She loved finery and adornment even as she does to-day; but under the influence of a burning patriotism she could and did crush all such longings for the beautiful things of this world.  She had oftentimes genuine capacity for initiative and leadership; but public sentiment of the day induced her to stand modestly in the back-ground and allow the father, husband, or son to do the more spectacular work of the world.  Yet in the hour of peril she could bear unflinchingly toil, hardships, and danger, and asked in return only the love and appreciation of husband and child.  That she obtained such love and appreciation cannot be doubted.  From the yellow manuscripts and the faded satins and brocades of those early days comes the faint flavor of romances as pathetic or happy as any of our own times,—­quaint, old romances that tell of love and jealousy, happy unions or broken hearts, triumph or defeat in the activities of a day that is gone.  Surely, the soul—­especially that of a woman—­changes but little in the passing of the centuries.

FOOTNOTES: 

[297] Brooks:  Dames and Daughters of Colonial Days, p. 26.

[298] Diary, Vol.  I, p. 43.

[299] Dutch and Quaker Colonies in America, Vol.  I, p. 112.

[300] Diary, Vol.  I, p. 317.

[301] Smyth:  Writings of B. Franklin, Vol.  III, p. 395.

[302] Ravenel:  Eliza Pinckney, pp. 7, 9, 30.

[303] Ravenel:  E.  Pinckney, p. 107.

[304] Graham:  Dolly Madison, p. 46.

[305] Letters, p. 15.

[306] Wharton:  Martha Washington, p. 90.

[307] Ravenel:  Eliza Pinckney, p. 265.

[308] Ravenal:  Eliza Pinckney, p. 301.

[309] Letters, p. 74.

[310] Letters, p. 9.

[311] Humphreys:  Catherine Schuyler, p. 159.

[312] Humphreys:  Catherine Schuyler, p. 162.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following books will be found of exceptional interest and value to readers who may wish to look further into the subject of woman’s life in early America.

  Adams, A., Letters;
  Adams, H., Memoir;
  Adams, J., Writings;
  Allen, Woman’s Part in Government;
  Alsop, Character of the Province of Maryland;
  American Nation Series;
  Andrews, Colonial Period;
  Anthony, Past, Present and Future Status of Woman;
  Avery, History of United States;
  Beach, Daughters of the Puritans;
  Beard, Readings in American Government;
  Beverly, History of Virginia;
  Bliss, Side-Lights from the Colonial Meeting-House;
  Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation;
  Bradstreet, Several Poems Compiled