University of Virginia Library

51. Puritan Amusements
BY P. BENNETT (1704)

SEVERAL families in Boston keep a coach, and a pair of horses, and some few drive with four horses; as for chaises and saddle horses, considering the size of the place, they outdo London.[189] They have some nimble lively horses for their coaches but not any of that beautiful, large, black breed so common in London.

The common horses used in carts about the town

are very small and poor. They seldom have their fill of anything but labor. The country carts and wagons are generally drawn by oxen, from two to six, according to the distance or to the burden they are loaded with.

When the ladies ride out to take the air, it is generally in a chaise or chair, and then but a single horse is used.[190] They have a negro servant to drive them. The gentlemen ride out here as in England, some in chairs, and others on horseback, with their negroes to attend them.

They travel in much the same manner on business as for pleasure. Their roads are exceedingly good in summer. Yet it is safe travelling night or day; for they have no highway robbers to interrupt them. Riding through the woods is pleasant, and the country is dotted with farm houses, cottages, and some few gentlemen's country houses.

The best of their inns and public houses are far short of the beauty and convenience of ours in England. They have generally a little rum to drink, and some of them have a sorry sort of Madeira wine. For food they have Indian corn roasted, and bread made of Indian meal. Sometimes they have a fowl or fish dressed after a fashion; they have pretty good butter, and a very sad sort of cheese. But those who are used to these things think them tolerable.

For their amusements, every afternoon, after drinking tea, the gentlemen and ladies walk the Mall. From there they go to one another's houses to spend the evening, that is, those who are not disposed to attend the evening lecture.[191] This they may do, if they please, six nights out of seven, the year round.

What they call the Mall is a walk on a fine green

A COLONIAL KITCHEN.

[Description: Black and white illustration of a kitchen: a woman tends to the fire, another rolls dough, children play, etc.]

common.[192] It is nearly half a mile over, with two rows of young trees planted opposite to each other. There is a fine footway between in imitation of St. James's Park.[193] Part of the bay of the sea which encircles the town, takes its course along the northwest side of the Common.[194]

Their country sports are chiefly shooting and fishing. For the former the woods afford them plenty of game. The rivers and ponds, with which this country abounds, yield them a great plenty as well as a great variety of fine fish.

The government is in the hands of the Dissenters, who do not allow theatres or music houses.[195] But although plays and such entertainments are not held here, the people don't seem to be dispirited or to mope for want of them. For both the ladies and gentlemen dress and appear as gay, usually, as courtiers in England on a coronation day or birthday. And the ladies here visit, drink tea, and do everything else in the height of fashion. They neglect the affairs of their families with as good a grace as the finest ladies in London.