Part 8 (1/2)

34. Jan. 15, 1822, in Pintard, Jan. 15, 1822, in Pintard, Letters Letters, II, 121122.

35. Irving, Irving, History of New York History of New York (1812 ed.), vol. 1, 116 (Book 4, chs. 56); ”with characteristic slowness....” appears only in the first edition (N.Y., 1809), vol. 1, 116 (Book 2, ch. 5); Irving deleted the pa.s.sage in the 1812 edition. For a somewhat later (and highly self-conscious) expression of this same Knickerbocker enterprise, see James K. Paulding, (1812 ed.), vol. 1, 116 (Book 4, chs. 56); ”with characteristic slowness....” appears only in the first edition (N.Y., 1809), vol. 1, 116 (Book 2, ch. 5); Irving deleted the pa.s.sage in the 1812 edition. For a somewhat later (and highly self-conscious) expression of this same Knickerbocker enterprise, see James K. Paulding, The Book of Saint Nicholas, translated from the Original Dutch The Book of Saint Nicholas, translated from the Original Dutch (New York, 1836), a ”biography” of the saint, dedicated to the St. Nicholas Society of New York, and with a preface dated ”Nieuw Amsterdam, 1827.” See also Peter H. Myers, (New York, 1836), a ”biography” of the saint, dedicated to the St. Nicholas Society of New York, and with a preface dated ”Nieuw Amsterdam, 1827.” See also Peter H. Myers, The Young Patroon; or, Christmas in 1690. A Tale of New-York The Young Patroon; or, Christmas in 1690. A Tale of New-York (New York, 1849). (New York, 1849).

36. Sean Wilentz terms Moore a ”level-headed Episcopalian conservative.” (See Sean Wilentz terms Moore a ”level-headed Episcopalian conservative.” (See Chants Democratic Chants Democratic, 79.) The only book-length study of Moore, short and hagiographic, is Samuel W. Patterson, The Poet of Christmas Eve: A Life of Clement Clarke Moore, 17791863 The Poet of Christmas Eve: A Life of Clement Clarke Moore, 17791863 (New York: Morehouse-Gorham Co., 1956). For Moore's ancestral background (and the Tory sympathies of his family), see 2229, 3136, 4851. His wife-they married in 1813-was a member of the Cordand family (6466). For information on Moore's slaves, see 5, 48. The political tracts Moore published include (New York: Morehouse-Gorham Co., 1956). For Moore's ancestral background (and the Tory sympathies of his family), see 2229, 3136, 4851. His wife-they married in 1813-was a member of the Cordand family (6466). For information on Moore's slaves, see 5, 48. The political tracts Moore published include Observations upon Certain Pa.s.sages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia Observations upon Certain Pa.s.sages in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia (New York, 1804), a critique of Jefferson's irreligion; and A (New York, 1804), a critique of Jefferson's irreligion; and A Sketch of Our Political Condition Sketch of Our Political Condition (New York, 1813), condemning the Jefferson and Madison administrations (and the War of 1812) for their destruction of rural life! A shorter biographical sketch is Arthur N. Hosking, ”The Life of Clement Clarke Moore,” appended to the 1934 reprint of a facsimile edition of Moore's ”A Visit from St. Nicholas” (New York, 1934). (New York, 1813), condemning the Jefferson and Madison administrations (and the War of 1812) for their destruction of rural life! A shorter biographical sketch is Arthur N. Hosking, ”The Life of Clement Clarke Moore,” appended to the 1934 reprint of a facsimile edition of Moore's ”A Visit from St. Nicholas” (New York, 1934).

37. Moore's professors.h.i.+p initially paid a token $750, a figure that eventually increased to $2,000. See Patterson, Moore's professors.h.i.+p initially paid a token $750, a figure that eventually increased to $2,000. See Patterson, The Poet of Christmas Eve, 7779 The Poet of Christmas Eve, 7779.

38. Hosking, ”Life of Moore,” 23. Hosking, ”Life of Moore,” 23.

39. April 8, 1830, in Pintard, April 8, 1830, in Pintard, Letters Letters, III, 137. For Moore's wealth, see Charles Lock-wood, Manhattan Moves Uptown: An Ill.u.s.trated History Manhattan Moves Uptown: An Ill.u.s.trated History (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1976), 205; Patterson, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1976), 205; Patterson, Poet of Christmas Eve Poet of Christmas Eve, 106110.

40. Isaac N. Phelps Stokes, Isaac N. Phelps Stokes, The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 14981909 The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 14981909 (6 vols., New York, 191528), vol. 5, 1602. Moore writes of eminent domain in (6 vols., New York, 191528), vol. 5, 1602. Moore writes of eminent domain in A Plain Statement, Addressed to the Proprietors of Real Estate in the City and County of New-York A Plain Statement, Addressed to the Proprietors of Real Estate in the City and County of New-York (New York, 1818), 1318. A few years later, the city made plans to fill in an area under the Hudson River, in the process moving the river away from Moore's estate. (Phelps Stokes, (New York, 1818), 1318. A few years later, the city made plans to fill in an area under the Hudson River, in the process moving the river away from Moore's estate. (Phelps Stokes, Iconography Iconography, vol. 5, 1603). By the 1830s some of that land was occupied by the Manhattan Gas-light Works, a company that was installing street lights in that area of the city, and digging a network of underground pipes in order to do so. (See New York As It Is New York As It Is [New York, 1837], 14.) [New York, 1837], 14.) 41. Longworth's City Directory Longworth's City Directory (New York, 1821), 315. (New York, 1821), 315.

42. Nov. 3, 1832, in Pintard, Nov. 3, 1832, in Pintard, Letters Letters, IV, 106. By the end of the 1820s, the area that had come to be known as Chelsea Square was home to a substantial population, much of it poor and/or immigrant. By the 1830s Moore was watching Irishmen on St. Patrick's Day marching along the periphery of his property-down Twenty-third Street, then turning south on Eighth Avenue. See Patterson, Poet of Christmas Eve Poet of Christmas Eve, 9293. Like most of the men who owned great uptown estates, Clement Clarke Moore erected fences around his property.

43. Hosking, ”Life of Moore,” 2831. Hosking, ”Life of Moore,” 2831.

44. Moore, Moore, Plain Statement Plain Statement, 6, 12, 39, 62. Elizabeth Blackmar shrewdly suggests that Moore's complaint was based on his understanding that New York's urban development actually functioned as a public-works program to provide jobs for the poor and the unemployed-a program Moore opposed (Blackmar, Manhattan for Rent Manhattan for Rent, 162163). Cartmen, whom Moore singled out for criticism, had developed a reputation for especially rude and surly behavior by 1820, breaking speed limits and running down pedestrians-much like the modern taxi drivers who partly replaced them. See Graham Hodges, New York City Cartmen, 16671850 New York City Cartmen, 16671850 (New York: New York University Press, 1986), 116117, 127. Hodges indicates that many wealthy New Yorkers chose to move out of downtown New York after being awakened regularly by the sound of ”hundreds of cartmen racing their vehicles at dawn” (p. 121). In the late 1820s Moore was actually planning to move out of Chelsea to a still-rural area of Manhattan several miles to the north; he changed his mind only when his wife died in 1830. In 1839 Moore purchased an estate up the Hudson River at Sing Sing, and in 1850 he rented a house in Newport, Rhode Island, where he spent his remaining summers. Patterson, (New York: New York University Press, 1986), 116117, 127. Hodges indicates that many wealthy New Yorkers chose to move out of downtown New York after being awakened regularly by the sound of ”hundreds of cartmen racing their vehicles at dawn” (p. 121). In the late 1820s Moore was actually planning to move out of Chelsea to a still-rural area of Manhattan several miles to the north; he changed his mind only when his wife died in 1830. In 1839 Moore purchased an estate up the Hudson River at Sing Sing, and in 1850 he rented a house in Newport, Rhode Island, where he spent his remaining summers. Patterson, The Poet of Christmas Eve The Poet of Christmas Eve, 9394, 149150.

45. Irving, Irving, A History of New York A History of New York, vol. 1, 120 (Book 2, ch. 7); see also 454, 639, 655.

46. The Children's Friend The Children's Friend (New York, 1821). (New York, 1821).

47. Irving, Irving, A History of New York A History of New York (1812 ed.), vol. 1, 253 (Book 4, ch. 6: ”ease, tranquillity;” vol. 1, 246 (Book 4, ch. 5: ”meddlesome and fractious”); vol. 1, 254 (Book 4, ch. 6: ”long pipes ... short pipes”). Irving introduced the story of the ”pipe plot” only in the 1812 edition. (1812 ed.), vol. 1, 253 (Book 4, ch. 6: ”ease, tranquillity;” vol. 1, 246 (Book 4, ch. 5: ”meddlesome and fractious”); vol. 1, 254 (Book 4, ch. 6: ”long pipes ... short pipes”). Irving introduced the story of the ”pipe plot” only in the 1812 edition.

48. Lauren J. Cook, ”Snow White Little Instruments of Comfort: Clay Pipes and Cla.s.s Consciousness at the Boott Mills Boarding Houses,” a paper delivered at a meeting of the New England Historical a.s.sociation, Lowell, Ma.s.sachusetts, April 21, 1989. There was a practical reason for workers' use of short pipes: they made it possible to smoke while working. But what may have begun as a practical necessity became, by the nineteenth century, a political gesture. By the same token, smoking a long pipe became an Lauren J. Cook, ”Snow White Little Instruments of Comfort: Clay Pipes and Cla.s.s Consciousness at the Boott Mills Boarding Houses,” a paper delivered at a meeting of the New England Historical a.s.sociation, Lowell, Ma.s.sachusetts, April 21, 1989. There was a practical reason for workers' use of short pipes: they made it possible to smoke while working. But what may have begun as a practical necessity became, by the nineteenth century, a political gesture. By the same token, smoking a long pipe became an a.s.sertion a.s.sertion as well as a sign of genteel leisure (as, for example, the long pipes in Was.h.i.+ngton Irving's ”Rip Van Winkle”). as well as a sign of genteel leisure (as, for example, the long pipes in Was.h.i.+ngton Irving's ”Rip Van Winkle”).

49. ”Southwark Watchman's Address for Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1829” (Philadelphia, 1829), Broadside collection, American Antiquarian Society. Coincidentally, even the meter (of the odd lines, at least) is identical to that of ”A Visit from St. Nicholas.” ”Southwark Watchman's Address for Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1829” (Philadelphia, 1829), Broadside collection, American Antiquarian Society. Coincidentally, even the meter (of the odd lines, at least) is identical to that of ”A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

50. Among some British Jews today, I have been told, the gesture still thrives, signifying Among some British Jews today, I have been told, the gesture still thrives, signifying stumm! stumm!, or ”hush.”

51. New York Sun New York Sun, Sept. 21, 1897.

52. Patterson, Patterson, Poet of Christmas Eve Poet of Christmas Eve, 99101.

53. Blackmar, Blackmar, Manhattan for Rent Manhattan for Rent, 195196. See also Lockwood, Manhattan Moves Uptown Manhattan Moves Uptown, 205. John Pintard made the same point in 1832; see letter of Nov. 3, 1832, in Pintard, Letters Letters, IV, 106.

54. Blackmar, Blackmar, Manhattan for Rent Manhattan for Rent, pa.s.sim.

Chapter 3.

1. New-York American New-York American [for the country], Jan. 4, 1822. [for the country], Jan. 4, 1822.

2. New-York Weekly Commercial Advertiser New-York Weekly Commercial Advertiser, Jan. 3, 1823. Stone added that such a change would also provide the ”young ladies” who hosted the visits with ”an opportunity for a contest of skill in making coffee.”

3. ”Sainte Claus,” in ”Sainte Claus,” in New-York Evening Post New-York Evening Post, Dec. 26, 1820 (this poem was reprinted from the Northern Whig) Northern Whig).

4. ”Ode to Saint Claas, Written on a New Year's Eve,” ”Ode to Saint Claas, Written on a New Year's Eve,” New York Advertiser New York Advertiser, Jan. 4, 1828 and New-York American New-York American, Jan. 4, 1828.

5. For another example of Santa as Lord of Misrule, see Francis H. Davidge, ”Christmas Is Coming,” in T. S. Arthur, ed., For another example of Santa as Lord of Misrule, see Francis H. Davidge, ”Christmas Is Coming,” in T. S. Arthur, ed., The Brilliant The Brilliant (New York, 1850), 2226. This sketch was apparently written by a Southerner, and it was in the South that Santa Claus continued for decades to be described as a ”trickster.” See, for example, Joel Chandler Harris, ”Something About 'Sandy Claus'”: ch. 7, (New York, 1850), 2226. This sketch was apparently written by a Southerner, and it was in the South that Santa Claus continued for decades to be described as a ”trickster.” See, for example, Joel Chandler Harris, ”Something About 'Sandy Claus'”: ch. 7, On the Plantation: A Story of a Georgia Boy's Adventures During the War On the Plantation: A Story of a Georgia Boy's Adventures During the War (New York, 1892), 104121, in which a pair of slaves describe Santa Claus as a kind of Brer Rabbit figure. (New York, 1892), 104121, in which a pair of slaves describe Santa Claus as a kind of Brer Rabbit figure.

6. New-York Advertiser New-York Advertiser, Jan. 4, 1828. This was the same callithumpian parade described in Chapter 2 Chapter 2 (pp. 5455). (pp. 5455).

7. New-York American New-York American, Dec. 28, 1827.

8. Ibid., Dec. 30, 1828. A year later the same newspaper came out in favor of excluding alcohol from the New Year's visitation ritual (ibid., see letter appearing Jan. 1, 1830). Ibid., Dec. 30, 1828. A year later the same newspaper came out in favor of excluding alcohol from the New Year's visitation ritual (ibid., see letter appearing Jan. 1, 1830).

9. Eliza C. Folien, ”Life of Charles Folien,” Eliza C. Folien, ”Life of Charles Folien,” The Works of Charles Folien The Works of Charles Folien (5 vols., Boston, 1842), I, 562. (5 vols., Boston, 1842), I, 562.

10. New York Morning Herald New York Morning Herald, Dec. 25, 1839. The theater at which ”Santiclaus” appeared was the Broadway Circus, perhaps the only New York theater that was still attracting a ”mixed”-cla.s.s audience at this time. See also New York Tattler New York Tattler, Dec. 27, 1839. These items were brought to my attention by Dale c.o.c.krell.

11. New York Daily Herald New York Daily Herald, Dec. 23, 1839.

12. Dec. 26, 1848, in Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas, eds., Dec. 26, 1848, in Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas, eds., Diary of George Templeton Strong Diary of George Templeton Strong (4 vols., New York: Macmillan, 1952), 1, 338339. (4 vols., New York: Macmillan, 1952), 1, 338339.

13. New-York Tribune New-York Tribune, Dec. 23, 1850. The paper went on to suggest that these gangs had the tacit support of politicians (presumably from Tammany Hall).

14. New-York Tribune New-York Tribune, Jan. 3, 1852. For a survey of riots in nineteenth-century New York, see Luc Sante, Low Life: Lures and Snares of New York Low Life: Lures and Snares of New York (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1991), 339356, a chapter bearing the apt t.i.tle ”Carnival.” (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1991), 339356, a chapter bearing the apt t.i.tle ”Carnival.”

15. New-York Tribune New-York Tribune, Jan. 3, 1852.

16. See also the See also the New-York American New-York American for Dec. 26 and 30, 1840, juxtaposing riot reports (in one column) with an upbeat editorial (in another) about Christmas shopping and ”the merry days [of] childhood and youth.” for Dec. 26 and 30, 1840, juxtaposing riot reports (in one column) with an upbeat editorial (in another) about Christmas shopping and ”the merry days [of] childhood and youth.”

17. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ”Christmas at Ratzeburg,” in Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ”Christmas at Ratzeburg,” in The Friend The Friend (Burlington, Vermont, 1831), 322. Coleridge continues: ”About seven or eight years old the children are let into the secret, and it is curious how faithfully they keep it!” Readers who studied the piano as children may recall ”Knecht Ruprecht” as the t.i.tle of a mock-scary piece from Robert Schumann's ”Alb.u.m for the Young.” In Alsace, a similar figure was named Hanstrap. (Burlington, Vermont, 1831), 322. Coleridge continues: ”About seven or eight years old the children are let into the secret, and it is curious how faithfully they keep it!” Readers who studied the piano as children may recall ”Knecht Ruprecht” as the t.i.tle of a mock-scary piece from Robert Schumann's ”Alb.u.m for the Young.” In Alsace, a similar figure was named Hanstrap.

18. Pennsylvania Gazette Pennsylvania Gazette, Dec. 29, 1827; quoted in Alfred Shoemaker, Christmas in Pennsylvania: A Folk-Cultural Study Christmas in Pennsylvania: A Folk-Cultural Study (Kutztown: Penn. Folklore Society, 1959), 74. (Kutztown: Penn. Folklore Society, 1959), 74.

19. Ibid., 7475. Ibid., 7475.

20. See, for example, P. E. Gibbons, ”The Pennsylvania Dutch,” See, for example, P. E. Gibbons, ”The Pennsylvania Dutch,” Atlantic Monthly Atlantic Monthly, Oct. 1869, 484; quoted ibid., 76.

21. Diary of James L. Morris (from Montgomery, Penn.); quoted ibid., 74. Diary of James L. Morris (from Montgomery, Penn.); quoted ibid., 74.

22. Pottstown Lafayette Aurora Pottstown Lafayette Aurora, Dec. 21, 1826; quoted ibid., 7374.

23. Morris diary entry, Dec. 24, 1844, quoted ibid., 74; Morris diary entry, Dec. 24, 1844, quoted ibid., 74; Norristown Herald and Free Press Norristown Herald and Free Press, Dec. 31, 1851; Lancaster Daily Evening Express Lancaster Daily Evening Express, Dec. 26, 1873; Carlisle Herald Carlisle Herald, Jan. 2, 1873; all quoted Shoemaker, Christmas in Pennsylvania Christmas in Pennsylvania, 77.

24. Reading Berks and Schuylkill Journal Reading Berks and Schuylkill Journal, Dec. 27, 1851; Norristown Olive Branch Norristown Olive Branch, Dec. 31, 1853; Easton Daily Express Easton Daily Express, Dec. 27, 1858 (all quoted Shoemaker, Christmas in Pennsylvania Christmas in Pennsylvania, 76).

25. Pottstown Ledger Pottstown Ledger, Dec. 26, 1873; quoted ibid., 77.

26. Susan G. Davis, ”'Making Night Hideous': Christmas Revelry and Public Order in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia,” Susan G. Davis, ”'Making Night Hideous': Christmas Revelry and Public Order in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia,” American Quarterly American Quarterly 34 (1982), 185199 (quotation from 190191). 34 (1982), 185199 (quotation from 190191).

27. Philadelphia Daily Chronicle Philadelphia Daily Chronicle, Dec. 26, 1833; quoted Shoemaker, Christmas in Pennsylvania Christmas in Pennsylvania, 86; partly quoted in Susan G. Davis, Parades and Power: Street Theater in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia Parades and Power: Street Theater in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986), 81. (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1986), 81.