Shenandoah



from across the seas, or priceless relics of colonial
days-with the Georgian masterpieces of Chippen-
dale and Sheraton-with French bronzes, ormolu
and tapestries-with family portraits painted by
Kneller, Hoppner, Raeburn, Van Loo, or by their
American followers, Copley, Stuart, Sharples,
West. Rare antique plate, china, and crystal
gleamed against the dark mahogany of banquet-
table and sideboard. And the port and Madeira,
the Burgundy and brandies in the cellar, matched
the other heirlooms in age and quality.
  The social laws of old Charleston were conserv-
ative, though proudly arbitrary; and it was quite
as difficult for a stranger to invade the inner
precincts without gilt-edged credentials as it is
to-day amongst the high nobility of Europe.
Neither money, nor beauty, nor wit, nor learning,
nor official position, would in itself suffice. But
without any of these advantages, the coveted
passport might be obtained through favorable
recommendation to the dames and dowagers who
were the arbiters of fashion and fate. Then, at
the magical open sesame, the most exclusive
dining-rooms and drawing-rooms received the
stranger into full communion, without reserva-
tion, in all the warm-hearted effusion that made
"Southern hospitality" a proverb.



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