"The design of this work is to present , as far as possible, full and strictly accurate descriptions of the titles , with collations, of every book , pamphlet and broadside printed in the Province and state of Pennsylvania , during the first hundred years of the operations of the press within their limits." [from the preface]
An illustrated history of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania civil, political and military, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including historical descriptions of each county in the state
Through colonial doorways.--The meschianza.--New York balls and receptions.--The American philosophical society.--The Wistar parties.--A bundle of old love letters.--The Philadelphia dancing assemblies.
xiii, [11]-248 p. front., illus., plates, ports. 21 cm.
Notes
Édition de luxe; 508 copies printed for subscribers.
Contents
CONTENTS: COLONIAL DAYS WOMEN IN THE EARLY SETTLEMENT A GROUP OF EARLY POETESSES COLONIAL DAMES. OLD LANDMARKS WEDDINGS AND MERRY-MAKINGS LEGEND AND ROMANCE
Chapters: The Meeting House Devil // Rum and Slavery // The Composite Puritan // The Personality of the Meeting House // The Summons To Worship // The Seating of the People // The Wretched Boys // Disturbers of Public Worship // The Neighbors of the Meeting House // The Comedy and Tragedy of the Pulpit // The Poor Parsons // The Notorious Ministers // The Simple Evangelist // The Muse of Choral Song // The Bible and the Confessional // The Hour Glass
Summary
The author uses the Colonial Meeting House as a central focus of the New England town and from it looks to other practices and customs to better illuminate life in the town and New England.
