Few of the early houses in New England were painted, or colored, as it was called, either without or within. Painters do… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
We have very pretty Dutch gardens, so called, in America, but their chief claim to being Dutch is that they are set… — Alice Morse Earle America Copy Share Image
The brank, or scold's bridle, was unknown in America in its English shape: though from colonial records we learn that scolding women… — Alice Morse Earle America Copy Share Image
Every sea-captain who sailed to the West Indies was expected to bring home a turtle on the return voyage for a feast… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
From the hour when the Puritan baby opened his eyes in bleak New England, he had a Spartan struggle for life. — Alice Morse Earle Baby Copy Share Image
The seventeenth-century baby slept, as his nineteenth-century descendant does, in a cradle. Nothing could be prettier than the old cradles that have… — Alice Morse Earle Babies Copy Share Image
Sunken gardens should be laid out under the supervision of an intelligent landscape architect; and even then should have a reason for… — Alice Morse Earle Architect Copy Share Image
It is easy to gain a definite notion of the furnishing of colonial houses from a contemporary and reliable source - the… — Alice Morse Earle Colonial Copy Share Image
The men in those old days of the seventeenth century, when in constant dread of attacks by Indians, always rose when the… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
Our Puritan forefathers, though bitterly denouncing all forms and ceremonies, were great respecters of persons; and in nothing was the regard for… — Alice Morse Earle Ceremonies Copy Share Image
By the year 1670, wooden chimneys and log houses of the Plymouth and Bay colonies were replaced by more sightly houses of… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
Salem houses present to you a serene and dignified front, gracious yet reserved, not thrusting forward their choicest treasures to the eyes… — Alice Morse Earle Beauty Copy Share Image
The grape Hyacinth is the favorite spring flower of my garden - but no! I though a minute ago the Scilla was!… — Alice Morse Earle Blue Copy Share Image
Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination. You are always living three, or indeed six, months… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
There is something inexpressibly sad in the thought of the children who crossed the ocean with the Pilgrims and the fathers of… — Alice Morse Earle Amsterdam Copy Share Image
In the seventeenth century, the science of medicine had not wholly cut asunder from astrology and necromancy; and the trusting Christian still… — Alice Morse Earle Astrology Copy Share Image
In the early days of the New England colonies, no more embarrassing or hampering condition, no greater temporal ill, could befall any… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
In the early New England meeting-houses the seats were long, narrow, uncomfortable benches, which were made of simple, rough, hand-riven planks placed… — Alice Morse Earle Benches Copy Share Image
The pillory and stocks, the gibbet, and even the whipping-post, have seen many a noble victim, many a martyr. But I cannot… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
The study of tavern history often brings to light much evidence of sad domestic changes. Many a cherished and beautiful home, rich… — Alice Morse Earle Beautiful Copy Share Image
The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today… — Alice Morse Earle Clock Copy Share Image
The landlord of colonial days may not have been the greatest man in town, but he was certainly the best-known, often the… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
When the first settlers landed on American shores, the difficulties in finding or making shelter must have seemed ironical as well as… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
One of the earliest institutions in every New England community was a pair of stocks. The first public building was a meeting-house,… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
It is heartrending to read the entries in many an old family Bible - the records of suffering, distress, and blasted hopes. — Alice Morse Earle Bible Copy Share Image
The first and most natural way of lighting the houses of the American colonists, both in the North and South, was by… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
We should have scant notion of the gardens of these New England colonists in the seventeenth century were it not for a… — Alice Morse Earle Absence Copy Share Image
The first meeting-houses were often built in the valleys, in the meadow lands; for the dwelling-houses must be clustered around them, since… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
It is plainly evident that, in a country where land was to be had for the asking, fuel for the cutting, corn… — Alice Morse Earle Copy Share Image
