Scotia a young miss of
New England parentage--Anna Green Winslow--to live with her aunt and
receive a "finishing" in Boston schools. For the edification of her
parents and her own practice in penmanship, this bright little maid kept
a diary, of which portions have been preserved, and which I do not
hesitate to say is the most sprightly record of the daily life of a girl
of her age that I have ever read. There is not a dull word in it, and
every page has some statement of historical value. She was twelve years
old shortly after the diary was begun, and she then had a "coming-out
party"--she became a "miss in her teens." To this rout only young ladies
of her own age and in the most elegant Boston society were invited--no
rough Boston boys. Miss Anna has written for us more than one prim and
quaint little picture of similar parties--here is one of her clear and
stiff little descriptions; and a graphic account also of the evening
dress of a young girl at that time.

"I have now the pleasure to give you the result Viz; a very genteel
well regulated assembly which we had at Mr. Soleys last evening,
Miss Soley being mistress of the ceremony. Miss Soley desired me to
assist Miss Hannah in making out a list of guests which I did.
Sometime since I wrote all the invitation cards. There was a large
company assembled in a large handsome upper room in the new end of
the house. We had two fiddles and I had the honor to open the
diversion of the evening in a minuet with Miss Soley. Here follows
a list of the company as we form'd for country-dancing. Miss Soley
and Miss Anna Green Winslow; Miss Calif and Miss Scott; Miss
Williams and Miss McLarth; Miss Codman and Miss Winslow; Miss Ives
and Miss Coffin; Miss Scollay and Miss Bella Coffin; Miss Waldo and
Miss Quinsey; Miss Glover and Miss Draper; Miss Hubbard and Miss
Cregur (usually pronounced Kicker) and two Miss Sheafs were invited
but were sick or sorry and beg'd to be excused.

"There was a little Miss Russel and little ones of the family
present who could not dance. As spectators there were Mr. & Mrs.
Deming, Mr. & Mrs. Sweetser, Mr. and Mrs. Soley, Mr. & Mrs. Claney,
Mrs. Draper, Miss Orice, Miss Hannah--our treat was nuts, raisins,
cakes, Wine, punch hot and cold all in great plenty. We had a very
agreeable evening from 5 to 10 o'clock. For variety we woo'd a
widow, hun