| Citation |
NYM(G.758.015
13 Mar 1758:12 (291)
In my walks the other day, I accidentally met with a few
gentlemen who are lately come from Philadelphia; their
discourse was in the beginning, taken up with the
proceedings of the assembly of Pennsylvania: But I shall
not take up your time with repeating any part of their
conversation relating to these state matters. As it was
near night, we withdrew to a tavern, where, after being
joined by some more company, in the course of our chat, some
of the gentlemen were enquiring about their acquaintance in
Philadelphia; and among other questions, one was asked (of
no small importance) how the dancing assembly went on there?
This was the beginning of a long conversation argument; the
reason of which I found to be, some dispute between the
ladies and the managers, about dancing in a dress or
undress; various were the opinions on both sides, 'till it
was affirmed, that a majority of the ladies were not for
having any disrespect shewn to the company, which that of
appearing in dishabille, plainly indicated.----This seemed
very right and plausible; and it was resolved, nemine con.
that the managers conducted themselves in a proper manner,
by discouraging any such measures.----A gentleman who had
seated himself by the fire, and had not spoke during this
conversation, broke thro' his profound silence, by
asserting, that the managers were wrong; for tho' (he
believed from what he could learn) the majority were on the
managers side, yet they were but very young ladies, and
consequently their opinion, tho' 60 or 70 in number, was not
of so much weight as that of five or six matrons, who, tho'
they have no other plea, are well advanced in years, and
begin to think, the more they are undressed, the more
convenient and easy it is; and surely ease and politeness,
go hand in hand. This silenced us all; and finding the
gentleman had good authority for what he had advanced, we
concluded it safer and better, to be mute upon the affair,
than run the risk of incurring the displeasure of these sage
ladies, by endeavouring to support the managers in setting
bounds to their rules and resolutions; and after drinking a
bumper, with a wish (that the agreeable young ladies of
Philadelphia might never want elderly directors) we parted.
New-York, February 26, 1758.
|