CHAPTER   Vn.
 

C1734'1745.)
 

Quakers Granted Bight to Vote—First Foorhonse—Law Begardii^ Biding

on Shafts of Cart—Gaming Houses Denounced by law

—Founding of New Tork Society library.

In tholr yearly celebrations the people of the present New York vary
but slightly from the customs of their ancestors. The five nationdl feaiivalB
of the Dutch—Christmas, New Year, the Passover. Whitsuntide and St.
Nicholas Day—are still celebrated. The "Merry Christmas" greetings are
heard; the interchange of visits on the flrst day of tbe year takes place
among some of the people; egg rolling still goes on, and Christmas Eve, In
ibe eettmatton of the little folks, and of some of the big ones, too, Is the
best^festlval of all. St. Nicholas, by the way. Is tbe patron saint of Now
York. He presided as the flj^rehead of tho first emigrant ship that touched
her shoreu, gave hJs name to the first church erected within her walls* and
is regarded as having especial cberge of the deotlnles of tbe city.

In social afTsirH some of the spirit of tho ancient Knickerbocker re¬
mains, though the *'qulltlng bees.*' "apple bees" and "husking bees" have
passed away, giving place to musicals, bridge teas and kstTee-klatches. Late
hours and dlsolpatlon were wholly unknown In the olden timea, and thoee
who Joined in the social affairs of tho colony psrtook of chocolste snd
waffles. Instead of tbe d3^pepsla breeding concoctions of the French* Italian
or German cook. After a dance, which generally terminated tbe evening's
amusement, the women, In their cloth Jackets and short quilted skirts, and
the men. in their leng-walsted coats, knee breeches sad lew crowned hsts
of beaver, wended their way home at 10 o'clock, as befitted the staid de¬
corum of tbe city.   To return to the chronology:

In 1733, by an act of the legislature, the Quakers had restored to tbem
the right to vote. This right had been taken from them esrly In I7O0,
when Intolerance was rampant In the colony. In 173-1. the number of
paupers having Increased to an extent which warranted Immediate action
by the authorities for their support, the flrst poorhouse was erected on the
Commons. It was a two-story building, a part of which was given over
later to the confinement Of unruly slaves. The church wardens were ap¬
pointed overseers, with authority to punish the recalcitrant non-working
pauper. CThMdren were taught to read and write here, and instruction was
given to them In some sort of employment which would be a future benefit
to them. The Inmates ee-sLeted In cultivating a large garden surrounding
the building, the products of which were used by the Institution.

Here are two simple Items which show the care exercised by our fore-
fsthcrs in the conduct of efTalra of tbe city:    "The Treasurer Is ordered to

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