University of Virginia Library

Tradition, if it did not originate with, at least, owes its chief support to, the class of females here alluded to. If they did not give birth to it, they are its chief nurses. As all history must originate in oral tradition, it follows that the ancient matrons are the grand-mothers at least of historical narration, and that though Herodotus may be called the father of history, they have an equal title to the honour of its birth. In every town or village you will find a little knot of these industrious and curious antiquarians, pilfering from that same wallet, in which, as Shakespeare affirms, old time “putteth things for oblivion” a thousand precious little scraps of secret history, and a thousand invaluable memorials, which like a silver spoon in dish-water would be thrown away unless preserved by their pious care. Anon comes the antiquary, who gleans all these detached particles of gold-dust, by sifting old nurses, ancient matrons, and curious grey headed maids, and maketh a book highly interesting, and valuable. In it, is set forth with admirable particularity, all that has happened in the town or village for several generations: who erected the church steeple, who put up the weather cock, who built the old stone-house opposite, who was mayor in such a year, and whose tomb it is, the inscription of which is entirely obliterated.

Thus are the ancient matrons, the true chronicles of the times, and sorry as well as surprised am I, when I consider the base ingratitude of antiquarians and historians, who have thus maliciously, as well as wickedly, suppressed all mention of the sources from whence they, in all ages, have derived their most precious information.

In America, where the congregations are often dispersed over a large space of country, it is customary to preach two sermons, with a very short intermission, in order that the people may return home in time to their dinner. The interval between these “services,” as they are called, is devoted to rambling about the church-yard, reading epitaphs; or parading about the door, where are displayed all the new bonnets, and finery of the parish. Human nature is the same every where in respect to vanity, except that those who often get new bonnets, are not half so vain of them, as those who get them but seldom. The finest lady, dressed in all the gorgeous drapery of wealth, and fashion, and sparkling in jewels, displays not half the self-complacency exhibited by a rural damsel, appearing for the first time at church, in a new gown, or bonnet.