132 HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SKETCH OF 



in the neighborhood did this every day ; others at 

 intervals, greater or less, throughout the week. But 

 whether he visited his plantation or not, the planter 

 was generally on his horse, and inspected those 

 plantations which were within an easy ride. Hunt- 

 ing also afforded the means of passing the time. 

 Deer and foxes abound in the neighborhood, and 

 the Santee Swamp would sometimes furnish a still 

 more exciting sport by offering wolves and bears 

 to the hunters. After the morning's ride was over, 

 the post-office or the village store was the general 

 rendezvous and lounging-place. Here politics and 

 crops were the never-failing topics of conversation. 



At one o'clock dinner was served. One old lady, 

 who died in 1848, never dined later than half-past 

 twelve. A portion of the afternoon was always de- 

 voted to sleep. Every piazza was furnished wtih 

 long benches, and these formed the rude beds on 

 which the gentlemen invariably indulged in the lux- 

 ury of a siesta. 



The siesta over, and whilst the sun was still high 

 above the horizon, the kettle would bubble for the 

 evening refection, and hot tea and cakes would be 

 offered to refresh those whose heavy sleep rendered 

 some refreshment necessary. This early meal, of 

 course, indicated that supper would close the labors 

 of the day. And now the active duties of the day 

 being over, and every family having refreshed 

 themselves with tea or coffee, social life commenced. 



