have all heard the story of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning.
Day after day, as I see our women fresh rigged with the frippery of the
season--new bonnets, new laces, new flounces and furbelows,--day after day, as I
hear of their frequenting Yankee shows, operas, and concert singers,--I remember
Nero: and, shuddering, wonder if
these, his petticoated imitators, can be South Carolina women. Forgive me, sisters, the harsh thought. We have sinned, we have sinned; but, as yet, it has been in
thoughtless ignorance, rather than heartless folly. Let us now wake up to better things. A great free people must have true-hearted, whole-souled
women. Nothing has of late years
marked more the rottenness at heart of this Union of States, now falling to
pieces from its festering iniquities, than the follies of its women.
Fast ladies have we had, woman's rights ladies; ladies who must have new
silk dresses to sweep the streets though the husband break or the children
starve for it; girls who must spend on the wardrobe of one what thirty years
since would have supported a family, thus driving fathers and brothers to
defalcations, frauds, and perjury; mothers who find no better lessons for their
daughters than midnight balls, ending only with daylight--a gas-light life,
where heart and soul are crushed under show and tinsel.
Let our men believe it, and teach our women so, the broken-down devotee
of fashion, with her train of prematurely withering daughters, has left to her
self and them nothing that can render them fitting mothers and wives for
freemen. We, at the South, have only partially fallen into this career
of folly, and our now enacting revolution (for it is upon us) may save us from
our down-hill course.
Women of the South, when comes that hour of blood and triumph, which
shall call away our dear ones "to do or die;" then, as we kneel to
pray for all that we hope for on earth, then will spring to our lips the
self-accusing words: "We have
left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those
things which we ought not to have done;" and bitterly, bitterly will these
fall back on our weak if not guilty consciences.
Now, then, now, "while it is called to-day," let us resolve to
do all that woman can do in our most righteous cause.
Let us, with a grave sympathy in the vital affairs of the day, remember
that this time of struggle and suspense (the fore-runner, we in earnest faith
believe, of the grandest triumph that a nation can achieve), if no time for
doubt and mourning, is equally no time for thoughtless frolic and foolish
self-dedication on the altar of fashion. Funds
are needed. Our Legislature hesitates to tax the people too heavily.
They talk of half a million, and a million might be better.
Ladies, will you give up some ribands [sic] and jewelry, flounces and
embroidery? or will Carolina women
choose to robe themselves in silks and laces, the price of which might alone
suffice to arm the State? Shame us
not by the doubt!
Mr. Editor, assist us only by suggesting and forwarding such arrangements
as will enable us to make voluntary contributions, and my life upon it, the
State will not want funds. Let us know, and, if possible, at once, how and with whom our
deposits can be made. Let me begin.
I have two daughters, each of whom is ready with the hundred dollars
otherwise due for her winter's adornment. As
a mother let me give two hundred; and our young ladies may exercise their
arithmetical and financial powers to determine how many women (contributing each
only in proportion to her means) will be wanted to make the extra half million.
Let us begin with this, and we will come again if you will only tell us
that our country needs us. Down
with the silks, when we have anything better to do with our money.
And you, fair daughters of our State, believe me, you will be far more
lovable in old-fashioned gowns than in the latest New York modes.
Would you bring true hearts to your shrines, show that you too have true
hearts to give in return, and spurn the man who could admire you the more for a
new gown or a pretty head gear. Remember
those flaunting ornaments are, in perspective, tinged with drops of blood.
Whose may it be? Ask not; but like true-hearted women cast aside these worse
than follies, and at least until our struggle for liberty be won, let it be the fashion
of South Carolina ladies to dress unexpensively [sic], and let the greatest
belle pride herself upon her simple toilette and the plainness of her attire.
L. S. M.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 24, 1860, p. 4, c. 3
The Sewing Machine.--It is only seven years since the sewing machine came
into general use in the manufactories of America.
This most meritorious of modern inventions has gradually extended its
sphere of usefulness to the fireside, till it has literally become as familiar
as household words in every part of the Union.
Few inventions have more speedily gained popular favor, yet its
introduction was impeded by all those obstacles that usually stand in the way of
labor-saving machines. The
employers and the employed alike opposed the "innovation;" the former
on account of the original outlay for the machines, and their decreasing the
coast of production, and the latter from fear of their decreasing the demand for
hand labor.
The prejudices of both classes having been overcome by trial and
experience, the sales for the last seven years, large as they have been, will
undoubtedly be greatly exceeded by the sales for the next seven.
The sewing machine trade of the United States exceeds that of all other
countries combined, still there it is only in its infancy.
It is estimated that 200,000 have already been sold for home use, and
20,000 exported.
These machines represent the capacity for work of about two million
hands. They consume $1,000,000
worth of spool thread, which is manufactured expressly for machine use.
The manufacture of "machine twist" has been carried to a great
degree of perfection, and to this improvement no less than to the continued
improvements in the invention itself, is due the rapid and increasing sales.
The manufacture of machine needles employs 1000 men, and the profit on
this business is estimated at $300,000, or about L60,000 per annum.
Five thousand men are engaged in the United States in constructing
machines, and a capital of $3,000,000 or more than L60,000 is employed.
Some of the Companies pay yearly dividends of 100 per cent.
The annual profit of all the Companies cannot be less than $250,000, or
more than L50,000.
One Company is now able to construct 150 daily, and the sales for 1860,
in the United States, will probably amount to more than 50,000 machines.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 30, 1860, p. 1, c. 2
Resolutions
Aux Temps
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
A party of young ladies, recently, while sipping inspiration from the
China leaf, became warmly imbued with the spirit of the times, and after
electing officers, etc., drew up the following resolutions:
Resolved, That we, though by Divine authority termed the "weaker
vessels," are nevertheless endowed with resolute wills, and hence have the
power to make resolves, and to keep them,
Resolved, That since the election of Lincoln to the Presidency, we
consider our allegiance to the North as ended, and will therefore use our
influence in favor of an immediate secession,
Resolved, that we honor all men who are for this movement, but are
determined to secede ourselves from all who are opposed to it,
Resolved, That at present the best "feather in the cap" of any
young man, is the "Palmetto cockade," and it makes our hearts flutter
to see one mounted above a manly brow,
Resolved, That "gunpowder tea" shall be our favorite beverage,
and "percussion caps" the only ones that we shall set,
Resolved, That "Yankee Doodle" is now defunct, and we can
henceforth play only marches and quicksteps, and sing of the Lone Star, the
Soldier's Return, etc.,
Resolved, That the Military Institution of the State is a great
institution, and her Cadets great fellows,
Resolved, That notwithstanding we feel duly grateful to the Yankees for
their past services in making our shoes, &c., we are now seized with a
decided predilection in favor of French boots, and hope to get a supply as soon
as our Southern President becomes inaugurated.
Resolved, That since the weather is getting quite cold, and manufacturing
establishments South rather scarce, we will hold on to our Northern "goods
and chattels" a while longer, knowing that our silks and worsteds are from
Europe, and feeling that to our calicos and cotton stuffs, at least, we have the
original, the "God-given" right,
Resolved, That though our Palmetto shades are dearer to us than life, yet
we love every State at the South--two of them especially--and dwell with delight
upon the beautiful lake scenery of the one, and the mountain and grotto
view--ideal-painted--of the other,
Resolved, That we honor the sons of Carolina in proportion to their
patriotism, and are ready to yield up our hearts to the first Garibaldi who
shall show himself,
Resolved, That we wish the world to know our views on the present issue
of events, and will therefore place them at the disposal of the Charleston
Mercury.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 6, 1860, p. 3, c. 7
Roses,
Flowering
Shrubs,
Fruit
Trees, Evergreens,
Bulbous
Roots, etc.
20,000 Rose Bushes, in
200 varieties, at 50 cents each, $3 per dozen, $20 per hundred.
6,000 Fruit
Trees--Pear, Peach, Nectarines
15,000 Flowering Plants
and Evergreens, in pots,
also,
Hyacinths, Tulips,
Crocus, Verbenas, Carnations, etc., etc.
Cultivated and for sale
by
A.
Pudigon, Florist,
King
street Road, Charleston, S. C.
Catalogues sent to all
applicants.
Pomaria,
S. C.,
Nurseries.
A
full Descriptive Catalogue sent to all who apply.
Address
Wm. Summer, Pomaria, S. C.
Charleston
Agents--Messrs. Ingraham & Webb,
Columbia Agents--Dr. C.
H. Miot and Robt. M. Stokes,
Fernandina, Fla.--Roux
& Co.
Fruit
Trees.
Apple, Apricot,
Cherries, Nectarines, Peach, Pear, Plum, Quinces, Figs, Service Trees, &c.
All the approved varieties adapted to Southern culture.
Nut
Trees.
Almonds, English
Walnuts, or Madeira Nuts, large fruited Spanish Chestnuts, Pecan Nuts--all of
which bear early in our climate.
Grapes.
Native and Foreign--the
best sorts.
Strawberries
and Raspberries.
Lawton
Blackberries--the best varieties, giving a succession of fruit in their Season.
Evergreen
Trees and Shrubs, Roses, &c.
The largest and most
varied collection in the South.
Particular care has
been given to the propagation of rare and beautiful Evergreens for the
decoration of Rural Cemeteries and Family Burial Grounds, and selections will be
made particularly appropriate when left to the taste of the Proprietor.
Hedge
Plants.
Osage Orange and
McCartney Rose, for fields; Arbor Vitae, Privets, Cassina, &c., for gardens.
Miscellaneous.
Embracing a great
variety of Plants, Vines, and small Shrubs, as well as Dahlias, Asparagus, and
other Garden Roots, for which see Catalogue.
Orders solicited and
satisfaction given to purchasers.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 13, 1860, p. 1, c. 4-5
Fashion
in New York.
Our
New York Correspondence.
New York, December 8.
In my bulletin for this month, credit me, mes
amies, for a strict avoidance of all Republican houses--whose very
show-windows I avoid as I would a pestilence.
The agitation of the past month has utterly overcome the usual equanimity
of your correspondent's temperament, serving, however, but to strengthen, if
that were possible, the ardent affection cherished for the South, and still more
ardent detestation of all Republican Northerners.
I wish I could positively endorse, with any degree of certainty, the
sentiments of many of your friends here, that the morning will never
dawn upon the inauguration of Lincoln; whatever his fate may be I care not; but
at all events, it is a far more comforting reflection to be a beaten Democrat
than one of the insolent, triumphant corps of renegade Lincolnites.
We shall see!
Mais allons:
let us wade from the slough of politics to the charming, sparkling waters
of Queen La Mode's dominion, whose
rare and elegant dresses for Winter have been issued with inimitable beauty.
Out of every evil springs some good, is an old, time-worn proverb,
heartily endorsed, now, if ever, by the frantic Mesdames Toodles, of Gotham.
Never before, in the memory of your correspondent, were such
bargains offered--Achieved by the panic, the goods sold at "panic
prices" are really astonishing. As
Mrs. Yellowplush sententiously remarks, "even common people can afford to dress now-a-days;" and the same
lady deplores the lamentable fact that there's nothing to distinguish her
from the plebian herd, since finery is so cheap, and "if dress
does not make the lady, what does?" But
Mrs. Yellowplush is coming out with a coat of arms, which, she will positively
assure you, in regard to its originality, was actually made to order, regardless
of expense. Call upon her New
Year's day, and you can hob nob to her and it, over the massive plate.
I humbly, and with due appreciation of my own insignificance, suggested a
motto--"Quid vides;" which was totally rejected and ignored, as being
"horrid vulgar"--no tobacco quids ever rode in her
carriage. To this day the indignant
lady thinks I insulted her (?) and remains in serene, profound ignorance of the
motto's meaning, which I shall take no pains to make lucid, because--life is
sweet!
The two most fashionable styles for groundwork of dress goods, are black
and Havanne, which is a rich warm
brown. Fuschia is another new and
beautiful shade of purple. These
silks are shot with gorgeous colors, or interwoven with almost an invisible
thread of silver or gold, the ensemble
presenting a moonlight shimmering of light very unique and beautiful.
Wide and narrow stripes, longitudinal and horizontal, are really passe,
though still worn by those who have them; plain grounds, in mode colors or
covered with tiny broche figures, still reign predominant.
I have seen some superb silks with watered stripes, between which meander
exquisitely brocaded vines and blossoms or tiny set figures; also the richest of
black satins, striped with Solferino or Havanne reps, but these are widely different from the usual style of striped
goods.
Amid numerous items of gossip and interest jotted down in a letter I have
just received from a friend in Paris, she notes a few fashions as worn by ladies
of the highest rank, which I quote for your benefit, though not quite definite
enough for a public letter.
N'importe:
"In so faithfully copying the French fashions, we decidedly omit the
best, for the French ladies dress very little in the streets--their attire is
plain and comfortable; in their carriages, however, they appear very
differently. I could not but
remember Broadway last winter--the muddy sidewalks swept by costly silks.
I think I shall set a better example when I return.
Black silk, trimmed with colors, is the prevailing fashion; flounces
plaited on and beaded with velvet or some high color in silk.
These are placed at the bottom of the skirt. Magenta is a great favorite.
Velvet bonnets are principally black, purple or Magenta, and these colors
shaded; for instance, darkest shade around the face, then a shade lighter, and
so on--the front drawn in plaits and the crown made plain of one shade or black,
but mostly of figured lace, white or black.
India shawls are very much worn. I
am surprised to see them so common; they are also quite cheap.
Dress skirts are almost universally made now without lining, hemmed and
bound with silk or worsted braid."
Dresses for promenade are generally made very full, without borderings of
mud and debris, the natural
consequence arising from the absence of the disgusting trail.
Expensive silks or merinos can neither be sent to the laundry or thrown
aside; what then becomes of the soiled and begrimed lining of the trail and the
dust thereon? It must be surely communicated to the under garments; and I
have yet to find a lady of refined delicacy who would not shudder were the
unseen portions of her attire not of immaculate purity and whiteness; hence, I
am glad to note that skirts en train,
for the street at least, are no longer popular.
A sensible revolution is taking place.
In lieu of white tucked and trimmed skirts, plentifully bespattered with
mud, low paper-soled gaiters, disclosing splashed and wet stockings, we have the
comfortable dark Balmoral skirt, fully disclosed by the festooned dress, warm
and thick-soled water-proof Balmoral boots, or the regular India rubber full
boot, defying even New York mud; and no better proof can be given of their
necessity and comfort.
Large medallion buttons are as much worn as ever, ornamenting sleeves,
corsage and skirts; also, braiding with gold and black cording, a
la militaire.
Some waists are made, lining and material gathered full together in a
belt. This is very ugly and
unbecoming; one resembles, in this style, a fat and very much overgrown baby.
Waists are also made with yokes, but the most proper style is plain, the
side seams and front plentifully trimmed with buttons or braided.
Sleeves are pretty, puffed half way, and tight to the wrist, the outer
portion trimmed with large buttons to the elbow; or sleeves can be made rather
full, with a deep pointed cuff extending back from the wrist, trimmings of
velvet bands or galoons, in true military style.
The tight beaver cloth basquines are very much worn, and give a
peculiarly ungraceful appearance to the wearer, especially with the bell hoop
skirt now in vogue. They present a
long, lank ensemble, flat and
ungainly, the heavy skirt of the basquine compressing and swaying the light
hoops in every position but that intended originally. I is certainly odd that women in their furore for new fashions should so absolutely ignore grace and
symmetry. These basques, however,
are comfortable, as far as warmth is concerned, and certainly convenient for
wearing out one's old dresses, the hem of which is frequently scarcely to be
seen.
Odd combinations are seen in dress bonnets, patronized because all tastes
are different. I have seen a very
rich black velvet bonnet, without trimming, save on top an oblong rosette of
white blonde lace, in which laid three pink roses; the inside trimming was three
similar roses on one side above the forehead, and just opposite a knot of the
lightest blue satin ribbons. This
combination of pink and blue is very much affected, also black and white.
Black velvet hats, lined with white silk, the cape lined the same, and
simply trimmed with a long drooping white and black plume de coque; inside can be placed colors to suit the fancy, or
black and white velvet flowers petaled with gold.
In regard to face ornamentation, it is no longer necessary to have a ruche--the
hat inside is lined with silk, plain or in puffings, and the trimming is made of
a mixture of velvet loops intermixed with blonde trimming lace; but even this
can be omitted at the sides, providing the face is full, with thick plaits or bandeaux
of hair or curls. The trimmings
over the brow are of two kinds, invariably--either of a rich cluster of flowers
at one temple or half wreath, or a single flower, a velvet roll or bouillonee dotted with golden spots, crosses over and fills up the
brim, and at the other side or temple, a knot of rich velvet ribbons or flowers
of different style and color. Bonnets,
this season, except those intended for reception and the opera, are only
fashionable when dark.
A very elegant black velvet bonnet was trimmed on top with a small
cluster of blue velvet flowers, with two broad black velvet leaves, from which
depended a black ostrich feather; on the other side a black velvet scarf fell,
faced with blue silk and edged with wide black thread lace.
Inside were a cluster of the same flowers, a roll of golden starred black
velvet, and opposite a black velvet pansy, with bright golden veins and petals.
Strings were black and blue velvet, very long, and I must not omit to
say, tied with very large bows; tie strings of another color, are out of vogue.
The melancholy days of sombre mourning are among the past.
I do not refer, please believe me, to the mourning of the heart, which
ne'er can be affected by
"The trappings and suits of woe;"
but even to those it
will certainly be comforting to know that the becoming is made decidedly a
study. Every degree and gradation
of grief is beautifully modified. Widow's
caps, formerly the most trying of ordeals, are now enchantingly coquettish--the
most "sweetly angelic tributes to the dear departed."
The mourning bonnets are especially rich for those whose grief is not too
deep for consolation. A black reps silk hat was very elegant; the front in broad
plaits, confined by a square knot of silk, from which depended a scarf lined
with lavender; inside were loops of white and lavender velvet, and white velvet
flowers with jet centres.
It is admissible to
"Wear a golden sorrow."
Mourning flowers of
dark purple and black velvet glisten with gold dust, and tiny white velvet
violets peep with golden eyes from black foliage.
Black silk hats are very chaste and lady-like, made in plaits and broad
bows lined with white, the cape to correspond, and inside trimming of white
velvet and black roleau, sparkling with jets, black broad strings edged with
white velvet.
For mourning dress goods the Empress cloth is very desirable; the Ottoman
silks, Ottoman velours, the superb Armures silks, as well as the black poplins
shot with lavender, or plain black silks brocaded with a tiny white flower, are
all fashionable and elegant.
Cloaks and sacques are to be seen corded with white; in beaver or pilot
cloth, they are ornamented with large whitish horn buttons.
They are rather pretty when the white cording is used up on silk, velvet
or satin wraps, and really distingue.
The "Garibaldi" jacket is certainly extremely piquant as well
as picturesque, particularly becoming to a brilliant brunette; as for blondes,
they look well in everything but yellow and pale pink.
These new jackets are be-braided and be-frogged with black or golden
braid, or a mixture of black and gold in gimps, a
la militaire, or left quite plain, lined with white silk, which can be left
to show just a trifle.
Scarlet Balmoral skirts are quite the rage here.
In the days of auld lang syne, so say the gossips, whoever betrayed even an edge of
a scarlet petticoat during the reign of leap year, was challenge sufficient to
the unlucky biped who viewed it to marry the lady, either give her himself or a
new dress. What a commotion the
introduction of this fashion would create here, especially upon Fifth Avenue or
Broadway, on a muddy day!
Gored dresses make spasmodic efforts to be favored, but their long, lank
ugliness condemns them. Skirts are
placed on to the waist in deep hollow plaits in lieu of box plaits or gathers;
the latter is quite obsolete. Head-dresses for evening full dress are en diademe, composed of
velvet, flowers, or any mingling of gold, coral, and precious stones.
Evening dresses are made with pointed corsage, cut low, pointed berthes,
and small wings of blonde or point lace for sleeves.
Sashes are passe, skirts
ruffled or flounced, mode en train. Chenille nets are still very fashionable.
Tout a vous, G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 19, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
Cockades.--The following is the description of the cockades adopted in
Maryland and Virginia:
Virginia.--This consists of a double rosette of blue silk, with a pendant
of lemon color, the whole fastened together by a gilt button, on which appears
in relief the arms of Virginia, with the name of the State and its motto
encircling it. The motto is--Sic
semper tyrannis.
Maryland.--This cockade is formed of a double rosette of blue silk, with
blue pendants, and fastened the same as that of Virginia, with the State button,
with the simple word "Maryland" beneath the arms.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 1, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Cookery and Domestic Matters.--We certainly had occasion, only the other
day, to acknowledge, from some quarter, a copious Cookery Book, calculated, in
practice, to realize the brilliant culinary reveries of Brillat Savarin.
And lo! here is another,
from the press of Charles De Silver, of Philadelphia, which is placed by Russell
& Jones upon our table. Would
they had sent us the dishes rather
than the book of receipts for making them.
A "Hand-Book of Family Knowledge," in accordance with the
precepts of Soyer, and which recognizes all the idealisms of the Physiologie
de Gout." But this manual
of household economy, and toothful
knowledge and juiceful instruction,
does not confine itself to the business of the cuisine; it airs the chambers; makes up the beds; tends the sick;
cultivates flower and kitchen garden; and even teaches you to discipline, train,
domesticate duly and exercise gratefully, your household pets; how to write
love, friendship and business letters; keep accounts; regulate servants; carve a
joint; win a lover; anchor a husband; behave at table, in church; and when you
are asked a delicate question, how to answer; and everything besides!
In short, it is a hand-book of universal information, in regard to the
soul, the stomach, the senses, soups and seasons.
The Editor, thus universal in his capacity to teach, being none other
than M. Guilllaume St. Jean, touching whom--the Saints forgive our ignorance--we
know not a syllable.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 1, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
A
Query.
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
Several young ladies having dear friends at the forts, volunteer their
services to enact the part of Florence Nightingale, during the impending
struggle. Will their offer be
accepted?
Daughters of the "Spunky Little State."
Monday, December 31.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 3, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
The Brave and the Fair.--We suppose that every body knows, by this time,
that all the good ladies--young and old--of Charleston are busy as bees,
preparing creature comforts of all kinds for the gallant men who are keeping
watch and ward on the ramparts and breastworks which defend our city.
We might enumerate a host of good things which we have been the happy
instruments of transmitting to worthy recipients--good things of every
imaginable kind, from turkeys to sandwiches, and from mattresses to lint.
(For the last named article we hope that our volunteers may have no
special use--unless it be to stuff the mattresses--for, with all deference, we
submit that lint, although perhaps less agreeable than feathers, would at all
events be a happy substitute for straw).
We received, last night the following piquant,
as well as patriotic, little note, brimful of generosity, and duly authenticated
with the writer's name. Without
having taken the pain to consult the Chiefs of the Commissary Department, we
venture to respond most emphatically (from personal acquaintance with a number
of non-commissioned officers), that no edible delicacy, of any nature
whatsoever, even leaving out of view the enchanting fact of its having been
prepared by fair hands, is at all likely to go a-begging at this time, within
the martial precincts of Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney or Morris' Island.
And now, without more ado, we print the note, so that all our young
compaigners, in reading the Mercury, may at least revel in the pleasures of
anticipation:
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
While everybody else is volunteering his or her services, to aid in this
great cause of Southern independence, I would not be idle.
My every pulse beats secession; and in thinking of the wrongs we have
suffered from Yankee oppression, I am actually imbued with the spirit of John of
Arc.
I have concluded, however, to relinquish this, and adopt the more
feminine position of Florence Nightingale.
I also have many dear friends
at the forts (not Fort Sumter). Please
add my name to that list of sister spirits
who have tendered their services. I
will promise also to make every delicacy that a Southern soldier can fancy. If
my services are accepted, please inform me through the columns of your glorious
paper.
From one who is proud to be
The Daughter of a Nullifier.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 4, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
The
Ladies of the Empire State
Waynesboro', Burke Co., Ga.,}
January 1, 1861. }
Editor Mercury: The
following patriotic resolutions were adopted, among others, by the ladies of
this town and county, at an enthusiastic meeting held by them on Saturday last.
The following was presented by Mrs. Col. I. Carter, and received with a
joyous outburst of applause:
Resolved, That the ladies of Burke county do tender their warmest
sympathies, and pledge their love and devotion to the proud, gallant, chivalrous
and "free people" of South Carolina, for the fearless and heroic act
of December 20th, 1860, which has opened a page in the history of human
greatness that the pride of man shall herald through all time, and woman's
holiest and noblest affection embalm for all eternity.
A Committee of young ladies presented the following, which was adopted:
Resolved, That we, the young ladies of Burke county, do, henceforth,
reject with haughty scorn and proud disdain, all civilities from any gentleman
who refuses, or neglects, to join the ranks of any Southern State that shall, in
her sovereign capacity, withdraw her allegiance from this unconstitutional
Confederacy, holding it to be self-evident--that a dasdard's glove can never win
a woman's love, or defend her honor.
Very respectfully,
A Native Carolinian.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 7, 1861, p. 3, c. 5
Lint.--An interesting circumstance connected with the lint, which the
teachers and pupils of the Columbia Female College (during this their present
recess) are preparing for the use, if need be, by our Southern army, is, that it
is from linen sheets, spun and wove by a woman of the Revolution of 1776 (the
great-grand-mother of one of the teachers of the institution).
The women of one revolution, thus, as it were, coming up to the help of
the women of another, even as the memory of the patriotism of the women of the
past causes to glow with increased ardor that of the women of the
present.--Carolinian.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 14, 1861, p. 1, c. 3-4
The
Fashions.
Our
New York Correspondence.
New York, January 11, 1861.
Fashion
and Politics--Empress Eugenie not attending
to
the toilette of the season--The Holidays in Gotham--
Elegant
simplicity the Rage--Delightful details of
Ladies
costume--Arrangement of the Hair, &c., &c., &c.
Fashion, chere amies, trembling
and uncertain, stands at your thresholds, awaiting the magical open
sesame, excessively nervous and doubtful regarding her reception--feeling,
however, that
"This world is all a fleeting show,
For woman's illusion given!"
and that, elevated as
we may esteem ourselves above the
"Gauds that women sigh for,"
the brilliant delusions
vanity lays at our shrine, notwithstanding the unfathomable profundity of our
minds, our superhuman sagacity and depth of character, are as difficult to
penetrate as was the riddle of the Sphynx [sic]. Yet you will, I think, agree with me that it is an
inexpressible relief to descend from the elevated "divine
proprium" to earth earthy [sic?], and the delicious nothingness of the toilette.
Queen La Mode will never
secede; she at least will keep us united while she receives allegiance upon her
throne in la belle France!
I am but the mouthpiece of her majesty, as little Prince Nosey, surnamed
Seward, is of the old Rail Splitter; excepting your correspondent has some
antique ideas of honesty of purpose, odd notions about gentlemen of the old
school, and mushroom and fungus aristocracy, totally ignored, even if
comprehended by the above mentioned parties.
Since my earliest recollection I have never missed an inauguration in
Washington. The coming fourth of
March I shall pass in the quietude of my own sanctum in fasting and prayer,
humiliation and shame, that the noblest gift in the hands of the American
people, the sacred sceptre which has been wielded by the best blood in the
country, should be polluted by the touch of the mongrel apostates, rank in
hearts
"As the foul weed that rots on Lethe's shore."
But enough of politics,
which have been sadly interfering of late with the even tenor of my way and the far
niente I so much love; but these are the days to "try women's
souls" as well as men's.
The present month is very dull regarding variety in fashions, the winter
styles having been inaugurated, and the spoiled and willful Empress Eugenie too
much occupied in having her own way, meddling with Court matters and flying
round the country in a very unroyal or un-Empress sort of fashion, proving she
was "not to the manor born," to be much interested in inventing and
changing matters of the toilette. I may be,
however, premature in my conclusions--for having travelled [sic] about just as
she used to do, and Time, with his "mighty iron power," perhaps dulled
the edge of her grief for her sister's loss, and indulged in the satisfaction of
ruling the great Napoleon, rather of forcing one of his most faithful ministers
to resign, the next Parisian bulletin may convey some extraordinary intelligence
in the way of ornamentation. Quien
sabe?
During the Christmas and New Year's carnival Gotham exhibited a mise
en scene indescribable in its
brilliancy and superb tout ensemble.
Merchants, taking advantage of holiday liberality in expenditure, made
the most gorgeous displays of the most beautiful and tempting goods at
"panic prices," fairly, with a sort of magic, persuading the cash out
of one's porte monnaies nolens volens.
The most fashionable and exclusive of our modistes
gave their last opening reception ere preparing for early spring.
The bonnets were really chef
d'ouvres in magnificent simplicity. Colored
velvets and black, intermingled with the purest white, is the favorite style,
too delicate and pure to become common or too popular.
An uncut velvet hat of the lovely thing of sea green foam on the ocean
wave, had a cape of white Russia velvet, a fall of rich point lace on the front
was caught down one side by a rosette of the same lace, in which nestled an
exquisite boquet [sic] of green velvet flowers and white buds; the inside
trimming consisted merely of a few buds and loops of the green velvet, covered
by blonde lace in fan-like plaitings; strings were white velvet edged with
green. Another was of white uncut
velvet, with a broad plaiting of Solferino velvet around the front a finger's
depth, a small cluster of the same colored velvet flowers nearly on top, from
which depended a snowy marabout, tipped with the same warm hue, as if tinged
with the gleams of sunset.
Many hats have no inside trimming of any description; the lining of
shirred velvet or silk, and the outside perfectly plain, with the exception of
rich real lace.
The shapes remain unaltered, common size--neither large or small; some
are flattened over the brow--a style as ugly as it is unbecoming.
More attention is given to ball and evening dress costumes at present,
since Madame and Mam'selle
are satisfied with their favorite cloaks, sacques, basquines or furs; have
settled into their last new bonnets, and have no more winter dresses to make up,
to the vexation of dress makers, and the intense joy of pater
familias, in the innocence of masculine hearts ne'er dreaming that such
flimsey [sic] stuff as lace, and tarlatane, and flowers, can possibly cost much.
Soyez tranquille, mes amies, and be happy in your ignorance.
As with all other fashions this season, the rage is for elegant
simplicity, yet of the finest and richest quality of material, sold now-a-days
as bargains, really less than cost.
An exquisite fine white tarletane, high corsage, in a series of puffings
over low lining, long sleeves to correspond, and the skirt precisely
similar--the ensemble appearing like a
pile of fleecy mid-summer clouds, the boquet de corsage of real flowers, heliotrope predominating, and
wreath of heliotrope for the hair. The
bouquet-holder, fan and handkerchief the only apparently rich and expensive
additions to this lovely toilette.
Our Miss Floras, dying for a new sensation, look particularly bewitching
in a sort of stagey [sic] costume, after the style of a Swiss or French paysanne;
a bodice of velvet or silk, any color to suit the tastes, laced across a high corsage
of fine thin muslin or lace; a silk skirt is worn with it unlike the stage
costume, which generally consists of one remarkably full and short.
This is suitable for sociables, re-unions, or private hops.
All diaphanous materials are particularly affected by young ladies, and
are certainly more appropriate for graceful youth.
These light, airy fabrics are trimmed with garlands, or boquets [sic] or
flowers.
A very distingue dress is of violet crape over white silk, two skirts,
each trimmed with puffings interspersed with white violets and cape jessamine,
the wreath and boquet [sic] to correspond, sleeves a tiny puff of crape over the
silk, and a narrow flouncing of blonde or point lace, caught up by a small
cluster of flowers; corsage pointed before and behind.
Sleeves can be made for full evening dress, if desired, to entirely cover
the arm, in a series of graduated puffs, or one puff with one or two flounces
falling below or just to the elbow. This
is a pleasant liberty for those who desire to conceal the arm.
Another dress had the skirt covered with longitudinal puffings, wide, and
ornamented between by knots of tri-colored ribbons with floating ends.
The waist corresponded.
It is almost impossible to describe the various delicately beautiful
capes, fichus and berthes,
created by the dainty fingers of fashion, to render still more lovely
"ivory shoulders," as well as hiding all disfigurements upon those
less gifted by nature. Ribbon
quillings with curled ends ornament these cobweb fabrics, which look, in their
snowy whiteness, like heaps of drifted snow.
Some of the capes are plain thule,
the edge trimmed with oblong puffs edged with blond, and a single flower, bud,
or dew-bespangled leaf resting in the heart of each.
Others have a tiny rosette of narrow black velvet ribbon, or a bunch of
scarlet berries and black leaves frosted with gold.
[six lines illegible]
There is little change since my last bulletin in the making up of
dresses; in evening or ball dresses, or even where a skirt is required to form a
trail, small gores can be introduced in the bottom of the under skirt, beneath
the one deep flounce. Skirts are
still set on in treble box plaits or deep hollow plaits in heavy dresses, such
as Ottoman velours and plain poplins. The
Empress style is still observed of having the front nearly plain, with the
plaits set back, and a row of buttons from the throat to the hem.
An improvement on the Jockey sleeve, introduced in Paris, has been shown
me. The seam on the outside of the
arm is continued quite to the shoulder, a cable cord fastened down the entire
length, finishing with a large button; the turned back cuff is plainly rounded
on the under part, and divided in points on the upper, each point fastened down
by a button; at the top of the sleeve is a crocheted flat button, with tags, a
sort of epaulette. Guipure
medallion buttons graduated are very elegant trimmings for a rich heavy silk;
the sleeves and corsage should be trimmed with guipure lace to correspond.
The Garibaldi jacket is still as popular and piquant
as ever. These are made in front
like a waist, a small basque or coatee,
gradually widening back from the hips. They
are buttoned, generally closely, with gold buttons, and either trimmed with
black and gold gimp, or black cloth or velvet, or braided with gold cord, if of
scarlet cloth.
The corsage is round, and belts are invariably worn, with or without
buckles, optional with the wearer.
Arabian cloaks are un peu passe. I
sincerely hope this most ungraceful of styles may never be resuscitated.
In fact a rather stiff uniformity pervades our promenades in the present furore
for the deep street basquines. Exceedingly
warm, and comfortable, as I must imagine they are, yet they are certainly not adapted for all forms.
Coming nearly to the hem of the dress, they are very convenient, serving
to prevent too frequent changes of attire, as well as rendering serviceable
one's old skirts.
My favorite style is the shawl-shaped velvet mantle, trimmed with
handsome fur. These are very much
worn by the wealthy. Full fur capes
of sable or mink, still continue to reign paramount.
There are quantities of imitation; an experienced eye can, however,
detect the crystals from the diamonds.
There is much more latitude allowed in the arrangement of the hair than
in former years. Bunches of curls
at the temples, or braids brought around the ear, bandeaux or long
ringlets, are alike the fashion. Hair
is left more to the dictates of taste and as nature intended, and one no longer
shrinks from touching the lips to some fresh, rosy cheek, fearing to come in
contact with stiff locks plastered down as with a mason's trowel, covered with
bandoline, cosmetique, gum arabic, or,
for aught I know, Spalding's glue. Long faces can now be relieved by broad braids or glossy,
wavy bandeaux, and plump cheeks toned
down by sentimental ringlets or flat bands; or, if liked, the hair can be rolled
a la Imperatrice, or combed back a
la Chinoise. Therefore, belle amies,
consult your mirrors and dress your locks to suit your several styles.
Little gentlemen look very canny in the fashionable Hieland
costume; the gay tartan skirts short and full, the velvet tunic scarf crossing
over one shoulder and fastened at the belt with the buckle, goat-skin pouch and
jewelled [sic] buttons in the shape of thistles, the round Glengarry cap with
the single heron's plume, and warm velvet leggins. [sic]
Toilet slippers are unusually elaborate this season.
Of brown or bronze kid, the former rosette is superseded by a quilling of
ribbon extending to the sides, the long rosette on top fastened with a golden
buckle, or the slippers can be ornamented with a puffing of ribbon fastened on
each edge with a gold cord.
Yours, in haste, G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 16, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Letter
From a Georgia Lady.
We have been favored, by a venerable gentleman of this city, with the
following extract of a letter from his niece, now living in Georgia, which fully
shows the spirit which animates the matrons of the South, and evidences that
they are the worthy descendants of the women of '76:
"You know that it has always been from childhood a subject of regret
to me that I was not of the other sex; but never have I felt it more bitterly
than at this time. A poor weak
woman, that can do nothing for her country, unless it is to nurse the sick and
wounded, which I know I would do to the best of my ability; but you may rest
assured, if there is a gun lying idle that could be made effective, here is an
individual that would not stop to think of petticoats, but put it to the best
use she knows how, and I would not hesitate to make old Scott the first victim
if I could.
"My boys are healthy and strong fellows; I wish they were old enough
to do duty. I would willingly give
them up for this cause."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 17, 1861, p, 2, c. 1
The Baggy Style.--Nat. P. Willis criticises [sic] in the Home
Journal the present fashion in gentlemen's clothes as possessing "a
needless bulk, a bloated and disproportionate largeness and fullness,"
&c. He neglects the greatest
objection, however, viz: the bill.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 21, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
The Rage in Ladies' Dress.--Fanny Fern really thinks "there is great
and sensible improvement in the matter of female apparel this winter.
Dress bonnets are scarce upon promenade--that's a blessing, when one
never sees more than three pretty 'dress bonnets' in a life-time.
Thick-soled boots are voted 'genteel;' outside garments are fashioned
with an eye to warmth as well as shapeliness.
The timid, who turned aside their eyes with a shocked 'oh,' when the
first independent lady pinned the skirt of her dress up out of the mud, now go
and do likewise. At our places of
evening amusement, gauze bonnets, ermine, and white kidism are marks of 'the
stranger within our gates,' or of persons with whom one would feel honored to be
at variance on the dress question. Display
in dress is beginning to be confined, as it should be, to the drawing room"
and Fanny is glad to see this on the score of good taste as well as economy.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 22, 1861, p. 4, c. 4
The ladies of Marion, Alabama, are busily engaged in making sand bags to
send to Fort Morgan.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 25, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
The Patriotic Ladies of Pensacola are busily engaged every day, at the
late United States Court House, making up uniforms for the army.
The spirit which animated the mothers of '76 still lives and burns in the
daughters of '61, and nowhere does it exist in a higher degree than in the
"Land of the Flowers," which, by the way, we have always understood to
refer to these living breathing, blushing flowers.--Pensacola Gazette, 19th
inst.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 28, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Our
Flag. [drawing]
On Saturday last both Houses of the General Assembly finally concurred in
the design of the flag which is hereafter to represent the Sovereign State of
South Carolina. The field is dark
blue. Upon the upper inner corner
of the flag is the crescent, in white, the horns pointing upward.
In the middle of the flag is an oval, in white, emblazoned with a golden
palmetto, upright. The cut we present will give an idea of the proportions of the
new ensign.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 29, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Expression of Dress.--Women are more like flowers than we think.
In their dress and adornment they express their natures, as the flowers
do in their petals and colors. Some
women are like the modest daisies and violets; they never look or feel better
than when dressed in a morning wrapper. Others
are not themselves unless they can flame out in gorgeous dress, like the tulip
or the blush rose. Who has not seen
women just like white lilies? We
know several double marigolds and poppies.
There are women fit only for velvets, like the dahlias; others are
graceful and airy, like azaleas. Now
and then you see hollyhocks and sunflowers.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 2, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
The
Flag of South Carolina [illustration]
We present this morning a carefully prepared cut of the flag of our
State. The field is dark blue, with
the palmetto tree upright in the middle. Upon
the upper inner corner of the flag is a crescent in white, the horns pointing
upward. The design is at once
distinct and simple.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 6, 1861, p. 4, c. 4
Homespun.--Two of Portsmouth's (Va.) fair daughters appeared in its
streets Tuesday in homespun, and the general verdict was they looked charming.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 7, 1861, p. 4, c. 1
Texas!
Up! up with the Lone
Star banner!
Its hues are still as bright
As when its glories
braved the breeze
At San Jacinto's fight;
Its fluttering folds in
glory waved
O'er many a gory brow;
The freedom that was
conquered then
Will not be yielded now.
The honor of that Lone
Star Flag
That floats the blue above,
Is held as dear by
Texan hearts
As that of her they love;
And not a stain shall
dim its hues
While yet a man remains
To save its flower
encircled land
From ignominious chains.
That banner with the
single star,
Is Freedom's favored sign;
Beneath its folds
unfurled to-day
Her purest glories shine;
And in the whirlwind
and the storm,
Amid the crash and jar,
Her brightest hopes
still rest upon
That Solitary Star.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 14, 1861, p. 4, c. 2
Fanny Fern on "Ladies' Papers."--I rise, Mr. Public, with some
hesitation (being born to a bonnet, though no fault of mine), to ask a question:
Why is it necessary to sexualize
newspapers? Why
cannot an intelligent woman appreciate a paper which commends itself to the
perusal of an intelligent man? I
don't fancy this Shaker way of seating the sisters on one side of the house and
the brethren on the other. It is my
present intention to cross over and take a seat, on this question, with the
brethren. Perhaps you will answer that the majority of women are not
"intelligent." Granting
this for the sake of the argument--though I will say I've found as many male as
female fools in my travels--are these "ladies'" papers and periodicals
particularly adapted to the purpose of rendering the dear creatures more
intelligent? I trust there's no
harm in answering the question. Now,
a "family paper" does not excite my ire; although it is my private
opinion that what generally comes recommended as "fit to lay on the family
table," had better be under it.
A family paper, I say, don't [sic] irritate me, because it puts my
understanding on a level with those of the hats in the house; but when you hand
me a regular out and out "ladies' paper," so called, I am very apt to
throw up the window for a little fresh air.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 15, 1861, p. 1, c. 4-5
The
Fashions.
Our
New York Correspondence.
New York, February 9th, 1861.
Fashions
and Failures--The Passion for Dress not
Quenched
by the Troublous Times--An Old Lady's
Equanimity--Colors
Crowing Out of Vogue--The
Style
in Ladies Hats--French Novelties--A Lady's
Politics,
etc., etc., etc.
Bankrupt sales are now the order of the day or the signs of the times
among us. Thus, notwithstanding
hard times, retrenchment and reform, bank suspensions, revolution and secession,
woman--irrepressible and indomitable--manages to buy bargains and keep herself
and neighbors au courant to the
autocratic decrees of Queen Fashion.
In these troublous days that try women's souls, I shall perchance gain
the reputation of being heartless and farcical for venturing before the
footlights with a Petite_ bulletin of La Mode, perhaps in close proximity to hints of bandages, lint, and
other horribly suggestive ideas relative to "grim-visaged war," a
perfect disenchantment de la vie.
Credit me, nevertheless, for being disinterested enough to risk the foul
imputation at the prospect of being one of the first victims to the projected
banishment, and the uncomfortable sensation of feeling myself decidedly de
trop. With Spartan heroism I
shall endure my sentence. Until I
receive it, however, I imagine that my fair Southern sisters still comprehend
the duties expected of their sex, of ever appearing gracefully apparent of the
business of the toilette, which, so much more important than the mere downfall
of a nation, should never, under any circumstances, be neglected.
Republicans may snub Democrats, and Democrats turn up supercilious noses
at Republicans; still, before one throne of earth earthy, all alike assemble,
nor dare dispute the immutable laws of Fashion.
A love for
"All the gauds that woman sighs for"
is cast in each
feminine horoscope from peeress to peasant.
Fate is fate; so says the wise and opium-steeped Musselman; and though
one clear and perfect chrysolite might be found, yet the flaw will exist in a
passion for Le Follet.
Par exemple:
A charming old lady, whose vivacity and suavity rendered her years full
of graceful youth, was unceremoniously aroused one night by the alarming fact of
her hotel being on fire; in fact the fierce flames were fast approaching her
apartments. Notwithstanding the
entreaties of agonized friends (not heirs),
the courageous old lady, with astonishing presence of mind, completed an
elaborate toilette, not forgetting the efforts made by her coiffeur
and dentist to supply the ravages of Time, and issued forth in the admiring
presence of all, a monument of rare constancy in maintaining the fidelity due to
herself. In the words of the
immortal Webster, that old lady "still lives," a pious example to the
rising generation.
It is quite too early yet here to be made au
fait to the Parisian modes. Had
I the requisite seven-leagued boots I would soon acquire the important
information, but with such shivering evidences around us of winter's reign, and
where skating is the prevalent mania, one dares not even dream of sunny skies
and sweet spicy winds, laden with the odorous breath of spring violets.
I am glad to announce that there is a possibility of the downfall of two
colors--the Solferino and Magenta. Their
very popularity ruined them, besides the fact of really being exceedingly
unbecoming to the mass. Hence a new
color is inaugurated in Paris, called the "Garibaldi," which will soon
be seen here. This new shade is a
lovely salmon pink, one of the few tints exceedingly becoming to brunettes, who
should be congratulated. Since
blondes have been the rage, dark complexions were forced to ignore fashion
altogether, or make themselves hideous; therefore this new delicate shade of
orange salmon, slightly verging upon the pink flush of a sea shell, is very
acceptable, while blondes must be satisfied with the consciousness of always
being fair in every color.
Among bonnets as yet no change of consequence is observed, excepting the
gradual disappearance of ruches, and all inside trimmings have a single knot of
velvet ribbons fastened by a bright gilt buckle near the front edge of the hat,
or a gay little bouquet.
Armed with the magic Shibboleth, I have had two or three peeps into fairy land, the
enchanted portals being hermetically sealed to the curious public.
Wrapped in furs, one's chin nestling in bows of velvet, and one's form
otherwise defended against sharp cutting wintry blasts, imagine the state of
ecstasy into which one is plunged upon viewing these few enchanting spring
bonnets; delicate straws, charming fabrics of lace and pansies; fresh grass
green ribbons, floating tulle, violets and apple blossoms, blush roses and snow
drops, coquettish knots of pink ribbons or true blue, budding to apple green;
peach blooms, rose buds and sweet lilies-of-the-valley.
Is it a matter of wonder that one looks upon the muff, the Balmoral boots
and velvet hat, with the most profound disgust, after retreating from this
glimpse of spring?
Au present the shapes of these
new bonnets are, while being comparatively small, of the Marie Stuart style; a
few more weeks and I shall be enabled to describe some of the pattern hats from la
belle France. Inside
ornamentation will be simply confined to a full lining of silk or satin.
This, of course, is a matter of taste--as to many it will be extremely
unbecoming--but the blonde ruches are being superseded by the soft, misty,
Malines lace, or tulle in light airy
puffings. Capes placed on in box
single and treble plaits, are not quite so wide as formerly.
Among dresses is a new style entitled "La
Gabrielle," very much the shape of a deep basquine; from the fact of
the skirt, which is gored, being made of the same piece as the waist, very wide
around the bottom, the seams under the arms are concealed by box plaits.
The gores are corded in the same materials or colors to correspond; the
former is in the best taste; they can also be trimmed.
I have seen some plain silks with one flounce three quarters of a yard
deep, set on very full, with box plaits and a heading.
A rich mauve silk had a full
black silk flounce. At the heading
of the box plaiting was a narrow trimming of mauve. Several robe
dresses have been imported in this style, others with a bordering to place on
the bottom in wide box plaits.
The modes in Paris seem to discard flounces, rufflings, and other skirt
trimmings altogether, the prevailing style being black and mode silks, with the
bright petite bouquet.
Still flowers will be worn here.
The Vandyke or double-breasted corsage finds much favor.
In very rich material, as velvet, par
exemple, the revers are faced with
silk or satin to correspond with the sleeve linings, which it is unnecessary to
state should be white; colored silk linings are in very bad taste. The part laid over, as in gentlemen's vests, if pointed, can
be fastened with a medallion button.
Sleeves are only tight--puffed or wide--otherwise close, when of heavy
material, such as dark merino or otherwise.
A friend writes here from Paris that all silks and robes of a dressy
nature have the very open sleeve; sometimes cut square, descending from three
box plaits at the shoulder, or the Arabian style, rather difficult to describe
in a pen and ink illustration. The
Lucrezia Borgia is another, extremely wide, lined with white silk, three or four
deep plaits confining it in the inside, fastened by a rich guimpe
or cord and tassel.
The Zouave and Garibaldi jackets continue to be popular as ever, and
their reign will probably remain undiminished throughout the coming summer, as
well for evening as morning toilet, when delicate border patterns and rufflings
will take the place of the present military gold braiding and embroidery.
Silk and other dress goods are beginning to be universally made without
linings. There are many who will
adhere to the good old-fashioned style regardless of Parisian edicts.
I have seen a superb mauve
silk, "thick as a board," richly trimmed around the very full skirt
and bound with silk braid.
Among French novelties are the "corselet sashes."
Wide at the front and back, they gradually narrow under the arms, made of
any handsome material, either like the dress or of satin or velvet, rounded ends
elegantly ornamented with buillion fringe or embroidered in gold.
I have seen some which were purchased in Rome and sent to some friends,
called "Romantics," the sashes of plain green, heavily ribbed or blue,
the ends of the richest combination of colors, and bound with a slender
lattice-work of velvet; a narrower style, matching exactly, was for the coiffure,
to be made in a flat bow and worn on the back of the head.
These were purchased in Rome, but doubtless emanated from Paris.
Sashes made to order of velvet or silk can be worn with three ends; those
above mentioned had but two. The scarf girdle, , made of the dress material, is sometimes
trimmed with a ruche of ribbon or pinked cut silk.
I had forgotten to note another new and beautiful sleeve called the
"Francis First," something of the jockey shape; the edge, in place of
a turned back cuff, trimmed with velvet, the back of the sleeve to the elbow is
opened, and a gore, pointed and slightly full, is inserted; one or two more
bands of velvet can be placed on, one at the elbow and another at equal distance
above. Old ladies, who while
naturally desiring to be a la mode, find open
sleeve uncomfortable and too dressy, can be suited with a full bishop sleeves,
plaited down from the shoulder, and confined at the waist with a little puffing,
finished off by a neat pointed cuff. Caps
of fine lace are frequently lined with colors, of course to suit different ages
and tastes.
For the young wife nothing is prettier than the fresh and piquant
matin cap, lined with rose color and trimmed with soft puffings of tulle and petite bows.
For outside wraps, the very latest style is of black, corded and trimmed
with white. Although we are not
supposed to spoil our eyes grieving for the Empress of Russia, the King of
Prussia, the Dutchess [sic] D'Alba, or any other high and mighty personages, yet
as the Court is in mourning, so must we be; therefore Fashion wills that we wear
black and white. I, for one, shall
not object, as many will agree with me that the style, odd as it is, is
certainly very becoming, and a relief to the wearied eye, a delicious rest and
taming down from bright combinations of reds, greens, and blues.
French sacques and Garibaldi wraps are very fashionable of black reps
silk, very heavy, or cloth, corded, bound or trimmed with white.--The sleeves
are exceedingly long, and finished off at the pointed end, which quite reaches
the bottom of the skirt, with a large tassel.
The latter style is very much ornamented with buttons.
Sans badinage, my heart
misgives me while scribbling about fashions; for the dark cloud of impending
evil lowering o'er our heads, has at last, even for me, lost its silver lining.
I congratulate you upon your election of a President, the only one I
shall ever recognize during the next four years; at the same time my mind is
filled with the most melancholy and desponding emotions.
I love my country with the faithful undying love of one in whose veins
flows naught but the purest, most unadulterated American blood, which, could it
have availed, I would willingly have sacrificed; since all is lost, you have my
sympathies and my love; my scorn had
you submitted to a vile, corrupt government of Aminidab Sleek Republicans.
I had ample reasons for loving the Union, being a descendant of a signer
of the Declaration of Independence, and of another who assisted in the framing
of the Constitution, losing many relatives in both wars; in fact, all of them
having fought and died for their country. Therefore
none can accuse me of not inheriting plenty of patriotism; nevertheless, my
ancestors would scarce blame me were they to know that the glorious country they
saved for us has been drifting about, like a ship among the breakers, with
neither rudder or compass, and not one wise head to stand at the helm.
Too much prosperity, too much money, and a scarcity of brains, has ruined
us; hence the blow has fallen; the result remains to be seen.
Whether you rise or fall, mes amies, under all circumstances, I remain, unchangingly, the
Southron's warmest friend.
G. H. S. H.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 16, 1861, p. 1, c. 5
Skating Costume for New York Ladies.--The latest style of dress worn by
New York lady skaters is described as the Polish costume, with short blue
skirts, fur trimmed basques and hats, and tight-fitting ankle boots, trimmed
also with fur. Others have a semi-Zouave costume, with a short skirt of
bright red, and pantalets of the same ruddy hue, fastened tightly around the
ankle; the basque and hat both trimmed with fur, and neatly fitting skating
boots. These are considered
picturesque and comfortable.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 18, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Photographic Cards.--Card photographs in Paris are now in the height of
fashion. In several of the leading
galleries it makes the chief business, and in one so great is the demand that
the actual work is at least a week behind the orders, and the patrons make their
applications and appointments a week in advance.
Each photograph is multiplied by the dozen, so that it appears that
photographs may soon become as common as newspapers, and we trust as useful.
Speaking of these cards, Cook, the Charleston Photographist, has now
ready neat card photographs of Major Anderson and his officers.
The likenesses are good, and we have no doubt that there will be quite a
rush to Cook's to-day to secure copies.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 23, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
A new fashion in ladies' stockings has come out in England.
They are of woollen [sic] or cotton, but are parti-colored, as red and
white, red and black, mauve and gray. When
harmonizing in color with the dress, the effect is said to be very pretty.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 2, 1861, p. 4, c. 1
Song
of the Newspaper
I am a newspaper--
I carry the news
To all of your
dwellings--
Wherever you choose.
A more faithful servant
Can hardly be found--
Almost omnipresent,
I'm scattered around.
Like stars in the
heavens,
And sands on the shore--
Like leaves that have
fallen
When summer is o'er,
I fly o'er the land,
I pass o'er the sea,
I brave every danger--
It's pleasure for me.
I gather the news from
The steamers and cars,
And telegraphs,
sparkling
With trade, peace, and wars--
I fill up my mission,
Defending the Truth,
And teach useful
lessons,
For old men and youth.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 9, 1861 p. 4, c. 1
Paris
Fashions for March.
For young persons very charming scarfs [sic] are made of black or blue
velvet, piped with white satin. It is very graceful and simple, and more novel than the casaque,
though this is far from being abandoned. Monkey
fur is also very fashionable. Chinchilla
is becoming more so, and swan's down is much worn on pelerines for the theatre,
and to trim wedding dresses.
The Zouave vest is more and more indispensable for in-door dress--for the
more simple as well as the richer toilettes. It is made
either in braided cloth or velvet. The
favorite colors for those of velvet are black and Solferino, with embroidery of
gold or silver, and pearls. Astracan
is also used to trim them, but this is equally suitable for cloth.
Black, brown and Louise blue are the colors preferred for the cloth
Zouave.
Opera mantles are now made exceedingly elegant--some of white cachemire,
bordered with white tassels. The Sultan is one of white or colored cachemire, richly
embroidered with gold. The most
simple and suitable for young girls is a burnous of striped, thick and
transparent white, alternately lined and edged with white silk.--White cachemire,
or white satin sorties de bal, are
frequently trimmed with white plush.
A burnous is sometimes made entirely of white plush, with beautiful
tassels of dead gold hanging from the hood.
The material called groguet is in great request for home dress, and it is made now in
such rich and elegant designs, that it may rank next to velvet.
Velvet of various colors is worn. For
evening dress, there are many light and beautiful fabrics.
Tulle is more in vogue than tarlatane.
There are many dresses of gauze, checked with colors or embroidered with
gold or silver; others of striped gauze; and some of the grenadine, worked with
velvet. White grenadine, with a
pattern in rose color (rose de roi), or with natural flowers dotted over it, and silk tulle
embroidered with chenille, make
exceedingly pretty and tasteful ball dresses.
Very elegant ball dresses are made of satin, either of rose
de roi, green, yellow, azure or lilac.
Satin is also worn for visiting dress, in brown with a black pattern, or
of violet and of Russian leather color. Tulle, spotted with gold, forms a charming tunique, opening over a dress of tarlatane covered with narrow flounces, or tulle worked with rings of chenille
and gold, or in silver. Flounces
are more and more rarely seen, excepting in full dress; flat trimmings placed
round the bottom of the skirt being decidedly more stylish. Thick materials are gored.
Bodies, tight or open; the former certainly seem the most suitable for
cold weather, but the latter permit a great display of lingerie.
Low bodies are now made straighter across the top than they were
formerly. Plastrons of velvet, or
of gold or silver cloth, are frequently placed upon the body instead of sashes.
Pointed bodies are still generally in vogue, and are made either with
drapery, or with a berthe trimmed with
rows of lace. Bodies, either drawn
together or plain in front, very low on the shoulders, with a scarf sash, are
used greatly for trimmings, placed either in bouquets
or in long garlands.
Bonnets are still worn very large, and high over the forehead, and the
trimming is worn either on the top or round the crown; and sometimes a wreath of
small feathers is placed round the front. Velvet
and silk are used together, and often the feathers are white and black, whatever
color may be used for the bonnet. A
bonnet, lately made for one of the ladies of the Empress's court, was very distingue. It was of
black velvet, quite plain, with the exception of a trimming round the front,
formed with very small blue feathers as light as marabouts.
The trimming is equally elegant in either black or white feathers.
Another black velvet bonnet had the curtain made of white blonde,
and the trimming a bouquet of small
feathers fastened inside, and falling gracefully over the front.
These were of two colors--two green and one white.
It is equally pretty with two roses
de roi and one white, or violet and white; but there must always be one
white feather in this style of trimming. A
third was destined for a young lady, and was made of white plush, edged with tulle, embroidered lightly. Bouillonnes
of the same trimming, both inside and out; the only trimming, a small bunch of
roses just at the top. Flowers are
much worn even in coiffure; but
feathers are gaining favor, and are certainly most elegant and graceful. Diadems and combs are also much used, and are becoming to
some styles of beauty; but the diadem is not well suited for very young faces,
which always look best with a simple head-dress.
Touquets are much worn.
The one styled Henri the Third is a padded band of black velvet, with a
gold cord twisted over it, and ornamented with a white feather.
Another is of matted gold fastening a magnolia.
Gold nets with pearls, golden ears of corn with diamonds, or a coiffure
of vine leaves with black grapes and daisies, composed of diamonds, are all much
admired.--Le Follet.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
Flag Presentation.--The Anderson Intelligencer gives an interesting account of a presentation of a
splendid flag to the "Piercetown Guards," by the ladies of that place.
The flag is of blue silk. On
one side, the palmetto and crescent--reverse, the "grand old
mountains," over which are the words, in plain letters, WE STRIKE FOR OUR
HOMES--underneath, PIERCETOWN GUARDS. Altogether
the design and execution is unique, pretty and tasteful.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 18, 1861, p. 1, c. 3-4
The
Fashions.
Our
New York Correspondence.
New York, March 13, 1861.
Society
in Washington--Gossip in Gotham--The Latest
Fashions--Colors,
Diamonds and Fruit--The Latest
"Loves
of Bonnets"--Simplicity Reviving--
Trimmings,
etc. etc.
Notwithstanding my asseverations in my last about passing the fourth of
March in the solitude of my sanctum, I am under the necessity of confessing that
the greater portion of that eventful day was occupied by your correspondent
gazing from a balcony on Pennsylvania Avenue at the very procession I resolved
to ignore. I have not excuse to
offer; in fact, I feel you will not expect one from only a woman; our vows are
traced in sand. Thus I have just
returned from three weeks' participation in the dissipation, hurly-burly
vexations, and political imbroglios of Washington. Curiosity, per se,
was sufficient to take me there--a desire to see the Lincoln's practice how to
rule it.
I have seen, and am satisfied,
so much so, that I have not the faintest wish to take another peep at the
miserable farce, the puppets who dance, nor at those who pull the strings.
It would be impossible for you to believe in the reality of the present
state of society in Washington. The
adherents of Uncle Abe, and the western belles decked in western finery,
strolling around seeing the elephant by day light, armed with oranges,
gingerbread and nuts; by gas light, gorgeous in the last fashion of prairiedom,
elbowing, pushing, struggling for precedence in the Senate, House, lobbies, or
at that never-to-be-forgotten astonishing Lincoln levee.
The Presidentess is extremely hospitable, exceedingly "jolly and
comfortable," as Polly Marshall has it--a specimen of her tact you perhaps
have heard of. I allude to the
cordial invitation given to Mr. Buchanan to make them a visit, and always make
their house his home during any future stay in Washington, &c.
Comment is unnecessary.
Alas!
Washington, while smiling superciliously at this new regime, groans
terrifically at the multiplicity of the counterfeit presentments of our
Mrs. Yellowplush.
From the beginning, the recent advent of Mr. Lincoln in the city, the
funeral cortege of the Inauguration
like the solemn silence of a dead march, the invasion of Goths, the miserable
taste and total lack of refinement, policy and etiquette every where manifest
among the present occupants of the White House, proves it a broad, stupid
farce--like Mr. Lincoln's far-fetched jokes, aimless, destitute of point.
With a profound sensation of unmitigated honest
disgust, for the present I ignore the city of my birth.
I apply the word "honest" because I am not a toadying
office-seeking Republican or vulgar demagogue.
I remember with strong affection those who formerly reigned there;
wondering, with many others in Washington, whether Mr. Lincoln will find it
expedient to make his exit after the fashion of his entree!
Quien sabe.
The delicious vernal air which charmed Gotham during my absence, and of
which I experienced a foretaste in a more southern latitude, brought forth in
shop windows a beautiful display of spring goods, the very recollection of which
causes me to shudder as I now glance skyward at the dull leaden clouds and watch
the slowly falling mingled hail and snow.
One can scarcely tell, in so vacillating and capricious a climate, what
to wear.
"Such heavenly weather," lisps Miss Japonica, in full spring
costume.
"One swallow does not make a summer," growls Mrs. Chadbird,
groaning beneath the weight of her furs; "to-morrow it will perhaps
snow"--which disagreeable possibility, with diphtheria and catarrh en
attendant, the clerk of the weather has amicably corroborated.
At the atelier of R. M.
Mitchell, successor to R. T. Wilde & Co., I have had my first peep at the
Paris pattern hats and flowers. There
are but three colors among the latter predominating, from which we must take the
hint that these three--the Nora rose, Solferino, and a lonely tint of Mauve--are
the colors par excellence.
The first is a new shade of pink, indescribable in a pen and ink sketch,
but beside which all other pinks assume a yellow faded look.
The present Mauve also shows a different shade, now approximating nearer to the
blue violet, losing the pinkish purple that formerly characterized it.
These three colors, together with white and green foliage, we are
permitted by La Mode to choose from.
Blues, common pinks and yellow are obsolete; green, as a matter of taste
or choice, is admissible.
I am glad to chronicle the downfall of gilt tawdriness, which has the
past season glittered on all bonnets--from Biddy's red velvet chapeau
and nodding golden-dahlias and buillion cording, to Madame's gilded daisies and
birds-of-Paradise.
Diamonds are now the rage, or will be, if I may judge from the Parisian
hats. In the heart of the roses, or
cluster of posies, sparkles and shimmers, a goodly sized diamond, poised and
trembling on its silver stem like a large dew drop; or a small cluster of these
gems (?) confine, perhaps, the trimming over the brow.
This is at least a fine way of displaying one's jewels, whilst those who
have them not must fain be content with the Parisian very good counterfeit.
Fruit is also revived. Positively one feels like Tantalus, contemplating
those bunches of transparent white grapes, apparently bursting with their own
lusciousness; rare ripe cherries pendant from stems, on which yet lingers
clusters of the delicate white and pink veined blossoms.
When one is debarred from real fruit, one might derive the same
consolation as did the miser who placed his cheese in a bottle, upon which he
daily rubbed his crust, and imagined the flavor.
But I have digressed from my mutton, as usual.
Bonnets are moderate in size, rather narrow at the sides, quite elevated
above the brow, without the Marie Stuart flat bend.
One hat of mauve (blue lilac) silk, with pinked ruches around the top in
crape of the same tint, trimmed with a bunch of small white eatable looking
grapes, nestling amid a cluster of creamy white roses; the inside trimming
heliotrope and golden-eyed daisies, small ruche of fine Malines lace.
Ruches are in all the imported bonnets, but very much narrower and
smaller than of yore.
A very elegant and distingue white crape bonnet one can imagine gracing the youthful
brow of a lovely bride, trimmed with puffings of misty tulle and one rich creamy
tea rose, over which are involuntarily bent to inhale the delicious fragrance, a
few waxen honeysuckle leaves carelessly trailed half around the cape.
Puffings of tulle, a small cluster of rose buds and some moss, formed the
inside ornamentation.
Flowers, arranged a la Imperatrice,
take the place of bandeaux.
They are imported in this style, arranged some three or four in a flat
row--the centre flower rather longer than those on each side, or sprays of grass
and honeysuckle, with hawthorn blossoms and scarlet strawberries.
Capes are quite deep, set on with box plaits, and beaded.
Some very new styles of imported ruches were shown me by Mr. Mitchell,
only two rows of finely gauffered tulle, moderate size until reaching the
temples, gradually hemmed, while the crimping was fine to correspond, widening
again on the top. These look
peculiarly Frenchy, and I scarcely think can be imitated here.
Straw birds of Paradise, with long feathery tails, composed of Neapolitan
straw, are among other novelties. Also,
really little bronzed backed beetles and rose-bugs--offered as a sacrifice upon
the altar of vanity--are gummed fast to the leaves of roses, from the heart,
where the little epicures might be supposed to have just issued from a matudinal
meal and dew-drop bath. Ladies who
wear these flowers upon their heads may expect to endure many a thumb and finger
flip to charitably rid them of "that horrid bug."
[five lines illegible at bottom of page]
found gravity--probably
a Wall-street Bear--his immaculate lines held together by a single stud,
representing a mottled spider, of platina and enamel. Imagine the horror of the gentleman deep in the stock market,
at receiving a blow upon his breast of a crumpled newspaper, and then a dash
made at him with a handkerchief from his opposite neighbor--and then imagine the
consternation of said neighbor upon discovering his mistake--the mischievous
chuckles of the other passengers, and the ruffled composure of the owner of the
spider.
The black straw, polka spotted, Clotilde hats, for equestriennes
and little girls, will be very fashionable again; somewhat different in shape,
the brim being rolled up so as nearly to touch the crown; the only places for
trimming being at the front and back, where an oblong rosette of velvet can be
placed, from which a long plume can
extend on the outside of the rolled brim, quite around the entire side.
Tiny hats, for very little people, are made the same shape.
Then there are the Gabrielle hats, the brim slightly lifted and curved
down like a shell.
In dress goods, Quaker-like simplicity will reign, for which we (some
of us chant Laus Deo.) The new silks are pearl color, ashes of roses, lively drabs,
chestnut browns, mode, lavender, and so on.
These styles are either plain or brocaded in some colors harmoniously
contrasting. An exquisite shade of
Mauve was illumined by velvet leaves in black and white.
The brocaded figures are of every variety of shapes; some are in large
lozenge, crescent, medallions and octagons, which, beautiful as they are, petite
forms must in good taste ignore.
All sorts of stripes are passe, and chene silks are
going, going, if not quite gone. Quantities
of flounces and ruffles are to be seen on the plaza; but few, if any, are
imported. It is difficult to give
up a style of dress universally liked; therefore people still cling to their
flounces though robes can be had for a mere song.
Gimps and braids, long ago obsolete, are now resuscitated, and every
conceivable variety in the way of crochet buttons "large as a
platter," graduating to a sixpence; chenille buckles dotted with jet or
gold; slides which you are told are made of Roman pearls, and which you must
presume to doubt, are laid in the centre of velvet bows, dozens of which are to
ornament the front breadth of a dress, or the gores, if gored it be; medallions
of silk surrounded by lace and pendant chenille tassels; in short, there is no
end of the vagaries of the present style of rather bizarre
ornamentation.
People receive a dubious sort of comfort from the knowledge that
now-a-days, to be anybody, one must possess a camel's hair shawl, or at least
scarf, or a Persian shawl, whose elegance displays--
The Pride of Turkey and of Persia land, or camels' hair centre, is at
least indispensable, although how the fact is to be reconciled with the present
tangled state of affairs, the money market and pater
familias pockets in a corresponding state of tightness, I
dunna ken. Blessed are those
who can enjoy without coveting these exhibitions of exquisite and rare fabrics
from the "farther Ind;" still more blessed are those with superfluous
cash with which to buy.
Gored robes have been imported--the latest novelty; the skirt is in four
gores, quite wide; the gores corded the front of the waist and skirt all in one
piece.
As yet, the season is not
sufficiently advanced to decide about the fashions of outside gear.
I have heard that mantles in colored silk will be again worn.
One new style, basque shape, called the Princess basque, of black silk,
corded with white and finished off by a deep flounce; sleeves to correspond.
Embroidered, or brocaded Barege
Anglaise, will be much used for travelling and promenade; made with a deep
basquine of the same material.
Yours,
G. H. S. H.
[last fashion letter
from NY]
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 8, 1861, p. 4, c. 5
Female Volunteers.--The Holly Spring Herald learns that the county of
Chickasaw, Miss., has ten companies of volunteer soldiers ready to be mustered
into the service of the State. It
adds that, in addition to these:
"The county has a regularly officered and drilled company of young
ladies, who have pledged themselves, in the event that the men are called into
service, to protect their homes and families during their absence, and see that
the farms are properly cultivated, and full crops raised not only for the
support of the county, but of the army of Mississippi."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 9, 1861, p. 4, c. 1
For
the Mercury.
Acrostic.
Lady with eyes so
tender and true,
Under their lids of
violet hue,
Charming all hearts,
the gay and the grave,
Youth and old age, the
gentle and brave.
Purity joined to an
exquisite grace,
Is seen in thy
actions--expressed in thy face;
Candor and gentleness
beam in thy smile,
Kind are thy accents,
thy heart without guile;
Every envious feeling
to thee is unknown,
No dark thoughts hath
found in thy spirit a throne,
So genial its temper,
so tender its tone.
Charleston, April 5,
1861.
A. L. L.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 11, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Fanny Fern says "if there is a thing which a man cannot do, it is to
write a lucid description of a lady's dress.
The sex of any book or magazine or newspaper article may be
instantaneously determined when this delicate subject is ventured upon.
After a man has 'shot a gold arrow' through a woman's hair, or stuck the
inevitable stereotyped 'simple rose' in it, or mentioned that 'her lace was
point,' her jewelry 'the simple diamond'--(?)--her dress of 'evident richness,'
or 'very tasty'--he couldn't possibly say tasteful--or
that her bouquet was 'chaste,' his occupation is gone and it is really touching
to see the bewildered creature's embarrassment!
One thinks of an elephant trying to thread a cambric needle."
As an offset to this, Fanny would remark "that women are quite as
awkward when they attempt pen-and-ink-ually to make male characters converse.
It is invariably feminine prattle, the masculine element evaporating in
the 'by Joves' and 'my dear fellows.'"
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 11, 1861, p. 4, c. 2
Description of a Shaker Village.--A correspondent writing from Concord,
N. H., sends the following interesting account of the Canterbury Shakers:
"Twelve miles from Concord, in the township of Canterbury, is
situated the Shakers' village. These
peculiar people have here a settlement of about three hundred persons; their
buildings are painted buff, and are large and commodious.
They reside in what they term 'families,' each numbering from fifty to a
hundred souls. The lower family is
called church family, from the fact of the church being there situated.
Then there are the centre family and the north family.
In winter they have no public worship, but the members of each family
have devotions in their respective houses.
Their farms consist of some four thousand acres, in a high state of
cultivation, while their out-buildings are not equalled [sic] by those of any
farms in the world. One barn we
entered was two hundred feet in length, a cellar underneath for manure.
Each cow had its name placed in a conspicuous position.
The barn or stable was so clean that a lady with the finest silk dress
would not be in the least soiled. The
house we were in was painted yellow, furniture and all, and oil cloth took the
place of carpet on the floor. The
men wear blue cloth coats, claret colored pants, and drab vests, the latter
garment coming down almost to their knees.
The women are dressed in white caps, with their hair pushed back from
their foreheads, dark dresses fitting closely to their persons, with high white
collars coming up to their chins. The
groups presented quite a unique appearance.
They are most excellent livers--the dinner we sat down to would beat a
good many served up in New York. They
have a very good, though somewhat singular rule posted up, which many families
might profit from, viz: 'nothing
must be left on the plate.' They
hold their property in common, each one having a share in it.
Celibacy is strictly adhered to as the means of living a pure life;
indeed, so strict are they that a man and wife stopping there over night are
obliged to sleep in different apartments.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 19, 1861, p. 4, c. 2
Paper Linen.--The London Lace Paper Company, in the Strand, are bringing
out a new invention, called a paper cloth, for ladies' collars, cuffs, and
similar articles. The Critic,
in noticing it, says: "It is
extremely beautiful, and so very cheap (say 3d. a collar), as to threaten to
drive crotchet [sic] work entirely out of fashion."
The material, if it be like some we have seen, consists of a very slight
fabric of woven stuff, felted, as it were, with linen or other fibrous shreds,
such as paper is made of; it is a sort of shoddy-linen, in fact, if we may so
describe it; and has all the appearance of starched linen at a very little
distance; looked at closely, however, no texture like that of woven linen
appears. Men's collars are sold at
6d. a dozen by a stationer in High Holborn.
Each, it is said, will last a day or two, and be "reversible"
even then. The washerwomen and
laundresses may look out for squalls. We
should not wonder to see Japanese paper handkerchiefs next in hand.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
1, 1861, p. 4, c. 2
Interesting to Pretty Brunettes.--The Fashion editress of the Sunday
Mercury issues the following pleasing announcement for dark-eyed belles:
The "Garibaldi has just made its debut
in Paris. It is an exquisite
tint--something of the tawny orange, verging on a pink salmon--oftimes seen on
the carnation lip of the sea shell. Dark-eyed,
brilliant brunettes may congratulate themselves--this color, of all others,
being most becoming to their style. They
have been made hideous long enough by those two trying ordeals, Solferino and
Magenta; therefore, brunettes may now promise themselves the felicity of not
only looking divine, but being a la mode.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
6, 1861, p. 3, c. 5
How to Make Ball Cartridges.--Prepare a stick four inches long, perfectly
round, and a little smaller than the ball; cut small slices of paper, an inch
and a half long, and wide enough to go one and a half times around the stick;
prepare a mucilage of water and gumarabic; roll the paper on the stick one time,
then put on the mucilage and press it firmly by rolling it; then trim the stick
one-eighth of an inch and put mucilage in the end of the paper; insert the ball
and stand it on the point in a cup of flour, or fine dirt or sand, and let it
remain until it is dry. This mode
is much more convenient and better than the ordinary mode of tying the paper to
the ball.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
6, 1861, p. 4, c. 4
The ladies of New Orleans propose organizing a society, to be called the
"Sisters of the Confederate Army," for the purpose of aiding and
nursing sick and wounded officers and soldiers.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
11, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Flag for the Calhoun Guards.--We saw at the jewelry store of Messrs.
Carrington & Co., King-street, on yesterday, one of the handsomest and
neatest flags which has yet come to our notice.
It has been gotten up by the lady friends of the Calhoun Guards, and it
is to be publicly presented to that Company early next week.
The design is strikingly characteristic, and is from the fertile
imagination of our young friend T. Ladson Webb, jr.
The ground of the flag is blue; in the centre is a full length miniature
portrait of Calhoun, standing on a block dated December 20, 1860, and with his
left hand resting on a palmetto log. The
portrait is encircled with a golden wreath, over which is a scroll with the
motto "Dulce et Decorum est pro Patria Mori;" underneath is the name
of the company in prominent letters. In
the upper inner corner is the golden crescent of South Carolina. The reverse side is the same as the front, and the whole,
which is little over a yard square, is richly trimmed with a heavy gold fringe.
The design of Mr. Webb has been most handsomely and effectively executed
by Mr. Th. Knock. The flag may be seen at Messrs. Carrington & Co., for a
few days.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
11, 1861, p. 4, c. 4
Baths
and Bathing.
A cold bath is 75 degrees and under; temperate, 75 to 85 degrees; tepid,
85 to 95 degrees; warm 95 to 100 degrees; hot, 100 degrees and over.
The temperature of the body in health is 98 degrees fahrenheit.
For purpose of cleansing the skin a hot bath is the most efficient, but
it should be indulged in only occasionally, and for very few minutes at a time,
as it rapidly exhausts the physical powers.
It opens the pores of the skin and increases the activity of the
circulation for a moment; but if followed by an instantaneous cold shower bath
an invigorating effect is produced. A
hot bath excites, a warm bath soothes and tranquilizes; it makes the pulse
slower, and causes more equable breathing.
A vapor bath is of steam instead of water, and is applied inside as well
as out; its first effect is a feeling of oppression, but soon perspiration is
induced, and delightful sensations ensue. To
prevent taking cold, the person should pass from the steam chamber into a tepid
bath for a single moment, then wipe dry briskly, dress and walk.
No kind of bath ought to be taken within an hour before a regular meal,
nor sooner than four hours after; sudden death has often resulted from
inattention to the latter. The best
time for bathing is immediately after rising in the morning, as then there is
greater power of reaction, without which there is no invigoration, no benefit.
The sponge bath is the application of water to the surface of the body by
means of a sponge.--When persons are feeble, one portion of the body should
undergo the process at a time, then quickly wiped and dried, and covered, before
another is exposed. There are few
persons, indeed, who would not be greatly benefited by the following procedure
every morning, winter and summer: Wash the hands, first in a small amount of water with soap,
for if but little is used, a teacupful, it is warmed by the hands, and thus
becomes more cleansing, without the trouble of preparing warm water; then rinse
them well; afterwards wash the face in a large basin of cold water just drawn or
brought into the room, for all cold water becomes filthy in an hour or two if
kept standing in a sleeping or sitting apartment.
After the face has been washed plentifully, throw the water up to the
elbows, then a little higher at every dash with the hand, until the arms, neck,
throat, behind the ears, arm-pits, and upper portion of the chest have been
deluged with water; next (except women with long hair) wash the whole scalp
abundantly, rubbing the water into and about the roots of the hair with the ends
of the fingers; then wipe with a towel, absorbing as much of the dampness from
the hair as possible with an extra dry cloth, and dress, leaving the arrangement
of the hair to the last, so as to give it an opportunity of drying somewhat; for
if it is wringing wet it will not dress well, and besides will keep the head
cold by its evaporation. In
dressing the hair after such a washing of the head, the comb should be passed
through it in the gentlest manner, so as to make no strain upon the roots, nor
break any hair in disengaging the tangles. The hair thus dressed in the morning will remain so the whole
day, or, if not, can be easily redressed with the advantage of perfect
cleanliness, which cannot be said of the filthy practice of using hair oils.
Hall's Journal of Health.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
13, 1861, p. 2, c. 7
Photographic
Card Portraits,
From
Life, of:
President Davis.
Gov. Pickens.
Edmund Ruffin.
Gen. Beauregard.
Gen. Dunovant.
Gen. Simons.
Gen. Jamison.
Gen. Jones.
Capt. Hartstein.
Capt. Hamilton.
Hon. L. T. Wigfall.
Hon. W. P. Miles.
Hon. R. B. Rhet.
Hon. W. F. DeSaussure.
Hon. John S. Preston.
Hon. James L. Orr.
Hon. James Chesnut, jr.
Chancellor Inglis.
Chancellor Dunkin.
Judge Withers.
Judge Wardlaw.
Ex-Gov. Means.
E-Gov. Adams.
Ex-Gov. Richardson.
Ex-Gov. Manning.
Price 25 cents each.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.
Quinby & Co.,
Photographic Artists,
Charleston, S. C.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
14, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
Thirty women were discovered in Ellsworth's zouaves after the regiment
arrived in Washington. They were
sent home. The Zouaves, we fear,
are not all of the highest moral character.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
14, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
The ladies of Virginia propose to cut up their India rubber piano covers
to make blankets for the soldiers, to be spread on the ground for them to rest
on.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May 15, 1861, p. 2, c.
1
Keep Off the Moths.--It is usual, during the summer months, for dry goods
and clothing houses, as well as private families, to use large quantities of
camphor for the purpose of preserving their goods from the moths.
Now, as camphor is one of the most necessary drugs for medicinal
purposes, and as our means for receiving further supplies are restricted, it
behooves us to husband the supply now on hand, especially as many other and more
plentiful articles will answer equally as well for the removal of these
destructive insects.
One of our most prominent druggists has recommended us to suggest the use
of Vanilla leaves, which grow in abundance in the neighborhood of Summerville.
Tobacco leaves are also an excellent substitute.
Either of these articles are just as good for the preservation of clothes
as the more expensive article of camphor.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
15, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
India
Rubber Wanted.
Cash will be paid for old rubber, such as Shoes, Car Springs, Clothing,
&c., by Charles H. West & Son. No.
77 East Bay.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
15, 1861, p. 3, c.3
The Ladies of New Orleans held a fair last week, and raised $12,000 for
the cause of the South. God's sun
never shone upon a braver or more generous people than those of the Crescent
City. And the women are as
beautiful as the men are brave.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
16, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
Soldiers' Health
Interesting Suggestions and Recommendations.
----
The following article, on "Soldiers' Health," is from Hall's
New York Journal of Health. It
contains much valuable information for both soldiers and civilians:
1. In an ordinary campaign sickness disables or destroys three
times as many as the sword.
2. On a march, from April to November, the entire clothing
should be a colored flannel shirt, with a loosely-buttoned collar, cotton
drawers, woolen pantaloons, shoes and stockings, and a light colored felt hat,
with broad brim to protect the eyes and face from the glare of the sun and from
the rain, and a substantial but not heavy coat when off duty.
3. Sun-stroke is most effectually prevented by wearing a silk
handkerchief in the crown of the hat.
4. Colored blankets are best, and if lined with brown drilling
the warmth and durability are doubled, while the protection against dampness
from lying on the ground is almost complete.
5. Never lie or sit down on the grass or bare earth for a
moment, rather use your hat--a handkerchief, even, is a great protection.
The warmer you are the greater need for this protection, as a damp vapor
is immediately generated, to be absorbed by the clothing, and to cool you off
too
rapidly.
6. While marching, or on other duty, the more thirsty you are
the more essential is it to safety of life itself, to rinse out the mouth two or
three times, and then take a swallow of water at a time, with short
intervals. A brave French general,
on a forced march, fell dead on the instant, by drinking largely of cold water,
when snow was on the ground.
7. Abundant sleep is essential to bodily efficiency, and to that
alertness of mind, which is all important to an engagement; and few things more
certainly and more effectually prevent sound sleep than eating heartily after
sun-down, especially after a heavy march or desperate battle.
8. Nothing is more certain to secure endurance and capability of
long-continued effort, than the avoidance of everything as a drink except cold
water, NOT excluding coffee at breakfast. Drink
as little as possible of even cold water.
9. After any sort of exhausting effort, a cup of coffee, hot or
cold, is an admirable sustainer of the strength, until nature begins to recover
herself.
10. Never eat heartily just before a great undertaking; because
the nervous power is irresistibly drawn to the stomach to manage the food eaten,
thus drawing off that supply which the brain and muscles so much need.
11. If persons will drink brandy, it is incomparably safer to do
so after an effort than before; for it can give only a transient
strength, lasting but a few minutes; but as it can never be known how long any
given effort is to be kept in continuance, and if longer than the few minutes,
the body becomes more feeble than it would have been without the stimulus, it is
clear that its use before an effort is always hazardous, and is always
unwise.
12. Never go to sleep, especially after a great effort, even in
hot weather, without some covering over you.
13. Under all circumstances, rather than lie down on the ground,
lie in the hollow of two logs placed together, or across several smaller pieces
of wood, laid side by side; or sit on your hat, leaning against a tree.
A nap of ten or fifteen minutes in that position will refresh you more
than an hour on the bare earth; with the additional advantage of perfect safety.
14. A cut is less dangerous than a bullet wound, and heals
more rapidly.
15. If from any wound the blood spurts out in jets, instead of a
steady stream, you will die in a few minutes, unless it is remedied; because an
artery has been divided, and that takes the blood direct from the fountain of
life. To stop this instantly, tie a
handkerchief or other cloth very loosely BETWEEN the wound and the heart; put a
stick, bayonet, or ramrod between the skin and the handkerchief, and
twist it around until the bleeding ceases, and keep it thus till the surgeon
arrives.
16. If the blood flows in a slow, regular stream, a vein has been
pierced, and the handkerchief must be on the other side of the wound from the
heart; that is, below the wound.
17. A bullet through the abdomen (belly or stomach) is more
certainly fatal than if aimed at the head or heart; for in the latter cases the
ball is often glanced off by the bone, or follows around it under the skin; but
when it enters the stomach or bowels, from any direction, death is inevitable
under all conceivable circumstances, but in scarcely ever instantaneous.
Generally the person lives a day or two with perfect clearness of
intellect, often not suffering greatly. The
practical bearing of this statement in reference to the great future is clear.
18. Let the whole beard grow, but no longer than some three
inches. This strengthens and
thickens its growth, and thus makes a more perfect protection for the lungs
against dust, and of the throat against winds and cold in winter, while in
summer a great perspiration of the skin is induced, with the increase of
evaporation; hence, greater coolness of the parts on the outside, while the
throat is less feverish, thirsty and dry.
19. Avoid fats and fat meat in summer and in all warm days.
20. Whenever possible take a plunge into any lake or running
stream every morning as soon as you get up; if none at hand, endeavor to wash
the body all over as soon as you leave your bed, for personal cleanliness acts
like a charm against all diseases, always either warding them off altogether or
greatly mitigating their severity and shortening their duration.
21. Keep the hair of the head closely cut, say within an inch and
a half of the scalp in every part, repeated on the first of each month, and wash
the whole scalp plentifully in cold water every morning.
22. Wear woolen stockings and moderately loose shoes, keeping the
toe and finger nails always cut close.
23. It is more important to wash the feet well every night than
to wash the face and hands of mornings, because it aids in keeping the skin and
nails soft, and to prevent chaffings, blisters, and corns, all of which greatly
interfere with a soldier's duty.
24. The most universally safe position after all stunnings, hurts
and wounds, is that of being placed on the back, the head being elevated three
or four inches only, aiding more than any one thing else can do, to equalize and
restore the proper circulation of the blood.
25. The more weary you are after a march or other work, the more
easily will you take cold, if you remain still after it is over, unless, the
moment you cease motion, you throw a coat or blanket over your shoulders.
This precaution should be taken in the warmest weather, especially if
there is even a slight air stirring.
26. The greatest physical kindness you can show a severely
wounded comrade is first to place him on his back, and then run with all your
might for some water to drink; not a second ought to be lost. If no vessel is at hand, take your hat; if no hat, off with
your shirt, wring it out once, tie the arms in a knot, as also the lower end,
thus making a bag, open at the neck only. A
fleet person can convey a bucketful half a mile in this way.
I've seen a dying man clutch at a single drop of water from the fingers'
end, with the voraciousness of a famished tiger.
27. If wet to the skin by rain or by swimming rivers, keep in
motion until the clothes are dried, no harm will result.
28. Whenever it is possible, do, by all means when you have to
use water for cooking or drinking from ponds or sluggish streams, boil it well,
and when cool, shake it, or stir it, so that the oxygen of the air shall get to
it, which greatly improves it for drinking.
This boiling arrests the process of fermentation which arises from the
presence of organic and inorganic impurities, thus tending to prevent cholera
and all bowel diseases. If there is
no time for boiling, at least strain it through a cloth, even if you have to use
a shirt or trouser leg.
29. Twelve men are hit in battle dressed in red where there are
only five dressed in a bluish gray--a difference of more than two to one; green,
seven; brown, six.
30. Water can be made almost ice cool in the hottest weather by
closely enveloping a filled canteen, or other vessel, with woolen cloth, kept
plentifully wetted and exposed.
31. While on a march lie down the moment you halt for a rest.
Every minute spent in that position refreshes more than five minutes
standing or loitering about.
32. A daily evacuation of the bowels is indispensable to bodily
health, vigor and endurance; this is promoted in many cases by stirring a
teaspoonful of corn (indian) meal in a glass of water, and drinking it on rising
in the morning.
33. Loose bowels, namely, acting more than once a day, with a
feeling of debility afterwards, is the first step towards cholera.
The best remedy is instant and perfect quietude of body, eating nothing
but boiled rice, with or without boiled milk; in more decided cases a woolen
flannel, with two thicknesses in front, should be bound tightly around the
abdomen, especially if marching is a necessity.
34. To "have been to
the wars" is a life-long honor, increasing with advancing years, while to
have died in defence [sic] of your country will be the boast and the glory of
your children's children.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
23, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
The Vivandiere of the Monroe Rifles.--A noble spirited young lady--Miss
Leona Neville--has volunteered her aid and services as nurse to the ranks of the
Monroe Rifles, attached to Col. Hunt's Regiment.
The ceremony of her formal reception to this sturdy band of soldiers took
place at their headquarters on Julia street last evening, and was witnessed by a
large number of ladies and gentlemen. She
was presented to Lieut. Hinckly, of the Rifles, by their commander, Capt.
Benjamin, in a very excellent and impressive speech, and the Lieutenant formally
presented her to the soldiers, who welcomed her with all the deference and
respect which careful, soldierly training can instill into the military man. The young lady had of her own free will chosen to brave the
dangers of the battle-field, and must indeed be nerved by the fortitude of a--we
like to have said, "hero"--well, "hero" be it, for she
looked the hero, with her nicely-fitting black alapaca [sic] uniform.--N. O.
Delta, 16th.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
23, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Presentation of Colors to the Marion Artillery.--Institute Hall was, last
night, the scene of another pleasant and patriotic ceremony.
At half past eight o'clock the galleries and floor were filled with the
friends of the Marion Artillery, and in a few minutes that gallant corps, which
has won so enviable a name by its gallantry in working the Trapier Battery
during the bombardment of Fort Sumter, filed to the front of the stage.
The Sumter Guards also, who had relieved the Marions towards the close of
the action, were present upon this occasion as escort.
Both companies showed to great advantage.
The stage was filled with officers of the regulars and volunteers and
distinguished civilians. Governor
Pickens honored the ceremony with his presence.
Lieut.-Col. DeSaussure presented the flag in a short address.
He alluded to the proud position which South Carolina had taken among the
nations of the earth, since the time when, in common with the other Colonies,
she established her independence of British rule.
Recent events had required the re-assertion of that independence, and the
Battle of Fort Sumter was a part of that re-assertion.
In that battle the Marion Artillery had acted a distinguished part.
The name which they bore had, through their gallantry, become a second
time historical. And as, after the
Battle of Fort Moultrie, a flag had been presented to its brave defenders by
Sabina Elliott, so now were the descendants of those defenders to be rewarded
for like heroism by Narcissa Washington. Their
past gave assurance that they would never prove unworthy to uphold that flag.
He had seen them in the hour of trial, and he knew that they would bear
it onward. That beautiful flag, waving beside the frayed banner which
floated over them in the battle, would ever remind them that the women of South
Carolina rely for their safety upon the men of South Carolina.
In receiving the flag, Lieutenant Kirkwood, who, in the absence of Capt.
King, commanded the Marions, responded appropriately.
He said that it was pleasant, when returning from the conflict, to meet
the well done of their countrymen; but it was still more pleasant to receive
such a token from the ladies. He
felt satisfied that that flag would never be dishonored in the hands of his
gallant comrades. He then addressed his command, exhorting them, in the midst
of privations and hardships, to stand by that banner, and redeem the pledge
which he had given.
The flag was then received by the corps.
It is a splendid and elaborately worked ensign.
The field, of crimson silk, bears a spirited representation of the well
known scene of Marion's homely meal of sweet potatoes, with this inscription:
"Sub
Hoc Signo Vinces."
M
A R I O N A R T I L L E R Y,
Incorporated
1843.
The reverse is of blue silk, richly embroidered with the Palmetto.
With their new banner waving over their ranks, the Marions and their
escort marched from the Hall, and when we last saw them, were going up
Meeting-street to the tune of Dixie Land.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
24, 1861, p. 4, c. 2
How to Take Care of the Hair.--As to men, we say, when the hair begins to
fall out, the best plan is to have it cut short; give it a good brushing with a
moderately stiff brush, while the hair is dry; then wash it well with warm soap
suds; then rub into the scalp, about the roots of the hair, a little bay rum,
brandy, or camphor water. Do these things twice a month--the brushing of the scalp may
be profitably done twice a week. Damp
the hair with water every time the toilet is made.
Nothing ever made is better for the hair than pure soft water, if the
scalp is kept clean in the way we have named.
The use of the oils or pomatums, or grease of any kind, is ruinous to the
hair of man or woman. We consider
it a filthy practice, almost universal though it be, for it gathers dust and
dirt, and soils whenever it touches. Nothing
but pure soft water should ever be allowed on the heads of children.
It is a different practice that robs our women of their most beautiful
ornament long before their prime; the hair of our daughters should be kept
within two inches, until their twelfth year.
Hall's Journal of Health.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
29, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
The girls in Columbus, Ga., have organized a "Home Guard" for
the special protection of the young men who have concluded to remain home during
the existence of the war.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 7, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
Army Cooking.--The following may be useful at this time:
Salt Beef--Salt beef comes in pieces from eight to twelve pounds in
weight. Before being cooked they
should be well washed and soaked in cold water for twenty four hours, changing
the water three times.
For Boiling.--For boiling, it should be placed in a stewpan of cold
water, and made to boil quickly; as soon as the water boils the meat must be
taken out, the water thrown away, and fresh cold water placed in the pot, with
the meat still warm; boil it the usual time, according to the description of
joint.
Baked or Roasted Ribs of Beef.--Prepare the meat as above, make a paste
of flour and water, and bake it in a slow oven for twenty minutes for each
pound; do not cut it till cold.
Stewed Salt Beef.--Prepare it as above, and cut it into steaks of the
usual thickness; have some cabbage or other greens ready boiled; chop them up,
and with the meat placed in a stew pan with a gill of water to every pound of
meat, one tea spoonful of sugar to each pound, and one tea spoonful of pepper to
every four pounds of meat; stew gently for two hours; to vary the flavor,
carrots, potatoes, haricot beans, boiled macaroni, cut up into pieces about an
inch long, may be added. Beef
prepared in these modes is fit for the tables of a thousand pounds a year.
To Drive Away
Mosquitoes.--Camphor is the most powerful agent. A camphor bag hung up in an open casement will prove an
effectual barrier to their entrance. Camphorated
spirit applied as perfume to the face and hands will act as an effectual
preventive; but when bitten by them, aromatic vinegar is the best antidote.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 8, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
Paris Fashions.--We learn from Paris that Zouave jackets continue to be
worn indoors. Many are made of
black taffetas, braided or embroidered with silk.
There is also a new kind of jacket which they call a
la Hussard, because the basques are made in hollow plaits, long at the back,
and gradually diminishing towards the front, thus resembling the dress of the
Hussars.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 10, 1861, p. 3, c. 3
Just Received.
Six hundred fine ducks and fowls. Ducks
from $5.50 to $6.00 per dozen. Fowls
from $4.50 to $5 per dozen, at the Poultry Depot, John street, one door east of
King.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 13, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Prayers
suitable for the Times in which we Live.
Mr. Editor: The following
prayers have been circulated in manuscript, and used for some time past by many
who, believing firmly in an over-ruling Providence, and in the righteousness of
our cause, have daily poured out their hearts to Him who sitteth in the throne
judging right.
They have now been printed for distribution, and may be had at Russell
& Jones, King-street, by all those who value the privilege of intercessory
prayer.
Filia.
---
A
Prayer for the Times.
Compiled from an old writer, with alterations and additions suitable to
the present condition of the Confederate States of America.
---
Gracious Father, the life of man is a warfare upon earth, and the dangers
which assault us are diversely pointed against us.
We humbly beseech Thee be present with us in all the course and passages
of our lives, but especially in the Secession we have undertaken, and the
hostilities in which it has involved us. Suffer
no malice, or treachery, or stratagem--whether civil, diplomatic, or military,
to hurt us; no cunning to circumvent us; no surprises to come upon us unawares;
no falsehood to betray us. That
which we cannot foresee we beseech Thee to prevent; that which we cannot
withstand we beseech Thee to master; that which we do not fear we beseech Thee
to unmask and frustrate--that being delivered from all dangers of spirit, soul
and body, we may praise Thee, our Deliverer, and experience how secure and happy
a thing it is to make the Lord of Hosts our Protector and Helper in the day of
fear and trouble, or peril and distress.
O, our God, though mighty and numerous States gather together on heaps,
yet let them be driven away from our borders as the smoke before the wind; and
though they take counsel together, bring it to nought [sic].
For though they pronounce a decree, yet it shall not stand, if Thou, O
God, be with us. Be with us,
therefore, O God, for Jesus Christ's sake.
Almighty and merciful Father, at this time we need Thy more especial
assistance, both by land and by sea, and for the mercy of Christ deny us
neither. Defeat, we implore Thee, the designs and confound the
machinations of our enemies; abate their pride and assuage their fury; soften
their hearts and change their unnatural hatred into Christian love, and forgive
them all their sings against Thee and against us. Grant that their ships may find no way in our seas, nor any
path in our floods; may their spies be speedily detected and effectually
banished from our midst; preserve us from war and tumult; from battle, murder
and sudden death; guard us from sedition, conspiracy and rebellion; defend our
soil from invasion and our ports from blockade--that we may glorify Thee for
these deliverances, no less than for Thy signal presence and power in the
mercies of our bloodless victory; and thus being sheltered by Thy grace and
favor from every spiritual and temporal evil, and from all personal and national
calamities, we may ever obey and serve Thee in purity of heart and holiness of
life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, to whom, with Thee and the
Holy Ghost, be all praise, worship and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen.
---
A
Prayer for Our Enemies.
[From
the same writer]
O God, we beseech Thee, forgive and pardon our enemies, and give us that
measure of Thy grace, that for their hatred we may love them, for their cursing
we may bless them, for their injury we may do them good, and for their
persecution we may pray for them. They have laid a net for our steps, and have digged a pit
before us. Lord; we desire not that
they themselves should fall into the midst of these, but, we beseech Thee, keep
us out of them, and deliver, establish, bless and prosper us for Thy mercy's
sake in Jesus Christ our Saviour, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, we
desire to consecrate ourselves and our country, now and forever, imploring Thee
to be our God and to make us Thy people. Amen.
---
Washington's
Prayer.
[From
McGuire's Religious Opinions and Character of Washington.]
Almighty Father, if it is Thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and
name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our
gratitude for Thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey Thee.
Bless us with wisdom in our councils, success in battle, and let all
victories be tempered with humanity. Endow,
also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they may become sensible of their
injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace.
Grant the petition of Thy servant for the sake of Him whom Thou hast
called Thy beloved Son; nevertheless, not our will but Thine be done.
Amen.
---
A
Prayer for Our Armies.
[By
Bishop Green, of Mississippi.]
Almighty God, whose Providence watcheth over all things, and in whose
hands is the disposal of all events, we look up to Thee for Thy protection and
blessing amidst the apparent and great dangers with which we are encompassed.
Thou hast, in Thy wisdom, permitted us to be threatened with the many
evils of an unnatural and destructive war.
Save us, we beseech Thee, from the hands of our enemies.
Watch over our fathers and brothers and sons who, trusting in Thy defence
[sic] and in the righteousness of our cause, have gone forth to the service of
their country. May their lives be
precious in Thy sight. Preserve
them from all the dangers to which they may be exposed.
Enable them successfully to perform their duty to Thee and to their
country, and do Thou, in Thine infinite wisdom and power, so overrule events,
and so dispose the hearts of all engaged in this painful struggle, that it may
soon end in the safety, honor and welfare of our Confederate States, but to the
good of Thy people, and the glory of Thy great name, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 19, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Prepare
to Save Hay by the Bale.
The hay crop of the Confederate States must not be lost sight of.
Let the tall grass of our fields be gathered and packed into bales next
fall. Our Government will buy it,
and may not be able to get it elsewhere. Hay
is almost indispensable to any army, and should be neatly baled.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 27, 1861, p. 3, c. 4
Hebrew Patriotism.--The fair daughters of Judah are nobly represented in
Charlotte, N. C., as may be seen in the following communication:
To the Intendant and Commissioners of the Town of Charlotte--Gentlemen:
enclosed find the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars from the Jewish
ladies, residents of this town, to be appropriated for the benefit of the
families of our brave volunteers now fighting in defence [sic] of our home and
liberty. With our prayers to
Almighty God for their safety, and that he will bless our glorious cause with
victory and success,
We remain yours respectfully,
The Jewish Ladies of Charlotte.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 4, 1861, p. 3, c. 4
Starch of Home Manufacture.--We commend the following recipe for making
starch, to all who may wish to try it, it having been furnished us by one who
has tried it, and who knows it to be a good one.
This starch will be found as good an article as that which comes from
Yankeedoodledum:
Take a peck of unground wheat of the best quality; pick and soak it
carefully. Next put into a tub;
pour on sufficient clear, soft water to cover it, and then set it in the sun.
Be sure to change the water every day, keeping it in the sun as much as
possible, or an equally warm place in the house, should the weather prove
unfavorable. When all the grains of wheat have become quite soft, rub it
well in your hands, and separate it from the husks, which must be thrown into
another tub. Let the soft wheat
settle in a mass; and then pour off the water and put it on fresh; stir it well,
and let it settle again. Repeat
this every day, till the last water comes off clear and colorless.
Then pour the water finally off. Take
the starch out of the tub, collect it into a thin bag, and hang it for a few
days in the sun; after which spread on dishes or a sheet to dry.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 8, 1861, p. 1, c. 8
Arkansas Ladies.--The ladies of Little Rock, who, since the war, have
performed an extraordinary amount of labor, are still doing wonders in the
fitting out of the volunteers from Arkansas.
With their own hands they have made nearly three thousand military suits,
fifteen hundred haversacks, five thousand shirts, and covered more than twelve
hundred canteens.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 9, 1861, p. 1, c. 6
Southern
Manufactures.
The substance of the following article is at least two years old.
The account is highly satisfactory, and we publish it now with the view
to stimulate other parties to the proper degree of enterprise.
If, two years ago, we could effect such results in an obscure part of
Alabama, what might not now be done, with the Yankees driven out of the country.
The field is open to all comers. Scottsville
may well increase its capital, enlarge its machinery, multiply its operatives,
and others may wisely follow its example. The
first in the field, is the first reaper:
People who imagine that a single, isolated manufactory, here and there,
is the best that the South can produce, will be agreeable disappointed to hear
of an entire village in Alabama being devoted exclusively to manufactures.
It is called Scottsville, and is situated in the northwestern portion of
Bibb county, near the river Catawba, between Centreville and Tuscaloosa, and to
the southeast of the latter place some fifty or sixty miles.
Scottsville was originally known as the Tuscaloosa Manufacturing Company.
It was incorporated by the Alabama Legislature in 1837, with a capital
stock of $36,000, which sum was quickly subscribed by a number of capitalists in
Tuscaloosa.
In May, 1837, the mills got to work, making coarse cotton cloths, but for
some years they made no money. The company and the locality soon changed names and
management; the latter coming into the hands of Mr. Scott, as principal owner
and director, and the place itself took the name of Scottsville. He immediately went to work making improvements and additions
to the buildings and machinery, and the mill soon paid dividends.
The first $2200 realized in 1841, was expended in a family of negros
[sic] to work in the factory. This
family has so increased that the company values them at $10,000, and most of
them are now working in the factory, and are very useful.
The company have made several purchases of negros with the profits of the
factory, and negro labor is much employed by them.
The principal mill is a large brick building of three stories, with two
wings, filled with the best machinery and employing over one hundred hands, of
whom three fourths are females. A large over-shot wheel, driven by water, is the principal
motor of the machinery. There are
about 24,000 spindles and 50 looms at work.
Wool and cotton are both spun. The
consumption of cotton averages 35,000 pounds per month, and $1000 worth of yarns
in the same time, together with a large quantity of linseys and a superior
article of cotton sewing thread.
In 1841 the sum of $40,000 capital stock had been paid in.
Every year since then a dividend of ten per cent. has been declared,
which has been laid out in buying negros, land, &c., adding to the buildings
and machinery in the village, until the capital stock has increased to $117,000,
of which $25,000 is in negros and about $16,000 in goods in the company's store.
The company owns 3,000 acres of land, and all the buildings on the place,
which consists of the factory, a large hotel, the store, blacksmith, carpenter,
wheelwright, and boot and shoe shops, a saw mill, grist mill, large flouring
mill, a church and a large number of cottages.
No liquor is permitted in the village, and the company will not sell an
inch of its land to any one. Its
stock has long been over par, and its dividend this year will be at least twelve
per cent.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 9, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Quills.--Our readers in
the country who have geese will do well to save their quills, as it will not be
long before the stock of steel pens will give out, and the old firm of
"Goose, Gander & Co.,"
will have to supply the South with writing implements.
We shall rejoice at this necessary substitution of the good old-fashioned
"grey goose quill" for the barbarous metal innovations now so
universally used.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 9, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Cordial for our soldiers.--An army surgeon suggests the propriety of
friends sending "black berry cordial," having the following
ingredients--cloves--cinnamon, allspice and ginger--to their soldier friends.
The suggestion is doubtless a good one, and needs only to be mentioned to
be put in execution by the devoted and patriotic women of our land.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 10, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Army of the Potomac,
Camp Pickens, July 4.
. . .
I mentioned, a few days since, the appearance of a new feature of
military life in one of the Louisiana Regiments.
Many of the officers and some of the men brought their wives with them,
and as they first appeared jaded, dusty and bedraggled, among men as dusty and
bedraggled as themselves, I must confess I was in doubt whether they would
constitute a valuable addition to the service.
But, while at Fairfax Station yesterday, I visited the encampment of Col.
Seymour, and must confess that to a great extent my doubts have been removed. Many of the officers have their wives with them.
Their tents gave unmistakable evidences of care and taste.
The grounds of the encampment are arranged with a more decided reference
to appearances. The men all gave
evidence of a consciousness that women were about; all were as nearly in full
dress as their wardrobes permitted; all who came upon the parade have their hair
combed; and I am very sure that in that case there was more of physical comfort
and convenience than in any others of the army.
If there were much marching, transportation would be difficult, and to
remain there might be inconvenience to themselves and great inconvenience to
others; but in an army as nearly stationary as this has been, the inconveniences
of their presence are not considerable, while in other respects, and I say it as
an economist and without the slightest feeling of gallantry, their influence is
of decided service to the soldier.
It might be supposed that in case of a fight their sympathies and fears
would occasion trouble, but this was not the case, in one instance at least.
One of the lieutenants mentioned, that upon the occasion of an alarm the
night before, his wife declined to get up, as he was being armed for the
encounter, upon the ground that if she should, she did not know what better
place to go to, and an hour afterwards, when the alarm proved to be false, and
he went back, she was sound asleep.
L. W. S.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
A Pleasant Summer Beverage.--We have had an opportunity of testing the
merits of a very delightful preparation of Cream Soda, put up in bottles, and
sold by Mr. D. W. Davis, America street, near Line.
This drink has been approved by medical men and army officers as being
wholesome and simple in its ingredients, and being of home manufacture, should
be liberally patronized by those who are fond of a pure and refreshing draught.
The price is only ten cents per bottle, each bottle containing two
glasses. Try it.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 18, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
The Mississippi Women.--In Choctow [sic] County, Miss., a company of
ladies has been organized for some time under the name of "Home
Guards," numbering over one hundred. The Vicksburg Sun tells what they have done, as follows:
They have been constantly exercising on horseback and foot with pistol,
shot gun, and rifle, and have attained such perfection that we doubt if there is
a better drilled company in the country. Each
one is almost a Boone with her rifle, and an Amazon in her equestrian skill.
We have heard that one lady (our informant, Gen. T. C. McMackin, could
not give us her name), in shooting at a cross mark, one hundred yards distant,
with a rifle, struck the centre five times and broke it three times out of eight
shots fired in succession. She had
a rest. If any State can beat this,
we should like to see it done.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 20, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
[Communicated]
The
Confederate Flag.
We believe we speak the sentiments of three-fourths of the Southern
people, when we state that the Confederate Flag has not only failed to satisfy,
but has greatly disappointed them. The idea of a committee having been occupied for weeks in
composing or selecting from a hundred different specimens, a flag to be at once original
and striking; finally, rejecting all assistance from artists and others, who had
furnished abundance of good material, and adopting, as the result of their
labor, what? The Union
and three stripes of Lincoln's
Abolition Flag. Mr. Russell, in one
of his letters, has well styled it "the counterpart of the U. S.
Flag;" and so perfectly is it so, that in a calm at sea, it is not
distinguishable from it. But not
only is it stolen from the U. S. Flag, it is also a theft of the coat of arms of
another despotism--we mean the House of Austria, whose arms are red,
with a white bar running through the centre.
Nor is this all. The U. S. Flag itself was directly stolen from the British
East India Company, with the poor addition of thirteen stars for distinction.
Now, if the coat of arms of the Confederate States be drawn with the
three bars horizontal we pilfer the
arms of the House of Austria; and if we adopt the plan of the United States and
draw the coat of arms with the bars perpendicular, we pilfer the arms of the town of Beauvais in France.
So that, whichever way we twist, we will be laughed at by everybody and
despised by those whose emblems we have borrowed, not to say stolen.
We are living under a Provisional Government--may we not hope that this
may be also a Provisional Flag? Our
Congress is soon to meet, and we sincerely hope that this question will be
brought up by some patriotic and able member, and not allowed to rest until we
obtain with the permanent Government a flag fit to be retained as permanent also.
We think the Southern people, generally, were anxious that the Southern
Cross should have been conspicuous in their flag, which form would at once
dispense with the Union part of it,
and all the stripes, by simply making the flag red, with a white cross,
containing on it the stars of blue, thereby retaining all the three emblems
of Republicans, red, white and blue. And,
in the language of one of Virginia's bards--
The "Cross of the South" shall triumphantly wave,
As the flag of the free and the pall of the brave!
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We are informed by one skilled in Heraldry, that such a flag is in rule;
and if desirable to change the arrangement of colors, the ground
could be blue, and the stars red--cross
white in either, so as to be metal on color--an imperative requisition in correct Heraldry.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 22, 1861, p. 4, c. 4
Departure of Nurses.--The Charlotte (N.C.) Bulletin, of the 15th inst.,
notices that three or four ladies, citizens of Charlotte and of the county,
sacrificing ease and enjoyments of home and society of friends, departed on
Friday night last, for Yorktown, to nurse and provide for the soldiers who may
be sick at that point. They have
gone well provided with hospital stores furnished with subscriptions made by the
citizens for that purpose.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 24, 1861, p. 1, c. 6
"The Sisters of Charity."--The friends of our sick soldiers at
Norfolk may feel assured that every kindness and attention that can avail to
comfort and cure them are ministered by the Sisters of Charity at Norfolk.
The letters from the army are full of praises of these angels of mercy.
We have a young friend, who probably owes his life to their unceasing
watching and careful nursing. Dr.
Nott, in his letter published elsewhere, writes in the same strain.
A letter just received by us from a member of the 3d Alabama Regiment,
says:
"______ is much better now, and is rapidly improving.
I have been in to see him several times, but as the Sisters told me he
was not dangerously ill. I have not
written about him, for fear of causing uneasiness.
He gets every attention and kindness that good nursing and medical
treatment can afford. All of the
soldiers have fallen in love with the Sisters for their kindness and devotion to
those who are sent to their care. ______
was in their hospital for several days, and says he could not have been more
tenderly and carefully nursed in his mother's house.
Mobile Advertiser and Register.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 25, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Nurses for the Camps.--A Southern "Nightingale" from North
Carolina has just established herself at Yorktown, accompanied by a matron and
two servants, and provided with every requirement, in order to thoroughly
perform the mission she has undertaken.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
Help for the Soldiers.--While our sons and brothers are exposing their
lives upon the plains of Virginia for our safety, and while many are now
languishing in the hospitals on beds of pain and suffering, it is a gratifying
fact to know that our wives, and sisters and mothers are laboring so zealously
in their attempts to provide such help for the soldiers as will render their
positions more comfortable. It has
been again verified, in this instance, that the ladies are the most energetic
portion of every community, as the work which they have performed, in the short
space of twenty-four hours, has been truly marvelous.
A preparatory meeting of the members of the Ladies' Christian
Association, auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association, and many other
ladies of the city, was held on Tuesday morning, when the first steps were
taken, and by yesterday, at 2 o'clock, they had prepared a sufficient amount of
necessaries and luxuries for the soldiers to fill twelve cases, and valued at
over one thousand dollars, all of which was at once dispatched for Virginia, in
care of Dr. E. H. Bissell, who has gone to render his professional services to
the suffering, and who will attend personally to the proper disbursement of the
articles sent.
Up to dark last evening the ladies had cut and given out to be made up
over four hundred garments, and will to-day resume their labor of love and
sympathy. Truly they deserve all
credit for their efforts in this noble cause.
A meeting of all ladies interested in this work will be held at the Young
Men's Hall at ten o'clock to-day, for the purpose of a more thorough
organization, appointment of committees, and other matters of business, for the
permanent working of the Association during the continuance of the war.
Our merchants and citizens generally have responded nobly to the calls
made upon them, and suitable fabrics of all descriptions have been sent in,
valued at nearly two thousand dollars, while over one thousand dollars in money
have been liberally subscribed. The
goods have been forwarded by Adams' Southern Express, through their Agent,
Woodward, free of all Express charges. It
is the intention of the ladies to send forward all the articles in the charge of
some responsible person who will attend faithfully to their proper and judicious
distribution, in order that the donors may have the satisfaction of knowing that
their gifts are not misapplied; and when the wants of those in Virginia are
fully satisfied, the remaining articles will be preserved for the use of our own
troops during the coming fall and winter.
We republish the former Committee, appointed from the Young Men's
Christian Association, to co-operate with the ladies, with additional names of
other members, all of whom are requested to solicit donations in money, and such
articles as may be serviceable in providing for the hospital and the camp.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Soldiers'
Relief Association.
The Depository in Chalmers-Street will be open to-day and on every
Wednesday to receive the contributions of those who desire to aid in relieving
our sick and wounded soldiers. Old
sheets, pillow-cases, under garments, old or new, linen or cotton rags, will be
acceptable. Housekeeping stores,
rice, barley, arrow-root, flax-seed, tea, sugar, brandy, wine, especially
blackberry and port, and any fine, nourishing articles for the sick room, are
solicited. These will be
immediately forwarded to our friends in Virginia. Let every family in the city aid in providing for the relief
of our brave defenders. Any
contribution of money or useful articles will constitute membership of the
Association. Donations will be
received every Wednesday afternoon at the Depository, or may be sent at any time
to the President or Treasurer. Ladies
willing to aid in this good cause are invited to meet at the Depository every
day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Work will be provided for those who will undertake it.
Officers.
President--Mrs. George Robertson.
Vice President--Mrs. Wm. Snowden.
Corresponding Secretaries--Miss Laura Porter and Miss Blamyer.
Secretary and Treasurer--Miss E. P. Hayne.
Other ladies have cheerfully consented to act as Managers in their
respective wards, and their names will be published as soon as the lists are
filled.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 2, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
Yopon Tea.--In view of the probable scarcity of tea and coffee during the
war, we see the papers are recommending the use of the leaves and twigs of the
Yopon, an evergreen which grows spontaneously on our coast.
The Yopon is a common drink on the Banks, and is highly esteemed by many.
We have heard it said, that when it is well cured, it is greatly improved
when the milk and molasses are boiled
with it. It is rather vulgar to use
sugar for sweetening with Yopon. Molasses
is the thing. A venerable lady who
lived to a considerable age on the Banks, once speaking of the healthiness of
Yopon as a drink, said, "Bless the Lord, Yopon has kept me out of Heaven
these twenty years."--Raleigh Register.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 27, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Winter Clothing for Our Soldiers.--The question of supplying our troops
with winter clothing is beginning to attract considerable attention.
It is now evident that the South must depend mainly on herself for
clothing material during the war. Her
magnificent crops will supply a large surplus of breadstuff and food above the
demand for consumption at home. But
the blockade of our ports may continue up to the season when our volunteers in
the field will require heavy woolen goods to protect them against the inclemency
of winter.
Every loom in the Confederate States ought to be busy to supply this
necessary demand. We should not
suffer the shame and disgrace of seeing these brave men subjected to suffering
from want of foresight, energy and patriotism on the part of those who remain at
home. We can work for our country
as well at the plow-handle and at the loom as in the tented field.
Our woolen factories are too few to depend upon them for the fabrics that
will be necessary to supply the demands that are now near at hand.
Every private loom and every fair hand that can direct should now ply
with unceasing care until we are satisfied that there is not a soldier unclad
among our gallant men. It is an act
of patriotism, which may be done, in main part, by our fair countrywomen, that
we are sure they will not neglect, when their attention is properly directed to
it. The efficiency, nay, the safety
of our army may depend upon it. The
lady who furnishes the largest quantity of jeans and linseys for service, this
year, is entitled to a gold medal commemorating her patriotism.
We would suggest that such a testimonial be offered by the merchants of
our city, to the lady who brings to the market the largest quantity of
serviceable goods for winter clothing. On
no account ought this matter to be neglected by those who have the material and
the machinery.--Nashville Union.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 14, 1861, p. 1, c. 3-4
Richmond, Va., August 12.
. . . Thus one passes
on from bed to bed through the many wards, and reads the awful moral of this
unholy war in the saddest illustrations which the vices and passions of men can
furnish. And yet, through all this
gloom and suffering, a gleam of light shoots like a golden thread on a funeral
pall. I have told you how clean and
neat the rooms are, and how comfortable the patients look.
And the secret of the pleasant fact lies in that woman flitting across
the corridor, with her gray serge dress and tidy blue apron from chin to toe,
and bonnet blanc, whose wide flaps,
white as a snow drift, and stiff with starch, wave over her shoulders like a
pair of wings. She is one of that
devoted band of good women, known all over the Christian world wherever there is
sorrow to be assuaged, or pain relieved, or comfort administered, whom we name
"Sisters of Charity," but who should be called the "Angels of the
Earth." Her step is swift-paced and noiseless, her hand light
and soft, her care and attention devoted, unobtrusive, intelligent, gentle and
consoling. She it is on whom these
grave, thoughtful surgeons lean, to support and carry out all their directions
for the sick; and these miserable men to lighten the burden of their pain and
captivity. If a biscuit or a
mattress, a cup of water, a clean pillow or fresh bed or body clothes are
wanted, the universal demand which satisfies every desire is, "Call a
Sister!" Day and night, with
tireless patience; kind, considerate and obliging to all alike; asking no
recompense and accepting no reward, their skilful ministrations are bestowed on
these wounded enemies, whose malignant hate and unspeakable purposes of rapine
and violence to their sex (had victory crowned their arms), they are now
repaying with a care and gentleness "mild as any mother's to a sick
child." With such a reality
before us, we may well pass by with contempt and scorn the foul charges of
cruelty which the Northern press has falsely laid upon us, and retort upon them
their own inhumanity and unchristian neglect in neither tending their wounded
nor securing decent burial for their dead . . .
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 16, 1861, p. 1, c. 6
Persimmon
Beer.
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
In response to your call, contained in The Mercury of a late date, I send
you the following from the Southern Cultivator for March:
The best Persimmons ripen soft and sweet, having a clear, thin,
transparent skin, without any rough taste. A good ripe persimmon is a delicious morsel; most animals
fatten on them; the chicken, duck, turkey, goose, dog, hog, sheep and cow, all
eat them greedily. The fruit, when
mashed and strained through a coarse wire sieve, makes delightful bread, pies
and pudding. When kneaded with the
wheat bran, and well baked in an oven, the bread may be put away for winter use
in making Beer, and used when wanted.
The following is one of the very best receipts for making the Beer:
Sweet ripe persimmons, mashed and strained-------1 bushel.
Wheat bran-----------------------------------------1/2 "
Mix well together, and bake in loaves of convenient size; break them in a
clean barrel, and add 12 gallons of water and two or three ounces of hops.
Keep the barrel in a warm room. As
soon as fermentation subsides, bottle off the beer, having good long corks, and
place the bottles in a low temperature, and it will keep and improve for twelve
months.
This beer, when properly made, in a warm room, is an exquisitely
delightful beverage, containing no alcohol, and is, to the connoisseur of
temperate taste, not inferior to the fermented juice of the vine.
The ordinary way of making it is more simple, and the drink is relished
heartily by most persons. A layer
of straw is put in the bottom of the cask, on which a sufficient quantity of
fruit, well mashed, is laid; and the cask then filled with water.
It should stand in a warm room, and if the weather is cold, fermentation
will be promoted by occasionally putting a warm brick or stone in the barrel.
The addition of a few honey locusts, roasted sweet potatoes, or apple
peelings, will make the beer more brisk. Wheat
bran always improves the quality.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 19, 1861, p. 3, c. 4
A Recherche Style of Hat.--A Memphis paper says:
The city ladies have donned the latest style hat.
If the country ladies wish for the pattern, let them take one fourth of
the thick end of a goose egg, and lay it on the table, round end upward; then
take one-third of the same end of a hen egg, and place it end upward on the top
of the portion of a goose egg. The
result will be a perfect pattern of the proportions and appearance of the new
style.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 20, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
The old Marine Hospital between the Navy Yard and Fort Barrancas, below
Pensacola, has been provided with all necessary appliances for the treatment of
the sick, and placed under charge of the Sisters of Charity, of whom six have
been sent from Mobile, and two or three from New Orleans.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 2, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
Lint for the Army.--For the information of such of our community as are
engaged in the preparation of lint for army use, I am requested to make the
following suggestions:
The best form of lint is that prepared of the ravellings of old linen,
such as towels, sheets or table-cloths, and known among French surgeons as
"charpie." In making
this, the cloth is cut into narrow, transverse strips, and its fibres
subsequently separated. The lint
prepared by the old method of scraping answers a very good purpose, but is not
so porous, and is, consequently, inferior as a dressing to "charpie."
As I am sometimes asked why I do not substitute cotton for lint, I reply
that, notwithstanding the high authority adduced in its favor, there are few
substances less suited for that purpose than the one indicated.
To meet the requirements of a good dressing, there must be not only
softness of texture, but also a ready capacity for absorbing liquids, and it is
upon the defect of cotton in this latter property that the objections to the
proposed substitution are grounded.
To any one who has attempted to saturate a piece of cotton with water,
the validity of the objection must be apparent.
But lest it be supposed that I am condemning it upon theoretical grounds,
I would add that, after a fair trial of cotton, I am more than ever convinced of
its unfitness to supersede lint.
Very respectfully,
A. N. Talley,
Medical Director P.A.C.S.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 2, 1861, p. 4, c. 1
The ladies of Henderson, Rusk county, Texas, have formed a company of
sixty-five strong, who practice target shooting every week, and are excellent
markswomen. A similar company exits
in Waco.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 5, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Several Sisters of Charity have recently arrived in Richmond from the
vicinity of Washington, and are now engaged in attending the sick.
We learn that they solicited permission to come from Old Abe and were
refused passports, when finally, having determined to persevere in their mission
of mercy, they escaped by stealth from the Baboon's dominions.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Charleston Made Matches.--We have received a box of Lucifer Matches,
manufactured by Mr. W. M. Sack, of this city.
On a trial, we found the matches to inflame with great facility, even
after being wet for a short time. We
hail with pleasure this new effort of native industry.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 13, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Leeches.--Mr. G. W. Aimar, the enterprising druggist at the corner of
King and Vanderhorst streets, has succeeded notwithstanding the Lincoln
blockade, in obtaining a large supply of leeches, direct from Cuba.
This arrival was most opportune, as the stock in Charleston was entirely
exhausted, and the medical profession generally throughout the State were at a
loss for a supply of these necessary little animals.
They will be now pleased to learn, however, that Mr. Aimar can supply
them in any quantity, and with many other foreign articles, also of recent
direct importation.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 17, 1861, p. 1, c. 8
A Simple Salve for Soldiers' Feet in Marching.--The Scientific
American has received the following receipt for making an excellent
composition for anointing the feet of the soldiers during long marching:
Take equal parts of gum camphor, olive oil and pure beeswax, and mix them
together warm until they are united and become a salve.
At night wash the feet well, dry them, and apply the salve, and put on
clean stockings and sleep with them on. Next
day the feet will be in excellent trim for marching.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 17, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Sagamite.--Portable
Food for Scouts. The old historians
and travelers, and Indian fighters, tell us of an admirable and easily portable
food, which the Red men carried with them in their pouches on their hunting and
war parties. It was a combination
of Indian meal and brown sugar, three parts of the former to one of the latter,
browned together over the fire. This
food, in small quantities, not only sufficed to arrest hunger, but to allay
thirst. This is the famous sagamite
of the Red men. A few pounds in
one's haversack would occupy little space, and would serve for several days.
Let our boys here and there try the preparation in camp, and learn the
uses of the article before going on a march.
Their friends might prepare a supply of it in the cities, and forward to
the camp; and if, upon experiment, it shall prove palatable, it may be prepared
in any quantities. In the siege of
Charleston, in 1780, the people lived wholly on rice and sugar for some weeks.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 19, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
Burning of a Cotton Factory.
Mobile, September 18.--The Dog River Cotton Factory accidentally took
fire to-day and was totally destroyed. Loss,
$100,000. Insurance, $42,000.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 19, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Palmetto Button Factory.--A few weeks ago we mentioned that M. B. Schur
had in contemplation the starting of a military button factory.
As the stock of buttons with the palmetto and State motto was entirely
run out, and as thousands of uniforms are being manufactured for our brave
volunteers, as well as those in regular service, such a factory fills another
gap, and places us one step higher in the ladder of independence.
Mr. Schur's factory is now in full operation in Market-street, south
side, midway between Meeting and King streets, where six operatives are
constantly employed to supply the demand for these necessary appendages to the
soldier's uniform. This is as it
should be, for Mr. Schur deserves a full measure of encouragement for his
undertaking. Some months ago, when
the palmetto buttons were getting scarce and prices running up, Mr. Schur,
though no mechanic and without any previous knowledge of button making, set his
wits to work, and the result is, after some difficulty, it is true, the
manufacture of a good substantial button, and just the article now needed.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 21, 1861, 1, c. 1
The Sisters of Charity.--The world-wide benevolence of that revered
order, the Sisters of Charity, meets in our city with an ample field for its
exercise. The casualties of the
battle-field, not less than the diseases incident to those unaccustomed to the
hardships of camp life, all contribute to swell the catalogue of human ills, and
leave in our midst objects of their attention, not less of the enemy than our
own. Where sickness and death visit
the hospitals, where are congregated the weary, wounded and dying, there,
gliding in to succor and console, the sisters came upon their errand of mercy.
The couch of disease is made easier by their presence; the pillow of the
dying is smoothed by their care; friend and enemy alike receive their soothing
attentions.--Worldly fame they ask not. Unobtrusive
in their charities as in their garb, they engage in their labor of love,
actuated by that pure philanthropy which has its source in a higher sphere than
earth. The task imposed upon
themselves, and faithfully executed by these self-sacrificing women, sometimes
"even unto death," should entitle them to the rewards of the blessed.
Some of those now in our midst came from Washington, by stealth, after in
vain soliciting from the petty tyrant who reigns there, permission to pass the
bounds of his army; some came from the far South.
Come, however, from where they may, they all act as ministering angels,
actuated alone by the desire to do good.--Richmond Examiner.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 21, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Flint Hill, Fairfax Co., Va.,
September 14.
"The excitement of camp life!"
What a myth! Catch your young birds with chaff, but don't try to sprinkle
this sort of husk on the tail of an old one.
If you really want excitement,
go to a Quaker Meeting, attend a lecture on Phrenology, illustrated by the
examination of decrepit old gentlemen's head, spend some Sunday afternoon in the
Fish Market--these are lively and diverting amusements compared to the company,
battalion, and brigade drills--the breakfast, dinner and supper cooking--the
noonday doze, the afternoon nap, the long uneasy night slumber--the dirt, the
smoke, the heat, the rain--which make up the sum of a camp day's unrelieved and
intolerable tedium. . . .
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 21, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
The
Flag of the Second Maine Regiment, captured on the Plains of Manassas at the
great battle by the Palmetto Guard, which was exhibited for some days at the
Mercury office, and which has been in the possession of Capt. P. B. Lalane for
some weeks past, has been demanded from Col. Kershaw by Gen. Beauregard.
A formal requisition for the flag was, in consequence, made to Capt.
Lalane, who complied by sending it to Virginia on Thursday, by the Southern
Express.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 21, 1861, p. 1, c, 1
The Army Nurse's Uniform.--The style of dress which the Military, not
Millinery, Board has ordered the Yankee army nurses to wear is thus described:
The color is bright brown; no crinoline; dress reaches half way between
the knee and ankle; upper sleeve loose, gathered at the waist; pantalettes same
color, wide but gathered tight around the ankle; black hat, with plumes of
feathers of same color; feet dressed in morocco boots.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 23, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
"Tennessee Exiles."--Some sharpers are making a good thing in
Cincinnati and other Western cities, playing the role of Tennessee exiles.
The costume is an antiquated wagon, a venerable horse, with great
development of hip and rib, and an ordinary stock of sun-burnt children clad in
dilapidated costume. The caravan
parades the streets, and a crowd of curious spectators is soon assembled; when
the doleful tale of exile is told. Driven
from home with barely enough time to get aboard of their carts, they have
traveled, so the story goes, through "thick and thin," and reached
their destination penniless of course. Then
contributions are solicited, the hat goes around--and $40 or $50 is subscribed
at once.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 23, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Things about town.--The
juveniles wear Palmetto hats, made by their patriotic mammas.--The Farmers near
the city are storing large quantities of hay, high pyramids on carts with the
driver high in the air can be seen daily.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 3, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Women and Dress.--Alphonse Karr writes of woman in a far less poetic
strain than Michelet. In a recent
work of the former, we find the following:
"In a woman's life, everything leads to a new dress; everything ends
with a new dress, every circumstance is marked by a new dress, and the dress is
the most important part. A girl is going to be married--a new dress.
For a moment her heart is filled with love, thoughts of an entirely new
existence, and of a long separation from her parents.
Everything disappears before the all-absorbing question of the wedding
dress. A relation dies. The
grief of the ladies is violent; but it is soon checked, for the mourning has to
be thought of. What are people
wearing? What is the most
fashionable mode of testifying one's sorrow?
It is necessary to go to the linen-draper's, to the dress maker's, to the
milliner's, and in a little while they are so thoroughly occupied that there is
quite an end to lamentation, unless, however, the dress do not [sic] happen to
fit, or the bonnet to be too much or too little off the head. But if the dress is made of some new material, if the bonnet
is becoming, then they experience an involuntary glow--they are triumphant, they
are very happy.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 3, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury.
In reply to many inquiries, I would state:
1. That the South Carolina
Tract Society have now printed, in Charleston, fifteen
different tracts of which the following are the titles:
No. 1. Am I Self Deceived?
No. 2. Have You?
No. 3. The Sinner's Friend.
No. 4. The Act of Faith.
No. 5. What is it to Believe
on Christ?
No. 6. Dialogue between the
Bible and a Sinner.
No. 7. Self Dedication to
God.
No. 8. Why do we sit still?
No. 9. Ye shall not surely
Die.
No. 10. A Convenient Season.
No. 11. The Bible the Word
of God.
No. 12. Three Words.
No. 13. A Word of Warning.
No. 14. Grieving the Spirit
of God.
No. 15. Hinder Me Not.
2. The publishers, being
pious men, do not make anything by printing, in order to put the tracts as low
as the American Society have been able to print them for in New York.
3. 1500 pages will be given
for $1, or nearly forty-four paged tracts.
4. They can be had in sorted
parcels.
5. Donations will be
thankfully received, and applied to particular purposes, or given in other
grants.
6. It is contemplated to
issue original tracts, and also to employ a general agent and colporteurs.
7. Applications for grants
or other letters and donations, may be addressed to E. L. Kerrison Esq.,
Charleston, S. C.
8. Orders for tracts are to
be sent to W. N. Hughes, Sunday School Depository, 67 Meeting street,
Charleston.
N. B.--Will all papers friendly to the cause publish this notice, which
will apply to all in our Southern States.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 5, 1861, p. 1, c. 6
An Excellent Substitute for Coffee.--For a family of seven or eight
persons, take a pint of well toasted corn meal, and add to it as much water as
an ordinary sized coffee pot will hold, and then boil it well.
We have tried this toasted meal coffee,
and prefer it to Java or Rio, in as much as genuine coffee does not suit our
digestive organs, and we have not used it for years.
Many persons cannot drink coffee with impunity, and we advise all such to
try our receipt. They will find it
more nutritious than coffee and quite as palatable.--Raleigh Register.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 5, 1861, p. 1, c. 6
The Flag of Florida.--The following is a description of the flag recently
adopted by the State of Florida:
The one half of the flag next to the staff is dark blue; the other half
has alternately one red, one white stripe.
Each stripe (three in all) of equal width, and perpendicular to the
staff. [The stripes are the same as
the Confederate stripes, only they form one half the flag.]
On the blue ground and occupying somewhat more than one-half of it, is an
elliptical band (the axis of the ellipse [illegible] the proportion of fifteen
to thirteen, the longitudinal axis parallel with the flag staff) bearing
superiorly, "In God is our Trust"; inferiorly,
"Florida"--making, as it were, a frame for the shield.
In the centre of the ellipse is a single strong live-oak tree.
Beyond it is seen the Gulf of Mexico, with sailing vessels in the
distance.--In front of and near the front of the oak, is a piece of Field
Artillery. Beyond the gun, and
resting against the bole of the oak, is seen a stand of six colors--the
Confederate and State flags to the front. To
the left of the field piece are four muskets stacked.
To the right and near, balls piled, and a drum.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 7, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Our Reduced Sheet.
To-day we being to print The Mercury upon a sheet considerably smaller
than that which we have hitherto used. In
this measure of economy we have been preceded by too many of the public journals
of the Confederate and United States, to make any detailed statement of the
reasons which have led us to this step, either necessary or desirable.
It will be enough to inform our readers that, in the present stagnation
of trade, the advertising business, which is the sustaining element of newspaper
incomes, has, in great measure, been cut off.
In view of this fact, we have not felt warranted in continuing the issue
of so large a paper, at an expense at once needless and burdensome.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 8, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Richmond, October 4.
. . . Our young ladies
are hard at work with knitting needles. Visit
them when you will, they meet you knitting in hand.
The formation of some of the socks which they have produced does not
indicate a very exact knowledge of human anatomy.
I saw one last evening, which, I am told, was intended for the foot of
the entire Southern Confederacy. From
its size, I judged it would make rather a loose fit.
Socks are costly luxuries now-a-days.
The coarsest yarn costs two dollars a pound, and a pound of yarn will not
quite make five pairs of socks. The
weather is still very warm, but the trees show where the fingers of Jack Frost
have pinched 'em.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 10, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Associations and individuals, contributing to the Hospitals in Virginia,
are reminded that a pressing want is of 160 cotton mattresses, 6 1/2 feet long,
30 inches wide, 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick, to be used on the straw beds, which are
rather hard.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 12, 1861, p. 3, c. 3
Confectionery.
Marshmallow Paste
Marshmallow Drops
Cream Chocolate Drops
Gum Drops
Superfine Sugared
Almonds
French Burnt Almonds
French Cream Bon Bons
Brandy Peaches
Pickled Shrimps
Genuine Farina Cologne
No. 1 Family Chocolate
Assorted Pie Fruit.
For sale by
Kinsman & Bro., 247
King street.
Rice
Flour!
For
Table use
and
as
a Substitute for Arrow Root,
Farina,
Corn Starch, &c.
Is now manufactured at
the Claussen Mills, in Charleston, S. C., on a scale sufficient to supply any
demand. The article is not only of
a very superior quality, but will be furnished at such a low price as to insure
general introduction.
It is put up in Barrels
of 196 and Bags of 98 and 24 1/2 lbs.
Agents wanted
throughout the Confederate States.
F. W. Claussen.
Fine
Black Tea.
6 Chests Very Choice
Congou Tea, just received from London, for sale by D. Paul & Co.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 14, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
Kid
Gloves.
A few dozen of Ladies' and Gent's Kid Gloves.
Also, Ladies' Beaver Gloves, Taffetta [sic] Gloves, Paris Cloth Gloves,
Cashmere Gauntlets, Lisle Gauntlets, and Lisle Gloves, this day opened at
Read's, 237 King-street.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 18, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Richmond, October 14.
. . . Charlottesville
is reduced almost to utter darkness; gas being now out of the question, and the
supply of tallow candles being limited indeed.
People will have to go back to lightwood knots.
. . .Shops for the sale
of tobacco and cigars are springing up in every direction; bar-rooms are also
increasing fearfully. We are
determined to smoke and drink as much as we please, in spite of Lincoln's
blockade. That's our comfort.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 21, 1861, p. 1, c. 4
Richmond, October 17.
. . .An order from
Manassas, for the making of twenty-five regimental flags of a peculiar
description, has been received here, and our young ladies have gone hard to work
at them. This circumstance excites
considerable speculation. Before
the battle of Manassas an enormous quantity of flannel was used in the making of
wing-badges, which were thrown away after the battle of the 16th, because
similar badges were seen on the shoulders of the enemy.
Now we need flannel for underclothing.
We wager that the pattern of these new flags has already reached New
York; for the recent publication, in the Herald,
of the names of the officers in the Confederate Army, shows conclusively that
there is a traitor in the War Office. . . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 21, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Camp
Mattresses,
Camp
Stools,
Camp
Oil Cloth Cloaks,
at
H. W. Kinsman's,
Corner King and Beaufain Streets.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 23, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Latest Richmond Fashions.--Hoops.--The fair ladies of Richmond, the Examiner
tells us, have begun to discard these appendages.
The ultra fashionables eschew them altogether.
The middle classes, who desire to preserve looks and fashion at the same
time, hold on to them, diminish some of their exuberant proportions, while those
country cousins and others who don't care for dame fashion, sport them as large
as life.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 24, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
The
"Wee Nees" of Williamsburg District.
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
As I have been informed that there is considerable curiosity among those
who are aware of the services of the "Wee Nees" upon Sullivan's and
Morris' Islands last winter, as to how it came to pass that there are now two
companies claiming the same name,--I beg a small space in your columns to
explain why it is I claim the original name for the company in which I hold the
office of Captain.
The company did duty for four months, in Charleston harbor, under the
name of the "Wee Nee Volunteers," although it had been incorporated at
the last session of the Legislature, as the "Wee Nee Riflemen."
The reason, I suppose, it did not go by its incorporated name, was, that
the Captain did not know that it had been incorporated till we had been
disbanded and returned home. I was
not aware of it myself till I returned and examined the Acts of the Legislature.
The company was still kept up after our return, under the same officers.
I showed the Act of incorporation to the Captain.
At the next meeting, upon his suggestion, a committee was appointed to
draft a constitution and by-laws, as the Act had given that liberty.
The committee reported, and their report was finally adopted.
One of the provisions of the Constitution was that the company should
consist of not less than sixty-four,
nor more than one hundred members.
The company did not then number more than about seventy, as several had
gone into Confederate service, and some had removed from the District.
About the time the Constitution was adopted, Captain Pressley was making
an effort to raise a company for Confederate service.
After some time, he succeeded in getting the necessary number for
organization for Confederate service, (about sixty-eight, I believe), when a
meeting was held, and he was elected
Captain over the new company. Of
course, then, this vacated his office of Captain in the old company, for if the
company then forming had been the old company, it was a mere farce to elect him
Captain of it, for he held that position already. This is too plain to need any further explanation.
Seventeen or eighteen,
including Captain Pressley himself, were all he had of the old members, all the
others being recruits.--Captain Pressley went into the Confederate service; he
did not carry, nor attempt to carry, the Constitution and By-Laws, nor drums,
fife, &c. which seemed to be a tacit admission that he considered he had
left the "Wee Nee Riflemen" behind.
It is true the Constitution and By-Laws would have been of no use to him
in service, but the drums and fife would; and it is quite clear that the
Constitution, having been adopted as The
Constitution of something, it was not the Constitution of Capt. Pressley's Company;
it must, therefore, have been the constitution of that portion of the old
company, remaining at home. Besides,
those remaining had considerably the majority.
These were my conclusions upon the subject.
Accordingly, being reduced below the constitutional number, (64) I now
gave notice, as commanding officer (1st Lieutenant) of the company, that
recruits were desired to increase the ranks, and that as soon as the necessary
number were obtained, elections would be held to fill vacant offices.
The number was soon obtained, elections held, I was elected Captain; and I claim and intend to hold to the original incorporated name.
I was somewhat astonished, therefore, when I saw the muster roll of Capt.
Pressley's Company in the Mercury, under the name of the "Wee Nee
Volunteers." many persons saw
this also, and were at the same time, aware that my command was known as the
"Wee Nee Riflemen," and not being aware of the facts I narrate in this
letter, could not understand the mystery. I
now leave the matter with those, for the benefit of whom I write, to decide
which has the better right to the prefix, "Wee Nee."
I will state, for the information of those who may not be aware of the
fact, and who may be curious to know, from reading the preceding, what the
"Wee Nee Riflemen" are doing at
home, that we have reported and been received into the Pee Dee Legion,
commanded by Genl. W. W. Hardee, organized for the defense of South Carolina.
Yours truly,
Samuel W. Maurice.
Capt. W. N. R.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 24, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Madam
Fillette
Will open this day, and
continue doing the same for some days, a handsome collection of Bonnets,
Ribbons, Flowers, Bonnet Ruches. Bonnet
Tabs, Velvet Ribbons, in all widths, White and Black Feathers, Muslin for Skirt
Linings, White and Black Illusions, White and Black Flowers, Straw Bonnets,
White and Crape; Straw Jockeys; Turbans Zouave; Boulevards, &c.
Between two and three
hundred bunches French Flowers, which will be sold low, at wholesale or retail.
Mrs.
A. G. Parker,
242
King-street, in the Bend,
Respectfully informs
the ladies and purchasers generally, that she will open This Day a Handsome
Assortment of Millinery, consisting of every variety appertaining to that
department.
Also, Silk and Cloth
Cloaks, Mantillas and Chesterfields.
An Assortment of French
and German Corsets.
Mrs. P. would inform
those buying that she is prepared to furnish Bonnets for the trade, and will
attend to any orders she may be favored with.
Dress Making attended
to with dispatch.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 24, 1861, p. 4, c. 1
Knitting
for the Soldiers.
Knitting for the
soldiers!
How the needles fly!
Now with sound of
merriment--
Now with many a sigh!
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Panoply for feet--
Onward bound to
victory?
Rushing in retreat?
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Wrinkled--aged crone
Flying flying needles
By the ember stone.
Crooning ancient
ballads
Rocking to and fro,
In your sage divining
Say where these shall go!
Jaunty set of stockings
Neat from top to toe,
March they with the
victor?
Lie with vanquished low?
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Matron--merry maid,
Many and many a
blessing
Many a prayer is said.
While the glittering
needles
Fly "around! around!"
Like to Macbeth's
witches
On enchanted ground.
Knitting for the
soldiers--
Still another pair!
And the feet that wear
them
Speed they onward--where?
To the silent city
On their trackless way?
Homeward--bearing
garlands?
Who of us shall say?
Knitting for the
soldiers!
Heaven bless them all!
Those who win the
battle,
Those who fighting fall.
Might our benedictions
Speedily win reply,
Early would they crown
ye
All with victory!
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Martial Juveniles.--A battalion (i. e. two companies) of youngsters,
emulous of the military drill and discipline of their elders, paid us a visit
yesterday and went through some portions of the manual very creditably, in Broad
St., just in front of The Mercury
office. These mimic soldiers, who
were uniformed in the very brightest tints of red, blue and yellow, and who were
attended by a drum corps almost as numerous as that of the New York Seventh
Regiment, will, one of these days, take their places in the ranks, and show that
they have not forgotten the lessons of these trying days of '61.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 26, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Unmitigated Gouging.--As instances of the extortion and imposition
practiced by some of the tradesmen of Richmond, we give the following enormous
prices asked for different articles, viz: $10
a pair for soldiers' shoes made to order, 20 cents per pound for coffee and
sugar, 30 cents for crushed sugar, 30 cents per pound for bacon, 28 cents per
pound for lard, 38 cents per pound for butter, 50 cents per pound for coffee, $3
per pound for green tea, &c. It
is said that one merchant there purchased a whole cargo of coffee in one of our
Southern cities, some time ago for 13 cents per pound, which he is now disposing
of at the rate of 45 and 50 cents per pound.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 29, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
The Wool Product of the South.--According to a recent collection of wool
statistics, there is produced in all the Southern States, not including Texas,
10,000,000 pounds of wool.
The number of sheep in Texas in 1860, as shown by the census report of
that year, was 340,000. With these,
not then enumerated, and those since brought into the country, there may
possibly be 160,000 more, which, added to census returns, would increase the
number now in the State to 500,000. Of
these, at least 30,000 are Mexican coarse wool sheep, which will not average
more than one and a half pounds to the fleece, making of coarse wool 450,000
pounds. Then counting the 200,000
Merino and other improved stock to average three pounds to the fleece, and we
have of fine wool 160 pounds, which, added to the coarse wool, will make
1,050,000 of Texas grown wool.
Including the wool crop of Texas, it will be perceived that there is
annually produced in the Confederate States less than 12,000,000 pounds.
According to calculations, made in well informed quarters, there are
required annually for clothing, blankets, &c., six pounds of wool for every
individual in the country. Estimating the population of the Confederate States to be ten
millions, we find that there is annually required for home consumption sixty
millions pounds of wool, or forty-eight millions pounds more than is produced.
The deficit shown by these statistics is certainly a large and serious
one. Fortunately, however, for the
South, wool is the only article of manufacture of which we have not an abundant
supply.
It has been stated in some of our exchanges that there are now at work in
the Confederate States more machinery for the manufacture of woollen [sic]
fabrics than can be supplied with the materials.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 29, 1861, p. 1, c. 5
Substitute for Tea.--In some of our North Carolina exchanges we have seen
notices of Yopon as a substitute for tea. A
writer in the Houston (Texas) Telegraph, says:
"Yopon is excellent. But let me say that the wild thorned leaf holly is the best
tea I have ever used. It would take
the best of judges to tell it from the best of black tea. Fall is the time to gather the leaves. Make as black tea."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 29, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
Hard Times for Newspapers.--That old and excellent daily, the Nashville Union
and American, has made a heavy
curtailment in the size of its sheet.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 30, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Color for the First Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers.--We have been
shown a very handsome flag, about to be presented by the ladies of Charleston,
to the First Regiment, now at Suffolk, Virginia, as a regimental standard.
On one side, beautifully embroidered upon a white ground, stands a
Palmetto, emblem of the State, with a Crescent in the upper flagstaff corner.
Below is the name of the regiment. On
the reverse, upon a green ground, is a large white wreath, half oak, half
laurel, admirably worked. And in
the centre, the words, "Pro Patria.--Campaign
1861." The flag is surrounded
by a green fringe, and is of a very proper size, not too heavy for use.
We understand that it comes from the hands of Mrs. Schuckman, to whose
skill it does great credit. It may
be seen at Messrs. Hayden and Whilden's for a day or two.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 1, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
Stockings for the Army.--The following rules are laid down for the
direction of ladies wishing to knit socks for the soldiers:
Get large needles and a coarse yarn.
Cast on seventy-eight stitches, and knit the leg ten inches before
setting the heel. The heel should
be three and a half inches long, and knit of double yarn, one fine and coarse,
for extra strength. The foot should
be eleven or twelve inches long.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 2, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Paris
Fashions for the Fall.
Notwithstanding that the determination is very general among our ladies
not to indulge in expensive dresses during the war, they will doubtless be glad
to learn how the fair Parisiennes will arrange their toilet for November.
We copy the following resume of
the latest Paris Fashions from Le Follet,
received from Europe by way of Havana, in the Southern steamer Theodora:
Winter materials may not yet be brought prominently forward, but our
various manufacturers are busily engaged in preparing many attractive novelties.
At present we are fully occupied with costumes for the mid season, which
are necessarily usually simple. The
Mozambique, a woollen [sic] material, stronger than the poil de chevre, is
making itself of no little importance for neglige costume.
The taffetas are being trimmed with velvet.
Seaside morning dresses are often of alpaca, or dark clear colored
foulard. Violet alpaca is very
recherche this season; dresses of this material are generally made plain, or
trimmed simply with white and violet checked ribbons, or white and any other
color the dress may be made of. Muslins,
gazes de soie, grenadines, &c., are beginning to be worn only in the
evening. Poplins are now making
their appearance for walking dress. Among
the morning walking dresses may be seen the silk and woollen [sic] poplins, with
patterns in velvet; the robe mandarine, or woollen [sic] terry velvet, with
Chinese patterns, in bright colors, on a ground of grey or black.
There is also the taffetas epingle d'automne in large check or squares,
on a ground covered with a small colored flowers.
The drouguet Byzantin, with small spots of white on colored or black
ground, is also in vogue. Then
comes the charming collection of checked taffetas for dinner dress, in the new
and striking shade of coral and white, white and blue, white and amethyst, and
white and maize. The plain taffetas
antiques, of laurel green, Russian leather, and other dark colors, are employed
for the robes imperatrice, or redingotes, with paletots to match.
The vogue for Zouaves is far from becoming extinct; there is an
economical reason which proves greatly in their favor.
For instance, skirts that would otherwise be rejected, have a very good
effect, when accompanied by the coquette vest Zouave and an elegant chemisette;
but, setting aside the question of economy, this loose jacket, in which one is
as entirely at ease as when dressed in a robe-de-chambre, is so convenient, that
it will be difficult altogether to discard it.--Velvet, moire, cloth, taffetas,
and cachemire, are all employed for the Zouave.
Some persons prefer the waistcoat to the loose bouffante chemisette.
The waistcoat is generally made of the same material as the Zouave; but
the white quilting, trimmed with narrow embroidered frills, appears preferable.
The form of bonnets remain almost stationary, and will continue, with but
slight modifications, until the winter sets in.
Hats are universally worn at the seaside and in the country.
The Brunswick is a sort of bell, bent on the sides, and has obtained a
great success this year. It is made
of Leghorn, edged with black velvet, with a band of the same around the head,
and a bouquet of field flowers in the front, with long foliage, falling on
either side like the ends of a flat bow. A
small bouquet is placed inside, rather high on the forehead.
The Tudor of black straw, with a small tail behind, edged with black
taffeta ribbon, and trimmed behind with a large bow of broad ribbon, the ends
falling over the back. A small
bunch of feathers ornaments the front, from which floats a long sky-blue
feather. The chapeau Amazone, of
white straw; the edge is deep, very much turned back, and covered with black
velvet. A long feather is placed
negligently on the side; the top part of the feather is cinded [sic?], the tip
is knotted, and hangs low over the shoulder.
A small bouquet of black feathers, fastened with a white aigrette, is
placed half concealed under the long feathers in front; a gauze or lace veil,
edged with broad velvet, is often fastened on the edge of this hat.
Hats of rice straw are trimmed with ornaments of Italian straw, and white
and black feathers; maize and black strings, and bouquets of eglantine inside.
Bonnets preserve much of the summer trimming, and shapes; we must,
however, allow that the material is slightly changing; taffetas is used in lieu
of light straws and crape, &c. The
shades of this season commence with green, felt grey, and Solferino.
Ball dresses at the watering places, or in the country, as elegant as
winter costume, with the exception of diamonds and other precious
stones--although these are to be seen on the occasion of a ball given on the
celebration of a marriage. The
fashion has made white almost the uniform for evening dresses.
Robes of tulle, embroidered muslin, tarletane, gaze de Chambery, or gaze
de Lyons, which, although an imitation of the former, is fresher and clearer.
Peach-colored tulle is very pretty, trimmed with white and black lace,
disposed in bands on the bottom of the skirt, headed with a full ruching of
white and black lace. The body is
round and low a la vierge, with two rows of white and black lace.
Spotted muslins and tarlatanes are in universal demand.
Elegance in morning dress increases daily; the simple, gathered peignoir
is no longer allowed, but must be replaced by the casaque, over a skirt of the
same material. The choice is
varied: a casaque, with a jaconet
skirt, with narrow tucks and magnificent embroidery; an embroidered muslin, with
rich laces; or the more simple skirt edged with a broad black or red velvet,
must be accompanied by the braided casaque of black taffetas or white quilting.
Caps and head-dresses have not greatly varied as yet.
A very becoming cap is of English lace, trimmed with a rose and long
grass. The rose is placed very
high, and is without leaves. The
strings are of broad pink ribbon.
Dress caps are composed of white and black lace, mixed with ribbons and
flowers; and most young married ladies wear a white coiffure, however beautiful
and luxurious their hair. It is quite the fashion in full dress.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 2, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
The
Wee Nee Volunteers.
Cole's Island, October 30.
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
In your issue of 24th October, I see a communication, over the signature
of Samuel W. Maurice, "Capt. W. N. V.," written, as he says, because
he had been informed that there is considerable curiosity among those who are
aware of the services of the "Wee Nees," upon Sullivan's and Morris'
Islands, last winter, as to how it came to pass that there are now two
companies claiming the same name." I
was not aware of the fact that there were two
companies claiming the same name. I
had been informed that the company commanded by Capt. Maurice called itself the
"Wee Nee Riflemen." The
article alluded to so styles that company.
My company is called the Wee Nee Volunteers. It does not strike me that the names are the same.
Wee Nee is the Indian name of Black River, the stream upon which many of
the men now with me were reared. I
once heard of a company called the Wee Nee Dragoons.
I do not think that either the "Wee Nee Riflemen" or the
"Wee Nee Volunteers" is fairly chargeable with having taken their
name.
The company which I had the honor of commanding last winter; of which I
feel justly proud, was called the "Wee Nee Volunteers," as Captain
Maurice states in his article; but as, according to his own statement, his
company is not now called by the original name, nor is mine called by the name
which his now bears. I have failed to see the use of going into an argument to
prove which has the best title to the original name.--There is certainly not now
any conflict in names. I
would only add, in conclusion, that the members of my old company know me too
well to render it necessary for me to say, that it was with no spirit of
opposition that we continued to call ourselves "Wee Nee Volunteers."
Last winter's service has not only created an attachment for the men, but
even the name by which the company was known; and I cannot conceive (aside from
any question of right) that we have been guilty of any impropriety, particularly
as that portion of the company, whose rendezvous is at Kingstree, now call
themselves by another name. I speak
of the portion at Kingstree, because I understand that there are two other
companies, either formed or in the process of formation, by members of my old
company; and besides, there are a good many in Virginia, and some in the 10th
Regiment S. C. V. know the fact, that there are others (besides the twenty now
here), who were prevented from circumstances beyond their control, from joining
me, till an order from our colonel, discontinuing recruiting, was published.
With the best wishes for every member of my old company, and the perfect
confidence that they will fully discharge their duty, when called into action.
I beg leave to subscribe myself,
Respectfully,
Geo. W. Pressley,
Capt. Wee Nee Vols., 1st Reg't. S. C. V.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 4, 1861, p. 4, c. 5
In Camp Near Centreville,
Fairfax Co., Va., October 26.
The camps have been in a dreadful condition to-day.
The ground is wet with the steady rains, and the thick clay soil holds
the water on the surface for hours. The
roads are but stagnant channels of mud; the by-paths through the roads, making
short cuts to the different camps, are horrible, as well to foot passengers and
mounted men. The day has been a
dreary one. Even the base-ball
players find the green sward in front of the camp, too boggy for their
accustomed sport. Nevertheless,
breakfast and dinner have to be cooked. The
fires of green, wet wood, burn lazily; the smoke is thick, and permeates
everywhere. It is just such a day
as will fit many a brave fellow for the hospital, with a touch of rheumatism or
pneumonia, or neuralgia. I put on
my oil cloth and walk through the camp. It
is quite early, and the boys are getting breakfast ready. Intent upon the contents of a tin pan, I find one, in his
shirt sleeves. He has the rations
of raw flour for his mess; near by is a bucket of water, and in a frying pan a
piece of fat bacon, with which to grease the tough dough. After a rough kneading, it is put in the oven, spread out
with the hand, and left to bake; and, in due course of time, it is pronounced
"done." Upon examination,
you find it brown outside, raw inside, and only palatable because of the
grease--otherwise, it would choke you.
To the left, is another of the mess; he has the rations of coffee, which
have just been burnt in the fire. These
are put into a stocking and laid on an oak log with one hand--with the other
heavy blows are struck with a billet of wood or an axe; this process is in lieu
of a coffee-mill, which is not to be had. There
are several ways of "grinding" coffee; the most novel, however, is to
get a smooth board and a glass bottle; the grains of coffee are deposited on the
board, and the bottle is used as a roller.
After great effort the grains are broken, not into very small particles,
but as well as is possible under the circumstances.
As to meat, we have the everlasting beef, and the steaks are chopped with
a knife, or beat with a stick, until they have reached a proper degree of
tenderness. The French--but why
mention them--even the detested Yankees, issue ground
coffee in paper packages of one ration each, packed in boxes of one hundred
or two hundred each. So with sugar,
tobacco, salt, pepper, &c. But
the rations of coffee are fast giving out; and whisky, better known as "army lightning," is reported on the way to be issued in
gills to the men. . . .This will, perhaps, be considered by some folks as a
fault-finding letter, but what I have said is a plain picture of our camp life.
A member of --- Company tells me that there is scarcely a blanket to a
man in his corps, and that there is great suffering now;
and what will be the result in a week or two is easily foreseen.
Either send clothing and blankets for our soldiers, or enlarge your
hospital accommodations! . . .Kiawah.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 4, 1861, p. 4, c. 3
The Little Rock Democrat says that the Van Buren Cotton Factory is in
full operation, and will be able to supply this year's demand in Arkansas for
cotton yarns.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 19, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Drugs,
Chemicals, &c.
10,000 lbs Castile
Soap, Genuine.
400 lbs Turkey Opium
50 lbs Rhubarb Root
100 lbs.
" "
Powdered
25 lbs.
" "
Turkey
100 oz Sulphate
Morphine
50 lbs White
Precipitate
100 lbs Red
"
200 lbs Corrosive
Sublimate
100 lbs Prussinate
Potash
100 lbs White Wax
(Virgin)
200 lbs Sweet Spirits
Nitre
200 lbs Water Ammonia
5 bbls Ground Flax Seed
(to arrive)
100 lbs Pearled Sago
2 lbs Oil Bitter
Almonds
20 lbs "
Bergamot
20 lbs "
Lemon
5 bbls. Borax, Refined
200 lbs Seneka Root
100 lbs Velerian Root
200 lbs Pink
"
50 lbs Sarsaparilla
Root
50 lbs Magnesia, Small
Squares
8 bbls Camphor
15 bbls Glue, Extra
10 bbls Brimstone
5 bbls Sulphur
10 bbls Venetian Red
10 bbls Spanish Brown
10 bbls Chalk
5 bbls Blacking,
Mason's
10 kegs Red Lead
300 lbs Race Ginger
300 lbs "
" Ground
1 bale Cloves
3 tons Zinc Paint in 25
lb kegs
3 cases Chrome Yellow
3 cases "
Green
3 bales Bottle Corks
300 gross Vials, long
assorted
19 bbls Tobacco,
Smoking
500 doz. Maccaboy
Snuff, Lorillard's
25 jars "
" "
300 doz Scotch
" "
500 doz Soda Powders
200 doz Extracts,
Flavoring
100 gross Ayer's
Preparations
100 doz McLean's
Cordial
100 doz Hostetter's
Bitters
100 gross Wilson's
Pills
8 gross Peruvian Syrup
8 gross Townsend's
Sarsaparilla
10 gross Arabian
Liniment
10 gross Edwards' Rat
Poison
2 gross Indelible Ink,
Kidder's
50 gross Cephalic
Pills,
100 doz Wood's hair
restorative
100 doz Sachem Bitters
50 gross Fahnestock's
Vermifluge
3 gross Bull's
Sarsaparilla
20 gross Lee's Pills
25 doz Wolfe's Schnapps
With a good assortment
of soaps, brushes and fine perfumery, for sale by Stevenson & Co., 23 Hayne-street.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 6
Theatre.
G.
F. Marchant,.........Sole Lessee and Manager
For
Three Nights only!
the
Zouaves!
French
Soldiers of the Crimea, Algeria, etc.
Who
instituted a
Theatre
on the Battle Field!
At Inkermann, before the walls of Sebastopol, and who
have
recently performed with immense success for 90 con-
secutive
nights in New Orleans.
This
Evening, November 25, 1861,
The
Troubadour
Soldier!
Comic
Pantomime in One Act.
La Marseilaise!
Sung
by Zouave Frederich.
Une
Fille Terrible!
Comic
Vaudeville in One Act.
Soldier
and Boarder!
Military
Episode of the Crimean War.
Ambuscade
at Tracktir!
Military
Episode of the Crimean War, in one Tableau.
Introducing
Bayonet
Exercise and Fencing
With
the Bayonet!
To
conclude, the Zouaves will sing their own Song,
Le
Rondeau Des Zou! Zou!!
Doors
open at 6 1/2; performance commence precisely at 7 1/4 o'clock.
Box
office open from 10 to 12, and 4 to 4 p.m.
Prices
of Admission--Dress Circle 75c; Pit and Family Circle 50 cents; Gallery 25
cents.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 28, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Marriages.--From a table compiled by the Auditor of State, exhibiting the
ages of marriage between persons marrying for the first time, and the number of
each, in the several districts of the State, and the whole State, we learn that
by calculating from intermediate periods, that if a female is twenty years of
age and is unmarried, more than one quarter of the probabilities of even her
ever becoming married are gone; if she passes the age of twenty-five, a maiden,
more than three-quarters of her probabilities are lost; and if she passes to
thirty years unmarried, seven eighths of her chances of ever becoming a wife are
past; at thirty-five years of age and still unmarried, she has only about three
chances in a hundred left, and these rapidly becoming less.
The tables of course vary as to males.
In respect to them it will be perceived that if he is twenty and is
unmarried, one in forty of his probabilities of ever becoming married are gone;
if he passes the age of twenty-five unmarried, on-half his probabilities are
lost; and if he passes to thirty years of age, he has fifteen in every hundred
of his chances remaining; at thirty-five years of age and still unmarried, he
has only two chances in every hundred left.
In this State the number of marriages in 1859 was 7048--embracing 14,038
persons passing this interesting event in life for the calendar year.
In 1860 there were 7336 marriages, or one in every 142 of the free white
inhabitants. Of this number 4919
were males, and 6497 were females, marrying for the first time.
From 1839 to 1843 there was in England an annual average of one marriage
in every 130 of population; in France and Austria, one in 123, and in Prussia,
one in 110. In Massachusetts, the
average annual marriages for the years 1850, 1851, and 1852, was one in 106; in
Kentucky, in 1853, 1854, and 1855, one in 143; and in South Carolina, in 1856,
one in every 174 of the white population.
The returns of marriages show that in the Northwestern districts of the
State, the youngest female who married was twelve years of age, and the youngest
male was fourteen. No female married in any of the other districts under
thirteen years of age, and no male under sixteen years of age. Richmond Examiner.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 30, 1861, p. 2, c. 5
Soldiers
Water
Proof Oil Cloth
Overcoats,
Capes, Leggins
and
Blanket
Linings.
The above goods are manufactured by Golucke & Wilson, Washington,
Wilkes county, Ga. Their goods are
not affected by cold, and will not leak nor crack, being thoroughly saturated
with an elastic composition. Persons desiring to purchase such goods, will find this
article to answer every purpose for which it is intended, and at lower prices
than any ever yet presented to the public.
Mr. Wilson can be found at the Pavilion Hotel, in this place, for several
days, where specimens can be seen, for the purpose of receiving orders.
Wm. H. Wilson.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 2, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Manufactories in the South.--They have thirty factories in the State of
Georgia engaged in making cotton and woolen goods, besides several smaller
factories that only spin yarn. The
following is a statement of the works of the factories for one week:
202,000 yards of shirtings; 271,500 yards of osnabergs, stripes, drills
and denims; 54,000 yards of kerseys and lindseys [sic], and 22,900 yards of
jeans and cassimeres.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 10, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, December 7.
. . .Richmond ladies
are busily engaged in knitting woolen comforts and helmets or vizers [sic] for
the soldiers. Figured worsted costs
50 cents an ounce, plain 37 1/2 cents. A
dress of what used to be called "ten cent calico," now costs seven
dollars. Seven small tenements, in
an out-of-the-way part of town, which had been offered privately for $10,300,
sold at auction, the other day, for $12,500. . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Six Sisters of Mercy
will leave Charleston to-morrow, on their way to Western Virginia, to nurse the
sick in our army hospitals there.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 17, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
A new kind of cloth is noticed in the western papers, made of cotton and
cow's hair spun together. It is
heavy and strong--well calculated for warmth and wear--a very good substitute
for wool, and, if lined, a good substitute for blankets.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 27, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
Tracts
for the Soldiers.
The South Carolina Tract Society has recently printed and published in
Charleston, all of them designed to be appropriate, and several of them
specially applicable, to our Soldiers in their peculiar trials and temptations,
the following:
No. 17
I don't like Professions
4 pages.
No. 18
The Bible in my Trunk
4 pages.
No. 19
How to dispose of Care
4 pages.
No. 20
The Way of Peace
8 pages.
No. 21
Quench not the Spirit
4 pages.
No. 22
Fatal Delusions
4 pages.
No. 23
The Sword of the Spirit
4 pages.
No. 24
Provocation 4 pages.
No. 25
The Missionary's Nephew
4 pages.
No. 26
Lost Convictions
4 pages.
No. 27
Profane Swearing
4 pages.
No. 28
Obstacles to Conversion
4 pages.
No. 29
The Spirit Grieved
4 pages.
No. 30
Counsel to the Convicted
4 pages.
No. 31
Every Man the Friend or the Enemy of Christ
4 pages.
No. 32
The Soldier's Victory
8 pages.
No. 33
The Wrath to Come
4 pages.
No. 34
What are you Fit for?
8 pages.
No. 35
Christ a Convert from the Tempest
8 pages.
No. 36
The Christian Traveller
8 pages.
No. 37
Napoleon's Argument
8 pages.
No. 38
I can't make Myself Different
8 pages.
No. 39
The Sinner his own Destroyer
8 pages.
No. 40
The Infidel's Creed
8 pages.
No. 41
Alarm to the Careless 8 pages.
No. 42
True Conversion
8 pages.
No. 43
Christian Offices
8 pages
No. 44
Our War, our Cause, and our Duty. By
Rev. C. W.
Andrews, D. D.
16 pages.
No. 45
The Crimean Hero
__ pages.
No. 46
The Muffled Drum
8 pages.
No. 47
How do you bear your Trials?
__ pages.
No. 48
How long have you been sick? The
Soldier's Legacy
__ pages
These can be had at the Sunday School and Tract Depository, opposite
Chalmers-street, No. 67 Meeting-street, at the rate of $1 for 1600 pages.
Donations and applications for grants to be made to E. L. Kerrison, Esq.,
Secretary and Treasurer, or to Rev. C. C. Pinckney.
As the Society is altogether without funds, and is daily making grants,
donations are earnestly required.
N. B. Other papers will aid
the good cause by inserting this Notice and Appeal.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 28, 1861, p. 3, c. 3
A certain cure for coughs.--A remedy never known to fail:
Three cents' worth of liquourice [sic]; three cents' worth of rock candy;
three cents' worth of gum arabic. Put
them in a quart of water, simmer them till thoroughly dissolved; then add three
cents' worth of paregoric, and a like quantity of antimonial wine.
Let it cool, and sip whenever the cough is troublesome. It is pleasant, infallible, cheap and good.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 30, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, December 25.
Christmas, the fire-cracker Sunday of the year, dawns as brightly as
heart could wish. There is anything
else than "peace on earth and good will to men," yet the present
situation and the prospect before us afford ample cause for gratitude.
We are not perhaps so well off as we might have been, but are intact as a
nation, and after many months of war with a people much superior to ourselves in
numbers and resources, have proved our ability to maintain our independence. Of course, there were egg-nog parties all over the town last
night. "It was the custom of
my ancestors," said a friend, at whose foaming bowl your correspondent
presented himself, "and I intend to keep it up, whether I am able or not,
war or no war." Military
Christmas gifts are all the go among children, judging from the number of little
boys in the street this morning with drums swung from their necks. . . . Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
The Washington Star, of
the 23d inst., says:
The clothing of the "secesh" taken in the recent battle at
Drainsville, proves that the enemy are, indeed, intense sufferers for want of
Quartermaster's stores. Thus,
three-fourths of their coats are of cotton cloth--not woolen--lined in some
instances with a heavier cotton cloth, or padded with cotton.
The coats of the South Carolina troops engaged were colored by being dyed
with tobacco juice.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
The following extract from a letter from Washington to the Cincinnati
Times most significantly indicates the difference of feeling, motive and action
that animates the women of the two sections.
The difference between the men is equally as great, as every battle field
has attested:
And now, that blankets are the subject, let me digress to refer to the
recent appeal of the Government for donations of these indispensable comforts.
The meagre [sic] response made by Northern women to this call is, by
itself, evidence that the South is more earnest than the North--at least, it
feels more keenly the necessity of the crisis.
It is known that scarcely a Southern matron from Bull Run to the Rio
Grande possess a spare blanket. All
surplus contents of the family chests and drawers have gone to comfort the
shivering rebel army. But the women
of the opulent and thrifty North--the 5,000,000 housewives of the North--find
heart to distribute among their patriot brothers only thirty-five hundred of the
20,000,000 blankets in their possession.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 1, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Clothing Manufactory.--Among the many manufacturing establishments
destroyed by the recent destructive fire, and which had given abundant
employment to hundreds of industrious persons, was, as we have already
mentioned, the Clothing Manufactory of Messrs. Matthiessen, O'Hara & Co.
We are pleased to learn, however, as likewise, will be the community at
large, that the establishment of this enterprising firm will soon be in
operation again. They have secured the large hall over Follin's Grocery,
corner of Meeting and Market-sts., and expect to be in full blast within ten
days. This house, alone, employs
constantly upwards of two hundred steady hands.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 3, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, December 31,
. . . An interesting
series of experiments with war rockets and other missiles is being made daily at
the Confederate Laboratory in this city. Hands
to the number of nine hundred are employed in this establishment.
. . . Prices for
provisions are still advancing. Turkies
[sic] sell for $3.50 to $4 each; apples $15 to $20 a barrel, ice-cream $9 a
quart; and "French candy" $1 a pound.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 4, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
The manufacture of wooden shoes is now carried on quite extensively in
Raleigh, N. C., by Messrs. Theim & Fraps.
The enterprising manufacturers have in their employment some thirty
hands, and are turning out about one hundred pair of shoes per day.
The shape and size of the shoe are first marked and sawed out, and then
it is bored and scooped out, and fashioned at the bottom and sand-papered, and
lined, and painted, and topped with leather, and thus finished in various rooms
in the same building. Most of this
work is done by machinery, driven by steam.
The wood used is gum and poplar, which is well steamed before the shoe is
made. We understand these shoes are
actually lighter than the leather brogan of the same number, and as for
durability, the bottoms will last until the next war.
Messrs. Theim & Fraps have more orders than they can fill.
Wooden shoes are worn in some parts of Europe; but we suppose this is the
first manufactory of the sort, by machinery and steam, which has been
established.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 4, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Camp
Prices.
The annexed extract from a Centreville (Va.) letter will give the reader
some idea of the prices at which various articles sell at the sutler's stores:
By paying five prices for the article, you obtain anything in the market,
from sardines to stove polish. Oysters
arrive every night, fresh from the shell, "only a dollar a quart,"
while preserves, pickles, nuts, raisins, shirts, drawers, looking glasses,
cigars, stockings, boots (twenty five dollars a pair), caps, cards, crockery,
and ten thousand other articles, make up the organization of the commanding
general over whom the owners hoist their banners:
"General Assortment."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Jones' Portable Soup and Potted Meats.--In these days of war and
blockade, when we are thrown upon our own resources for all our little comforts
and necessaries, every enterprise which tends to widen the gap of our dependence
upon foreign nations is hailed with pleasure, and particularly so if that
enterprise is for the benefit of the poor soldier, who, in his camp life, is too
frequently neglected. Mr. J. W.
Jones, of our city, has recently commenced preparing portable soups and potted
meats, expressly for camp use, and where soups and meats are not easily prepared
or are wanted in a hurry, these articles are indispensable.
Mr. Jones has gone to a large expense in fitting up an oven and bake
house--not so much with a view of money making, as it was to provide a moderate
luxury for the residents of the camp, and he must feel gratified at having so
well succeeded. Already several of
our local companies encamped on the coast, and several companies in Virginia,
have been supplied by Mr. Jones; and in their letters ordering further supplies,
they, without exception, speak in the highest terms of the several preparations.
We have received from Mr. Jones a sample of his soup, potted and collared
beef, and, after trial, fully coincide with the above verdict of unqualified
approval. The Commissary General of
the State has made large purchases, and it is to be hoped that ere very long
these preparations will be among the regular rations of the soldier.
Any person wishing to try a package may be supplied at Messrs. Hamilton
& Smith's Grocery Store.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Richmond, January.
. . . Quite a number of
new-fangled flags are exhibited in the window of the Dispatch office.
The latest picture, which is gotten up with great care and neatness,
represents a tri-color--three bars of equal width running horizontally--the
lower black, the middle purple, the upper white, with stars in it.
The black bar is designed to notify mankind that the Confederacy
"sprung from Black Republicanism."
Ha! How would a buzzard
sitting on a cotton bale, with a chew of tobacco in his mouth, a little nigger
in one claw, and a palmetto tree in the other, answer?
Nothing could be more thoroughly and comprehensively Southern.
Negro hiring is the great business just at this time.
Women command better prices than men.
Cooks, male or female, are eagerly sought after, at any price almost.
Men are hiring for $100, and from that to $120 and $150.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Charleston
Wayside Hospital and Soldiers' Depot.
Every train will bring large numbers of soldiers hungry, fatigued, and
many perhaps sick and faint. Refreshments are essential immediately upon their arrival.
Our City Council has appointed the undersigned a Committee to attend to
this matter. The new building erected as a depot for the South Carolina
Railroad Company, has been kindly given up for the reception of the soldiers,
and ample accommodations prepared for the sick and disabled.
We want cooks, waiters, nurses, fuel, hospital stores, &c., &c.
Our citizens, we are assured, will immediately come to our aid. All communications should be addressed to Prof. F. S. Holmes,
the Superintendent, at his residence, corner of Calhoun and St. Philip streets,
or at the depot of the South Carolina Railroad.
H. R. Banks, }
F. S. Holmes, } Committee.
J. S. Riggs, }
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Woman's Invention.--The Eutaw (Alabama) Observer states that a lady of
that place, being desirous of obtaining a military scarf for a relative, and not
being able to buy one to suit her, cut up and carded a silk dress, spun it into
thread, and crotcheted [sic] it into a most beautiful and elegant scarf.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 10, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Paper Manufactories.--The importance of establishing paper mills
throughout the South is at once obvious. Thousands upon thousands of dollars, invested in printing
materials, are now lying idle and unproductive for want of paper.--No other
branch of business in the South has suffered more than the printing business,
and that mainly for the want of paper, and this too when the manufacture of
paper would be the most princely profitable business imaginable.
The ends of rope, waste cotton, pieces of bagging, and other articles
used in the manufacture of paper, could be procured in quantities sufficient for
all purposes, and would be cheerfully and gladly given.
Sites would be donated, and doubtless premiums could be obtained by
parties wishing to start the business; and yet our capitalists, with a stolid
indifference which is wonderful, make no move in the matter, and to the cry for
paper, which comes from all parts of the South, they remain foolishly
indifferent.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 13, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, January 10.
. . . One of the most
profitable businesses in this town is the selling of split lightwood.
All a man has to do is to go into the woods, find a log of fat pine,
split it up, tie up the splits in billets, haul them to town, and get from $7 to
$10 for an old log. . . . Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 16, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, January 13.
. . . Rye is the coffee
now in general use at the boarding houses, and the substitute for tea is
believed, by the best judges, to be hay.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 16, 1862, p. 4, c. 1
A young widow woman named McDonald, was discharged from Col. Boone's
Regiment, at Paraquet Springs, Kentucky last week, where she had been serving as
a private, dressed in regimentals, for some time.
This was her second offence, she having once before been discharged from
a regiment.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 16, 1862, p. 4, c. 5
Moss Blankets.--A Wilmington N. C. correspondent says:
I notice an important invention, by means of which our soldiers are being
shielded from the cold and dampness of tent life.--Blankets are being made of
the moss which is to be found in such immense quantities around the trees in
many portions of the South. Yesterday
six hundred of these blankets passed through this city.
They are thick and as warm as any blanket.
Here then is another great instance of the inventive genius of our sunny
South. We rob the trees of their
clothing rather than that our brave boys shall suffer for lack of raiment.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 17, 1862, p. 1, c, 1
Richmond, January 14.
. . . Col. Blanton
Duncan is about to start a lithographic establishment on a large scale here.
The Dispatch window is filled with all manner of attempted improvements
on the Confederate flag--most of them exceedingly ugly.
The best yet proposed is a cross, surrounded by stars, on a pure white
field, the upright red, the cross piece blue, and the space where the two pieces
cross each other white.
A large number of letters from the United States reached here Saturday by
flag of truce. At the
"Secession Club Restaurant," things are being done on a magnificent
scale and at New Orleans prices. The
rooms are very handsomely furnished, mulatto girls act as waiters, coffee sells
for 25 cents a cup, batter cakes 15 cents a plate, mutton chop 50 cents, and 40
cents for a fry of oysters.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 17, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
A
Female Spy on Horseback
The Washington correspondent of the New York Post relates the following
incident:
A horseman, clad in a sort of cavalry costume, with a heavy overcoat and
slouched hat, had been noticed for some time dashing about the city in rather a
suspicious manner. At last the
authorities felt themselves warranted in arresting him, and accordingly, one
morning, when trotting down Pennsylvania avenue, he found himself suddenly
surrounded by a file of soldiers, and was carried off to prison.
But the funniest part was to come. The
investigation that followed resulted not only in the discovery of certain
papers, but also of the fact that the cavalier was a woman.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 18, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
The newspapers on all sides begin to show the marks of the scarcity of
paper. The New Orleans Picayune has
discontinued its evening edition; the Delta continues to publish twice a day as
formerly, but uses only a half sheet; the Savannah News comes to us printed on
brown paper; and among the journals generally half sheets and all the colors of
the rainbow, are rapidly growing epidemic.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 23, 1862, p. 4, c. 1-2
Fashionable
Life in Richmond.
A
"Hop" at the Spottswood Hotel.
The clever correspondent of the New Orleans Crescent--whose style we
think we recognize--has lately been playing "Jenkins" in the gay
circles of the Confederate Capital, and thus does up a "hop" at the
Spottswood Hotel, giving dioramic sketches of the fair women and brave men of
the assemblage:
'Tis night in the Confederate Capital--a winter night.
A desperate war is raging in the land; hundreds of thousands of brave
Southern gentlemen are in the tented field, their dauntless hearts a living wall
against the foe; hundreds on hundreds are pining in the hospitals, and each hour
a fresh grave yawns to receive the corpse of some defender of his country. What of that? We
will be merry here in the capital. Our
brothers are dying to save us from subjugation, but "on with the dance, let
joy be unconfined." Will it
mend the matter for us to be wretched? Nay,
truly. Who speaks of a decent
respect for suffering patriots? What
fool compares gaiety in the Confederate capital to merriment in the house of
mourning, and predicts an ignoble fate for a people so insensible to the peril
and the calamity of their country? Go
to; let the croaker croak. We will
attend a hop at the Spottswood Hotel. Let
us rejoice to-night, for to-morrow we die. After us the deluge.
So be it, then. We will go
to the Spottswood. A dense fog
hangs like a pall over the city, but not so dense that we cannot see the lights
gleaming from the ever open War Office as we pass Ninth street.
War! Tut!
Don't think of it. We are
going to wriggle in the mazes of the polka.
Divine pleasure, rapturous occupation.
So manly and pretty at all times, and especially during a war.
Pish! Let's think about
something else. We ascend the steps
leading to the second story from the ladies' entrance.
There is a broad streak of green on the newly painted wall.
But, hark! the sound of the
viol comes to our ears. We quicken
our pace, give our hat and coat to a negro, brush our hair, adjust our collar,
and enter the great parlor, to which the carpetless dancing room is attached.
"Not such a crush as we have seen in Washington at the parties given
by members of the Cabinet, or at the big hops at Brown's."
This is our unspoken thought, as we catch a first glimpse of the company. Still, here is a very respectable and well-looking
assemblage. There is a style about
these people, which we greatly like, for it is in the people themselves, not in
their clothes. The men carry
themselves well, and have character in their faces--they are gentlemen; and
certes [sic?] there are some lovely faces and forms among the women.
This we discover while they are gliding through the dance; presently we
shall be impressed with their rare beauty in repose. An unpleasant sensation comes over us as we discover here in
Richmond unmistakable specimens of a genus squirt; a thing with addled brains, a
tongue beslimed with slang phrases, and some soft sickly hairs fuzzing parts of
its weak face--a thing born of the tailor's goose--just such poor things as you
see in Washington--a wretched little cit [sic?] and popinjay, the morbid project
of civilization anywhere. Female
counterparts of these pitiful fiddlededees you also see--creatures that giggle
and carry on--the shallow-hearted, silly, fashionable, false, artificial--vapid,
sickening, pasty imitations, caricatures, libels on womanhood--fit only for
spending money in gimcracks and for breeding such wretched little dogs as you
see frisking around them tonight. We
turn away from these, convinced that there must be some stern but most
inexplicable necessity that brings this human scum into existence and to the
surface of society. There is here
something really worth looking at--let's view it, by all means.
Do you see that lady over there by the wall?
Look well at her, for you have never seen and will probably never see
again so beautiful a woman. Observe
her magnificent form, her rounded arms, her neck and shoulders, perfect as if
from the sculptor's chisel, her golden hair, the pose of her well shaped head.
Saw you ever such color in human cheeks? They are nature's own roses.
Her mouth, her teeth, her eyes, her every feature, all in keeping.
And she is not less intelligent than beautiful.
She is dressed in pure white. It
is worth a king's ransom, a life time of trouble, to look at one such woman.
No wonder Beauregard pronounced her the most beautiful in that city of
lovely women, Baltimore. Her
sister--she who made the battle-flag that is to rest on the top of the
Washington monument--a very pretty woman, stands near her.
Not far off you see her cousin, a fair exile from Alexandria, less tall,
less rosy, but by some thought even more beautiful than Miss Hettie herself.
Seldom indeed is it given to man to see three ladies, all bearing the
same family name, and all so extraordinarily beautiful.
On the other side of the room, just opposite the fair Baltimorean, is a
face that attracts you at the first glance by its sparkling intelligence, and
which wins and fascinates you the moment the pretty mouth is opened, and the
music of her witty tongue begins. Don't go mad over that hand--'tis too little a thing to drive
a grown man distracted. Be on your
guard, for that miniature member has slaughtered more students in
Charlottesville than all the Trojans Achilles slew before the walls of Troy.
Here comes, leaning on the arm of an officer, a tall, stylish-looking
girl, in a black velvet boddice [sic]. She
is blue-eyed, fair, very quiet and modest.
Anywhere in the world she would be accounted a beautiful woman.
She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the famous tobacco
city of Lynchburg. Not far from
here you descry a young lady, below the medium stature, with dark hair and eye,
an expressive face, and a form charmingly moulded.
What delight she takes in the dance!
She is a granddaughter of Patrick Henry. Moving most gracefully across the floor--for now the
cotillion has begun--you can but notice the sweet face, the soft, lustrous eyes,
the eminently lady-like manners of the young girl in a white body (white bodies
are quite the rage now), and the rose-colored skirt. What a fine brow she has, and now her sweet face is lighted
up with innocent gaiety! This is
the singer, whose beauty, not less than her admirably cultivated voice, have
added so much to the attraction of the concerts lately given here for patriotic
causes. The Virginian who looks on
her is filled with pride to think that, in the lovely [tear in paper] of the Old
Commonwealth, far [tear in paper] the follies and the fashions of the great
[tear in paper] lovely and refined a creature can be [tear in paper].
Our country gentlemen are the glory of the State, our country girls the
perfection of their sex. Do you want proof? Look
again at the genuine daughter of the soil.
Yonder, so surrounded by beaux that you can hardly see her, is a tall,
proud beauty, flaxen-haired, violet-eyes--a young Saxon queen, with just a trace
of the Celt in her nose--the least bit retroussez--and all a Celt in the fire,
the spirit, the animation, the energy of her manner and expression.
Her mouth, where a pretty scorn sits enthroned, is full of even pearls;
you notice her ears, so like wondrous little sea-shells, white, translucent with
the roseate tints of life, and [tear in paper] the small head that rests so
firmly, yet so [tear in paper] on her swan-like neck.
Her dainty, [tear in paper] hands, are but marred in their beauty [sic]
diamonds in the rings that cumber [tear in paper] fingers.
This is one of our city belles, [tear in paper] resistible charms are far
more fatal than [tear in paper] that came from Sherman's battery on the [tear in
paper] day at Manassas. Her wounds
no physician [tear in paper] cure.
[tear in paper] list is not ended yet.
There is another [tear in paper] in pure white, slender, lithe, fair
haired [tear in paper] eyed, gentle, and graceful exceedingly--a [tear in paper]
just in the bloom of maidenhood. Her
face is lovely in every outline, her skin as soft, clear and pure as a being's
of immortal birth. While you gaze
at her, you doubt whether she is not the most beautiful of all, the beautiful
Baltimorean not excepted, so patrician is her air, so symmetrical her figure, so
tasteful her dress, so perfect her every movement.
Would you know her name? I
cannot tell you; but if you will ask the gallant gentleman of whom Punch lately
implored peace--"Pacem Peagrim Precamur"--he may possibly inform you.
These are not all the pretty girls in the room--there are others who
would be esteemed pretty anywhere else, but whose prettiness pales in the midst
of this galaxy of wonderfully beautiful women, the like of which, I dare be
sworn, no ball room, however vast, in any of the great Yankee homes, or in any
of the capitals of Europe, can exhibit. Certain
it is, that the Jenkins pro hac mce [sic?] who has seen many assemblages of fair
women, never in all his life saw, in a company of thrice the size, half so many
truly beautiful young ladies as he sees to-night at the hop at the Spottswood.
But there are married ladies, whose charms, if they do not eclipse, vie
with those of the prettiest girls here present. The tall lady, dressed in black, the wife of a representative
from an extreme Southern State, would attract attention among a thousand as a
fine looking woman. Her daughters,
most becomingly attired, are worthy of the mother, whose fascinating manners
make here their formidable rival. The
spirituelle blonde, who mingles in the dance, is the daughter of a Justice of
the Supreme Court, and the wife of an officer once the great favorite of the
mighty, but ill fated chieftain, Winfield Scott.
On the sofa sits a lady, whose fine features betray excellent good sense
and refinement, blended with dignity and benevolence.
She is the wife of the Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac.
The youthful looking lady, whose brows are wreathed with a green coronal,
is a daughter, I believe, of New Orleans, and a greater belle than the greatest
of the unmarried belles. The
Quartermaster-General can tell you who she is.
Another lady dressed in black, of splendid proportions, a countenance
full of sweetness and beauty; full, too, of womanly intelligence, attracts your
eye, and makes you envy the classmate of McClellan, and a far greater man than
he, the peer of our ablest commanders--Gen. G. W. Smith.
Lastly, you are irresistibly drawn to a lady whose head and profile seem
to have been modeled after the most exquisite cameos of Italy, and the richness
of whose complexion, for "all that's best of dark and bright meet in her
aspect and her eyes" make her a prefect type of the brunette.
The wife of the accomplished Superintendent of the R and P. R. R, is
certainly one of the prettiest, as she is one of the best, women in all the
world.
There are gentlemen here who are fit to pay court to such ladies.
"None but the brave deserve the fair," and here we have the
brave--young heroes of the battle field, some of whom have been wounded, fellows
full of mettle, of devotion to their country, and of truly manly presence.
It does the heart good to look upon their open, ingenuous countenances,
illuminated now with ardent gallantry and intense enjoyment of the social
pleasures vouchsafed them during their brief furlough.
Statesmen are here, too--men whose names will live in history; Burnett,
the sturdy representative of Kentucky; Pryor, a Colonel and a Congressman,
warrior and orator, able anywhere; Seddon, the unbending champion of the
Southern cause in the Peace Congress; and many more, whose names there is not
space at the close of this long letter to enumerate.
Take it all in all, a hop at the Spottswood during the war winter is
something to remember.--The young men and maidens, who join in the dance, will
have a pretty thing to tell about these hops to their grand children.
Even the historian may not disdain to notice them, and perhaps this
attempt at Jenkinsism, which cannot fatigue your readers more than it has me,
may give a clue to the social life in the metropolis which the antiquarian of
1900, who happens to procure a musty copy of the Crescent, may be glad to
obtain. But come--the delicious
chocolate, the cakes, apples and nuts have been banded around, the dance begins
again, it is not after 11, the young people will not leave till half past 12 or
1 o'clock--come, it is time for decrepit old sinners to go home and go to bed.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 24, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
We make the following extracts from a letter addressed by a planter of
Chapel Hill, Texas, to a gentleman of Mobile, which breathes a spirit of
patriotism even more ardent in the portions which we neglect than in those which
we make room for, because of the general character of the information contained:
. . . "You say
give us coffee and salt and a continuation of warm weather, &c.
Now we do not care a fig for coffee, as we have the best substitute in
the world, viz: sweet milk and
butter milk; it is better adapted to the constitution, with more nutriment.
We substitute a mixture of okra and coffee, say one fourth coffee. The difference is not noticed by visitors, not even when
told. We can use, if we choose,
sage tea, green tea, or the old woman's yopon [sic], that "kept her out of
heaven twenty years, bless God," or grubheisen, better known as sassafras.
I have salt enough to do me another year with proper care.
'Tis as fine as any Liverpool salt, perfectly white.
Our Legislature has passed a law making Salt Lake at Corpus Christi free
for everybody, and speculators are hauling salt all over the State.
It is inexhaustible at the Lake; as yet we get it at home for about $10
per sack. It will no doubt be much
cheaper. . . ."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 27, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
The Battle Flag.--The papers are all discussing what kind of flag the
South ought to adopt as the permanent ensign of the Confederacy.
It seems to be generally agreed that the "Stars and Bars" will
never do for us. They resemble too
closely the dishonored flag of Yankee Doodle.
Should the questions remain undecided until Gen. Beauregard redeems the
pledge which has given--to plant upon the stately column which towers aloft from
Mount Vernon Place, in Baltimore, the battle flag given him by a lovely and
exiled rebel of Maryland--we imagine that the battle flag will become the Southern flag, by popular acclaim. We are indebted to the cunning fingers of a lady friend for a
small but very accurate and beautiful model of the battle flag under which our
brave soldiers on the Potomac will yet march to victory.
It may be seen at the Mercury office.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 28, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, January 25.
. . . Coal is so slow
coming into the city, that we can't light our streets, or heat our churches
properly. A great deal of coal goes
to Manassas. . . .
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 28, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Newspaper Mortality.--Seventeen of the twenty-six newspapers that were
published in Florida twelve months since, have been forced to suspend, by reason
of hard times. The remainder, with
the exception of one, a Semi-Weekly paper, have been reduced in size.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, Va., January 27.
. . . Rents are
increasing enormously. Beef, and
other food, which has been low up to this time, is getting higher daily.
Within a stone's throw of where I write, there is a single small room in
the second story, which rents for $350 a year; and in the third story, another
room of moderate size, which brings $600 per annum.
What is strange, the highest rents are paid by $1,000 clerks in the
Departments. . . .Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 31, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Mr. Flanagan, of Henderson, Texas, a tanner, has ten thousand hides in
his vats.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
January 31, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Practical
Directions for Making Bread.
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
As most of the ingredients for raising bread, as yeast powders, &c.,
are becoming scarce, I think a good receipt given to housekeepers not out of the
way: Take about eight or ten
middling sized Irish potatoes, pare and cut them very fine; then set them on to
cook, with about three times as much water as will cover them.
When done, mash them fine in the same water, then add flour enough to
make a thick batter. Remember the
flour must be put in while the water is boiling hot; let it then cool off until
about lukewarm, and then add a little piece of sour dough, say a teaspoonful to
start with. Of course, after the
housekeeper has once made this yeast, she can always keep a little of the old to
add to the new. If kept in a warm
place it will be fit for use in about six hours.
Add plenty of this to your flour, and you will have the lightest and best
tasted [sic] bread that you would wish for.
F. W. Claussen.
Claussen Mills, January
30.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 4, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, February 1.
. . . A chemist, who
lately became a resident of this city, has gone to work making stearine
candles--a much needed article. He
has discovered a method of making meerschaum clay--the silicate of magnesia--out
of the ordinary carbonate of magnesia of the shops; and, when the war is over,
will begin the manufacture of pipes. Oranges
are selling here for seventy-five cents a piece, lemons a dollar each, and a
pippin apple if fair sized, brings twelve and a half cents.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 6, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
"Stitch, Stitch, Stitch."--The following note was found in the
pocket of a pair of pantaloons among some new Yankee uniforms received the other
day at Paducah, Ky:
I make these pants for the pitiful sum of thirty cents.
If they last the wearer no longer than this sum of money lasts the maker,
he will be naked before cold weather.
Mrs. R. M. Randall, Indianapolis.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 7, 1862, p. 4, c. 1
Homespun
The
air is balmy with the breath
Of
the early coming Spring,
And
yet the sweet South breeze to me
No
other thought can bring
Than
of the arms that clasped me fondly to his breast,
As
through my tears I saw him, clad in his homespun dress.
I
saw him in the winding ranks;
The
sun it glittering played,
Like
a halo of glory round his head
And
upon his trusty blade.
I
envied the steed that bore him, and the comrade at his side,
And
prayed that God would guard him, whatever might betide.
Oh!
sun, and dew, and storm, and rain,
I
prithee gently fall,
And
may the guardian angel's wing
Avert
the deadly ball;
That
glory won,
And
duty done,
I
once again may press
The
hand of him I dearly love, clad in his homespun dress.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 8, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
A beautiful battle flag was presented to the 1st Regiment of Georgia
State Troops, on Wednesday last, by Miss Carrie Bell Sinclair.
The fair donor made a handsome speech to the regiment, which was duly
responded to by Sergeant Major R. D. Chapman.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 8, 1862, p. 1. c. 6
Look
Out!
To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury:
You will oblige the ladies of Charleston by giving to the persons
concerned the following advice, which, if they will take it, will cause the
ladies to appreciate them more highly, as those who desire to protect them from
the enemy that now hovers on our coast, and threatens our subjugation:
1st. It would be gratifying
to the ladies to see fewer officers and men at the doors of the hotels, and to
know that they are in camp; for "the hotels are not in danger," as I
am told, Gen. Beauregard said to some officers during the bombardment of Fort
Sumter.
2d. The ladies are mortified
to see so many intoxicated soldiers staggering through the streets, and would
take it as a favor if the officers in command would be more particular in
granting such men furloughs to come to the city.
3d. They would advise the
young men of the city to hurry up and volunteer.
I am told, if they do not, and are seen lounging about the corners and
bulletin boards of the Mercury and Courier, some of them may receive, on
Valentine's Day, a doll baby, or a hoop skirt, or something of the kind.
A Warning Voice.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 8, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Rye Coffee vs. Rio--How to make the former.--To the Editor of the
Charleston Mercury: Take Rye, boil
it, but not so much as to burst the grain; then dry it, either in the sun, on a
stove or a kiln, after which it is ready for parching, to be used like the real
Coffee Bean. Prepared in this
manner it can hardly be distinguished from the genuine Coffee.
The Rye, when boiled and dried, will keep for any length of time, so as
to have it ready whenever wanted for parching.
F. W. Clauussen.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 12, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Newspapers in Texas.--The San Antonio Herald says:
"We cannot count more than ten papers now published in this State,
out of some sixty a year ago. War
and blockade are death to newspapers."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 21, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
The design of the new Confederate flag may be seen at the recruiting
office of the Charleston Light Artillery Company, No. 29 Broad-street.
The flag presents two designs; one of a crescent with the 13 stars within
it, the other of the Southern Cross, arranged in the shape of a diamond.
This beautiful design was gotten up by several young ladies in this city.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 27, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Trophies
from Roanoke Island and Fort Henry.
A Washington despatch
[sic] says:
The Navy Department has its trophies as well as the War Department.
There were received there to-day a number of rebel flags, captured at
Roanoke Island and Fort Henry. Among
those from Roanoke is one that was originally the flag of some French vessel,
being a tri-color, with a blue Union attached to it, on which are ten stars. One is a South Carolina flag, with a single star.--Others
have either seven or eleven stars. Some
of them are tattered, evidently by the bursting of shells.
The Navy Department has received the flag which most prominently waved
over Fort Donelson.
Among the Mill Spring trophies at the War Department is one upon which is
printed, in conspicuous letters, "Wigfall Rifles--Jeff. Davis and the
Southern Confederacy," which was captured by Company F, Ninth Regiment Ohio
Volunteers. Another, a splendid
silk flag, has on one side, "We Choose Our Own Institutions," and on
the other, "We Collect Our Own Revenue."
This was taken by Captain Davidson, Twelfth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers.
Another magnificent silk flag has upon it the inscription,
"Presented to the Mountain Rangers, Captain Ashford, by Mrs. W. V.
Chardavoyne." Several other
flags were taken by the Second Minnesota Regiment.
Two of them are made of colored cotton.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 27, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
A standard for the Holcombe Legion.--An exceedingly rich and tasteful
flag, intended for the Holcombe Legion, Colonel P. F. Stevens, has just been
completed. The field is of blue
silk, trimmed with heavy gold bullion fringe.
The Palmetto, supporting two shields, inscribed "1776" and
"1860," with the crescent in the upper inner corner, are emblazoned
upon one side of the flag, while the reverse is gorgeously adorned with a wreath
of oak and laurel leaves, encircling "the Lone Star."
Above the star are the words "HOLCOMBE LEGION," and below it,
the noble motto:
"Fortis
cadere, cedere non potest."
The staff, tassels and other mountings, correspond in richness with the
banner itself. We understand that
this flag is to be presented to the Legion by Mrs. Governor Pickens.
The "Lone Star," we presume, found a place on the standard, as
the emblem of the State of which that lady is a native.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
February 28, 1862, p. 4, c. 5
A ball is to come off in Raleigh, N. C., to-night.
The ladies are all to be dressed in homespun, the gentlemen are to wear
homespun also, and wooden shoes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 5, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
The young ladies of Wesleyan Female College, at Macon, have stripped
their beds of twenty-nine blankets to present to the soldiers.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 5, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Vice-President Stephens was sworn into office, dressed in silk clothes,
woven by the Misses Elizabeth and Sallie Sharp, of Tallaferro county, Georgia.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 6, 1862, p. 1c, 3
The
Flag of the Confederacy.
There is no mistaking the very general dissatisfaction existing with the
"Stars and Bars," adopted, in the early stage of this revolution, by
the Provisional Congress, as the Confederate Ensign.
A cognate variation of the United States flag, similar in idea, pattern
and color, squinting strongly at "reorganization," and
undistinguishable at a distance by sea or land, it is suited neither to the
taste for national independence, the sectional feelings, nor the practical uses
of the Southern Standard. Congress
itself, stimulated, we presume, by the action of the Army of the Potomac, at its
last session took the matter again in hand.
The committee sat and reported a flag, which has been erroneously
published as adopted by Congress--red field and blue union, flecked with four
white stars, intended to indicate the four corners of a St. Andrew's Cross.
We are informed that this flag was not adopted, or any other; but that
the body having shown a preference for another ensign, transferred the whole
subject over to the new Congress, now in session.
Our readers may have noticed, among the committees of the new House of
Representatives, one "on the Flag and Seal."
Below we give cuts of four designs. [picture]
The first is that for which the Provisional Congress indicated a
preference, without adopting it. Although
handsomer than the "Stars and Bars," and unlike any other standard, it
has a look of singularity of design which we do not fancy. [picture]
The second is the Battle Flag of the Army of the Potomac, adopted by
Generals Beauregard and Johnston, to avoid mistakes of troops in future.
Though rich and handsome, it is objectionable to some religious
denominations--the Israelites, if not the Roman Catholics--in a country in which
Church and State are separate. It,
therefore, is not likely to be chosen. [picture]
The third is unique and handsome. The
division is similar to that of the old Knight Templars flag, but the colors and
centre are different.
The sun, with a ray for each State, dispenses with the borrowed stars,
while emblematic of the latitude of our country, source of our agricultural
wealth, and also of the warmth and geniality of Southern character.
[picture]
The fourth and last is a flag of peculiar dignity and simplicity.
It is altogether unlike the ensign of any other nation, and especially
unlike that of the Yankee nation. Those
who imagine that a flag should be symbolical, will find in the colors of this
one--white and black--an obvious significance.
Such a standard would typify our faith in the "peculiar
institution," and be an enduring mark of our resolve to retain that
institution while we exist as an independent people.
For maritime uses this proposed flag, although it discards the
everlasting Yankee stars and the worn out combinations of "red, white, and
blue," would be distinguishable at as great distance as any other that can
be devised.
The Union Jack of all these flags is similar to the ensign itself, as in
the French, Spanish, and other naval service.
The pennant streaming to the wind could readily be made.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 6, 1862, p. 4, c. 5
A blacksmith, in Wilkes county, N. C., has commenced the manufacture of
ladies' sewing needles, and will soon be able to supply and required quantity.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
. . . We had gas last
night in the streets, for a rarity. Beef
is selling at 25 cents a pound. More
rain is promised by the weather.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 12, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Yankee
Accounts from Nashville
. . . The correspondent
finds that "the ladies of Nashville are as full of treason as they are in
occasional cases of loveliness." Among
the evidence of their contempt for the Yankees the following is given:
"Occasionally I met other specimens of Nashville ladies, who, in
many cases supposing me to be a soldier, from the possession of a blue overcoat,
described upon meeting a wide semi-circle of avoidance, swinging, as they did
so, their rotundant skirts with a contemptuous flirt fall out, as if the very
touch of a blue coat would be contamination.
And then the angle at which the noses of the naughty darlings went up,
and the extent to which their lips and eyes went down, were not the least
interesting portion of these little by-plays, and assisted materially in showing
the exquisite breeding of these amiable demoiselles."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 13, 1862, p. 4, c. 3. [Summary:
article by L. J. Robert on harmful effects of rye coffee.
For entire series, see Daily Chronicle & Sentinel [Augusta, GA],
March 11, 1862; March 27, 1862; April 12, 1862]
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 13, 1862, p. 4, c. 3
Spirited Texan Ladies.--The "Bell County Rebels," from Belton,
Bell county, Texas, started for their rendezvous, Hempstead, some time ago, when
one of their lieutenants, J. F. Hardin, a lawyer, resigned and returned to
Belton. Several ladies of the place
(says the Crescent) incensed to see him strutting about the streets in his
uniform, got together a few days ago, and seizing him in public, stripped off
his stripes, which they sent to his company, who rewarded them with a vote of
thanks.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 13, 1862, p. 4, c. 3
Dr. B. B. Alfriend, of LaGrange, Ga., has invented a machine to
manufacture sewing machine needles, and is now making them.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 17, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Liquor Destroyed by Ladies.--Some twenty ladies of Statesville, N. C.,
proceeded in a body to the railroad depot of the town, a few days ago, and with
hatchets and hammers destroyed five or six barrels of whiskey and poured the
liquor poison upon the ground; a fitting libation (says the Iredell Express) to
the devil and his imps from the hands of patriotic women, whose mission, pending
the war, is to "go about doing good."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 18, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Small
and Unhealthy Tents.
To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:--I wish to call your attention
to one thing in particular, which should be remedied:
I mean the private soldier's tent. The
new tents that we have been receiving, when put up, will enclose about 7 feet of
ground and, according to orders from Headquarters, five men are compelled to
sleep in one of these small tents. It
is impossible, from the slope of the canvas, for a man to sleep within 5 or 6
inches of the edge of the tent. Then,
allowing ten inches that cannot be occupied, we have 6 feet 2 inches of space
for 5 men to sleep in, which is not quite 15 inches to the man.
Now I ask, why should men, who have left their homes to fight for their
liberties, be forced to sleep like hogs, with hardly enough space to turn over
in? Is it healthy to crowd so many
men in warm weather in such small tents? I
think not. Our country has need for
every soldier that she can raise, and our commanders should look a little more
closely to the health and comfort of the poor privates.
It is too often the case, that, in order to save a few dollars, we lose a
few soldiers.
I am, sir, etc.,
A Member of the 11th S. C. Reg.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 19, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, Saturday, March 15.
. . . Male note cutters
are paid by the Treasury Department $1000 a year, while female cutters receive
only $500 for doing exactly the same kind of work. Some of these cutters are fair refugees from Alexandria and
elsewhere, and they complain of injustice.
Other refugees, males, from the same city, have gone into business here
and are doing well, making from $500 to $800 a day on commissions, as I hear on
good authority. . . . "Blockade" whisky is selling for $8 a gallon.
Nine pence calico is sold for 50 cents, and butter for 75 cents or a
dollar a pound; bad at that. . . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 19, 1862, p. 4, c. 2
The Women of Texas.--Extract from a private letter from General Daggett,
of Texas:
"In Palo Pinto county, a call being made for volunteers, out of a
crowd of men only five marched out, when fifteen young daughters of Texas
marched out into line, and declared they would to into the service of their
country if their places were not filled by good men, when a perfect yell ensued,
and fifteen men took their places! This
is so."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 20, 1862, p.1, c. 2
The Cotton Manufacturers of this State are making a rich harvest from the
necessities of the war. With the
raw material cheaper than it has been for many years, they have advanced the
price of the cloth most exorbitantly, charging 20 cents a yard for cloth which,
previous to the war, they sold at 10 cents a yard.
When peace again blesses us, we hope that these greedy fellows will be
remembered, and rewarded according to their desserts.--Raleigh Standard.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 20, 1862, 1, c. 3
The ladies of Baltimore, notwithstanding Lincoln's proclamation, appear
daily on the streets, in secession colors, to wit "red, white and
red." Bonnets are so
constantly trimmed with a red, a white, and again, a red rose, that even the
manufacturers have been prohibited from making these rebellious flowers, in
order "to support the Government."
Yet, the ladies, who are equal to every emergency, were not to be
out-done in this matter. The
insulting Yankee soldiers, on several occasions, spoke to the traitorous
demoiselles, and even went so far as to tear the trimmings from their bonnets.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 21, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, Monday, March 17.
. . . Drunken people
abounded yesterday, in spite of the whisky blockade. Turkies [sic] are selling at $4 apiece. . . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 21, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
The following advertisement appears in the Petersburg Express:
"A number of ladies in this city desire to offer themselves as
substitutes, to serve during the war, for any of those gentlemen who lately
visited Richmond to obtain such substitutes, and may have failed to do so.
Apply at this office."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 22, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
To Preserve Dead Bodies.--The following preparation, which has been used
on many occasions for thirty or forty years past, comes highly recommended for
the preservation of dead bodies. It
will, in a great degree, prevent the offensive odor from corpses, and while the
remains of so many of our deceased soldiers are being transported from the camps
homeward, it may be of service to publish:
Take two pounds of common salt, two pounds of alum, one pound saltpetre--dissolve
in six gallons of water and keep the shrouding wet with the solution.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 22, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Persons have been detected in New Orleans, going round the city buying up
all the mourning goods, for the purpose of speculation, in anticipation of a
great battle at Corinth, where thousands of the young men of New Orleans are now
posted.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 22, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The Alabama ladies are sending their copper preserving kettles to
Beauregard, to be made into cannon.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 24, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Praiseworthy Reduction in Prices.--The Georgia Factory and Athens Factory
have reduced the prices of yarns, osnaburgs, sheetings, &c.
They furthermore give preference to those dealers who conform to their
schedule of prices, rather than the speculator.
Soldiers' families are to be supplied at wholesale prices. This arrangement goes into effect on the first of April, and
continues until an agreement to change shall be made.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 25, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
The Price of Soda Water.--"Justice" writes to us to say that
the advance in the price of soda water is due to the fact that sulphuric acid
and super carbonate of soda, the principal ingredients used in its manufacture,
have advanced enormously in price; the former from 2 1/2 cents to 72 1/2 cents
per pound, and the latter from 3 1/2 cents per pound to 87 1/2 cents.
Under these circumstances, he contends that "the increase in price
must be considered exceedingly moderate."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 26, 1862, p. 4, c. 4
Bacon in Memphis sells at 22 cents per pound--Flour sells in the same
market at $14 75 per barrel. Cheap
living that.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 29, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Tuesday, March 25.
. . . The cheapest
living, now-a-days, is in camp, where sugar can be had for 3 1/2 cents and
coffee for 28 cents a pound.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
March 31, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Cotton
Seed as a Substitute for Coffee.
To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:--Seeing a notice, some time ago,
that cotton seed was a good substitute for coffee, I was induced to try a
mixture of two-thirds cotton seed and one-third coffee, and found it answered
extremely well. The seed merely
requires to be washed and parched before grinding, the same as coffee.
We have been using it for six or seven weeks constantly in our family,
and many of our friends who drank it without knowing what the mixture was,
pronounced it equal to the best coffee. A
friend suggests that parched cotton seed in future may be known as
"Carolina Mocha." As these are times in which all are called upon to practice
economy, I send you the result of my experiment, requesting an insertion as
early as convenient, in your paper.
An Old Housekeeper.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 2, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
A Good Example.--The following is an extract of a private letter from a
lady, dated Aberdeen, Arkansas, February 20th.
It says:
The ladies about here have all learned to shoot; last summer we had
shooting matches regularly--rather masculine sport for ladies, think you, I
reckon; but nevertheless we all learned, and thought the times would justify it,
and some got to be very expert in loading and shooting.
Would you believe that I can kill squirrels or birds on the top of tall
trees? I keep a loaded gun in my
room, also a pistol on a table near my bed every night, and, if necessary, would
not hesitate to use them, and I hope never to have a use for them.
Since the late requisition from the Governor every man seems most willing
to respond to the call, both old and young, married and single.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 3, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Camp Games.--Every volunteer who has been in service, has realized the
tedium of camp life. Between
reveille and breakfast--between morning and evening drill--there is waste time,
which might be used advantageously at such manly exercises as cricket, base
ball, foot ball, quoit pitching, etc. A recent visit to some of our camp, showed several parties
enjoying a quiet hand at quoits in a shady grove.
Cannot some of our hardware dealers have a supply cast, and let our
soldiers know where they can be procured? Cricket
and base ball bats are also wanted, and a few dozen substantial foot balls
would, we are sure, find ready sale. For want of such things, the time of the soldier is mainly
spent in playing cards.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 7, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Flag for the Bee Rifles.--Messrs. Hayden & Whilden have now at their
jewelry store a very handsome Company flag, which they have had manufactured by
order of several ladies, and which is to be presented to the Bee Rifles,
Capt. J. M. Kinloch, during the coming week.
The ground of the flag is blue, and the lettering and ornamenting gold.
On its face is a handsome Palmetto, with the name of the Company above,
and a few bales of the great staple at its base, beneath which is the year of
the Company's organization, "1861."
On the upper inner corner is the crescent; on the reverse, encircled in a
beautiful wreath of cotton and rice in bloom, are the last words of the lamented
General BEE--"If we determine to die here, we will conquer."
The flag is richly trimmed with gold and mounted on a gold-headed spear.
Its design and execution are specimens of art which reflect much credit
on the gentlemen who have carried out the wishes of the ladies interested.
The flag may be seen at Messrs. Hayden and Whilden's for a few days.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 8, 1862, p. 4, c. 3
Substitute for Leather.--There has been much talk about leather and the
want thereof for harness uses for the Government.
A substitute has been found, so far as traces and chains are needed.
Simple oak or hickory splits can be used for heavy or light loads.
We are assured that every part of a harness, even to bridle and collar,
can be made from hickory or oak splits. It
has been proven that wood hoops can be successfully used in baling cotton, in
place of hempen rope. In fact, an
entire wagon harness, which costs in leather, at this time, from forty to fifty
dollars or more, can be furnished on almost any farm for a few dimes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 8, 1862, p. 4, c. 3
The Negros' [sic] Crop.--The corps usually grown by negros has heretofore
been planted in cotton, and to a great extent remunerative, but for the future
we would advise all planters to encourage their negros in the cultivation of
pototos [sic], rice, ground peas, or peas of any kind, and particularly
vegetables. They are easily
cultivated, easily gathered, and will pay them better than cotton.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Louisiana Cottonade.--We translate from L'Avant Courrier the following:
The Creole women of Attakapas have been making, for a long time, out of
the cotton grown upon the soil, certain goods much esteemed in the markets of
the South. A woman can make
twenty-five ells (an ell is a yard and a half) of cottonade a month, and this is
worth three dollars an ell, which makes seventy-five dollars.
The expenses of fabrication are small.
Two years since a Tennessean brought into Attakas a certain number of
machines to clean, card and spin the cotton.
There are now in this region about a hundred of these machines, capable
of making 300 ells of cottonade a month. The
cottonade sells at a price reduced to one dollar and seventy-five cents an ell.
The machine imported from Tennessee does not occupy more than four or
five square feet, and can be worked by two children.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 11, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Patriotic.--J. Starke Simms, Esq., of Grindal's Shoals, Pacolet River,
So. Ca., has refused to allow any thing made in his factory to be sold for more
than it brought before the war. While
others have sold yarn at $2.00 to $2.25 per bunch, he has held it steadily at
$1.00.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 12, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Sore Throats--Salt as a Remedy.--In these days, when diseases of the
throat are so prevalent and in many cases so fatal, the use of common salt is
recommended as an effectual remedy. We commenced by using it three times a day--morning, noon,
and night. We dissolved a large
tablespoonful of pure table salt in about half a tumbler full of cold water.
With this we gargled the throat most thoroughly before meal time.
The result has been that during the entire winter we were not only free
from the usual coughs and colds to which, so far as my memory extends, we have
always been subject, but the dry, hacking cough has entirely disappeared.
We attribute this satisfactory result entirely to the salt gargle.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 12, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Lampblack Manufactory.--Among the many articles whose value has been
enhanced by the Yankee blockade, is that of lampblack, the consumption of which
has increased in about the same proportion than its supply has diminished.
At the present time lampblack is in extensive use for coloring,
knapsacks, haversacks, in making oil cloths, etc., all of which are
indispensable in military matters, not to mention its prime necessity in the
making of printers' ink and the sundry other things for which it is daily called
into requisition. Its price had advanced from a few cents to 75 to 80 cents a
pound. Under these circumstances,
Mr. H. W. Kinsman, whose enterprise in other directions has been of much value
to the State, contemplated its manufacture.
The difficulty was to procure the necessary machinery, of which Mr.
Kinsman knew nought, and in this dilemma he applied to Mr. T. B. Fogarty, whose
inventive genius--without any previous knowledge of the manufacture of the
article--soon supplied the requisite appliances. Three times these gentlemen had got their manufactory to
work, on as many different sites, and each time, after a few day's running, were
they burned down. They were not
discouraged, however. Perseverance,
and their past experience, prompted them to erect other works, which are a
complete success, and which have now been running for the past month, turning
out about four hundred pounds a day, which has been pronounced by all who have
examined it a most superior article of lampblack.
Only a few days ago lampblack sold at auction at 45 cents a pound.
Mr. Kinsman can supply the trade at much less than one-half this price.
The Lampblack Manufactory is up the King street road, some four hundred
yards west.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 14, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Friday, April 11.
. . . Baltimore papers
of the 5th contain little of interest, except the growing antipathy by the
people of Western Virginia to the Abolitionists. When Seward came back from Winchester he was asked, "How
about the Union sentiment, Mr. Seward?"
"The men have all gone to the rebel army, and the women are all she
devils," was Seward's gruff response.
The Confederate Congress has passed a vote of thanks to the "she
devils," not only in Winchester, but in the whole South, and God bless 'em!
They richly deserve it.. . . Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 14, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
A
Vote of Thanks from Congress to the Women of the South.
Whatever be the final issue of the great struggle in which we are
engaged, the women of the South, by the devoted and unfaltering patriotism which
they have exhibited at all times and under the most trying circumstances, have
won for themselves the respect and admiration of the world.
In the early stages of the Revolution, the Ladies were ever the
staunchest champions of separation from the North; and, when the war broke out,
their acts did not unbeseem the ardor of their professions.
To their influence, in a measure, we must attribute the promptness with
which the South was enabled to raise vast armies for coast and frontier defence;
and without their industry we should have been sadly puzzled to supply the
shortcomings of a Government, the official machinery of which was still new and
untried. They have cheered our
armies on the march to battle; have denied themselves the luxuries of life that
they might contribute to the welfare of the soldier; and day and night, with a
fortitude unequalled in ancient or modern times, plied the needle and shuttle to
clothe the volunteer exposed to the hardships of camp life, whether under a
blistering sun or amid the snows of winter.
In the States which have been overrun by the enemy, the Ladies, almost
without exception, have exerted themselves constantly to keep alive the spirit
of resistance, and, in spite of insults and oppression, they have clung with
unwavering fidelity to the Southern Cause.
The noble women of Maryland have shed upon the fame of their State,
fettered as she is, a greater lustre than the bayonets of her "Old
Line" ever conferred.
"There is faith in their unrelenting woes,
"There's Life in the
Old Land yet."
Congress has seen fit, formally, to recognize the services of our fair
countrywomen. The following joint
resolution was adopted by both branches of the Confederate Legislature on
Thursday last:
Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the
thanks of the Congress of the Confederate States are eminently due, and are
hereby tendered, to the patriotic women of the Confederacy, for the energy, zeal
and untiring devotion which they have manifested in furnishing voluntary
contributions to our soldiers in the field, and in the various military
hospitals throughout the country.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 14, 1862, p. 4, c. 3
Town topics in Spartanburg.--The following chapter of local gossip, which
we find in the last issue of the Spartanburg Express,, may be interesting to
many of our readers:
In common with most of the towns and villages of the interior,
Spartanburg has been filling up with visitors from the low country.
We believe nearly every vacant house in the village has been taken.
We hope the intercourse between our citizens and the visitors from below
may have a good effect, by bringing them to see the better qualities of each
other, and thus remove much of the prejudice which often exists between the
inhabitants of remote sections of the same State.
As our boys in the camp may like to know something of the changes taking
place at home, we propose to give, as far as we are able, a list of the families
who have recently taken quarters in our pleasant village. It will be understood, however, that very few of the males of
these families are here.
[list]
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 15, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Saturday, April 12.
. . .The imminence of
great events does not disturb the equanimity of our people to much
extent.--Families have been sent away, more to avoid the distress and danger of
a panic than anything else. The
ladies evince a decided unwillingness to go; they want to share the fortunes of
their husbands, sons and brothers. In
many instances, only the younger members of the family are sent off.
We await, with much anxiety, further news from the Merrimac.
Butter and eggs have come down; but the butchers are stiff-necked.
Colds and sore throats abound.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 21, 1862, p. 1, c. 2 [picture]
The
New Flag of the Confederacy.
The Committee appointed by Congress to choose a suitable flag for the
Confederate States, has at last closed its labors, and recommended for adoption
the design given above. The flag is thus described in the terms of English heraldry:
On a field qules (red); a
saltier argent (white); a Norman
shield azure (blue), charged with a
sun or (yellow).
The new ensign is certainly rich, brilliant, and easily distinguishable.
The Sun has been very frequently urged as the proper emblem for the
South, and the rays, which are to be alternately long and short, will suffice to
represent the separate sovereignty of the States.
Many would have preferred a more simple arrangement, to consist of two
colors only; but, inasmuch as the Committee's device in no wise resembles the
flag of the Yankees, we suppose that it will be generally well relished by the
people. The new flag, however, has
yet to receive the sanction of Congress, and may be rejected altogether by that
body.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 21, 1862, p. 2, c. 6
Tableaux
Vivants
for
the
Gunboat
Fund,
at
Military
Hall
on
To-Morrow Evening,
the
22d inst.
Programme.
1.
Harem Scene--Sultana and Odalisks.
2.
Nomjahad receiving the elixer of life
3.
Gipsey [sic] encampment, or the stolen child--by Finden.
4.
Elizabeth, of England, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
5.
The Martyrs under Diocletian.
6.
Titania--by Landseer.
7.
Gipsey [sic] fortune telling.
8.
Harvest Home--by Finden.
9.
Cornelia, the mother of Gracchi, the Roman lady.
10.
Richard Coeur de Lion and Berengeria.
11.
Cinderella.
12.
Confederate States.
Admittance 50 cents. Children
25 cents.
Tickets for sale at the Music and Book Stores, and at the door.
Door open at 7 1/2. Curtain
rises at 8 o'clock p.m.
The Fort Sumter Band will be in attendance.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 24, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
The
Ladies' Gunboat Fair at Columbia.
To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:--My friend and I were walking
down Main street, Columbia, on Thursday week last.
"What babble is that across the way, in that lighted hall?
It sounds as if ten thousand jackdaws had assembled there with the
determination to try their utmost powers of noise-making."
"Why, that is the Ladies' Gunboat Fair, now going on," replies
my companion. "Let's go over,
and see the elephant, then." We
leave our twenty-five cents shinplaster at the door, and enter the hall--at
least we attempt to. But what a
jam! men and women, girls and boys
packed together like sardines on end! For
my part I feel considerably flustered--my modesty is shocked.
Pushed forward by the crowd, women in front and women behind.
It is too much; I look for a corner.--But suddenly I am confronted by one
of the fair sex: "Take a
chance at a baby, sir?" "A
baby, Madam: me a chance at a baby!
never, surely! I assure you, Madam, babies are quite out of my line."
"Are they?" she smiles, "I didn't know it," and
disappears in the crowd. When will I get to that corner, I sigh to myself.--I am
waylaid again. "Buy a baby
cap, sir?" "A baby cap! why, my dear Miss, I have no baby; what should I do with the
cap? Anything but babies."
Psaw! says the fair damsel, and turns quick on her heel.
But I think I saw a twinkle in her eye.
My nerves are getting quite shaky; but I near the corner.
There is a most portly old lady, just in front of me.--Again I am
assaulted. "Buy a baby
wrapper, sir?" "Ghost of
Banquo!" I exclaimed;
"what evil thing have I done, that I should be thus afflicted?"
The young lady looks at me in astonishment, evidently thinks I am an
escaped inmate of the Lunatic Asylum. "Buy
a baby wrapper, sir?" she repeats. I
look at her; she looks at me. I
look at the wrapper, and she looks at the wrapper.
My nerves are all gone; my knees feel very weak.
I look at the corner and the corner looks at me; looks like a friend.
Modesty gives way; despair lends strength; I utter not a word; I rush
through the crowd and disappear, subside in a chair, away back in the corner,
behind a curtain. My breath comes
and goes by jerks--I feel for my ribs--I reflect--gently I stroke my
moustache--and very gradually my nerves are soothed, and again I look out upon
the babble. Lucky corner, kind
corner--I spy a fresh lettuce--how refreshing.
And there is a turkey, and--why, now I am quite happy--there is a whole
supper table. I recognize the fair
hostess; and, what is better, she recognizes me. "What will you have?"
"Oh! anything--everything."
Soon I have a little table. I
stick it in a nice little corner of the hall, fix my chair so as to keep off the
crowd, and with knife, and fork, and jest, and all sorts of things good for the
inner man, I entirely recover my strength.
Again I venture into the throng. "Buy
a bunch of flowers?" "By
all means." "Take a
pipe?" "Most
certainly," and so I wade forward. "What
tall, fine looking girl is that selling flowers?"
It is a fine face. There is
something like enthusiasm in it, if I mistake not.
It is a pleasing face. And
there is another pretty girl--a regular Virginia face--bright and amiable.
And now look at that little vixen behind that table.
An exquisite figure, is it not? So
graceful and distingue--a soft, pretty, nervous looking hand, too.
And look at those eyes; see how they sparkle; how quick they glance from
side to side. Ah! a bright and sly young lass, that. Prenez garde, prenez garde, young man! Observe what a contrast it is to that fair, calm, regular
face beside it.
But I must stop. I wish I
could go on. I could write you
pages. There were some funny things
[that] came off. But I can only
tell you now the Fair was a great success, and very pleasant.
I understood from one of the fair managers that they had realized in two
days, no less than twenty-three hundred dollars.
The ladies of Columbia speak also of having another Fair very soon.
May it be as successful as the last.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 28, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Miss Narcissa Sanders is the stepdaughter of Hon. A. V. Brown, who left a
princely residence in the beautiful hills which encircle Nashville.
She is young, beautiful, witty, and was a noted belle at the Capitol at
Washington. The Federal commander,
McCook, having known her formerly, upon taking possession of the city, called to
pay his respects, and sent up his card from the door.
Her reply was: "Tell
him to please excuse me; I am in mourning for my country, and can see no
one."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 29, 1862, p. 4, c. 1
The
War and the Manufacturing Interests of the South.
A correspondent of DeBow's Review for April gives a detailed account of
the increase of manufactures in the South since the beginning of the war.
The following are a portion only of the many referred to:
In Spartanburg and Laurens, South Carolina, great manufacturing
enterprise has been exhibited. In
the latter county it is mentioned, in addition to the regular branches of
manufacture, the ladies generally are making a great quantity of most excellent
cloth of various descriptions for men's wear, children, negros [sic], and even
for themselves, which are now taking the places of fine delaines and silks.
The ladies in one battalion in that district, recently furnished for the
uniforms of one company of volunteers three hundred and fifty yards of very nice
jeans, five hundred yards of flannel, and three hundred and fifty pairs of
socks, in a very short time, made upon the old-fashioned hand looms, which are
numerous in that county--one in almost every family--and some of the cloth for
service is said to be equal, if not superior, to the best broadcloth.
In Chester every household is said to have become a manufacturing
establishment. . . . In Carthage, the entire people, it is said, with unexampled
energy, have recurred to the primeval principles and customs of industry,
economy and frugality which characterized our ancestors for many years
subsequent to the wars of '76 and
1812. . . .The women, too, animated with becoming zeal and resolution to sustain
our glorious cause, have put aside their silks, their calicos, their head
dresses, and covered up their pianos, and have substituted the wheel, the cards,
the loom, and are fostering a commendable spirit of emulation in making the
largest number of yards, and the neatest patterns of checks and stripes for
themselves and their little ones, and the substantial jeans to clothe their
husbands, their sons, and their brothers in the army, and then for gratuitous
distribution to any needy soldiers. They
are, without distinction of circle or property, all united in constant and
useful engagement in getting up domestics of every kind to add to their comforts
at home, and supply our army with blankets, clothing, and neat caps.
Defend us with your bayonets, and we will sustain you with our needles,
is the watchword with them.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The Sisters of Charity have under their charge a large hospital at
Corinth and, as is always the case in their hospitals, it is admirably arranged
and conducted.
The women of Magnolia, Miss., since the battle of Shiloh, anxiously watch
every down train, prepared to furnish the sick and wounded soldiers with milk,
eggs and in fact every delicacy that can be had in the neighborhood.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
A Most Pleasant Summer Drink.--To the many thirsty souls in this city,
and elsewhere, who suffer inconvenience from martial law, we recommend the
following drink, which has not been inaptly called "Cream Nectar," as
a thirst assuager, and at the same time a most refreshing and delightful
beverage. It is better than the
best "snow drop julep" that was ever manufactured, and Sherry Cobblers
cannot begin to compare with it in quality:
Take 3 lbs. white sugar, 3 ounces tartaric acid, and 1 quart cold water,
put them into a brass or copper kettle, and when warm, add the white of 3 eggs;
beat up with 3 teaspoonfuls of flour; stir till it boils 3 minutes; when cold,
add 1 gill of essence, and bottle up.
Directions for use.--Two dessert spoonfuls of the Nectar to each glass;
then fill them two-thirds full of ice water, if it can be had, and add a little
Carbonate of Soda.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The Ladies Making Shoes.--Quite a number of ladies of this parish have
commenced making their own and their children's shoes, and they do very good
work. We have seen several pairs of
these home-made shoes, and they are not only strong, but they are very well
proportioned. The cheapest way that
they make them is to take the soles of old shoes, soak them in water until they
are limber, pick out the old stitches, fit them to the last after the cloth is
fitted to the same, sew the soles to the cloth with strong waxed thread, and
then turn the shoe, nail the heel to its place, and the shoe is done.
It is cheap, serviceable, and a very good cloth shoe.--Planter's
Louisiana Banner.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Death of a Well Known Sister of Charity.--The New Orleans papers announce
the death, on Wednesday last, of Sister Regis Barrett, whose good deeds in the
yellow fever hospitals and orphan asylums has made her name a household word in
that city. Her age was 56.
She joined the Sisters of Charity in 1826, came to New Orleans in 1835,
and established the Camp-street Orphan Asylum, the St. Elizabeth Asylum, the St.
Vincent Infant Asylum, and an Orphan Asylum in Carrollton.
Rich and poor alike admired Sister Regis for her many virtues. It may truly be said of her, that she spent her life in doing
good--in promoting
"The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless."
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
1, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
A Splendid Regimental Standard was presented yesterday morning to Col.
Keitt's fine Regiment on Sullivan's Island.
The flag is a very rich one, and magnificently mounted.
The field is blue silk, delicately embroidered with the Palmetto, the
Crescent and the Shamrock, and emblazoned with the motto--
"Pro Deo et pro Patria."
The reverse is of sky
blue silk, on which is worked a cross, surrounded by seven stars, representing
the States that formed the Confederacy. This
beautiful banner was presented to the Regiment in an eloquent address by the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Lynch. Col. Keitt, in
receiving it, responded in his usual happy style.
W. Gilmore Simms and Richard Yeadon, Esqs., who were present, were called
upon and each made some remarks appropriate to the occasion.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
6, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Home Made Soap and Starch.--A lady sends us the following simple and
useful recipe for making soap and starch: Put
up the bones of everything for a fortnight, and then boil them in strong lye,
skimming as long as the grease rises. The
next day boil the grease with strong lye until it becomes soap.
Put some lime in the lye barrel, and it makes much better soap.
All of my starch is soft hominy or gruel strained.
If you have not come to it yet, try it.
How much this war will teach us!
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
15, 1862, p. 4, c. 2
The Rush to the Interior.--The Edgefield Advertiser says:
The people from the seaboard, and especially from Charleston, are
flocking to various points in the interior of our State.
At many villages there are already crowds of refugees.
Greenville and Spartanburg are reported full to overflowing.
There are but few as yet in this place.
At Aiken, we learn, there are a goodly number.
Of course, these refugees are almost entirely women and children.
The people of the up-country should greet them cordially whenever it
comes in the way, and be ready, also, to render them such counsel and assistance
as they may need. We hear of three
or four houses being engaged in this village, soon to be occupied.
In view of the probable increase of our population from this source, we
respectfully urge our good-living farmers to send along their surplus eatables
to our village market. We are
harder pressed at these little towns in the article of living than most persons
are aware of. Please send your
butter, lard, chickens, beef, potatos [sic], peas, &c., &c.
You can get fair prices here, and that is all you want.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
19, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Newspapers and the War.--These are terrible times for the newspapers.
The scarcity of paper, and the enormous prices charged for it when
obtained, are everywhere forcing the first class daily newspaper of the South to
curtail their dimensions. Three out
of the four dailies in Richmond, viz: the
Whig, Enquirer and Examiner, are now printed upon a half sheet.
All the newspapers of Mobile, Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans, also
issue a half sheet only.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
20, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Spring Fashions in Yankeedom.--Many of our lady readers will doubtless be
interested in knowing the styles prevailing among the Flora McFlimseys of the
North. We copy from a late New York
paper:
The mild weather of the past few days has had the effect of gladdening
the hearts of millions--and dry goods dealers--and to call out the fair portion
of humanity, who are given to promenade, shopping, &c.
This morning our streets were thronged with ladies who seemed to delight
in basking in the pleasant rays of the sun, and in inspecting the new fashions
of the season.
We learn that the novelties of the season are almost altogether in straw
goods--fancy crapes, gauzes, tulles, and the like, being very little used.
The variety and beauty, however, of the fine straw fabrics, leave nothing
to be desired, and possess, indeed, an appearance so distinguished as to put
silks and inferior combinations quite in the shade.
The novelty and beauty of the straw trimmings seem to be a marked feature
of this season's decorations, and exceedingly apropos to the prominence given to
rich straw fabrics.
The peculiarity of the present style of a "love of a bonnet" is
striking. It is very high in front,
almost square across the top, with very straight sides, and narrow, compressed
crown and curtain. The peculiarity
is, therefore, the extreme height, which is greatly increased by the arrangement
of the trimming. As the shape
precludes the possibility of side trimming, the lace and flowers that beautify
the inside are disposed in flowery bandeaux across the forehead, or inclined a
little to the one side. The materials most in use are crape, silk, lace and straw.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
21, 1862, p. 4, c. 2
It appears that according to marriage registrations the chances are three
times greater of widowers between the ages of 25 and 30 getting married than
those of bachelors; five times greater between the ages of 30 and 40; and eleven
times after the age of 60. The chances, it would appear, of bachelors getting married
rapidly diminish after the age of 30. These
important facts are furnished by an American statistician.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
22, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
From the Fredericksburg correspondence of the New York Herald we extract
the following: Visitors to
Fredericksburg from the Union line describe their reception by the inhabitants
as very amusing. The men stare
defiantly, or turn their backs. The women turn up their noses, or laugh derisively, and the
children exclaim, "I see a Yankee," "There goes a Yankee."
Even those who have been kindly received within the Federal camps are
frigid in reciprocating hospitalities.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
23, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
The Ladies of the South.--A Washington correspondent writes:
Officers who have been in regions lately reconquered by our troops
testify that the "men can be got along with well enough," but the
women are exceedingly violent and insulting.
This sort of malignity, doubtless, arises from sympathy for "their
boys," who were first to take up rebellious arms, and with whom the
counsels of age and experience went for nothing.
These boys were to the great conspirators like clay in the hands of the
potter. The mothers and daughters
are continually thinking of these "young Southern gentlemen, every one of
whom could drive twenty Yankees." Some
woman in Georgetown has threatened to shoot President Lincoln if her son in the
rebel army shall be killed.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
27, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
The Columbus Ga., Sun says that the scarcity of bacon there is creating a
great demand for catfish of all sizes, from "kittens" to the "big
blue" when he is caught.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
27, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Accommodations for Refugees from the Coast.--We regret to learn that many
property holders in the up country districts and towns refuse to rent houses to
refugees from the seaboard, but at the same time are ready to sell the same
houses. This treatment of those who
have become the victims of the war is most inconsiderate; for, in general, they
can ill afford to pay heavy rents, much less the purchase money of the houses
they need to shelter their families.
CHARLESTON MERCURY, May
29, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
A
Wail from the Camp.
"In Camp." May 24.
To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:--While Chaplains and Colporters
are screaming for "more Tracts" to distribute among soldiers; while
the religious press is busily engaged in "working up" the material,
and the unread surplus is being trampled under foot in camp, no one seems to
think of, or care for, the entertainment
and amusement of the soldier, lying idle in his tent these long spring
and summer days. For want of some
light entertaining reading matter he is compelled to lounge lazily about camp,
or sleep away the tedious hours not occupied by his duties.
Permit me, sir, to make an appeal, which, I am sure, will be heartily
approved in every camp on the coast. There
is scarcely a family which has removed, or is about removing, from the city,
that has not a surplus of old novels and other books which they cannot carry
with them, and which would be very acceptable to the soldiers in camp.
As the blackberry season is now far advanced, and the fruit getting
scarcer, the usual midday occupation--walking through the fields, tin cup or
wash basin in hand, gathering it--is becoming "stale, flat and
unprofitable"--a few books--not of
the Tract complexion--would receive a hearty welcome here.
Will not some kind "friend of the soldier" open a depot for the
reception of such donations of books as the generous public will bestow, and
have them distributed through the different camps in the State?
Moreover, as Charleston is
likely to become a vast camp this summer, let a species of circulating library
of old books be established at some convenient place where soldiers can get the
wherewithal to keep them from "foraging" and other mischievous tricks.
Not to be thought trespassing upon the domain of Tractarians and
Colporters, I would suggest this to them
as a means of circulating their
prints. Let the leaves of the Novels be interlarded with Tracts,
which might serve in many cases as antidote to poison.
Please make an appeal for us, Mr. Editor, in your valuable paper, and you
will receive the thanks of Infantry, Cavalry and
"Artillery."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Scarcity of Cotton Cards.--We are reliably informed that the article of
Cotton Cards, so valuable to the South at this time in the manufacture of
clothing, has become a prohibited article of export from the Northern ports, the
officials of the Lincoln Government having, on several occasions lately, refused
to clear vessels with these goods on board for ports in the West Indies or
Bahamas until such articles were taken ashore again.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Linen for the Wounded.--We find the following card in the Columbia
papers:
I have been telegraphed from Richmond to "let the ladies of Columbia
know, through the newspapers, that shirts, drawers, and linen or cotton rags,
are very much wanted for the wounded in the late battles."
I have been authorized to send on by a special courier everything of the
kind that the ladies will put up in boxes for transportation.
I am requested to ask that they act promptly.
Let other communities act also.
Jos. Daniel Pope.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Giving up the Cushions.--Many of the churches in Richmond have sent to
the Medical Purveyor of that city, the cushioned seats used therein, to be
applied in rendering the wounded soldiers comfortable.
The ladies of the different churches are now engaged in fabricating
mattresses for the use of the wounded. Two
cushions tacked together make an excellent mattress.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 11, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
How to Manufacture Salt for Home Use.--Take a towel, or any piece of
cloth--say, two yards long--sew the two ends together, hang it on a roller, and
let one end revolve in a tub or basin of salt water; the sun and air will act on
the cloth, and evaporate the water rapidly.
It must be revolved several times throughout the day, so that the cloth
is well saturated. When the
solution is evaporated to near the bottom, dip from the concentrated brine, and
pour it in a large flat dish or plate; let it remain in the sun until the salt
is formed; taking it in every night, and placing a cover over it.
This is accomplished by capillary attraction, and can be manufactured for
$1 per sack, on a large scale. Each
gallon of salt water will produce two and a half ounces of salt when evaporated.
John Commins, Charleston Tannery.
P.S.--To make salt requires a little patience, as it is of slow
formation.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 12, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Salt from the Palmetto Root.--A gentleman, writing from Ware county, Ga.,
to a friend in this city, says: "We
have made an important discovery in this section of Georgia.
The palmetto root burned to ashes, and the ashes leached, and the ley
[lye] boiled, makes an excellent salt. Numbers
of our citizens have tried it with the same results.
The salt is not as white as the Liverpool salt, but equally as strong.
We have, as you know, any quantity of the palmetto in Southern Georgia,
and it has been useless heretofore; but now its value is unknown.
I have known for years that the ashes of the palmetto was salt tasted,
but the discovery has lately been made that good salt could be made from it.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 13, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Hospital Regulations.--Among the regulations of the army hospitals in
Richmond, is one: "No young
misses to be admitted."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 14, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Soldiers'
Clothing for the Winter Campaign.
[From
the Richmond Whig]
As we look for no relaxation of the blockade or cessation of the war,
until the Yankees shall be taught the impossibility of conquest, we ask the
attention of the Government to the important subject of clothing the soldiers
next winter. There is a great deal
of wool in the country, and a large crop of flax will, no doubt, be grown in
many parts of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee; but cotton warp
constitutes the basis of all our textile fabrics.
How can the people obtain this indispensable article?
The coarse yarn spun by machinery is scarce and very costly; and though
we see the cotton burned in the face of the invader, raw cotton cannot be
obtained in many portions of the interior at any price.
There is a mechanical difficulty, also, which has impeded domestic
manufacture. Hand cards cannot be
had at any price.
While our soldiers are in the field, there are at home thousands of
patriotic mothers and sisters, willing to toil in any way, and under any
disadvantage, for those who defend them. But,
in many cases, these patriotic women have neither material nor machinery to
manufacture the clothing and blankets their friends require.
We may anticipate a similar difficulty in regard to shoes and boots,
though there will be, we suppose, leather enough to produce a winter supply of
so indispensable an article.
Now, what can our Government do to provide for the winter wants of our
army? We answer, let it appoint
commissioners of manufactures within the sections of country prepared to conduct
the operations referred to, and assign to them as many skilled artizans [sic],
detailed under authority of the Act of Congress, as may be necessary to give
effect to the object of army supply.
In the meantime the Government should purchase and distribute, at low
prices, quantities of raw cotton, and if possible wool, so as to employ the
industrious poor, who have the will to work, without the means to work.
These measures will cause domestic manufactures which still linger in
upper Virginia, Carolina, and Tennessee, to revive and furnish important aid to
the cause.
This plan, with the manufacture and distribution of hand cards, will meet
the emergency; for though the goods thus made may not be so good as we would
wish, they will be infinitely better than rags.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 19, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Light.--Spirits of turpentine, burnt in a lamp, invented about two years
since, costing about $3, makes a beautiful gas light.
This light is very brilliant, perfectly safe, and costs about three cents
per night. By distilling, you get
clear of the particles of rosin, which makes it a more cleanly, but not a more
brilliant light.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 19, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Blacking.--A correspondent sends us the following:
Fill a snuff bottle nearly full of soot from a common chimney, put in a
good drink of whisky, and the same quantity of vinegar, shake it well, and you
have a first rate bottle of glossy blacking.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Half Sheets.--The Richmond papers are now all printed upon half sheets.
The Dispatch, which, pecuniarily, has been perhaps the most successful
newspaper in the South, comes out, in its issue of Wednesday, upon a half sheet. Indeed, printing paper has become so dear and so difficult to
obtain, that the publication of papers of any kind is now a matter attended with
great embarrassment. In such times,
to waste paper in display of profitless advertisements is sheer folly.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
June 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
Lint.--Mrs. Faust, of Barnwell, has discovered a way to make lint much
faster than by picking it with the fingers.
Cut the linen (old table cloths), in slips half an inch or three-quarters
in width, biasing, then cut in short pieces; card it in a pair of wool cards,
and it soon makes a beautiful lint.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 10, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
Hints on Health.--A Yankee paper copies the following hints on health
from Hall's Journal of Health, a very good authority in such matters.
If remembered and practised [sic], they may save many lives:
1. If a man faints, place
him flat on his back, and let him alone.
2. If any poison is
swallowed, drink instantly half a glass of cold water with a heaping teaspoonful
each of common salt and ground mustard stirred into it; this vomits soon as it
reaches the stomach; but for fear some of the poison still remains, swallow the
white of one or two eggs, or drink a cup of strong coffee, these two being
antidotes for a greater number of poisons than any dozen other articles known,
with the advantage of their always being at hand; if not, half a pint of sweet
oil, lamp oil, or "drippings," especially if they vomit quickly.
3. The best thing to stop
the bleeding of a moderate cut instantly, is to cover it profusely with cob web,
or flour and salt, about half-and-half.
4. If the blood comes from a
wound by jets or spurts, be spry, or the man will die in a few minutes, because
an artery is severed; tie a handkerchief loosely around near the part, between
the wound and the heart. Put a stick between the handkerchief and the skin, twist it
around until the blood ceases to flow, and keep it there till the doctor comes;
if in a position where the handkerchief cannot be used, press the thumb on the
spot near the wound, between the wound and the heart; increase the pressure
until the bleeding ceases (but not lessen that pressure for an instant until the
physician arrives), so as to glue up the wound by the coagulation or hardening
of the cooling blood.
5. If your clothes take
fire, slide the hands down the dress, keeping them as close to the body as
possible, at the same time sinking to the floor by bending the knees; this has a
smothering effect upon the flames. If
not extinguished, and a great headway is gotten, lie down on the floor, roll
over and over, or better envelope yourself in a carpet rug, bed cloth, or any
other garment you can get hold of, always preferring woollen [sic].
6. If the body is tired,
rest; if the brain is tired, sleep.
7. If the bowels are loose,
lie down in a warm bed, and remain there, and eat nothing until you are well.
8. If an action of the
bowels does not occur at the usual hour, eat not an atom until they do act, at
least for thirty-six hours; meanwhile drink largely of cold water, or hot teas,
and exercise in the open air to the extent of a general perspiration, and keep
this up until things are rightened. This
suggestion, if practised [sic], would save many lives every year, both in the
city and in the country.
9. The three best medicines
in the world are warmth, abstinence, and repose.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 12, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
To Remove Maggots from Wounds.--As a matter of wide-spread interest at
this time, we give place to the following:
Take the leaves, bark, flowers, or berries of the common elder (Sambacus
niger), make a strong tea by pouring boiling water upon them, and letting them
steep. Wash the wounds once or
twice a day with this. Boil some
lard, and, while boiling, stir in elder in considerable quantity, and strain off
through a sieve of coarse cloth. This
makes an ointment for the same purpose. It
is improved by adding one-fourth as much common beeswax as the amount of lard
used.
Antiseptic Powder.--To correct the offensive odors of wounds, mix one
hundred parts of calcined plaster of paris and two parts of coal tar.
Rub well together. Sprinkle
this upon the wound once or twice daily. They
have been fully tested for years in the Bellevue Hospital.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 14, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:
Permit me a little space in your journal to make some acknowledgments for
donations, for the benefit of our soldiers, and more especially for the sick in
our hospitals.
Miss Cobia, of Charleston, sent two sacks of wool, cotton cards, and
other articles. Three dozen pairs
of cotton cards were sent by several ladies of Charleston, Columbia and
Newberry, and a half a dozen pair by Graveley & Pringle.
These I have distributed according to the expressed wishes of the
donors--in every case to those only who were manufacturing clothing for their
sons, husbands, or brothers in the army. The
six pair of cotton cards for the lady in Spartanburg District who, by her own
industry, clothed her four sons in the army of Virginia, I carried to her family
on the day when the mournful tidings arrived that one of these heroic boys had
fallen in battle and in the arms of victory. . . .Jno.
Bachman.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 14, 1862, p. 2, c.4
Medicinal
Barks Wanted.
The barks of the following plants are much wanted in the army, to be
issued to the troops as a preventative of Country Fever:
Bark of the root of the dogwood.
Bark of the wild cherry.
Bark of the willow.
40 cents per pound will be paid for the above articles if properly dried
and delivered to the Medical Purveyor in Charleston.
J. J. Chisolm,
July 9.
Medical Purveyor C. S. A.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 15, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Figures on Dress Parade.--A correspondent makes the following
calculation: 600,000 men would
extend in single ranks 227 3-11 miles, allowing two feet to a man.
In double ranks they would extend 118 7-11 miles, and if formed in a
hollow square, in double ranks, it would measure 28 6-22 miles on each side, and
enclose nearly 807 square miles. They
would stand on 55 35-363 acres, or nearly 1-11 of a square mile, each man
occupying four square feet.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 15, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
"Spirit Rapping" in Georgia.--The Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer
mentions that a "medium," not a thousand miles from that city, has
been in communication with the spirit of a gallant Confederate officer, slain in
battle, and has had a revelation from him that the decisive battle of this war
will be fought in Maryland within the next six weeks, and that before that time
Great Britain (not France) will have intervened.
It is also said that a medium in another county of Georgia has had a
revelation substantially the same.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 18, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Supplies of Postage Stamps.--Much inconvenience has lately been felt
owing to the lack of postage stamps. The Richmond Enquirer says that a large quantity has recently
been received by a foreign arrival, and promises that abundant supplies will
soon be ready for distribution.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 19, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
To Destroy Flies.--Boil arsenic (say one-teaspoonful) in one quart of
water one hour, then bottle it up, and put a little each day in saucers or
plates, adding a little sugar, molasses or honey to attract the flies.
This ought to be renewed each day. By
boiling arsenic one hour, the water will dissolve one part in 40, while, without
this boiling, the quantity dissolved will be only about one part to 600, or 800
parts of water.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 22, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Vegetables
for Our Troops.
Tupelo, July 12, 1862.
To Southern Editors:
Gentlemen: Our fruits and
vegetables are ripening upon their branches, and essential service to our cause
may be effected, by urging in time upon our people the necessity of preserving
that surplus which has been habitually wasted.
No efforts should be spared to save every edible which can be preserved
in such manner and form as will prevent decay, and admit of easy transportation.
Apples, peaches, pears, figs, okra, peppers, &c., can all be readily
and cheaply dried, and would thus materially aid to supply, throughout the year,
not only nutritious food, but that variety in diet which is so essential to
health. Our soldiers require
something more to maintain their manly vigor than the salted meat and badly
cooked bread to which the necessities of our beleaguered land have long and
often reduced their diet. A more
savory and varied diet, which the products of our soil can bountifully furnish,
would more effectually keep our hospitals empty, and our camps free from the
languid and pallid victims of the blood destroying scurvy, than physic and
physicians.
The preservation of fruit can be superintended by our noble women, whose
glorious devotion has already been recorded on the pages of parliamentary
history by the chivalric gentlemen of England.
Let them be informed that they could thus aid to save the lives of more
braves in our camps, and the hearts of more mourners in their homes, than are
killed and wounded by the bullets of low-born Yankees in a bloody battle, and
there need be but little fear that this season will witness our fruits
wastefully destroyed by the stock, or prodigious rotting on the ground.
While loftier motives should prompt their preservation, I am authorized
to add another inducement by Major John J. Walker, whose zeal and talents are
now, fortunately for our soldiers, devoted to them at the post of Chief
Commissary of this Department, where energy, ability, and sympathy with
suffering are so much needed.
He gives his assurances that he will promptly purchase for our soldiers,
at a fair and liberal price all dried (or otherwise preserved) fruits and
vegetables.
It is hoped that these views will meet with your approbation, and will
therefore be pressed upon the public notice.
Very respectfully, your ob't. serv't.
Stanford E. Challie,
Medical Inspector, &c.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 22, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
A New Oil.--Mr. B. Schur announces that he has succeeded in the
production of an oil, to which he has given the name of "Palmetto
Oil," and which for softness and brilliancy, is said to equal the Kerosene
Oil, at a cost of only a quarter of a cent per hour.
See his advertisement in another column.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 23, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
"Sewing Machine Needles, to be Used for the Confederate Soldiers,
Sent by the Ladies of Baltimore."--The officers of the Soldiers' Relief
Association return their heartfelt thanks to the noble, warm-hearted, patriotic
ladies of Baltimore for their valuable and timely present.
Such Southern sisters we must ever be proud to claim.
We feel you are with us, heart and hand; and well do our noble,
courageous Marylanders deserve such fair ones.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 23, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
An Illustrative Anecdote.--It is stated in one of our exchanges that some
Yankee prisoners, taken in the battle of Gaines' Mills, meeting some North
Carolina soldiers near Richmond, said, "You North Carolinians are
everywhere. We meet you in every
fight. We believe you would charge
h-ll with Barlow Knives, if Bethel Hill should give the word."
All honor to the dear old State and her gallant sons!
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 23, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Rice flour.--This article is coming into very general use.
The Atlanta Intelligencer says: "We
have tried it, and, for batter cakes and waffles, there is nothing better. Mix it with corn meal or wheat flour, and it makes excellent
bread. It requires much less lard
than the common meal or flour used alone."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 25, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
About Friction Matches.--The value of the friction or lucifer match will
never be realized by the coming generation, for they will know nothing of the
difficulties of obtaining and preserving fire previous to their invention.
So rapidly do we move on, that persons that remember the tinder-box are
getting old. Then matches made by
hand were valuable and carefully preserved; now they are as abundant as
dew-drops of an autumn morning, and almost as cheap.
An English writer says that one firm, Messrs.. Dixon, of London,
constantly employ four hundred workmen in making matches, and make twenty-two
hundred millions in a year. The
average consumption in England is two hundred and fifty millions a day, or eight
to each individual in the Kingdom. It
is as large or larger in the United States.
There are two manufactories in Austria and Bohemia that turn out
forty-five thousand million in a year. The
friction match is therefore one of the institutions of modern times, and one
that, having once known and employed, we could no more do without and move on at
the rapid rate we are doing, than we could live without air or water.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 29, 1862, p. 2. c. 1
Camp Prices.--A correspondent of the Columbia Guardian, writing from one
of the camps near Richmond, on the 20th inst., says:
War has its financial aspect, as well as public; and the camp prices we
pay may not be devoid of interest to our friends at home.
Some of these that we mention here have come under our personal
observation--the rest we have on the information of friends.
Sugar, $1 a pound; coffee, $2.50 a pound; butter, $2 a pound; eggs, $1 a
dozen; ham, $1 a pound; chickens, $1 a piece; molasses, $6 a gallon; onions, 25c
a piece; cabbage, $1 a piece; brogans, $15; Irish potatos [sic], $16 a bushel;
foolscap paper, $2 a quire; blackberries, 75c a quart; whiskey, $2 a gill--$64 a
gallon; buttermilk, 40c a quart; daily newspapers, 25c a piece; bakers' bread,
20c for a 5c loaf; oats, $4 a bushel; horse-shoeing, $4 the round.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 29, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
Home Made Starch.--A correspondent of the Mobile Register gives the
following recipe for making starch:
In the present state of the corn as good starch can be made of it as any
housewife needs. Grate it from the
ear; mix the pulp thoroughly with cold water, and strain it through a sieve.
Let the liquor settle, and, pouring off the water, which will be
discolored, the starch will be found at the bottom of the vessel in a rather
soft cake, pour on more water, stir it up, and repeat the process.
At each repetition the cake will be found firmer, and when the water
comes off clear, and the starch is free from a pink or yellow tinge on the top,
the process is complete, except drying. I
never knew but one miscarriage, and that was in very warm weather, when the
water was not cold enough, or was allowed to stand too long, and the mass
fermented. A grater can be made
from an old coffee pot or tin bucket, by punching it (outwards) full of holes--a
hammer and nail will answer the purpose--and taking it to a piece of board.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Circular
of the Free Market of Charleston.
Sir: The undersigned, on
behalf of the Executive Committee of the Free Market of Charleston, take the
liberty of calling your attention to the important work, which they have
undertaken, and in which they respectfully ask your earnest cooperation.
The patriotic struggle, in which we are engaged, has its glories and its
triumphs; but it has likewise its trials and its sufferings.
While husbands and fathers nobly perform their duty, in camp and on the
battle field, their families, at home, in too many instances, suffer from the
want even of necessary food.
This evil presents itself most strongly in a crowded city, like
Charleston, where, even in the ordinary course of things, a large proportion of
the population must live, day by day, on the proceeds of their daily labor.
The inhabitants of a city cannot raise their own provisions; they must
purchase them with their earnings. The
stagnation of business, consequent on the blockade, had already greatly
diminished the amount of employment, open to the laboring classes; and the
departure of so many to the war has debarred hundreds of families from any
participation in the small amount remaining.
The greatly enhanced price of provisions has still further aggravated the
evil. The little savings of
families, where any savings existed, are being rapidly consumed.
The mutual charity of the poor towards each other was measured by their
means, and those means are now exhausted. The
fact stares us in the face. Hundreds
of families of our soldiers have not earned, and cannot now earn, the means of
purchasing even the necessaries of life.
Shall they be left to starve? Shall
our soldiers be put to the dreadful test of learning that, while our country
calls them away to the toils of the camp and the perils of war, she leaves their
wives and children, undefended at home, to sink before the assaults of a foe,
more terrible and merciless than any they will meet on the battle field?
It cannot be. Such a
conviction would chill their hearts and paralyze their arms, far more
effectually than any military reverse. A
country, which would allow such a condition of things, is already conquered.
The same evil presented itself in every large city in the South.
First, as is natural, it was seen in the largest--New Orleans.
There it has been met and remedied by the noble charity of the New
Orleans Free Market. For the
character of that work, the generous emulation with which all classes unite to
uphold it, and the good it is doing, we refer to the accompanying extracts, from
he address of our Chairman, Richard Yeadon, Esq., on this subject. Mobile and Savannah have also felt the pressure of the
sufferings of the poor, and are taking steps to establish similar Free Markets.
Here, in Charleston, the disastrous conflagration of December last,
perhaps hastened the coming of the evil, which is not on us in its intensity.
For several weeks past, several gentlemen, members of our Committee, have
been earnestly laboring to establish a Free Market for the relief of the
families of our patriot soldiers. They
have met with such success that we hope, within a few days, to see it opened and
in full operation.
We now appeal to our fellow citizens, both in the city and in the
interior, for their valuable aid; and we solicit from them donations in money,
and in provisions of any and every kind.
We beg that you, sir, will unite with us cordially and earnestly, in this
charitable, necessary and eminently patriotic work, and that you will use your
influence with your neighbors to induce them to do the same.
We specially request that you and they will be pleased to forward to the
nearest Railroad Depot, or such other point as may be deemed suitable, any
articles of provision, which, from time to time, it may not be too inconvenient
to devote to this purpose.
Contributions may be sent, directed to any one of the under named members
of the Executive Committee.
Richard Yeadon,
Chairman.
Rt. Rev. P. N. Lynch,
D. D.
Hon. Henry D. Lesesne.
Rev. A. Toomer Porter.
Rev. John H. Honour.
Benjamin Mordecai.
James Rose.
Rev. Wm. B. Yates.
George W. Williams.
George M. Coffin.
Wm. H. Houston.
James Tupper.
Charleston, April 17th,
1862.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
The Price of Passage to Europe.--A New York letter says:
In view of the advance in gold and the depreciation in the currency, the
various steamship companies have resolved to raise their fares for the outward
trips. The agents of the Great Eastern announce that on and after
the 9th of September the fare will be raised fifteen per cent.
The Cunard line has raised its rate from $130 to $150 for the first
cabin, and from $75 to $90 for second class.
This is to take effect on the first of August.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 31, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Fruits
and Vegetables for Our Troops.
Home, July 27.
To the Editor of the Mercury: Will
you not urge upon our Southern people the necessity of putting up fruits and
vegetables, and drying herbs to send on to our hospitals now, reserving some for
winter use? Every one should now, and as long as the material last, be
making pickles, catsup, drying apples, peaches, figs and any other fruit they
may have. Among the vegetables okra
is easily dried, and lima beans will keep all winter, put away after they have
fully dried on the vines, (a little sassafras will keep the insects away), and
tomatos [sic] can be put up in bottles. Let
each one think for a moment how acceptable all this will be to our soldiers,
from whom vegetables are debarred by the prices asked for them, and none will
hesitate.
Let no one think "It is but little I can do;" but each one go
to work in earnest, and much can be accomplished.
I will give you an easy way of putting up tomatos [sic]:
Wash and cut up the tomatos [sic]; when sufficiently cooked run them
through a sieve or cullender [sic], add salt and a few pods of red pepper, cook
until the consistency of syrup, then bottle and seal.
I sent these to camp all winter, and in the "Boxes from Home"
nothing was more acceptable.
Now, Mr. Editor, so write a piece that will set our people to work.
All they need is that they should be reminded of what is both a pleasure
and duty--working for our soldiers!
Annie.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 31, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Flesh Wounds.--The following recipe for flesh wounds has proved very
efficacious, and is recommended to the Medical Faculty as an experiment.
It has been practically tested by an officer in the French army, who was
wounded in the arm, and in the space of eight days his wound was healed.
It is worth a trial:
Take a linen rag, in which cut small holes throughout, dip it in camphor
oil, and apply it to the wounded parts. Take
finely powdered camphor and sprinkle over the linen--a piece of lint in camphor
salve should then be applied over the wound.
Bandage the part wounded, and apply twice or three times a day.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
A New Tent.--Lieutenant J. A. Letondale, of Company A, Twelfth Alabama
regiment, has obtained a patent for a new style of tent, which, if generally
adopted, promises to be of great advantage to the army.
All the tents at present in use, being designed for the accommodation of
from six to ten men, are heavy and cumbrous, and, in all sudden movements of an
army, either in advance or retreat, are, of necessity, left in the rear.
Mr. Letondale's tent is intended to accommodate but two men; it weighs
but four pounds, and is so constructed that, when struck for a march, it can be
used by its occupants as knapsacks. The
fly and front of the tent may at any time be detached, and, being fitted with an
opening for the head, may be used as a wrapping by the sentry or guard.
On picket duty and on forced marches, in which the baggage is left
behind, this tent will be found to be the long-wished desideratum.
The idea of its construction first occurred to the inventor during the
long campaign at Manassas, and having fabricated one with his own hands, and
tried it during all of last winter, he was emboldened to apply for a patent.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The
Michigan Flag Presented to the State.
The following is the official correspondence between Gov. Pickens and
Gen. Jenkins (late Colonel of the Palmetto Sharpshooters) in relation to the
flag of the 16th Michigan Regiment, captured in the battle of Gaines' Mills, in
which the Yankee regiment was nearly annihilated by the withering fire of our
expert riflemen. The flag is of
blue silk, six feet by four, with a gold fringe, and mounted on a staff which
has lost its spear head in the fight. One
side exhibits the Goddess of Liberty and the inscription, "Stand by the
Constitution and the Union"; the other shows the State Arms of Michigan and
the name, "Stockton's Regiment:" . . .
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Price of Beef in Richmond.--Since the raising of the siege of Richmond
the farmers of Albemarle, Madison, Green, and the neighboring counties, exposed
to raids of the enemy, have hurried their beef cattle to Richmond.
The consequence has been that for three weeks past there has been a glut
in the market, and the wholesale prices of beef have fallen one hundred and
fifty per cent. The butchers are
now offering but nine cents a pound for the very best article.
This decline in an article of prime necessity must be a subject of
congratulation with the people of Richmond were the retail prices equally
affected; but this is not the case. While
offering the farmers only from five to nine cents a pound for their cattle, the
butchers are selling beef at the old famine prices of from forty to fifty cents.
We mention this fact not with the hope of effecting any good, but simply
to put the butchers on record with the hucksters and other extortioners, who
are, in these times of public calamity and private distress, wringing money from
the necessities of the people.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 2, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Cotton Seed Soap.--Put cotton seed into a large and strong iron pot, in
small quantities at a time, mash them well with a wooden pestle, and then pour
in a certain quantity of common ley [lye], and boil thoroughly; strain in an
ordinary sieve, and proceed in the usual way, in drying and cutting into cakes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 4, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, Thursday, July 31.
. . . Many pretty
stories of Southern pluck, as shown in the Chickahominy battles, are going the
rounds here. One is that a Yankee
brigade was stimulated so far as to make "a real bayonet charge" on a
regiment of Texans. The Texans were
so delighted to see the Yankees coming, that they took off their caps and gave
them three rousing cheers. The
Yankees were so completely taken aback by this cool and unexpected reception,
that they tucked tail and travelled [sic].
Fields' brigade, of Hill's division, did cross bayonets with Yankees, and
seventy of our men received the triangular bayonet wound. . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 6, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
Confederate States of America,]
Medical Purveyor's Office,]
Columbia, August 1st, 1862.]
The following prices will be paid for the following Medical Barks and
Roots, if carefully gathered and dried, upon delivery at the Medical Purveyor's
Office, 212 Main-street, Columbia:
Poplar Bark
per lb 10
cts.
*Wild Cherry Bark
80 "
*Dogwood Bark
80 "
*Sassafras Bark
25 "
*Persimmon Bark
25 "
*Willow Bark
20 "
*Slippery Elm Bark
30 "
*Red Oak Bark
10 "
Snake Root
50 "
Blackberry Root
30 "
Queen's Delight Root
25 "
Blood Root 30 "
Bone Sett
10 "
Pleurisy Root
25 "
*The inner bark of the trunk and branches, or the bark of the root, is
required. The outer coarse bark
from the trunk should be removed with a chaiding knife before the inner bark is
peeled off.
J. J. Chisolm,
August 4
mwf8
Medical Purveyor.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 7, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Monday, August 4.
. . . It is touching to see the poor people who come here to look after
their relatives in the army. Some days ago, a gentleman, who has been occupying Gov.
Letcher's house in his absence, in looking out of his window in the morning, saw
two ladies seated under a tree. As
soon as he was dressed, he went out to ascertain something about them, and found
they were two old ladies from one of the mountain counties of Virginia, who had
come down to look after their sons, and who owing to the crowded state of the
hotels, and been compelled to stay under the tree all night.
Each of them had two sons in the army, and of the four they had learned
that two had been killed in the late battles, one was sick in a hospital, and
the last they had been unable to hear from.
But for Mr. Crocker's admirable Army Intelligence Office, these poor
creatures might have had to stay weeks in the city before their mission of love
could be accomplished. As it was,
they were taken promptly into the Govern'rs house, and there comfortably lodged
until the fate of the fourth son is ascertained. . . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 9, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
A Chance to Get Tooth Brushes.--Everybody knows how impossible it has
become, now-a-days, to get a good English tooth brush.
At the recent sale of imported European goods, the lot of tooth brushes,
in consequence of their very great scarcity, excited much competition.
There were many eager bidders from several States of the Confederacy; but
as the people of Charleston and its neighborhood needed the article as much as
our more distant friends, Messrs. Stevenson & Co. were determined that the
brushes should remain here, and purchased the lot at the very extravagant price
of $18.50 per dozen. The purchase
was made with a view to accommodate our people and to supply a universal want.
The brushes will be sold at retail by Messrs. Kenifick & Skrine at a
slight advance on the above cost price.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 11, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Richmond, August 7.
. . . A great deal of
work is behind-hand in departments connected with the War Office, and many
applications come in from lady refugees seeking employment.
It is said that some of these fair sufferers have resorted to the making
of pill boxes for a livelihood.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 12, 1862, p. 1, c. 3-4
Richmond, Friday, August 9.
. . .
Much speculation goes on here and elsewhere in Virginia, mainly in
tobacco. It is said that the
quick-witted tobacconists of that sharp little town, Lynchburg, have "made
a perfect pile" out of their slow brethren in this city and in Petersburg.
Contraband trade with Baltimore through Pope's lines has been active. The way was, at one time, so open that a party of Marylanders
left here to spend a few weeks at Cape may.
Smuggling from other places than Baltimore is extensively done.
I chanced to be in a down-town cross-street store this morning, and found
there something less than a [tear] of army pipes, made of meerschaum [tear] wood
and India rubber--the last being lined with metal.
I saw, besides, small parcels of medicines, toothbrushes, combs and pins.
The owner told me he had run the blockade more than once.
Spite of smuggling, prices are well nigh ruinous.
Matches, for example, command from 50 to 75 cents a box.
Consequently, pipe-smokers are going back to the old fashioned sun-glass.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 14, 1862, p. 1 c. 2
Richmond, Sunday, August 10.
. . . The heat, if
anything, increases in intensity. It
is amusing to see the Capitol Square filled with sleepers at night; some
stripped as if for bed; most of them under trees, but many with their faces
turned up to the brilliant moon. One
is tempted to join these sleepers, and hundreds, who have good beds, would do
so, if there was not a crowd quarrelling around the spring all night long.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 14, 1862, p. 1 c. 3
Richmond, Monday, August 11.
.
. . The like of peddling that is carried on in this city you can hardly
conceive. Every boy, every old
negro woman, and almost every other body who can procure a few bruised apples,
or peaches or pears, a stick or two of candy, three mean segars [sic], a plug
and a half of bad tobacco, a newspaper, a pie, or anything else, immediately
establishes a shelf in a hole in the wall, or a table on the shady side of the
street, and goes to peddling. I saw
a negro boy yesterday, with a bottle tied to a long string, fishing water out of
an unfinished well and selling a drink for five cents.
. . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Manufacture of Soap.--One of the greatest wants of the Confederacy, and
especially of the army, has lately been soap.
We are glad to see that in Richmond the article is now produced to such
an extent as to cause a fall of price from a dollar or more to fifty cents a
pound. A few days ago, says the
Fayetteville Observer, we were presented with a very creditable specimen of
turpentine bar soap, made by a lady of this town, under the direction of a. J.
O'Hanlon, esq. She can turn out 100
pounds a week.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
(Communicated.)
An Incident on the Cars.--Chancing to pass on the down train from
Columbia, a few days since, we witnessed a scene between Orangeburg and
Branchville well worth narrating. A sick soldier, unable to keep his seat, and there being no
ambulance coach (!) with the train, was stretched on the floor, across the
door-way, panting from heat, and wan and wasted by disease, resting his head on
his knapsack. With the committee of
ladies and gentlemen, who got on the train at Orangeburg to look to the comfort
of the sick and wounded, was a fine looking young lady (a refugee), tastefully
though simply attired, who had a basket of phials and bandages, &c.; and
when she entered the door where the poor sick soldier lay, she stooped, and,
with the aid of one of the gentlemen, took immediate charge of him, in the
tenderest and most practical manner. Wine
and milk were given, cologne and other reviving stimulants were in prompt use.
At first she stood stooping over him, fanning him, but when no better
facilities presented themselves, she sat down on the floor, near the head of the
emaciated patriot, and in the most modest and sisterly style bathed his forehead
and cheeks, and fanned him with the utmost patience--all in silence.
There was scarcely a murmur or hum in the cars--all eyes were turned to
the scene--and all hearts were filled with admiration.
Thus, as a ministering angel, did this modest but lovely young lady do
the work of a sister; and, while I lingered near the spot, I thought I could see
the big tears gather in the sick man's eyes as he would turn them to the face of
his amiable and admirable attendant. Some
gentlemen threw some money into her lap, as she sat, heedless of the intense
interest her devotion to the suffering soldier was producing.
She quietly took the cash, and asking the sick man for his purse, she
deposited it therein; and he took the train for Augusta, greatly revived in
appearance, and no doubt the moral advantage to his mind and heart were of the
most propitious nature. There is no
computing the amount of good being done by the good people of Orangeburg in this
way; and, if they had more time, more would be done.
Mr. Peake allows committees of ladies and gentlemen to go down and up, in
attendance on the sick and wounded, free; so what they cannot do at the depot
they try to accomplish on the train, as they go on to Branchville.
I mention no dates or names, for I am sure my young lady friend would
deprecate newspaper notoriety, and I mention the facts simply to indicate to
others the way to do good, and also to demonstrate that our women are still
friends of the suffering, and ready to do all they can to sustain our country in
these days of calamity and peril.
K.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 18, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Portable Soup.--Let veal or beef soup get quite cold, then skim off every
particle of fat; boil it till of a thick glutinous consistence.
Care should be taken not to have the soup burn.
Season it very highly with pepper, salt, mace, and cloves; and a little
brandy or wine, and pour it over earthen platters, not more than a quarter-inch
in thickness; let it be till cold, then cut in three inch square pieces; set
them in the sun to dry, often turning them.
When very dry, place them in tin or earthen vessels, having a layer of
white paper between each layer of cakes. These
directions, if they are carefully attended to, will keep good for a long time.
Whenever you wish to make a soup of them, you have only to put a quart of
water to one cake, and make the water piping hot.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 19, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Attention, Soldiers!--Fill your pockets with dried slippery elm bark when
bout to take up the line of march for the battle field, or for a new encampment.
You will find that chewing it freely will greatly allay both thirst and
hunger. The slippery elm grows in
abundance in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and in Georgia. Our Surgeons call for it as a substitute for Gum Arabic.
It is to be hoped our patriotic and philanthropic friends in the country
will procure an abundant supply for our army.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 26, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Seizure of a Treasonable Bed Quilt.--The Baltimore Sun publishes this
item:
Yesterday afternoon Deputy Marshal Lyon seized, at a house on
Hoffman-street, a magnificently wrought bed quilt, which, it is alleged, was
intended as a present for Jeff. Davis. It is made of silk, and in the centre is a large Confederate
flag, with a white cross in the centre of the blue ground.
In the cross was embroidered "Jefferson Davis, President of the
Southern Confederacy." On other portions of the flag were the names of the
Confederate Cabinet officers and of some of the principal Generals.
It was taken to the Marshal's office, and will be turned over to Gen.
Wool.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Knitting for the Soldiers.--This is an important matter, and one which we
hope will engage the early and earnest attention of all the women of the country
who have it in their power to aid in providing for the wants of our brave
soldiers. The season for cold
weather is rapidly approaching. In a very few weeks our soldiers will require their supplies
of winter clothing. Among the
articles they will need, and which should be furnished them with as little delay
as possible, are good, warm, comfortable socks.
The pittance which the soldiers receive from the Government for clothing,
is not enough to supply them with outer clothing alone; and hence many are
unable to pay for the under clothing which their necessities compel them to
have. Last year at this time, there
were thousands of fair fingers busily employed in knitting for the soldiers,
and, thanks to the untiring efforts of the noble hearted women of the South, the
defenders of the country were as comfortably clad during the last winter, as
could have been expected. Next
winter there will be more than double the number of soldiers in the field that
there was last, and renewed and redoubled exertions will be necessary in order
to prevent suffering in their ranks from the want of sufficient clothing.
It is the duty of those who remain at home to provide for those in the
field, and we feel assured that those who have fathers, husbands, sons, brothers
and friends in the army, will not fail to do all that love, patriotism and duty
require.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 17,1862.
Thanksgiving Day.--Thursday, the 18th inst. (to-morrow), has been
appointed by the President to be observed as a Day of Thanksgiving to Almighty
God for the signal triumphs which have lately everywhere attended the arms of
the Confederacy.
Thanksgiving Service.--Bishop Davis sets forth the following order of
service for next Thursday, to be used in the Protestant Episcopal Churches of
this Diocese:
Morning Prayer to begin with the following sentences:
"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands;
sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.
Say unto God, how terrible art thou in Thy works; through the greatness
of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee."
Then the last of the "Sentences of Scripture," in the Prayer
Book, with what follows, to the "Venite," instead of which use
"The Psalm of Praise After Victory," in the "Form of Prayer to be
used at Sea."
For the Psalter--Psalm 27, 30, and 150.
First Lesson--Deut. 30.
Second Lesson.--Eph.. 6 to v. 20.
The rest of the Morning Prayer, as usual, with the Prayer for the
Congress, the special prayers already set forth by the Bishop, and the last
Collect, in the "Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea," substituting for
"this happy victory," "our late happy victories," and
changing "this" into "these great mercies," and "this
victory" into "these victories."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Directions
for the Use of Rice Flour
The following recipes for making different kinds of bread, with rice
flour, were published many years ago in Charleston, and are vouched for as being
valuable:
To Make Loaf Rice Bread.--Boil a pint of rice soft, and a pint of leaven,
then three quarts of rice flour, put it to raise in a tine or earthen vessel,
until it has risen sufficiently; divide it into three parts, and bake it as
other bread, and you will have three large loaves.
Or scald the flour, and when cold, mix half wheat flour or corn meal,
raised with leaven in the usual way.
Another.--One quart of rice flour--make it into a stiff pap, by wetting
with warm water, not so hot as to make it lumpy; when well wet add boiling
water, as much as two or three quarts, stir it continually until it boils, put
in 1/2 pint of yeast when it cools, and a little salt, knead as much wheat flour
as will make it a proper dough for bread, put it to rise, and then add a little
more wheat flour--let it stand in a warm place half an hour, and bake it.
This same mixture only made thinner and baked in rings make excellent
muffins.
Journey or Jonny [sic] Cake.--To three spoonsful of soft boiled rice, add
a small tea cup of water or milk, then add six spoonsful of rice flour, which
will make a large Jonny cake, or six waffles.
Rice Cakes.--Take a pint of soft boiled rice, a half a pint of milk or
water, to which add twelve spoonsful of the rice flour, divide it into small
cakes and bake them in a brick oven.
Rice Cakes Like Buckwheat.--Mix one-fourth wheat flour to three-fourths
superfine rice flour, and raise it as buckwheat flour, bake it like buckwheat
cakes.
To Make Wafers.--Take a pint of warm water, a teaspoonful of salt, add a
pint of the flour, and it will give you two dozen wafers.
To Make Rice Puffs.--To a pint of the flour, add a teaspoonful of salt, a
pint of boiling water, best up four eggs, stir them well together, put from two
to three spoonsful of lard in a pan, make it boiling hot, and fry as you do
common fritters.
To Make a Rice Pudding.--Take a quart of milk, add a pint of the flour,
boil them to a pap, beat up six eggs, to which add six spoonsful of Havana
sugar, and a spoonful of butter, which, when well beaten together, add to the
milk and flour, grease the pan it is to be baked in, grate nutmeg over the
mixture and bake it.
Rice Flour Sponge Cake.--Make like sponge cake, except that you use 3/4
of a pound of rice flour, thirteen eggs, leaving out four whites and add a
little salt.
Rice Flour Blanc Mange.--Boil one quart of milk, season it to your taste
with sugar and rose water, take 4 tablespoonsful of the rice flour, mix it very
smooth with cold milk, add this to the other milk while it is boiling, stirring
it well. Let all boil together
about fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally, then pour it into moulds and put
it by to cool. This is a very
favorite article for invalids.
Rice Griddle Cakes.--Boil one large cup of whole cold rice quite soft, in
milk, and while hot stir in a little wheat flour or rice flour, when cold add
two eggs, and a little salt, bake in small thin cakes on the griddle.
In every case in making rice flour bread, cake, or pudding, a well boiled
pap should be first made of all the milk and water and half the flour, and
allowed to get perfectly cold before the other ingredients are added.
It forms a support for them and prevents the flour from settling at the
bottom, stir the whole a moment before it is set to cook.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Richmond, Wednesday, September 16.
. . . We now have
factories of matches, envelopes and blacking in this city.
One firm alone makes 40,000 envelopes a day.
Salt is still very high--85 cents a pound, about $60 a sack, by
wholesale, I am told. Adamantine candles $1.75 a pound. . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 29, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, Wednesday, September 24.
. . . A new literary
paper, the Magnolia, will shortly appear in this city.
The vilest liquor that ever went down the neck of man is now sold here in
plenty of laces at fifty cents a drink. Reported
that a genuine case of yellow fever, resulting in death, occurred here on
yesterday. White shirts are rapidly disappearing from this scene, and
garments fabricated from Jacob's coat, Rachel's frock, or whatever will resist
dirt and reduce washerwomen's bills, are coming into vogue.
Weather brilliant, cloudless, bracing.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
From
the Northern Papers.
Charleston
in War Times--As Seen by a Yankee Lady.
The New York Journal of Commerce prints the following as the
substance of a conversation with Mrs. Livingston, of New York, who was brought
from Savannah under a rebel flag of truce, after a sojourn of several months in
Dixie:
Mrs. Livingston, whom I find to be a very intelligent lady (and who is
the wife of a Captain in the Federal army), says she has been treated with
uniform kindness and respect since her detention in the South, which dates back
to the commencement of the war. From personal observation, she believes Savannah may be
taken, but Charleston, never. . . . There is no property, except real estate,
within a dozen miles of Charleston. All
the furniture, stores, and indeed everything moveable, was sent into the
interior immediately after the battle of James Island.
Two provision stores only remain. Many
of the inhabitants reside about three miles outside the City, in barracks
similar to soldiers, and use only the most indispensable and cheapest kind of
furniture. No Sabbath day services
are held in any of the Charleston churches; all the church bells have been cast
into cannon, and even the iron railings and fences have been collected together
and made into cannon. It is
regarded as a mistaken idea that there are Union men in the South.
Mrs. Livingston does not believe there is one.
She never saw a people so united and so determined.
There is not a lady in the entire Confederacy who owns fifty dollars
worth of jewelry. It has
voluntarily been given for the cause, and the proceeds have built many of their
finest boats. The blockade is
ineffectual; she has seen three steamers enter Charleston harbor on one day--and
during a short visit at Charleston, one steamer made three trips to Nassau, N.
P., bringing medical stores enough to last the entire army a full year. Nothing but the most common qualities of wearing apparel can
be obtained--and shoes are very expensive--the pair she wore, worth about one
dollar and a half costing in Savannah twelve dollars. Necessary provisions were cheap, but the luxuries were very
expensive. A free market has been
opened in Charleston where anybody could procure, on application, three pounds
of fresh beef and a half a peck of potatos [sic] per day.
Besides the heavy war and State tax, every male resident of the
Confederacy is taxed two dollars per year for the support of the families of
soldiers. . . . Very few slaves were to be found in Savannah or Charleston--they
were so scarce as not to be procured for servants, even when one dollar and a
half per day was offered for them. . . . Boys of eight and ten years of age were
formed into "Home Guards" at Charleston and Savannah, and had acquired
so much skill in the use of arms as to be able to hit a mark formed in the shape
and size of a man at a distance of thirty rods.
These precocious defenders, it is said, were to mount sheds and fences,
when the cities were invaded, and shoot down the Yankees.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
A Growing Evil.--The free people of color in Charleston are, in general,
an orderly and very respectable class; but the present anomalous condition of
our city affairs is, and for some time has been, made the occasion for daily
promenades of colored street-walkers in the most public streets.
It is high time that it were summarily checked.
Some of these women are seen riding about the city in hired carriages,
making purchases at the stores, and occasionally have gone so far as to have
hacks at church to ride off after the services.
We have been repeatedly requested to bring this nuisance to the attention
of the city government, and to urge, for the sake of public decency, the
nuisance be abated.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 1, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Nurses Wanted.--Nurses, male or female, white or colored, are wanted
immediately to go to the relief of our sister city, Wilmington, N.
C. Apply to the Office of
the City Registrar, between 10 o'clock, a. m., and 2 o'clock p.m.
By order of the Mayor:
W. H. Smith, C. C.
September 26
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 6, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Richmond, Wednesday, October 1.
. . .All manner of
contrivances to smuggle liquor into the city are practised [sic].
An instance is mentioned of a gentleman who brought in a churn of apple
brandy dressed in a full suit of girls' clothes.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 8, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Clothing
for Our Troops.
. . . The women of the
South last fall clothed the armies then in the field; but to do it this fall
will be a much more difficult undertaking.
Although they may still do much, they cannot accomplish it.
And, although it is now late for the Government to begin what should have
been attended to last spring, prompt and systematic energy on the part of the
War Department may yet do much to ensure the health and good condition of our
troops during the severest portion of the approaching winter. . .
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 8, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Saturday, October 4.
. . . .The latest
Yankee notion is "Gunjah-Wallah, or Hashish Candy."
What next? Assafoetida pound
cake and Epsom Salts ice cream?
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 8, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
The Jewish citizens of Wilmington, now in Fayetteville, have raised
$1,100 for the relief of their suffering city.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 11, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
The Graniteville Factory--Liberality.--Mr. Wm. Gregg, President of the
Graniteville Factory Company, has recently given $7000 to the working people and
poor of Graniteville and vicinity. The Company has uniformed one military company from Edgefield
District complete; it has contributed $3000 towards equipping another; and Mr.
William Gregg, Jr., has given Miss Buie 150 yards of shirting for the soldiers.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 13, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Wednesday, October 8.
. . . Brown Windsor and
honey soaps are now manufactured here by a Monsieur Garcia.
Sugar is plentiful and falling in price.
Tobacco is thought to be the best of all investments, except negros
[sic]. [sic] Many marriages are talked of, among them that of the most
distinguished widow in the city. Days
warm and cloudless; nights lovely with the harvest moon, and hideous with
musquitos [sic] and cats.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 15, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
The
Plunderers in Louisiana.
The Montpelier (Vt.) Journal contains a letter from a Vermont soldier in
Louisiana, describing the manner in which the plantation of General Richard
Taylor, of the C. S. A., a son of old Zach, was "confiscated."
After mentioning that the slaves, 150 in number, were carried off, the
Yankee warrior adds: [description of foraging, etc.]
You and every one may be thankful that you are out of the reach of
plundering armies. Here are whole
families of women and children running in the woods--large plantations entirely
deserted--nothing left except slaves too old to run away--all kinds of the best
mahogany furniture broken to pieces. Nothing
is respected."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 15, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The
Confederate Flag.
To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:
It speaks well for the good taste of our people that they are not
satisfied with any one of the scores of designs for flags, conformed to the
rules of the heraldry of the Old World, or made up of unmeaning crosses, bars,
diagonals, shields, etc. A simple flag, with the inscription--Confederate States of America--would
probably answer every purpose of which a flag is used, and be in better taste
than many of the elaborate designs proposed.
Flags, like national hymns, ought to be born of inspiration; or they
should bear insignias which have been consecrated by association; or represent a
prominent idea of the times. Failing
of these, they should be characterized by extreme simplicity.
The present flag--the Stars and Bars--has the advantage of association,
but is condemned by its resemblance to the United States flag.
The design appropriate to the idea of chivalry would, probably, be more
generally gratifying to the Southern mind than any other.
The horse is the emblem, and we cannot spare the horse from our flag.
But the soul of chivalry is woman. The
genius of our Confederacy is woman. She
taught us honor, and inspired us with courage to dissolve the old Union.
She has toiled much, and made many sacrifices for the success of our
cause; and it is now submitted to a chivalrous people whether the design of a
woman on horseback is not the design
for our flag. Leave it to the
genius of the artist to drape the figure, and create a face which shall embody
the Southern idea of Southern women. But
it is here suggested that her proud head shall not be ensconced in a Red
Republican cap, but be allowed to grace a crown--queen, as she is--inscribed, Confederate States of America;
each point of the crown to represent a State.
The design would be as appropriate for the Confederate Seal also.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 15, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
A Few Words About Chicory.--Chicory, Succory (Cichorium Intybus), a
perennial herbaceous plant, indigenous to Europe, but naturalized in this
country. It has been found that the
root, cut into thin slices, roasted and ground, is an admirable substitute for
coffee; and, when combined with the latter in the proportion of two to one,
improves the flavor of coffee very much. In
these blockade times, when none but the wealthy can indulge in pure coffee, the
chicory will be found to answer all its purposes.
Chicory is used to a great extent in Europe, and throughout Germany
coffee is scarcely ever prepared without the addition of a portion of it.
Several of our own citizens are now using chicory, and speak of it in the
highest terms.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 15, p. 2, c. 2
Yankee
Atrocities in Florida.
The Savannah papers contain the particulars of the recent doings of the
Yankees at St. Augustine, Florida, as related by a lady, who, with her family of
five little children, was recently banished from that place.
She gives an account of the Yankee atrocities towards the people of St.
Augustine, and of the hardships she had to encounter in her efforts to reach her
home in Savannah.
In the early part of September a meeting of the citizens of St.
Augustine, male and female, from the age of fourteen years and upwards, was
ordered, by Gen. Saxon, to assemble at the Presbyterian Church.
The meeting being assembled at the appointed time, Col. Beard, of the
Provost Guard, opened his address as follows:
"I do not know whether to address you (alluding to the ladies
present), as ladies or women, as all
Broadway crinolined women are called ladies!"
It was soon ascertained, from the speaker's remarks, that the object of the
meeting was to have the oath of allegiance to the United States administered.
A guard was stationed at the door to prevent any from leaving.
Those who refused to take the oath were required to go in the
galleries--some two to three hundred men, women and children.
The others were furnished with certificates and allowed to depart.
Those from the galleries were then called down to receive, as Col. Beard
termed it, their "benediction." They
were forced to register their names, together with the number of their
respective residences. This having
been gone through with, he told them that when he was ready he would give all
the women and children among them who had relatives in the Confederacy "a
free ride across the lines."
He then gave orders to the guard to permit the ladies to pass to their
homes. Their residences were duly
labeled, and about a week after the meeting, wagons were sent for their baggage,
and these banished people were taken on board a transport.
The steamer left for the St. John's river with some fifty families--about
150 women and children huddled together, without a bed to rest on, or any
accommodations whatever, and kept two and a half days outside without food or
water save what they took with them, and in their sea sickness were refused even
water to drink. Fearing to enter
the St. John's, as our informant supposes, they were taken back to St.
Augustine, and when near that place it was ascertained that the vessel was
leaking badly, having some four feet of water in the hold.
It was supposed on board that the negros [sic] had attempted to scuttle
the vessel in order to drown the "Secesh."
Our informant, who was among the sufferers, having been furnished a pass
which had been some time previously promised here, was placed with her young
charge and her baggage in a cart and taken across the country to the St. John's
River. The cart having broken down
several times on the way, they were forced to walk and seek shelter in a negro
cabin, with nothing but the naked floor to sleep upon--their feet and limbs sore
and bruised, and their dresses torn by briars.
Arriving at St. John's, they were taken across to a small boat, where
they procured another cart and reached the railroad at Trail Ridge.
They were, after severe suffering, some ten days in their trouble to get
to our lines.--Taking the railroad, they came by way of Lake City, and reached
this city, to the great joy of themselves and their friends, Saturday last.
Gen. Mitchell sent notice from Hilton Head to St. Augustine, previous to
her leaving, that he would send a boat to that place and take all the ladies who
had refused to take the oath to Jacksonville.
She states that the poor of St. Augustine are regularly furnished by the
Federals with rations; but it was reported they intended soon to stop the
supply. The troops are respectful
to the ladies in passing them in the streets, and are very orderly.
. . . No articles of silver or gold will be allowed to leave St.
Augustine in the baggage of those who are sent away, which is regularly
searched, in order to prevent them getting into the hands of Confederates to be
coined into money. Groceries of all
kinds are selling at very low figures, for gold or silver only.
She saw no paper currency in circulation.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 16, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
Yankee
Outrages in Louisiana.
The Raleigh Church Intelligencer
publishes the following private letter from a lady living on a Mississippi river
plantation in the Southwest. The editor vouches for the trustworthiness of his
correspondent:
Elkridge, August 31.
. . . Don't believe
Butler's lies about "Union sentiments" and loyal citizens there.
If there is a place where the Federals are most detested, it is here in
Louisiana. In New Orleans the
ladies never go out of their houses if they can help it, and then are always
armed as, in all parts of the State exposed to their inroads, the women are.
I believe I am the only woman in this community who has not arms and does
not know how to use them, and I think I could shoot too on an emergency, only I
have such a distaste to weapons that I think I would rather be killed than to
kill anybody. I would not shoot in
defence of life, but I would of honor. . .
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 16, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Soldiers'
Rest at Greenville, S. C.
The Ladies' Aid Association, of Greenville, has been, in proportion to
its means, one of the most efficient in the State.
Rising two thousand dollars have been given and expended since its
formation, and an untiring industry displayed in making garments for the
soldiers. It was organized July
19th, 1861, and has carried through its objects with quiet energy, distributing
money, clothing and provisions in every available channel.
After sending large supplies, from time to time, to Virginia and other
places, it was thought expedient to study the wants of our soldiers here, and,
with this view, a Wayside Table was furnished, in the summer, at the Station.
This was bountifully supplied, and regularly attended by the ladies, who
would cheerfully have continued their pleasant duty, but it was ascertained from
the soldiers themselves that the liberal supply at Greenwood rendered Greenville
refreshments superfluous.
In view of expected attacks on our seacoast, where so many of our
mountaineers are stationed, who may be returned sick or wounded, the
Association, within the last month, have established a Soldiers' Rest,
superintended by the Lady Directors in person.
Already twenty sick or weary soldiers have found food and lodging on
their homeward way, and some who were destitute of means have been assisted to
pay travelling [sic] expenses. The
Soldiers' Rest is pleasantly situated on College, near Buncombe street, and a
conveyance is provided by the Association to convey the sick from the cars to
the spot.
Greenville being the terminus of the railroad, travellers [sic] are
subject to delay; under these circumstances, the ladies are desirous that no
sick, or wounded, or indigent soldier, who requires aid, may pass to his home
without a helping hand being extended to him, gratefully remembering that our
armies are giving the strength of their manhood to protect the women and
children of the Confederacy.
A Refugee.
Greenville, S. C., October 4.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 21, 1862, p. 1, c. 1-2
Richmond, Friday, October 17.
. . . The Medical
Purveyor's Office in this city, admirably managed by Dr. Johns, is well worth a
visit. It is an immense
establishment, and has done and is still doing an enormous amount of work.
Its supplies are derived mainly from England, and the clerks tell me the
English preparations are so superior to those of the Yankees that even the
English bottles can be told in the dark by their feel and finish.
The medical stores captured by Jackson in Winchester, when he routed
Banks, have helped us out greatly. Among
the good things supplied to Yankee soldiers, are prepared soup and coffee.
A spoonful of the one put into hot water makes a splendid, rich vegetable
soup in five minutes; a spoonful of the other, used in the same way--both are in
the form of powder--makes an excellent cup of coffee, already sweetened and
creamed, complete in all respects, and far better than you get at hotel and
boarding house tables.
Next door to the Purveyor's, in Pearl street, is the Clothing House of
the Quartermaster's Department, another great establishment.
Here, every morning, may be seen a throng of servant girls, little white
girls and boys, poor women of the city, and even buggies from the country, all
in quest of bundles of soldiers' clothing, which are cut out and sent to all
parts of the city and suburbs to be sewed. . . .
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 22, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
To Keep Apples for Winter Use.--Put them in casks or bins in layers well
covered with dry sand, each layer being covered.
This preserves them from the air, from moisture, and from frost; it
prevents their perishing by their own perspiration, their moisture being
absorbed by the sand; at the same time it preserves the flavor of the apples,
and prevents their wilting. Pippins
have been kept in this manner sound and fresh til mid-summer; and how much
longer they would have kept is not known. Any
kind of sand will answer, but it must be perfectly dry.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 22, 1862, p. 2, c. 4
The
Very
Best
Substitute
for
Coffee
is
Chicory.
Try
it!
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 25, 1862, p. 2, c. 4
The
Great
Substitute
for
Coffee
Everybody
is Using It.
Chicory.
Chicory.
Chicory.
Chicory.
Can be used with safety.
Has a delightful flavor.
It improves poor Coffee.
Can be had at a Low Price.
Originally imported here.
Really good and nutritious.
You must give it a trial.
Chicory.
Chicory.
Chicory.
N.B. To Accommodate the
Public, I shall open a few bags of this desirable Article, and sell, at Retail,
in parcels of not less than Ten Pounds Each.
Send at once.
For sale by
Philip Wineman,
No. 29 Hayne Street.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
The
Wants of Our Soldiers.
To the Editor of the Mercury: The
representation of the condition and necessities of our Army in Northern
Virginia, contained in the correspondence of the Savannah Republican, lately
copied into your paper, must create a profound and painful sensation throughout
the country. It is not to be
supposed that they are exaggerated, for the writer, as an eye witness, speaks of
what he knows. Three remarks are
induced thereby.
1. It is almost impossible
for private enterprise to supply the want, for the simple reason that the
necessary material for clothing and shoes can, in many places, not be procured
at all, and, in all others, can only be had at such prices as absolutely
preclude their purchase, except by the wealthy, who constitute, of course, very
much the smaller number of those interested.
The materials, as fast as manufactured or brought into the country, have
been taken up by the Government, or by speculators who are co-operating with the
public enemy, and accomplishing even more than himself towards the end he seeks.
Having occasion recently for so much grey cloth as would make a suit for
a private in the service, and being unable to obtain any nearer home, search was
made, through a friend, in your city, and the only chance of success proved to
be, in purchasing at seven dollars per
yard, a whole piece of thirty yards,
of a very coarse article, worth ordinarily, perhaps, one dollar.
Raw wool cannot be had, else the cloth could be woven in our hand looms.
The only course that remains is to take to pieces such blankets as have
not already been given to the army, and from the wool thus obtained, mixed with
cotton, manufacture the needed cloth. But
this resource must soon be exhausted. . . .
3. But is it really true
that the Government is not able to supply these necessities?
A gentleman, careful in his statements, who recently visited Richmond,
reported, on his return, that there was in the government warehouses of that
city the largest abundance of winter clothing, a good suit of which, for a
private, would be furnished at the cost of fourteen dollars; that at one point
on the way several large stores were entirely filled with blankets belonging to
the War Department; and that at a recent sale of imported goods over $40,000
worth of flax thread had been purchased for government use, in the manufacture
of clothing for the army. The
woolen manufactories, the tan yards, the shoe factories throughout the country
refuse to furnish anything towards the supply of the private necessities of
families or plantations, on the ground that they are in the employment of the
Government, and under contracts enforced by stern obligations, which exhaust
their utmost capacities for production.
C.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
October 31, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Hibernian
Hall.
Saturday
Night, Nov. 1st, 1862.
Grand
Opening Night
of
Keeper's
Southern
Harmonians!
Mammoth
Troupe of the World!
This company consists of Southern talent, and each member has served in
the Confederate Army, and their desire is to give Concerts for the Benefit of
the Sick and Wounded Soldiers.
Free concert at the Hall every evening before the doors are opened by the
Brass Band.
Don't fail to see Jim Wood and Guss Frank, the great Southern favorites.
For further particulars see small bills.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 5, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Aged Industry.--We have been shown by a friend a sample of check
homespun, the cotton of which was carded spun and woven by an aged and venerable
lady in Marion District, whose grand-children had planted and picked the raw
material. The indigo with which the
homespun is dyed was also made by the industrious lady, who has nearly completed
here three-score and ten. Surely
when such work can be accomplished by the aged, and with the great staple in
abundance, there is no reason why homespuns should be selling at fabulous
prices, nor why younger fingers with an average share of industry, might not
supply the wants of an army.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 8, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Fearful
Catastrophe.
Jackson, Miss., November 5.--Shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon the
building used as a cartridge manufactory, having a large amount of powder stored
in it, exploded with a fearful concussion.
Of its occupants, boys, girls and young ladies, not one escaped.
There were certainly not less than thirty in number, and possibly
more.--Cause of explosion unknown.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 8, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Color for the Brooks Artillery.--A beautiful flag, which the
"patriotic ladies of Charleston" have had worked for the Brooks
Artillery by the accomplished embroiderer, Mrs. Schuckmann, is now to be seen at
Schuckmann's store, in King street. It
was begun some time ago, and could not be finished before, as the materials
could not be got in the Confederacy, and had to be sent for to Paris.
It is a peculiar and handsome banner.
The ground is of a dark red, rather approaching the new-fashioned French
color, magenta. On one side is
worked, in beautifully shaded green silk, a wreath of bay and oak leaves, tied
below with a blue ribbon. In the
interior of the wreath is worked, in gold colored silk letters, the names of the
battles, previous to that of Sharpsburg, in which this gallant company has been
engaged. On the other side is the
emblematic Palmetto tree, with the dauntless rattle snake coiled around the foot
of the trunk; and a crescent in the upper flag staff corner.
The crescent, like the tree, is worked in golden colored silk, which
contrasts beautifully with the crimson ground.
The cord and tassels are very handsome.
The staff is made of wood from the flag staff at Fort Sumter, which was
shot away by the battery of Fort Moultrie during the bombardment.
This flag, in its general appearance, is, I am told, very much like one
that waves over the tomb of the Great Napoleon, "Aux Invalides," in
Paris.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 12, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Primitive Currency.--The Swedish Iron Manufacturing Company, of South
Carolina, announce that they will exchange iron and nails at their works, for
bacon, leather, flour and corn, as follows:
2 pounds Nails for 1
lb. Bacon.
6
" "
for 1 lb. Leather.
1
" "
for 2 lbs. Flour.
5
" "
for 1 bushel Corn.
8 pounds Iron for 1 lb.
Bacon.
10
" "
for 1 lb. Leather.
1
" "
for 1 lb. Flour.
10
" "
for 1 bushel Corn.
Nails and iron will also be exchanged for wheat, cotton and woollen [sic]
cloths.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 13, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
The physicians and nurses who went from this city to the assistance of
Wilmington, during the epidemic, have all returned, the necessity for their
services no longer existing.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 13, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
The yellow fever still lingers in Wilmington.--The Journal announces that
five new cases and two deaths occurred on Monday.
The Howard Association held a meeting on Monday evening and adopted the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Association are due and are hereby
tendered to Drs. Choppin, Wragg, North, Huger, White, Seabrook, Trescot and
Cooper, who came to our aid during the late epidemic, giving to us freely the
advantage of their experience and skill in combatting [sic] the fearful disease
which was ravaging our community.
Resolved, That our thanks are also due to Messrs. Cox, Valieau, Schaffer,
Jackson and Stephenson, druggists, who volunteered their services at a time when
such services were very much needed, if, indeed, they were not absolutely
indispensable.
Resolved, That we feel deeply grateful for the services of the corps of
nurses from Charleston, who, under the energetic direction of Mr. Schouboe,
rendered us such efficient aid. To
Mr. Schouboe himself this community is under especial obligations, which we take
pleasure in gratefully acknowledging, we are also under many obligations to Rev.
Dr. Corcoran, of Charleston, and to the ladies from the Convent of our Lady of
Mercy in that city, who have been with us during the period of our deepest
affliction. We tender them our warmest thanks. Our thanks are also due to Judge O. M. Olin, of Augusta, Ga.,
for his efficient and disinterested services freely rendered to us during our
late difficulties.
Resolved, That, as citizens of Wilmington, we tender our thanks to our
sister communities for the promptness and liberality with which they came to our
aid at a time when aid was so much needed.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 15, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Shoes
for Our Soldiers.
The Richmond Whig, in noticing the fact that the winter is opening in
Virginia with unexampled severity, makes a touching appeal to the humanity and
patriotism of the people of the South in behalf of our shoeless soldiers.
It is terrible to think that hundreds--nay, thousands--of our brave
troops--our sons and brothers and friends--who are suffering that we may be
comfortable--are in this bitter weather without the comforts of negros [sic], of
paupers, or even of convicts in the penitentiary--are literally barefooted in
the snow. Shame, shame on those who
have failed to prevent this, and on those who now permit it!
There is something more important and pressing for the people now to do
than sit in judgment on delinquent officials, and that is, to do what they can
to supply the neglects of their public agents. The condition of the army is heart-rending.
The people must come to the rescue. Men
who have fought and suffered as they have done, must not be neglected by those
who stay at home. Let each citizen
resolve, the moment he reads this, to furnish one or more pairs of shoes; or, if
they cannot be had, something else that will serve to shield a soldier from
suffering. If you haven't it, buy
it, no matter at what price, if you can pay for it; for it is better to fill the
pockets even of the most heartless speculator, than that this disgraceful
condition of things should continue an hour.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 15, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Bread.--The Bakers of this city are now charging twenty
cents for loaves of bread which were formerly sold for five
cents!
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 17, 1862, p. 1, c. 2-3
Richmond, Tuesday, November 13.
. . . Fifteen thousand
dollars have already been subscribed by the citizens and others for the army.
All the prominent people paid readily and liberally, except Mr.
Memminger, who, according to the Examiner, "denounced the movement as a
reflection upon the Government." The
President, while handing in $50, remarked, facetiously, that he had two pairs of
boots, one of which he would give, if necessary, and the other pair, also; but,
for the fact that he had become so unaccustomed to going barefoot, that he was
afraid to attempt it in cold weather. Mr.
Benjamin had just been informed that 11,000 pairs of shoes had gone up to Lee's
army, and that the barefoot soldiers consisted only of those who sold their
shoes for whisky, or threw them away in order to be sent to the rear. Yet it has been only a fortnight since Gen. Randolph
telegraphed the fact that the Government needed all the assistance it could get,
or something tantamount to that.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 17, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Shoes for the army.--Diligent inquiry has resulted in the development of
the fact that there is not in the city of Richmond--the seat of Government and
headquarters of the army of the Confederate States--an establishment where shoes
are made for the army.
Shoes are cut out and distributed around the city and country, wherever a
chance cobbler may happen to live, and no system or regularity exists in regard
to the matter. Leather is to be
had, but it is not used up, and yet the cry is for "shoes."
Nor has there been any regular detail made of shoemakers from the army,
such as the Secretary of War is authorized to make. But, when the soldiers were marching bare-footed through our
streets, a few days since, there were in the quartermaster's Department, in
Richmond, shoes enough to have supplied every one of them, but they could not be
obtained except by regular requisition, with the name of the applicant stated
most particularly, and every i dotted an every t crossed, lest, perchance, some
well fed and well clothed quartermaster, who is responsible
for these things, should not be able to make his accounts balance in his report
at the end of the month.--Richmond Examiner, 13th.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 18, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Copperas in North Carolina is made in Cleveland and Johnston counties,
and alum is found in McDowell county and elsewhere.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 19, 1862, p. 1, c. 1-2
Vernonsville, November 14.
. . . The corn crop has
been gathered, but it has not proved a full average with us.
There is little or no cotton to take care of; and, unfortunately for the
lovers of the weed, little or no tobacco has been made for our home use;
consequently, a common article will bring two dollars per pound.
Farmers are now sowing their wheat, and, in the absence of blue stone,
some are resorting as a substitute to one thing, and some to another; but strong
lye of ashes from the fireplace is thought to be best.
You cannot buy wheat here under six dollars per bushel, and very inferior
at that. Rye cannot be obtained
either for sowing or as a substitute for coffee.
There is a pretty good stock of hogs in the country.
Cattle are becoming scarce, and sell very high.
The number of sheep have been greatly reduced by dogs--wool will sell
readily at from one dollar and fifty to two dollars per pound.
There is great demand for it, but it cannot be obtained.
Yarn is also in very great demand, as I am told by those who go to the
factories to purchase it, that they sometimes find from two to three hundred
people there waiting for the hour of sale to arrive. It is selling now at three dollars per bunch, of five pounds.
This great demand for factory yarn is caused, in a great measure, by the
want of cotton cards. Here was
exhibited a great deficiency of common sense or foresight in those who conduct
affairs, in not having imported at the proper time a full supply of cards for
our women. Had this been done, it
would greatly have curtailed the enormous and unconscionable price not demanded
by the cormorant proprietors of any of the cotton factories.
Nevertheless, the women of our country are doing the best they can to
obviate the many difficulties in their way, and, with cheerfulness, forego the
comforts and conveniences they enjoyed before the war.--There is a loom and
spinning wheel in every house and cabin, and there is great activity in making
domestic cloth of all kinds; and there is a great deal made, and much of it of
excellent quality. After supplying
the wants of their families at home and their sons and brothers in the army,
with good thick jeans and linseys, many sell the remainder at the villages to
purchase more yarn to make more cloth--and so they go on.
I have never before known as much cloth of different kinds to be made in
the country. Good jeans have been
selling at four, and linseys at three dollars per yard.
God bless our precious mothers, wives, and sisters!
Always susceptible of happy influences, how could the present glorious
struggle for home, liberty and honor, fail to give new spirit and vigor to their
patriotic and devoted affections? They
say they want peace--and would gladly embrace it; but never, no, never in a
Union with Yankeedom--they want a separation, total and everlasting.
. . .
W.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 19, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Confederate Candle.--This rivals the rush in simplicity, and far exceeds
it in serviceableness. To make it, melt together a pound of beeswax and a quarter of
a pound of rosin, or turpentine fresh from the tree.
Prepare a wick thirty or forty yards long, made up of three threads of
loosely spun cotton. Saturate
this well with the mixture, and draw it through your fingers to press all
closely together, and to keep the size even.
Repeat the process until the candle attains the size of a large straw or
quill; then wrap it around a bottle, or into a ball with a flat bottom.
Six inches of this candle elevated above the rest will burn for fifteen
minutes, and give a pretty light, and forty yards have sufficed a small family a
summer for all the usual purposes of the bed chamber.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 19, 1862, p. 2, c. 4
Choice New Goods, just received per steamer from Europe, on sale this
day, at Bissell's, corner King and Wentworth sts.
Shoes! Shoes!
Shoes!
300 pairs Oxonian's shoes, 250 pairs Spanish Shoes, 200 pairs Men's
Bluchers, 100 pairs Lace Shoes, 100 pairs Button Gaiters, 100 pairs French Side
Calf, 75 pairs Slides (for men), 150 pairs Men's Boots, 100 pairs Boys' Boots,
80 pairs Bluchers, 200 pairs Shoes (assorted), 45 pairs Balmorals, 120 pairs
Ladies' Gaiters, 75 pairs Ladies' English Gaiters, 50 pairs Ladies' Calf
Gaiters, 35 pairs Enamelled [sic] Shoes.
The above Shoes are the best assorted lot in the "Confederate
States."
Also, Prime lot of calf and kip skins.
20 Calf Skins. 100 Kip Skins.
For sale at Bissell's, Corner King and Wentworth streets.
November 19
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 21, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
How to knit a worsted cap for the soldiers.--Put on 150 stitches, and
knit, ribbed, one finger and a quarter's length.
Take off for the head-piece, eighty-one stitches, and knit a finger's
length, as you would the heel of a stocking; then take off thirty-three
stitches, and knit nearly a finger's length, narrowing each side until all the
stitches are taken off. Then take up the stitches as you would the foot of a sock,
and knit as on a sock until you have one hundred and twenty-six stitches left on
the needles. After narrowing, knit
a few rows round, and bind off.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 22, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
A
Plea for the Poor.
To the Editor of the Mercury: If
your valuable journal is not over crowded with better matter, I beg you to
insert this plea for the poor.
Sometimes, I fear that in the great anxiety which we feel for ourselves
in reference to the possible contingencies of a long and consuming war, we may
forget that there are those who are now actually reduced to more extreme necessities.
Remember, kind parent, while you contemplate the exigency of having to
leave a dear family without your fond attention.
Then reflect upon the lone, aye, needy families, whose stay or support
have been many months battling for your
security. See you not that they are already comfortless, houseless,
hungry and cold? Fold your tender
daughter in your arms, and by the love you bear her,
as you would screen her from want and
shame, so open your heart towards "sorrow's child" and give.
Remember, when, in ordinary times, you
even shivered around your cosy [sic] firesides, reminded by the whistling winds
without of the sufferers near you in their discomfort.
Did you not then hasten off from a luscious breakfast next morning and
drop a gift into the hand of the cheerless and needy?
O, then! do not let selfish
prudence make you indifferent, now that the occasion calls louder for your
sympathy. Then, wood was from $5 to
$6 per cord, now from $18 to $20; flour 6 to $8 per barrel, now 40 to $45; bacon
10 to 12 1/2 cents, now 65 to 70 cents; beef 10 to 12 1/2, now 30 to 37 cents;
sugar 8 to 10 cents per pound, now 50 to 60 cents (and no coffee or molasses);
material to clothe themselves and children, from 12 to 20 cents per yard, now
from $2 to $3; shoes from 75 cents to $1 per pair, now from $8 to $15.
Then the fathers and brothers of most families earned from $4 to $5 per
day, now father and brothers in the army, and mother
finds no work even for her needle. Come,
then, in the name of Him who left the poor with you, who lived and taught a life
of love and benevolence, to whom you look for eternal life, and who pronounced
blessings upon those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked and visited the sick;
come, and out of your abundance cast in your mite, for surely it is more blessed
to give than to receive. I pity the
being who has never felt this blessing.
Would it not be wise to cease railing against speculators and those who
are termed extortioners? Heartless men may own large barns, and even build new ones,
while there is a limited supply for so great a demand. Warn such as to the fate of the rich man spoke of by
our Saviour, which may be read in 12th chapter of Luke, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th,
and 20th verses.
It has ceased to be the fashion to have all things in common.
I repeat, is it not wise to cease cavilling [sic] and put your hand into
your pockets and give cheerfully and freely--give.
The poor have nothing wherewith to buy, and might be as effectually
starved on low prices as on high. God pity the poor in my country, specially of the city of
Charleston, who may be required soon to leave their homes, and probably ill clad
and unprovisioned, to sojourn amongst strangers in the country.
God pity them, we pray, and incline the hearts of those who are able to help
them.
I herewith enclose you twenty five dollars, which you will please divide
between the "Ladies' Fuel Society," and the "Free Market."
And should necessity require it, though not rich in this world, I will
strive to give more.
In conclusion, I suggest that the best plan is to form yourself into a
committee of one, to dispense your alms, but
be sure you do it, and take care that the speculators do not get ahead of
you.
Greenwood, S. C., November 19.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 24, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Salt.--The individual who makes salt for his hominy in these days is
considered fortunate, and we, of the seacoast, have reason to congratulate
ourselves, for we are informed by Prof. Hume who has tried the experiment, that
rice boiled in salt water (which is within every persons reach in Charleston)
and hominy boiled in half salt and half fresh water, receives the requisite
saline flavor for these indispensable articles.
The cost of salt at the present time makes it an object for the general
trial of this experiment.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 25, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
English Photographic Goods.--Quinby & Co., No. 233 King street, have
just opened a large assortment of fine photographic materials, selected with
great care in London, and imported direct from Europe by the last steamer.
Among other articles are a lot of very rich and tasteful photographic
albums, beautifully bound and well arranged so as to contain, in convenient form
a number of Cartes de visite.
We advise a call at Quinby's Gallery.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 28, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Monday, November 24.
Burnside still delays the destruction of Fredericksburg.
Nothing from there this morning. It
was a sad scene at the Depot, Saturday night, when the refugees arrived. Women and children, who had been huddled in box and cattle
cars, were found far off from the Depot, seated or standing in the night air,
utterly at a loss what to do, or where to go.
Will not this needless suffering be requited unto the Abolitionists? . .
. Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 28, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
The "Ladies' Division" of the Treasury Department.--The
Richmond Enquirer announces that "the ladies' division of the Treasury
Department is now complete, all the positions being filed.
New appointments will only be made to fill such vacancies as may occur
from time to time."
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 1, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Arrest and Sentence.--A negro woman, named Phillis Stuart, was arrested
by officer Hicks on Wednesday last, for sending a mulatto child to a school for
white children. The Mayor sentenced
her to thirty days' solitary confinement. We
understand that there are some other cases of this character, which will soon be
looked after.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 2, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
A Cheap Method of Curing Bacon.--At this time, when salt is selling for
three hundred dollars a sack, the following simple and cheap method of curing
bacon (given by a citizen of Georgia), may be worth trying:
I saw at the house of Mr. William Morton, a well known and respectable
citizen of this place, good bacon, from a hog weighing two hundred and fifty
pounds, killed last week, made by dipping it in boiling brine, hung and smoked
immediately. The plan is simple and
commendable for its economy of salt. Take
a kettle or large pot nearly full of water, put it to boil, cut up the meat, and
while animal heat is in it put in the kettle and boil, from two to four minutes,
according as the meat is thick or thin; rub on meal to keep off the flies; then
hang and smoke it. The brine must
be kept up to its full strength by occasionally adding salt.
When the work is done, the remaining brine may be boiled down and the
salt saved for other uses, or for the next killing.
Mr. Morton tells me he learned this plan from an old man forty years ago,
who had used it for years previous. He
has frequently tried it in the month of August with invariable success.
Every one who knows him will vouch for the truth of his assertion.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 2, c. 2, c. 1
Cheap Fire Wood for the People.--We cannot too highly commend the
energetic action of our city authorities in securing for the poor, on and after
to-day, a supply of fuel at reasonable rates.
The orders for the wood will be issued by Mr. W. H. Smith, Clerk of
Council. Mr. Thos. W. Riggs has
been appointed Agent for the delivery of the wood at his Yard, Corner
Wolfe-street and Railroad track, for the present.
One quarter of a cord will be furnished each family weekly at the
following rates: Oak wood, $8.10
per cord; and Pine wood, $7 10 per cord.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 2, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Important to Soldiers' Aid Societies.--The following notice, from the
Quartermaster General's Department, is published in the Richmond papers:
It is announced for the information of all concerned, that the
Quartermaster's Department will pay for shoes, blankets and other articles of
clothing, which may be contributed by the people of the counties in the several
States of the Confederacy, to their soldiers in the field, at the prices stated
in the following table; provided, that such articles are supplied under the
direction of the County Courts or other county tribunals:
Caps..........$2.00
Drawers..........$1.00
Jackets.......12.00
Shoes................6.00
Pants............9.00
Woolen Socks...1.00
Flannel Shirts...3.00
Overcoats (with capes).....25.00
Cotton Shirts....1.00
Blankets (per pair).....15.00
Striped Cotton
Shirts....1.50
Payment will be made upon delivery at the nearest Quartermaster's Post on
the line of railroad transportation, and the articles will be sent or issued to
the Chief Quartermaster of the nearest military department, by whom they will be
issued, so far as may be needed, to the particular troops for whom they were
intended. In all cases, however,
where such troops shall be already supplied, the articles will be issued to
others who may require them.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 3, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Richmond, Saturday, November 29
. . . The city
authorities are again making a show of rigor against the "dead-fall,"
small fry gaming houses; the great establishments are, as usual, left untouched.
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 3, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Phrenology.--Prof. Samuel Ellis, the blind Phrenologist, arrived in
Charleston yesterday, and has rooms at Mrs. Jones' Boarding House, No. 190 King
street. He will remain in the city
for a few days, during which those who desire to have their mental peculiarities
pointed out according to Phrenological Science, will have an opportunity to do
so. We have had some evidences of
the skill of Prof. Ellis, and can recommend him to the patronage of the public.
Parents wishing to learn the phrenological development of their children,
may secure a call from Prof. Ellis by leaving their addresses with him.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 4, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
In these days, when ordinary corn whiskey is regarded as a thing of
fabulous value and when grave newspapers wistfully discuss the possible merits
of persimmon brandy, the fact of the existence of an A No. 1 article of French
Brandy ought not to be overlooked. Among the merchandize offered for sale to-day by Mr. James H.
Taylor, Auctioneer, are a few demijohns of brandy of a private stock and
strictly pure. This will be a rare
chance to secure a stimulant of the best quality and suitable for medicinal
purposes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 5, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Corn is selling at one dollar per bushel in most of the lower counties of
Alabama, at which price thousands of bushels can be obtained.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Richmond, Saturday, December 6.
. . . The Enquirer says
that officers should keep diaries of events happening in the army and on the
battle field, so that the histories of this revolution may be as complete and
truthful as possible. The
suggestion is a good one; and so is that of preserving all the Yankee letters
that are found. The unutterable
depravity of the Northern people could thereby be verified beyond all
disputation.
After the soaking rain which lasted all day yesterday, a little wind
sprang up, and to-day it is stinging cold.
Think of the poor fellows, drenched to the skin, who were on picket last
night, and of those who were trying to sleep on the wet ground.
Think of them!
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 11, 1862, p. 2, c. 5
Jones'
Portable Soup Cakes.
This article has now been before the public upwards of a year, and has
met with general approval for its excellence and convenience.
It is now being used extensively in the Virginia Hospitals, and found
indispensable in many kinds of sickness being at once stimulating and
nourishing, and so readily prepared. Those
having friends in Virginia, or elsewhere, will find these SOUP CAKES one of the
most desirable articles to send on.
Price.--$1 per dozen, or $8 per 100; 100 Cakes will make 50 to 60 quarts
of Soup.
At present for sale only at the northeast corner of Line and Meeting
streets, Charleston, S.C.
December 10
J. W. Jones.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 12, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
The
Bare-Footed Boys.
By the sword of St.
Michael,
The old Dragon, through!
By David, his sling,
And the giant he slew!
Let us write us a
rhyme,
As a record, to tell
How the South, on a
time,
Stormed the ramparts of Hell
With her bare-footed boys.
Had the South in her
borders
A hero to spare?
Or a heart at her
altars?
Lo! its life blood was there!
And the black, battle
grim
Might never disguise
The smile of the South
On the lips and the eyes
Of her bare footed boys.
There's a grandeur in
fight,
And a terror the while;
But none like the light
Of that terrible smile;
The smile of the South
When the storm-cloud unrolls;
The lightning that
loosens
The wrath in the souls
Of her bare-footed boys.
It withered the foe,
As the red light that runs
Through the dead forest
leaves,
And he fled from his guns,
Grew the smile to a
laugh--
Rose the laugh to a yell,
As the iron-clad hoofs
Clattered back into Hell
From our bare-footed boys.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 13, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
Richmond, Thursday, December 11.
. . . Mr. Ward, special
agent of the Postoffice Department, is out in a card, showing how many letters
to soldiers are never received and the reason thereof.
It is because the company and regiment, with
the number of the regiment and the State
to which it belongs, are not carefully and plainly put down in the letter. He gives a formula to guide every one in directing letters.
Thus: "Private John
Jones, care of Company K, 47th Regiment Georgia Volunteers, Fredericksburg,
Virginia." . . .
An extortioner of this city went up to Fredericksburg last Sunday with a
barrel of snacks--a piece of ham between two slices of bread--and sold out
directly at a dollar a snack. He also made $65 on a barrel of apples, and bragged about it.
But who does not fleece the poor soldier?
Hermes.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 25, 1862, p. 1, c. 2
Merry Christmas to you, kind reader.
That is to say, the merriest Christmas possible, under the circumstances.
The noble hymn, written for this anniversary of the great Festival, by
one of our own poets, and published in to-day's paper, reminds us how heavily
the joyous scenes of the season must be fringed with sorrow and distress; how
the gladsome pealing of our ancient chimes, which were wont to usher in the morn
of the Nativity, are drowned to-day in the din of a ruthless war; how the
memories of the heroic dead, whose blood has dyed the battle-fields of the
expiring year, and the thoughts of the not less heroic living, who are watching
and battling and suffering on the border, surge up together to sadden the
Christmas time of '62. Yet it may
be that the little ones will escape these grave reflections, and, though they
may miss something of the well-remembered grandeur of the shops in the holidays,
will yet, with unshaken faith in the inexhaustible bounty of the good old Saint,
who annually fills their stockings with his gifts, spring delighted from their
beds, as of yore, to grasp the presents of the thoughtful Kriss Kringle, whom
neither war nor blockade can banish or repress.
For their sake, then, let the old-time customs of Christmas Day be
faithfully kept up. The Christmas
tree may still blossom with its marvelous and miscellaneous fruit; the mantel
may still be decked with Laurel and Evergreen; the Yule Log may still blaze and
roar cheerily, shedding its generous glow around the hearth, and still may the
children listen to the old chaunt [sic] of the days gone by, and with their
joyful voices ring in the chorus, lustily and mirthfully,--
"Christmas luck and Christmas cheer,
Christmas cakes and Christmas beer,
Christmas far and Christmas near,
For Christmas comes but once a year!"
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 25, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Turtle soup will be served up at the "Bachelor's Retreat," this
day, at 11 o'clock, at $1 a quart.
Rather Cheap.--The poor of Columbia are furnished with pine wood from the
city carts at one dollar per cord.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 25, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Christmas.
by Henry Timrod.
How grace this hallowed day?
Shall happy bells, from
yonder ancient spire,
Send their glad
greetings to each Christmas fire
Round which the children play?
Alas! for many a moon,
That tongueless tower
hath cleaved the Sabbath air,
Mute as an obelisk of
ice aglare
Beneath an Arctic noon.
Shame to the foes that drown
Our psalms of worship
with their impious drum,
The sweetest chimes in
all the land lie dumb
In some far rustic town.
There, let us think, they keep,
Of the dead Yules which
here beside the sea
They've ushered in with
old world, English glee,
Some echoes in their sleep.
How shall we grace the day?
With feast, and song,
and dance, and antique sports,
And shout of happy
children in the courts,
And tales of ghost and fay?
Is there indeed a door,
Where the old pastimes,
with their lawful noise,
And all the merry round
of Christmas joys,
Could enter as of yore?
Would not some pallid face
Look in upon the
banquet, calling up
Dread shapes of battle
in the wassail cup,
And trouble all the place?
How could we bear the mirth,
While some loved
reveller of a year ago
Keeps his mute
Christmas now beneath the snow,
In cold Virginia earth?
How shall we grace the day?
Ah! let the thought
that on this holy morn
The Prince of
Peace—the Prince of Peace was born,
Employ us, while we pray!
Pray
for the peace which long
Hath left this tortured
land, and haply now
Holds its white court
on some far mountain's brow,
There hardly safe from wrong.
Let every sacred fane
Call its sad votaries
to the shrine of God,
And, with the cloister
and the tented sod,
Join in one solemn strain!
With pomp of Roman form,
With the grave ritual
brought from England's shore,
And with the simple
faith which asks no more
Than that the heart be warm!
He, who till time shall cease,
Shall watch that earth,
where once, not all in vain,
He died to give us
peace, will not disdain
A prayer whose theme is—peace.
Perhaps ere yet the spring
Hath died into the
summer, over all
The land, the peace of
His vast love shall fall
Like some protecting wing.
Oh ponder what it means!
Oh turn the rapturous
thought in every way!
Oh give the vision and
the fancy play,
And shape the coming scenes!
Peace in the quiet dales,
Made rankly fertile by
the blood of men;
Peace in the woodland,
and the lonely glen,
Peace in the peopled vales!
Peace in the crowded town,
Peace in a thousand
fields of waving grain,
Peace in the highway
and the flowery lane,
Peace on the wind-swept down!
Peace on the farthest seas,
Peace in our sheltered
bays and ample streams,
Peace wheresoe'er our
starry garland gleams,
And peace in every breeze!
Peace on the whirring marts,
Peace where the scholar
thinks, the hunter roams,
Peace, God of Peace!
peace, peace in all our homes,
And peace in all our hearts!