ountry towns till 1740 or 1742. Very
broad brim'd Hats were worn as early as I remember. My
father had a beaver whose Brims were at least 7 inches;
which when he left off, I remember I used to wear in the
Garden, or in a shower, by way of Umbrella. They were all
cock'd triangularly. And pulling them off by way of
salutation was invariably the Fashion by all who had any
Breeding.

Boots were never worn except on horseback, or snowy or rainy
weather. They frequently had large broad Tops that reach'd
full half way up the Thigh. But Boots did not come into
general use till the close of the revolutionary war.

Funerals were extravagantly expensive. Gold Rings to each of
the Bearers, the Minister, the Physician, &c., were
frequently given when the family could but ill afford it.
White gloves in abundance, burnt wine to the company, &c.,
&c. This extravagance occasioned the enacting sumptuary
laws, which though they check'd did not entirely suppress
the complaints till the commencement of the revolutionary
war.

In 1749, it was reported the train band list of the town of
Marblehead was equal to that of the town of Salem. The
difference is now very great. I suppose Salem has at least
twice the number of Marblehead.

[1749.][C] The Houses (in Salem) were generally very
ordinary. The first handsome house was built by Mr. Jno.
Turner, then Col. Pickman, then Mr. J. Cabot, &c.

There was but one ropewalk, and that was on the neck, inside
the gate. But one tavern of any note, and that was an old
house at the corner now occupied by Stearns' brick store.
The Houses for public worship were only the old (first)
church--the eastern parish--the secession from the first
church--the Friends' meeting house, and the Episcopal
church.

The number of Inhabitants was estimated at between 5 and
6000.

The Commerce of this town was chiefly with Spain and
Portugal and the West Indies, especially with St. Eustatia.
The Cod fishery was carried on with success and advantage.
The Schooners were employed on the fishing banks in the
summer, and in the autumn were laden with Fish, Rum,
Molasses, and the produce of the country, and sent to
Virginia and Maryland, and there spent the winter retailing
their cargoes, and in return brought Corn and Wheat and
Tobacco. This Vi