The following letter from the Litchfield Monitor of June 8, 1796, shows how far-reaching was the Republican feeling in Litchfield when it was sought to regulate through the press even the old custom of wearing mourning: DRESSING IN MOURNING. _To the Printers of the United States._ _Gentlemen_,— As your employment gives you the means of great influence in our country, it is of great importance that you should be wise and good men; that you should improve your influence in promoting the best interest and real welfare of our rising nation. At this time I would mention one error in my countrymen, which prevails to our shame and poverty—the growing Fashion of dressing in mourning. This is to our disgrace, and gives mortification to every true lover of this country. During the Revolution, an economical fashion, truly republican, was established and all classes wore it; this was only a piece of crape or black ribbon on the left arm of men, and a black ribbon on the head of women. This American fashion did honor to our country, while at the same time it saved the property of the people. The President of the United States, some of the Governors and first rulers, have continued the fashion to this day. But great numbers of unreflecting persons have thoughtlessly returned again to an imitation of the British people, and greatly to their own loss, and to the injury of the country. The articles worn for mourning, are imported from Europe, for which our money is exported. This is a serious misfortune; for the sum is very great which is every year wasted for this trumpery. Let us act more like Americans, and save our honor and our money. We ought to have our own fashions, and the most frugal ones. To be imitators of Europeans and to our own loss is disgraceful. Our pride as well as our reason, forbids this servile practice. Americans! assert yourselves. Act with independent minds! be no longer the dupes of a silly fashion. Elect no man to any office who is guilty of this littleness of conduct—thereby you will preserve your national dignity, and millions of your money! AN AMERICAN. P.S. It is really strange, and much to be regretted that our legislatures do not attempt to correct this evil. A recommendation from high authority to the people, would produce a good effect. At least, it would keep in countenance those who wish to avoid the fashion—for fashion is a tyrant, and weak people are afraid to disobey. This tyrant therefore, should be borne down by the authority of high examples. In order to round out this sketch of the social conditions and customs at Litchfield during the period of these chronicles, let us read the impressions of a stranger,—a young man who, like many another, found there not only a good legal education, but—a wife.