Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-26


| rose At the first peep of dawn, and emerging from
the splendid porticos of the famed Pavilion, mounted
the green hills behind What a splendid scene
spread around Jersey City New York, Brooklyn
all laying in broad semicircle to the north, just
tnped with the soft rays Of morn. Sauntering from
hill to hill fell in with two dogs one young fellow
who, like myself had taken an early stroll to
"To snuff the caar air."
The dog is a social sentimental and philosopher
animal l love dog-so whistled. They both
came up to me-wagged their tails with great polite
ness-the young one jumping up and almost asking
me with look Of gladness, how do you do Mr.. b.
glad to see you-hew do ysu do?"
"Pretty well thank you" replied to the young
frolcksome puppy, stroking his sleek hair.
"What brings you here early, Mr. % asked
the old dog, shaking his tail full round
81 have come down to the famous Pic Mic on
Bard's HILL"
"The devil you have!' said the young puppy,
jumping upon me-" have you brought any young
puppies down with you?"
"Oh No; left all the puppies in the city and at
Saratoga"
" Bow, WOW, boww said he, running of.
After taking stroll upon the hill, returned to
breakfast and about half past ten O'Clock, took a
seat, on invitation from one of the managers with
two or three pretty female lawyers Of about eight or
nine years of age, who examined and cross-examined
US ost of every kind of knowledge about the Pic Mic
during the whole drive to the ground.
In Europe Pic Mics are frequent Here they
are occasionally introduced, bat they are by no
means general. A Pic Mic partakes Of fair, ball,
an excursion rural drive, and thousand delicious
| amusements thrown into one. When the whole par
ty are acquainted with each others tastes and dispo-
sons it becomes the most picturesque and varied OF
amusements.
About eleven o'clock the company began to appear
on the ground. The first thing that struck the eye
reaching the spot was fine field, rising ground,
entirely surrounded with the forest and at such dis
lance from all the highways, to give it an air of
complete privacy and secluson. This field forms the
brow of hill, about mile south of the Pavilion,
through the woods, called Bards Hill, from which
is seen one of the most splendid views of New York,
that can be found any where in the neighborhood.
foreign gentleman said it resembles the appearance of
London, as seen from Greenwich, on the south side
of the Thames
On the edge of the forest at the western extremity
Of the open field, very beautiful bower was erected
the floor formed of the soft green grass, smoothed
down the day before. This was the Dancing
Bower" and was divided into two parts separated
by young trees which intertwned their branches at
the top Around the interior benches for the la
dies-the spreading branches above were used for
hanging up their shawls and bonnets Beyond the
fence with in the forest, the tables were laid QUA
fire kndled-and preparations made TO cook some
fresh CLAIMS, on the same plan they do such mat
tets at Rockaway. Here lay, in pile, little noun
tain Of ice wherewith the champagne and other wines
were kept cool and comfortable There lay the pro-
visions in abundance, consisting of hams, beef,
chickens aamodes-every thing that could be desired
all cold, and ready at any moment for execution.
At half past eleven the first party Of ladies began
to enter the enchanted ground. Covered with smiles
and dimples they dismounted, shook themselves like
little cherubs dropped from some azure cloud, and
looked round upon the scenery with enchantnent
and delight. In few moments the enjoyments OF
the day began with cotillion in the bower to some
fine strains from Dodworth's band stationed under a
noble spreading tree on the edge of the forest.
While the dancers tripped il gaiy here the rest OF
the company began to come forward-carriage after
carriage emerging from the wood into the spacious
arena, called Bards Hill, and setting down their
company at the entrance Of the Bower OF Beauty
The arrival of the fair company was picturesque
and delightful. Some Of the sweetest young creatures
from the cty-some from the island-others from
other parts, formed a collection that can only be
paraeled in the creations Of poetcal fancy. Let us
give their characters. We had romantic Rosalind
tall graceful youthful with dark ustrous eye, and
pure, brilliant complexion, which puzzles language to
express There was the graceful, elegant and dag
zlng DIANA the goddess Of the forest with her culver
and bow, bringing down deserted bachelors to her
feet with that inimtable grace which gives them a
renewed existence at the very moment they are killed
outright. Here also was Miranda, attended by her
"dainty Ariel"
90! cherubim,r
unseen, unknown, save TO those whose sight extends
beyond the limits of mere human eyes into the re-
gions of wild poetic fancy.
After several editions, then came the lunch at
twelve o'clock AT this period of the day. every now
and then, the fair creatures disturbed by the oc-
casona lowering appearance ofthe clouds. Several
times few sad drops" came from the dark clouds
but the spirits of the storm had not the heart spoil
much enjoyment and innocence. The whole morning
was contest between the bright sun the blthesomc
breeze and the dark clouds. At one moment the
beautiful creatures might be covering under the
branches with rugs and pieces Of carpets hung over
the trees to protect them from the scattering drops
In another moment the would break out-the
breeze wsuld bIow-the music would spring up-and
away they all weat in a dance, talking, laughing,
and full of the highest spirits.