“ [81] entertain company in their own houses, unless they introduce the card-table. Except the Van Homes, who are remarkable for their good sense and ease, I don't know a woman or girl who can chat above half an hour, and that on the form of a cap, the color of a ribbon or the set of a hoop, stay or jupon. . . . With what ease I have seen a Chew, a Penn, an Oswald, an Allen, and a thousand others, entertain a large circle of both sexes [in Philadelphia], the conversation, without the aid of cards, never flagging or seeming in the least strained or stupid!” We may reasonably suspect that this judgment is somewhat prejudiced. For the testimony of a more staid witness, with an eye chiefly for the masculine aspect of society, we may turn to a description from a volume called The Talisman purporting to be written by one Francis Herbert, and containing very graphic reminiscences of New York by Gulian C. Verplanck and William C. Bryant the poet. This passage, probably by Mr. Verplanck, gives a glimpse at the semi-official society of the city in those days.
Cedar street, since that day, has declined from its ancient consequence. I had the pleasure of seeing
