Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-01-28

INTERESTING DESCRIPTION

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INTERESTING DESCRIPTION
Oftke 6stivalh held at Bethelehem, on Christ
mus Ere, by Lady TO her friend.
On Saturday we received invitations from
Mr.. H, and the interesting sisters, -
and, to attend their festival on Christ
mas Eve--we were invited at six, and re-
ouested to be punctual-Itwas held in the
large prayer hall. which was lighted, and
fancifully hung round with evergreens. The
one end of the room was concealed by a
white curtain edged with green--it was
enclosed in the form of crescent, nearly to
the ceiling, leaving the spaceot about halt
a yard 10 width reaching round the half cir
cie-aboye white muslin was drawn up in
festoons-in the space Emanuel was writ
ten or drawn in letters OF moss-below was
toe curtain, hyet concealed what was
behind it; two rows of bencheswere placed
the length way of the hall against the wall,
for the sisters, widows sc. across the rooms
were placed benches for the scholars, and
as soon as all others had taken their seats,
the children made their appearance, prece-
ded by their teachers. pianolorte was
placed ia the centre of the room, and when
all had taken their places, one of the teach
ers played psalm, in which three ct the
young ladies joined. Better playing, or
more sweetly toned instrument have sell
dom heard. When this was concluded, the
curtain rose in graceful festoonS, immedi-
ateiy below The spaceI endeavored to de-
cribe 10 you, and we saw what appeared
sort of bower of evergreens, supported by
five pillars, TO appearance OF white marble
fancifully wreathed with greens; on each
side of the bower was large transparent
picture; one representing our Saviour lying
, IN the manger, Mary leaning over him, and
the shepherds who were sent TO worship him
kneeling round him--The otherrepresented
the plains of Bethlehem where the angel
OF Inc Lord appeared to the shepherds who
watched their focks by night. "And 10:
the angel OF the Lord came upon them, and
the glory Of the Lord shone round about
them, and they were sore afraid and the
angels said unto them fear not, tor behold
bring you tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people for unto you is born this
day in the city of David, Saviour which is
Christ the Lord" The speaking began with
one Of the little children going up to the
painting and requestingan explanation The
life, aud suiferings OF our Saviour were then
\ continued in a dialogue, by the children,
interspersed with appropriate psalms and
bymns.-Although it was solemn beyond
description, and they did not appear SO
much to be repeating what they had learn
ed, as to be engaged in an interesting con-
versation. This manner of commemora-
ting the birth of our saviour, appears to me
70 be much better adapted to the compre-
bens;on of children, than any other have
known; il mus, make a strong impression
ON them and what they have learned in this
way, | am certain they can never forget
or ask, as have heard children why is
Christmas keptr' The figures in the paint
ing were as large as life, and the colo urs
very bright; and at the distance we sat-
the effect was very fine. The Sisters IN
theirclose caps and hooded cloaks, looked
like statues, YET some of them breathed
very sweet sounds.
It appears that whale which was tor a
long time exhibited in the city OF y. York,
and afterwards at Albany and other places
in the interior, was nothing but the home
uaaufacture of some adrolt rogue. The
scrutiny OF some discerning persons at Wa
terloo New York; discovered the hoax
the counterfeit Dhaie was Sc. on fire. and
the rogues decamped