From the "FOREWORD. The material for the compilation of this glossary has been found in old letters, wills, inventories of estates, court records, and in eighteenth-century newspapers, hundreds of which have been carefully examined and noted. Though the work would appear to have been tedious, it has not so been found. The old letters and wills have the charm of quaint orthography and diction, and also the purely personal interest arising from the sense of touch with the writer thereof, which always appeals so vividly to ...
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From the "FOREWORD. The material for the compilation of this glossary has been found in old letters, wills, inventories of estates, court records, and in eighteenth-century newspapers, hundreds of which have been carefully examined and noted. Though the work would appear to have been tedious, it has not so been found. The old letters and wills have the charm of quaint orthography and diction, and also the purely personal interest arising from the sense of touch with the writer thereof, which always appeals so vividly to the imagination. The inventories and court records have been so filled with curious terms and items that they have never seemed monotonous. The advertisements contained in old newspapers have bad for me a special charm, the same indescribable and inexplicable fascination that held Hawthorne an eager reader and made him spend hours poring over the dusty files. These advertisements afford an opportunity of insight into the manners of their times no less interesting than valuable, and in them contemporary social life is largely written. Through the many glimpses thus given of curious old-time customs, and the full knowledge obtained of century-old fashions, the reading and transcription has never proved tiresome. I can fully echo Mr. Asbtoris declaration that "by taking the very -words of people then living, a charm has been lent to the task which fully compensated for the labor." Though the compilation of this glossary has been a pleasure, I can also say, with truth, in old Sir Thomas Browne's words, "I have studied not for my own sake only, but for theirs that study not for themselves." I hope and believe this book will prove of value and of use to artists, to portrayers of old colonial days-portrayers not only in colors, but in words-and that it will help to prevent in the future any such anachronisms as now disfigure many of our stories and accounts of the dress of early times, not only through incorrect verbal description, but through equally imperfect and inaccurate illustration. That the value of this work as a book of reference may be complete, I have endeavored to give the price of materials and garments at various dates, especially in early colonial days; also to show .when certain attire came into fashion-when it became no longer the vogue."
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