ANCIENT SOCAIL CLUB

THE ORDER OF GOOD CHEER

The Port Royal settlement in Nova Scotia, Canada was reconstructed in 1939 by the Canadian government from Champlain’s descriptions and engravings.

Seated on wooden benches at tables in the “meeting room”, the docent caught us eyeing the pewter tableware and said, “The pewter plates and mugs once used by the settlers contained 60% lead!”

I wonder what contribution that had on the life span centuries ago.

Grabbing a beaver tail and top hat, the young docent continued, “The prized fur in the 1600s was beaver tail. The pelts were shaved, then pounded and pressed to produce a felt that was used to make hats all around the world.

“Because of the long harsh winters Champlain established the Order of Good Cheer---the oldest social club in North America. Two or three times a week a member of the settlement was responsible for providing food and entertainment for the entire settlement of 35-40 men. This not only lifted the men’s spirits, but also provided a better diet, lessening illness. The addition of seafood---dolphin and seal, both high in vitamin C---prevented scurvy.”

The docent continued, “In those days Europeans were short, averaging just a bit over five feet, with an average lifespan of 35-40 years. Chief Membertou was over six-foot tall and was 100 years old! What was the difference? Well one was that the Indians bathed several times a week compared to the Europeans bathing only once a quarter---if it was necessary. That might have had something to do with it.”

I bet their clothes could stand all by themselves when they did take them off.

I was interested in the period dress of the college students working as docents for the summer.  Black felt, linen lined, knee-length pants were reminiscent of the knickers worn in the 1920-30s. A vest topped long-sleeve homespun white shirts.Wooden shoes, called sabot in French, were worn over knee-high woolen stockings.

When the Frenchmen would get angry at something they sometimes would take off their sabot (wooden shoe) and throw it into the cogwheel fouling things up, thus comes the word sabotage.

What a neat way for these young people to learn their history!