Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-26

This day, when set apart by our fathers as
a religious and social festival, was undoub,ed.
y employed more in devout Inscriptions of
praise and thanksgiving in honor of the Deity
than in a more advanced stage Of our national
prosperity. In it's origin, Ito use the language
of contemporary } there was a sincerity and
%solemnity Of devotion, springing directly out
Of the feelings and general spirit which ANNA
mated the early pilgrims, and which made
them acknowledge more especially the hand
OF God in all his dealings, which abated very
much of It's warmth aud fefvor, as the cares of
ambition. and the qualification Of pleasure,
gradually accompanied the growth of wealth.
The day then became more IF a holiday-de-
voted 10 fesiivity and social cnioyment-with-
out SO large an intermixlure of the devotion of
the heart. This :estivity still continues, with
out much abatement of its former spirit, among
he simpler and less sophisticated inhabitants
Of The interior; while it presents a sad diminu-
ton among the citizens of our more compac ct
towns. BY the former, the approach Of the
day is still welcomed with a joy and even glee
which marks It as one Of the happiest days in
the farmers calendar. At this time, he is ca
gerIy expecting the arrival Of friends and KIN
dred, separated by long and painful distance
a son, a brother, or sister-to share in the de-
lights of his hearth. and the enjoyments of his
board. Preparations are made on a scale Of
magnifcence and luxury. unknown on ordinary
occasions, and speaking a generosity which
spurns at the moniiions Of his usual economy.
His we'll stocked yards and cellars pour forth
animal and Vegetable bounties; and the neigh
boring grocer contributes from his stores of
foreign luxuries. to impart a spice Of rarity to
The condiments necessary TO the due celebra-
Hon Of The day. The day has arrived-and
wat warm and eager-hearted greetings! AS
a caild, long absent a cherished daughter re-
ceivss the kiss and fear of a beloved mother!
s UGH scenes are reserved for the more simple
children Of our common nature they are lux
uries Of the heart, which the h~eartless ard
execrab!e polish of fashionable society has
driven from our bosoms and our homes! So be
it! 1t is useless to moralize. After the first
greetings are over, then come the pleasant,
tender and anxious enquiries of health, situa-
alton, and the thousand other circumstances
all Of them dear and sacred in a fathers or
mothers heart; mentor of kindred, not by
their own hearths; but gone they know not
where, and are afraid almost to ask or c%onjec-
ture! all intermingled with smiles, and the
exuberant JOY Of hearts overlooking with mutu-
al delight: 1t is a picture which only a New
England Thanksgiving can present Minds so
attuned cannot but join with devout and SOL
emn,zed feeling in the worship, in his holy
temple, of their Father and their God; hence
the Inscriptions Of praise, are not mere lip wor-
ship, and the Bonded knee, heartless adora-
ton, done for or fashions sake, and des-
patched with cold and decent haste. Surroun-
ding the generous board, amid the substantial
delights Of the day. absent friends are not for
gotten, or the poor or the destitute forsaken
or neglected. The evening terminates either
in the mild, bland, heartfelt intercourse Of the
day, or while the elder part are thus occupied.
the younger, with sparkling eyes and rosy
cheeks, the very emblems Of health, content
aud happiness, HE to some place Of innocent:
amusement and recreation, where, amid the
pastime Of a ball, or other..convival or social
advertisement, the swift footed hours pass of
in merriment and glee. At such a time-if
only a capital flight Of snow can have been
kindly and seasonaB1y seat-the enjoyment is
dsubly enhanced. With such an advantage,
the manly and spirited gallant would be con-
sidered but a sorry sort Of fellow, If he should
not contribute to the diversion Of the evening,
by overturning. on his return, a dozen Of his
fair charges into a snow bank. But we must
close by wishing that while all these delights
are continued in all their qualification to those
who as yet retain them, a portion Of the spirit
requisite for the due celebration Of a New
England Thanksgiving, may be restored to
those who have become insensibls TO ito true