Opinions of Virginia Luxury and Culture.

II. Splendor in the Home--Pitman's Description of a Southern
Mansion--Elegant Furnishings of the Time.

III. Social Activities--Evidence in Invitations--Eliza Pinckney's Opinion
of Carolinians--Open-House--Washington's Hospitable
Record--Art and Music in the South--A Reception to a Bride--Old-Time
Refreshments--Informal Visiting--A Letter by Mrs. Washington--Social
Effects of Slow Travel.

IV. New England Social Life--Social Influence of Public
Opinion--Cautious Attitude Toward Pleasure--Social Origin of Yankee
Inquisitiveness--Sewall's Records of Social Affairs--Pynchon's Records
of a Century Later.

V. Funerals as Recreations--Grim Pleasure in Attending--Funeral
Cards--Gifts of Gloves, Rings, and Scarfs--Absence of
Depression--Records of Sewall's Attendance--Wane of Gift-Giving--A
New Amsterdam Funeral.

VI. Trials and Executions--Puritan Itching for Morbid and
Sensational--Frankness of Descriptions--Treatment of Condemned
Criminals--The Public at Executions--Sewall's Description of an
Execution--Coming of More Normal Entertainments--The Dancing
Master Arrives.

VII. Special Social Days--Lecture Day--Prayers for the Afflicted--Fast
Days--Scant Attention to Thanksgiving and Christmas--How Bradford
Stopped Christmas Observation--Sewall's Records of Christmas--A