306 The Winning of the West 



and riding, and were lavishly hospitable. They 

 sought to have their children well taught, not only 

 in letters but in social accomplishments like danc 

 ing; and at the proper season they liked to visit 

 the Virginian watering-places, where they met 

 "genteel company" from the older States, and 

 lodged in good taverns in which "a man could have 

 a room and a bed to himself." 9 



An agreement entered into about this time be 

 tween one of the Clarks and a friend shows that 

 Kentuckians were already beginning to appreciate 

 the merits of neat surroundings even for a rather 

 humble town-house. This particular house, together 

 with the stable and lot, was rented for "one cow" 

 for the first eight months, and two dollars a month 

 after that certainly not an excessive rate; and it 

 was covenanted that everything should be kept in 

 good repairs, and particularly that the grass plots 

 around the house should not be "trod on or tore 

 up." 10 



All Kentuckians took a great interest in politics, 

 as is the wont of self-asserting, independent free 

 men, living under a democratic government. But 

 the gentry and men of means and the lawyers very 

 soon took the lead in political affairs. A larger 

 proportion of these classes came from Virginia than 

 was the case with the rest of the population, and 

 they shared the eagerness and aptitude for political 



9 Letter of a young Virginian, L. Butler, April 13, 1790. 

 "Magazine of Amer. Hist.," I, 113. 



10 Draper MSS. Wm. Clark Papers. Agreement between 

 Clark and Bagley, April i, 1790. 



