The sources of knowledge have been multiplied almost indefinitely. In
1835 the daily newspaper was not often seen in country towns, and the
circulation of the weekly paper was limited to a very small portion of
the families. The postage was an important item. Relatively, the cost
of papers was enormous. The mails were infrequent, and the people
generally had not the means of paying the combined expenses. Many,
perhaps most, of the papers, were sent upon credit, and it was not
unusual to find subscribers several years in arrears. Many of the
papers contained this notice: "No paper discontinued until all
arrearages are paid," as though sending a paper to a subscriber in
debt, would compel him to make payment. New books were rare. The
farmers and laborers had no slight difficulty in meeting the demands
for schoolbooks, and these and the Bible were the total stock in a
majority of houses.
The means of domestic comfort were limited to a degree not now easily
comprehended. The brick oven and the open fire were the only means of
cooking, and the open fire was the only means of warming the houses.
Soon after 1835, and even before that year possibly, cylinder stoves
were introduced into shops and stores. Stoves of other varieties soon
followed. Upholstered furniture and carpets were not found in the
houses of well-to-do farmers even.
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