Author
Alice Morse Earle
1851-1911
Alice Morse Earle (1851-1911) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Alice Morse Earle
Stage-coach and Tavern Days
"Stage-coach and Tavern Days" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work offers a detailed exploration of the significance of stage-coaches and taverns in early American life, particularly in New England. The book delves into the social and cultural roles these establishments played, revealing how they served not only as places for travelers to rest but also as crucial centers of community interaction and gathering. The opening of "Stage-coach and Tavern Days" sets the stage for understanding the early Puritan society's relationship with hospitality and neighborliness. Earle introduces the concept of the "ordinary," the early tavern, noting its dual purpose of providing accommodation for travelers and acting as a social hub for locals. She discusses the regulations surrounding the establishment of ordinaries, the challenges faced by tavern keepers, and how these venues facilitated social life while adhering to strict codes of conduct—balancing hospitality with upheld moral standards in a deeply pious community.
Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820)
"Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820)" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This volume provides a comprehensive exploration of American dress from the early colonial period through to the early 19th century, examining the garments worn by various groups, including Puritans and Pilgrims, as well as their social and cultural implications. The opening of the book delves into the misconceptions surrounding the typical images of Puritan and Pilgrim attire as somber and dull. Earle argues against this notion by highlighting the rich variety of colors and styles that were prevalent among the New England settlers. She discusses the evidence we have from historical documents, inventories, and surviving garments that illustrate a vibrant tradition of dress that reflected both individual identity and social status. Earle paints a picture of colonists in lively russet and scarlet attire, contradicting the stereotype of drab Puritan clothing and emphasizing that the settlers paid careful attention to their apparel as a reflection of their dignity and social standing.
Old-Time Gardens, Newly Set Forth
"Old-Time Gardens, Newly Set Forth" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work delicately explores the significance and evolution of gardens in colonial America, revealing how early settlers preserved their love for gardening despite the challenges of a new environment. The book outlines various types of gardens that flourished during this period, painting a vivid picture of how they contributed to the sense of home and identity for these settlers. At the start of the book, Earle introduces the topic by reflecting on the experiences of Puritan settlers arriving in New England. She draws on the sensory details of their landing, such as the promising fragrance of gardens wafting to them from the shore. Earle emphasizes the emotional bond that these early colonists had with gardening, recalling their efforts to transport seeds and plants from England to create homely gardens in their new world. The opening also highlights the work of travelers and chroniclers, like John Josselyn, who documented the resilience of these gardens, which not only supported their aesthetic needs but also played vital roles in their sustenance and medicinal practices. Through rich descriptions and historical context, Earle sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of American gardening traditions as they relate to familial and cultural heritage.
Child Life in Colonial Days
"Child Life in Colonial Days" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the everyday lives of children during the colonial period in America, providing insights into their experiences and societal roles. Earle aims to fill a gap in historical literature regarding the often-overlooked aspect of children's lives, focusing on their upbringing, education, and play in the context of the time. The opening of the book delves into the challenging conditions faced by children in the early American colonies, particularly those who arrived with the Pilgrims and other early settlers. Earle describes the harsh realities of infant mortality and the struggles for survival that both children and their families endured in the unfamiliar environments of Puritanical New England. Through the lens of personal accounts, diaries, and illustrations, Earle paints a vivid picture of both the joys and adversities of early childhood in colonial America, setting the stage for a deeper exploration in the chapters that follow.
Home Life in Colonial Days
"Home Life in Colonial Days" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book examines the daily lives and domestic settings of early American colonists, focusing on their homes, furnishings, and lifestyle during the colonial period. It provides a rich tapestry of historical insights into the practicalities and traditions of the time. The opening of the book delves into the various forms of shelter that the colonists employed upon settling in America. It describes the early settlers' struggles for shelter amid abundant natural resources, detailing how they often resorted to cave-dwelling or log cabins due to the lack of tools and materials. It highlights the evolution of colonial homes, including the design and materials used, while contrasting the settlers' homes with those of Native Americans. The author illustrates the ingenuity and resilience of the colonists, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of other aspects of colonial domestic life throughout the rest of the text.
Sabbath in Puritan New England
"Sabbath in Puritan New England" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account likely written during the late 19th century. The book delves into the customs and practices surrounding the observance of the Sabbath among early Puritan settlers in New England, highlighting how these practices shaped community life and social structure. The opening of the book introduces readers to the significance of the meeting-house as a cornerstone of Puritan worship and community life. Earle describes how the settlers built simple gathering places for public worship, emphasizing the community's reverence for these structures and the laws enforcing their establishment. She vividly illustrates the physical characteristics of early meeting-houses, detailing the evolution of their architecture and the regulations around seating arrangements that reflected societal hierarchies. By incorporating anecdotes about the tithingman, the enforcer of decorum in these settings, Earle sets an intriguing tone that captures both the seriousness and the unexpected levity of Puritan worship practices, drawing readers into a world steeped in historical context.
Curious Punishments of Bygone Days
"Curious Punishments of Bygone Days" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores various punishments used in earlier societies, focusing particularly on colonial America. It delves into the mechanisms of punishment, such as stocks, pillories, and more grotesque instruments like the ducking stool, reflecting societal attitudes towards crime, punishment, and public humiliation. The opening of the book presents a foreword where Earle outlines her motivations for writing, suggesting that while the topic is not pleasant, it bears a curiosity that connects the past to the present. Earle emphasizes the public nature of punishments in historical context, highlighting how they served to humiliate offenders as a deterrent. The discussion begins with the bilboes, a form of restraint for public shaming used against various offenders in colonial America, illustrating a society where personal honor and public perception were deeply intertwined, often resulting in severe and humiliating punishments for what might be considered minor offenses by today's standards.
Customs and Fashions in Old New England
"Customs and Fashions in Old New England" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the daily life, customs, and practices of early New England settlers, delving into aspects from childbirth to courtship, and providing insights into their social structures and traditions. It aims to illuminate the challenges and norms faced by Puritan families in their distinct cultural setting. At the start of the book, Earle discusses the harsh realities of life for Puritan infants and their families during the colonial period. She details the physical hardships that babies endured, such as exposure to cold and the grim process of baptism, and notices the high infant mortality rates. The narrative also touches on the roles of midwives and the traditional practices surrounding childbirth, as exemplified through references to historical figures like Judge Samuel Sewall, whose diaries offer a glimpse into the family dynamics and societal norms of the time. The opening sets a somber tone, highlighting the survival instincts necessitated by the harsh New England environment while providing rich historical context to the customs of the era.
China collecting in America
"China collecting in America" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. It explores the passion, practice, and history of seeking old china and related tableware in the United States, especially New England, blending personal memoir with antiquarian research. The work likely appeals to collectors and readers of material culture, moving from anecdotes of “china hunting” into guidance, ethics, and the evolution of tableware from wood and pewter to Delft, English wares, and Oriental porcelain. The opening of the book recounts the author’s “midsummer madness” for hunting old china across New England, detailing the thrills, frequent disappointments, and crafty etiquette of buying from wary farm households. Vivid anecdotes include failed negotiations (a Nankin bowl used for mixing chicken-dough), misidentified “Martha Washington” plates, evasive hoarders, and the colorful stratagems of dealers—alongside a playful fantasy of collecting from a tin-peddler’s cart. The narrative weighs the ethics of the chase, from gentle persuasion to dubious ruses and even brushes with stolen goods, and sketches the social settings of auctions, schoolhouse intelligence-gathering, and unglamorous roadside meals. The next section turns to history, surveying wooden trenchers and pewter—porringers, platters, candlesticks, and communion services—their manufacture, household pride, and preservation, illustrated by a Shrewsbury homestead laden with shining pewter. The account then begins tracing early American porcelain use and importation: English misconceptions about china, Delft and stoneware appearances in colonial inventories, the silver-mounted Winthrop jug, Boston’s early 18th‑century advertisements for “chayney,” and regional contrasts showing New England’s lead. It closes this opening stretch with the culture of repairing cherished pieces and a glimpse of Franklin sending select English and Oriental wares home to Philadelphia.
Colonial dames and good wives
"Colonial Dames and Good Wives" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work explores the lives and roles of women in the early American colonies, focusing on their contributions to society and family life during that period. Earle sheds light on various aspects of colonial women's experiences, including marriage, widowhood, and their involvement in the community. At the start of the book, Earle introduces the notion of the significantly different experiences men and women faced in the colonial settlements, particularly in Massachusetts and Virginia. She describes the early days of the colonies, illustrating how the scarcity of women in Virginia led to the importation of brides for lonely male colonists. Through vivid anecdotes, she captures the stark contrast between the bustling courtships on the shores of Virginia as men eagerly awaited their prospective brides, and the challenges faced by women in both settling and thriving in a new, often harsh environment. The opening effectively sets the stage for a deeper exploration of colonial women's lives and contributions as the narrative unfolds.
Colonial days in old New York
"Colonial Days in Old New York" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the daily life and customs of the Dutch settlers in colonial New York, specifically focusing on their lifestyle, social interactions, and cultural influences. Earle aims to illuminate the historical significance of New Netherland and how its Dutch roots shaped the character of New York. The opening of this work introduces readers to a spring morning in colonial Albany, where the sounds of a cow-herd's horn awaken the townsfolk and the clanging of cowbells fills the air. The narrative describes the daily routines of both men and women in the colony—the men engaging in various trades and the women managing household tasks, such as cooking and gardening. Earle paints a vivid picture of their simple yet industrious lives, characterized by communal interactions and a strong connection to their Dutch heritage. The passage further emphasizes the practicality and diligence of the Dutch, capturing the essence of their contributions to the community and the foundational culture of early New York.
In old Narragansett; romances and realities
"In Old Narragansett; Romances and Realities" by Alice Morse Earle is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the rich tapestry of life in colonial Narragansett, Rhode Island, revealing a mix of rustic tales, traditions, and family chronicles that reflect the area's unique character. The author delves into the lives of the Narragansett planters and their communities, where social life intertwined with the influences of the Narragansett Indians, African slaves, and English customs. At the start of the narrative, Earle provides a detailed foreword introducing the historical context of Old Narragansett. She captures the essence of the region's past, discussing its early governance, the wealth of its planter families, and the diverse cultural influences that shaped its social fabric. The opening chapter introduces Rowland Robinson, a wealthy planter known for his imperious demeanor and benevolent nature, establishing the foundation for a series of interconnected stories that explore both the romantic and harsh realities of life in this picturesque land. The early romance of his daughter, Hannah, reveals the societal constraints and personal struggles faced by individuals within this colonial community, setting the stage for the tales of love and tragedy that follow.