and scarfs were expected for those attending; and the air of depression so common in a twentieth century funeral was certainly not conspicuous.  It may have been because death was so common; for the death rate was frightfully high in those good old days, and in a community so thinly populated burials were so extremely frequent that every one from childhood was accustomed to the sight of crepe and coffin.  Man is a gregarious creature and craves the assembly, and as church meetings, weddings, executions, and funerals were almost the sole opportunities for social intercourse, the flocking to the house of the dead was but normal and natural.  Sewall seems to have been in constant attendance at such gatherings: 

“Midweek, March 23, 1714-5.  Mr. Addington buried from the Council-Chamber ... 20 of the Council were assisting, it being the day for Appointing Officers.  All had Scarvs.  Bearers Scarvs, Rings, Escutcheons...."[178]

     “My Daughter is Inter’d....  Had Gloves and Rings of 2 pwt and
     1/2.  Twelve Ministers of the Town had Rings, and two out of
     Town...."[179]

     “Tuesday, 18, Novr. 1712.  Mr. Benknap buried.  Joseph was invited
     by Gloves, and had a scarf given him there, which is the
     first."[180]

“Feria sexta, April 8, 1720.  Govr.  Dudley is buried in his father Govr.  Dudley’s Tomb at Roxbury.  Boston and Roxbury Regiments were under Arms, and 2 or 3 Troops....  Scarves, Rings, Gloves, Escutcheons....  Judge Dudley in a mourning Cloak led the Widow; ...  Were very many People, spectators out of windows, on Fences and Trees, like Pigeons...."[181]

     “July 25th, 1700.  Went to the Funeral of Mrs. Sprague, being
     invited by a good pair of Gloves."[182]

This comment is made upon the death of Judge Sewall’s father: 

     “May 24th....  My Wife provided Mourning upon my Letter by Severs. 
     All went in mourning save Joseph, who staid at home because his
     Mother lik’d not his cloaths...."[183]

“Febr. 1, 1700.  Waited on the Lt.  Govr. and presented him with a Ring in Remembrance of my dear Mother, saying, Please to accept in the Name of one of the Company your Honor is preparing to go."[184]

“July 15, 1698....  On death of John Ive....  I was not at his Funeral.  Had Gloves sent me, but the knowledge of his notoriously wicked life made me sick of going ... and so I staid at home, and by that means lost a Ring...."[185]

“Friday, Feb. 10, 1687-8.  Between 4 and 5 I went to the Funeral of the Lady Andros, having been invited by the Clerk of the South Company.  Between 7 and 8 Lechus (Lynchs? i.e. links or torches) illuminating the cloudy air.  The Corps was carried into the Herse drawn by Six Horses.  The Souldiers making a Guard from the Governour’s House down the Prison Lane to the South Meeting-house, there